Gardeners in Lewisham

If a gardener damages your property — breaking a fence panel, cracking a window with a stone from the mower, or damaging underground services — their public liability insurance should cover the cost of putting it right. This is why confirming insurance cover before work begins is so important. A professional will report any accidental damage promptly rather than hoping you won't notice.

As a homeowner, you have a duty of care to anyone on your property. If you are aware of a hazard — an unstable wall, a weak fence — you should warn anyone working near it. Self-employed contractors carry their own insurance for accidents, but you could face a claim if you knowingly exposed someone to a risk without warning them. A simple conversation about known hazards at the start of the job is good practice.

If damage to a neighbour's property is caused by a gardener working for you, the gardener's public liability insurance should cover the claim. You should notify your gardener promptly and ask them to manage the claim through their insurer. Keeping a note of the incident and taking photographs is sensible.

It's worth checking your home insurance policy, as some policies include provisions about regular contractors. In practice, most home insurers do not require notification for a regular gardener in the same way they would for major building works. However, if you have specific concerns, a quick call to your insurer will clarify your position.