Whether it's a tool shed at the end of a drive, or a greenhouse in the garden, you don’t have to look far to find an outbuilding in the UK.
However, as with any part of your property, they need protection and maintenance, especially during winter.
Here’s some of the more popular types of outbuildings and what you can do to keep them in great shape:
- What's an outbuilding?
- What's the difference between an outbuilding and an extension?
- How can you take care of your outbuildings?
- What kind of insurance do you need for outbuildings?
- What can result in higher insurance costs or no cover?
What's an outbuilding?
An outbuilding is any structure that’s part of your property but isn’t attached to the main building. You’ll typically find them in the garden or at the end of a driveway.
Types of outbuildings include:
- Sheds
- Greenhouses
- Detached garages
- Garden offices
- Sauna/hot tub cabins
- Summer houses
What's the difference between an outbuilding and an extension?
The difference between outbuildings and extensions is whether or not the structure is physically attached to your home.
If the structure is attached to the main building, then it's considered part of the main house. This includes extensions and conservatories.
Outbuildings are physically separated from the main home.
How can you take care of your outbuilding?
Outbuildings need care and maintenance – especially during the winter months.
Keep on top the maintenance to keep your outbuilding safe, secure, and standing for longer:
- Look after the roof
Repair holes, tears and any flaws, or upgrade completely to a more robust roofing material. A good roof will help stop rain or snow getting in. It can also stop things like rot, which is especially important for wooden structures. - Exterior treatments
If you have a wooden structure, apply a protective treatment or paint to keep the inside dry and stop the wood warping. - Guttering
Gutters are vital for any building. They keep the rain away from a building's walls and help stop any rot or damage. - Plug any gaps
Fill in the gaps around doors and windows for extra protection from the elements. Using a foam or silicone filler will help keep the weather outside and the heat inside. - Insulation
If you spend a lot of time in your outbuilding, think about insulating it. Good insulation will help make it more comfortable to be in, all year round. - Security
It's important to keep your outbuilding protected from damage or theft. Make sure any windows are closed, and the doors are locked. You might want to consider security cameras and motion sensor lights for extra peace of mind.
What kind of insurance do you need for outbuildings?
At AXA, we understand that your outbuildings aren’t just structures in the garden – they’re part of your home.
That’s why they're covered as standard as part of our buildings insurance. Plus, the contents of your outbuildings are covered with our contents insurance.
All of our home insurance policies cover the contents of your outbuildings, but the cover you have will depend on the type of policy you choose.
Our buildings insurance cover protects outbuildings from damage caused by floods, fires, and storms.
AXA Home Insurance insures contents for up to £2,500, while AXA Plus Home Insurance and AXA Premier Home Insurance products have a higher limit of up to £5,000.
If your outbuilding isn’t on your property, it won’t be covered by your policy unless it’s included as part of your property’s deeds. So, if you live adjacent to a field or unused land and build off your property grounds, you might want additional cover to make sure your outbuilding’s protected.
How can you secure your outbuilding?
- Maintain it
It’s essential to keep any building in a good state of repair. - Take security seriously
If your outbuilding doesn’t have locks or alarms, it could become a target for thieves. - Keep valuables hidden
If expensive items are visible through a window, such as a computer in a garden office, this can also make your outbuilding a target. - Get permission
Certain criteria need to be met to build without planning permission.
Just because your outbuilding isn’t attached to your house, doesn’t mean it’s not part of your home. Showing it the same care as the rest of the home will keep it in good shape and protect it from damage or winter weather.
With AXA Home Insurance, we’ll help make sure that your outbuilding feels as safe as your home does. Get a quote today.
