Good to Know: What to Do When Construction Work is Happening Nearby and You Unexpectedly Notice Damage to Your Home?

As spring arrives, major road repairs resume in cities and large-scale infrastructure work continues throughout Estonia, causing significant vibration and affecting people living nearby. Such work can also impact the condition of real estate. If you suspect that large-scale work has caused new cracks in your home's facade, for example, it's worth documenting the situation with photos immediately and notifying both the work contractors and your insurance company. According to Swedbank's home insurance statistics for 2025, a total of 15,783 damage claims were filed last year and over 16 million euros were paid out in compensation. On average, 43 damage claims were filed per day and the average claim amount reached 1,960 euros. However, the largest single payout exceeded 123,000 euros. Although most home damages are related to pipe leaks or broken objects, insurance companies also have to deal with vibration damage caused by construction and road work. This can occur when heavy construction equipment is used near homes or deep excavation work is carried out. Vibration can also be caused by extensive drilling work or the movement of massive machinery in close proximity to buildings.

Damage may initially go unnoticed Vibration travels through the soil to nearby buildings and can cause minor or major damage. Sandra Dõba, head of Swedbank's home insurance department, said that problems may not be immediately visible, as initially only small cracks may appear on walls or ceilings. "Over time, these can grow and in some cases damage the building's structures," she explained. "It can also damage a house's facade or interior finishes, such as painted surfaces or plastered walls." According to the expert, the main problem with vibration damage is the fact that it goes unnoticed and the contractors and insurance company are contacted too late. "If the parties are not notified in a timely manner and the damage is not documented, it can be quite difficult to link cracks to specific construction work retrospectively. This also prolongs the handling of claims, as additional expert assessments and inquiries are needed to clarify the possible cause of the damage," Dõba explained. Spring traditionally brings large-scale construction work, and this year is no exception. In many places throughout Estonia, for example, the Rail Baltic construction continues and cities are undertaking major road repairs. "If you notice new cracks on your home walls, you should document the situation with photos without delay. In addition, you must notify the contractors in writing and also alert your insurance company. In apartment buildings, you should also inform your neighbor or housing association about the situation," Dõba recommended. Dõba noted that with home insurance, it's worth paying attention to what exactly is covered in the case of vibration damage. "Cracks in a wall or ceiling are not in themselves an insurable event. However, if it is possible to establish that they were caused by vibration from construction work, this may be covered," she explained. Therefore, early action helps avoid situations where proving the cause of damage becomes even more difficult. It is important that third-party liability is proven and damage is documented. Good to know: what to do if you suspect that construction work has caused damage to your home?

• Find out the builder's details. The construction site must display the contact details of both the construction client and the construction contractor, whom you can contact with a damage claim.

• Submit your damage claim in writing. The claim should include the time the damage occurred, a description of what and how it was damaged, and an estimate of the cost of repair.

• Send the claim by email and set a reasonable deadline for response.

• Document the damage. Take photos and describe the situation as accurately as possible so that it will be easier to prove the extent and cause of the damage later.

• If necessary, contact your insurance provider, who can assess based on the cause and conditions of the damage whether it is an insurable event.