Listed building insurance

Listed buildings are generally much older than standard homes, and are considered a higher risk by insurers.

If you suffer a loss to your listed property, you will be required by law to reinstate it  using traditional materials to match the original.  The costs associated with this are often significantly higher than the costs of repairing or reinstating standard homes.  It is therefore important that you are adequately covered by an insurer that understands the implications of this and will cover the full cost.

Most standard insurance providers do not provide cover for listed properties.

The Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission lists buildings in England and Wales under three grades::

Grade I: buildings of exceptional interest.
Grade II*: particularly important buildings of more than special interest.
Grade II: buildings that are of special interest.

In Scotland, buildings are assigned one of three categories:
Category A
Buildings of national or international importance, either architectural or historic, or fine little altered examples of some particular period or style.

Category B
Buildings of regional or more than local importance, or major examples of some particular period, style or building type which may have been altered.

Category C
Buildings of local importance, lesser examples of any period, style or building type, as originally constructed or moderately altered; and simple traditional buildings which group well with others in Categories A and B.

Yes, if you have obtained the appropriate permissions and expert advice. Listed building consent is required for all demolition, alteration or extension which affect the special architectural or historic character of a listed building or a curtilage listed building.

Some projects will also require planning permission and building regulation approval as well as listed building consent.