Fitting a new bathroom heads the list of the UK’s most popular home renovations according to a new survey released. Forty four per cent of homeowners who carried out a major home improvement in the last three years fitted a new bathroom, while 39% opted for a new kitchen and a third of homeowners modernised their boiler or central heating system.
But nearly half (49%) of homeowners who undertook major home improvements admit they haven’t informed their home insurance provider of the changes they have made – potentially invalidating their home insurance.
The home improvement research, commissioned by Gocompare.com Home Insurance, found that the top ten renovation projects also included; garden makeovers, building an extension and doing a cellar conversion:
Top 10 home improvements carried out in the last three years
1. Fitted a new bathroom – 44%
2. Installed a new kitchen – 39%
3. Fitted a new boiler or central heating system – 33%
4. A garden makeover – 28%
5. Built an extension – 16%
6. Knocked through rooms – 11%
7. Fitted solar panels – 11%
8. An attic conversion – ten per cent
9. Added an extra bedroom – seven per cent
10. A cellar conversion – six per cent
The survey also found:
• Twenty two per cent of homeowners are extending/improving with a view to staying in their property for at least three years;
• Thirteen per cent of homeowners are not extending/improving but hope to move in the next three years;
• Five per cent of homeowners are extending/improving with a view to selling their property in the next three years.
Gocompare.com Home Insurance’s spokesperson, Ben Wilson, said:
“As well as making your home a nicer place to live, a major renovation project can add to the value of your property and household contents. For example, when modernising a kitchen with new cabinets and worktops, many people will also buy a new cooker, fridge freezer or other appliances and furniture – increasing both the value of their property’s rebuilding costs and household contents. So, you’ll need to review your insurance to make sure that you’ve got adequate cover for your new investment.
“Also, if your renovation involves scaffolding or removing doors or windows for any length of time, your property will be less secure, so your insurer may increase your premiums to reflect the increased risk, while the work is being carried out.”
“If you’re planning extensive renovations and are thinking of moving out while the work is in progress, you’ll need to be aware of your home insurer’s rules regarding unoccupied properties. Most policies stipulate that if you leave your home unoccupied for a period of time, typically exceeding 30 or 60 days, then your property will not be covered for certain events including theft, malicious damage and escape of water. There’s no standard definition of ‘occupied’, so, if you’re planning to live elsewhere during refurbishment works, it’s essential that you talk to your insurer first – to make sure you understand the implications.
“Most home insurance policies don’t cover tradesmen or their work, so you should always check that t