Bank holiday weekend. BBQ, bad weather and a spot of DIY. This is the usual plan for thousands of households all over the UK, but new data from Sainsbury’s Bank Home Insurance has revealed that a bank holiday break could cost more than expected as one in seven UK adults have faced a home improvement mishap within the last 3 years.
According to the report, over Easter, 38% of people told the Bank they were planning to undertake DIY work on their home or garden over the two day Easter bank holiday. With two more bank holidays to follow in May, similar levels of DIY activity could be in the offing.
The would be DIY-ers indicated that men were more likely to undertake the work than women, in particular carpentry (13% v 4%) and plumbing (10% v 2%).
The most common mishaps to happen when renovating include:
1. Flooring damaged by tools / equipment / spilled paint: 5%
2. Damage to internal walls: 3%
3. Electrical damage: 3%
4. Damage to pipes due to hammering with a nail leading to flood damage: 2%
5. Damage to sanitary goods: 2%
6. Damage to pipes due to hammering a nail, with no further damage to home: 2%
Crucially, if you’re undertaking major works for example building an extension, changing your windows or converting your loft, you must make sure your tradesmen are fully insured, and it’s important to let your insurer know of any planned activity in advance.
Once the work is complete you should alert your insurer, as new rooms etc will have a bearing on your buildings cover and you’ll want to make sure you’ve also adjusted your contents cover if you’ve added new furnishings or TVs etc.
The research findings show that of those who have undertaken renovation work at their property in the last 3 years just 21% notified their insurer, and 7% only did so once the work was complete. Those in London are most likely to have pre-warned their insurer ahead of works (41%), whilst those in East of England leave themselves most open to risk with less than one in ten (9%) telling their insurer they were completing work.
Karen Hogg, Head of Insurances at Sainsbury’s Bank, said: “We’re a nation of DIY lovers and many of us will be planning some home or garden work over the coming weeks. Our research shows that just under a quarter of people undertaking work had notified their insurer, which may lead to them being uninsured.”
To speak to one of our expert lettings team then please call Belvoir Liverpool Central on 0151 231 1613 or email liverpoolcentral@belvoir.co.uk
