Home improvements are now big business with Britons spending millions of pounds each year. During renovation periods your home is subjected to an increased risk of fire, theft and damage. For example, one large insurer has paid out at least £750,000 in each of the previous three years for claims caused by contractors’ blow torches and hot works hazards alone.
Before you start major works (generally improvements of £25,000 or more), you should notify your insurance broker as additional cover will need to be arranged for the period work is taking place. This ensures that if a problem does occur, you’re covered.
Your broker will also be able to help if you have any queries relating to the contract you sign and your responsibilities.
There are many things you can do to mitigate the risk of some of our more common claims. This factsheet summarises our advice to keep your home secure during home improvements.
Fire
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Appoint an experienced and professional contractor (e.g. a member of the Gas Safe register for gas installation and IEE member for electrics).
- Insist that contractors clear debris away, especially materials like wood, sawdust, cardboard containers, cloths etc. Check that this is done at the end of each day. Ensure that each floor of your home has a fire extinguisher and that all contractors know where these are located. All floors should also have a fire alarm.
- Insist on a complete smoking ban on your property.
- If hot works have taken place (i.e. welding, blow torches) make sure the contractors have a ’hot works’ permit which requires them to monitor the site for at least an hour after the work has finished.
Escape of water
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Drain the whole water system to ensure any burst pipes cause minimal damage.
- Ensure all contractors know where the stop valves are located.
Theft
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Remove all valuable items from sight.
- If your home will be unoccupied during renovations, secure your property using motion-activated lighting, perimeter fencing and gates or chains across driveways.
- Scaffolding around your property can give intruders new ways to access your property, so it’s a good idea to alarm scaffolding as well.
- Secure all removable items around the site – as an example, an insurer recently paid a claim for a stolen bathroom suite that was still in boxes waiting to be installed in a property.
Liability
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Making sure the site is clear of debris will also reduce the risk of contractors or members of the public falling over items and injuring themselves.
Storm and weather
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Ensure all exposed areas are covered and are water tight/wind proofed. This is a particular problem during the winter months.
Accidental Damage
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Remove or secure all valuable items in your home to minimise the risk of accidental damage. For example drilling vibrations could knock a vase from a shelf or increased levels of dirt/dust could damage a piece of art.
Finally, don’t forget to contact your broker once the work has been completed to increase your levels of insurance cover to reflect the improvements made to your home.