From a new lick of paint in the living room, to remodelling the kitchen - home improvement plans are exciting. But while you’re creating the perfect home aesthetic, consider whether your home is protected against DIY mishaps.
Here’s what you need to know about home improvements and home insurance:
- DIY dos and don'ts
- What do I need to tell my insurer about when making cosmetic home improvements?
- What do I need to tell my insurer about when making larger home improvements?
DIY dos and don'ts
Do plan ahead
Before you dive in and start taking down that ugly shelving unit, it’s important to plan what you’re doing.
Putting the project on paper will help you:
- plan what you want the room to look like
- how you’ll achieve it
- what your potential roadblocks are.
Don't skip steps
Want to get rid of that old-fashioned wallpaper, but don’t think stripping it off is necessary? As boring as preparation tasks can be, they're important to do. Proper prep will make sure you get the best results at the end of the project. After all, no one wants a lumpy wall!
Do take simple steps to improve your home
Taking on home improvements can be daunting. But if you start with the small stuff, you might find yourself motivated to tackle those bigger projects. Adding new plants or hanging pictures you’ve had in storage for months are great places to get started.
Don’t attempt electric or gas work
Need wires moved or gas pipes changed? Always call a licensed professional. Even if the job seems small, never try to do gas or electric work yourself. These types of jobs could be dangerous if you’re not trained.
Do check your cover with your insurance company
When doing DIY in your home, speak to your insurance company about insured home improvements and what you're covered for. They can give you information about any additional cover you may need.
What do I need to tell my insurer about when making cosmetic home improvements?
For smaller cosmetic home improvements, you don’t need to let your insurer know. So if you’re retiling the bathroom or putting shelves up, you’re good to go.
Remember, not all insurance policies cover accidental damage. So if you spill paint on the carpet or drop your hammer on your brand-new TV, you might not be covered for the damage. Check your policy wording before starting your DIY project, and consider upgrading your cover if you're not already protected against accidental damage.
If you’re an AXA customer, you can add accidental damage cover as an optional add-on to your AXA buildings insurance policy and/or contents insurance policy. If you’ve got AXA Premier Home Insurance, accidental damage cover is included as standard.
What do I need to tell my insurer about when making larger home improvements?
For larger structural changes in your home, you’ll need to let your insurer know before the work starts. If you’re building a conservatory or having a loft extension, get in touch to update your cover accordingly. In some cases, you may find your insurer won't be able to continue your cover for certain structural home improvement projects.
Renovations to the structure of your home could mean you have to move out while the work progresses. Plus, having builders and building materials travel through your home, leaves parts of your property exposed. This is all information your insurance company will need to know about.
Here are a few things you'll need to tell your insurer before you start large home improvements:
- An estimate of how long the work will take
- The estimated cost of the project
- Whether you'll be staying at home or moving out while the work's happening
- If the number of rooms in your home will be increasing. This includes extra bedrooms, bathrooms, and in outbuildings, such as annexes or summer houses. The number of rooms will need to be amended on your home insurance policy from the date building work starts.
- If you're using a builder, share the details of the builder or building company. Your insurer will also want to know whether the builder has their own liability insurance.
