14 DIY Renovations That Could Void Your Insurance
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Renovating your home is exciting, a fresh coat of paint here, a new fixture there, and suddenly your space is brand new. But before you grab your toolbox, it’s worth thinking about how some of these changes could affect more than just the aesthetic, especially, your homeowners’ insurance. What started as a weekend project can quickly snowball into a conflict with your policy’s fine print.
Some DIY enthusiasts don’t know that some upgrades that seem harmless don’t comply with building codes or are unsafe. Insurance companies will deny claims quickly if they find the place damaged by renovations or if it wasn’t disclosed beforehand. Here are talk some of such projects so you can avoid the costly mistakes.
Wood Burning Stove Installation
A wood burning stove might seem like a great way to stay warm and save on heating bills. But if installed improperly, one can cause fire hazards. If you don’t have professional inspection and proper permits, your insurance provider may not cover damages caused by improper installation. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, wood stoves are the cause of over 4000 home heating fires.
Upgrading Electrical Wiring
It’s very easy to see DIY electrical work as a money saver, but you don’t want to be the person who one day makes a wrong connection and sparks big trouble, literally. House fires in the United States are usually caused by faulty wiring. You can skip permits or inspections, but if something goes wrong you won’t have coverage.
Removing Load-bearing Walls
Removing a load bearing wall without the help of a structural engineer is risky, as open floor plans are trendy. Apart from the obvious structural dangers, insurance companies may reject claims if they discover unapproved changes to your home’s layout. You don’t want to risk having your roof collapse, or your policy canceled, over a bad renovation.
Adding a Backyard Pool
Nothing says summer quite like a pool, but unless you’ve got the professional help to install it, you are about to dive into insurance trouble. If you did not build them properly or if you did not have them fenced in properly so that accidents do not happen, you might be liable. In fact, some policies require you to tell them when you add a pool, so don’t skip that call.
Turning a Garage Into a Living Space
It sounds like a good idea to turn your garage into a bonus room until you find out it can affect your home’s classification. Insurers often require the notification of such changes and if you do not tell them, they may deny or reduce coverage for them. And often, there are zoning and ventilation issues to address.
Installing Skylights
What could be more exciting than having natural light shine through a new skylight? The bad news is that if your skylight is not sealed or installed properly, it can leak, mold and cause a lot of water damage. If the installation wasn’t performed by a professional, insurance claims for these issues are frequently denied.
Building a Treehouse
A charming project may be a backyard treehouse for the kids, but it raises liability issues. You could be responsible for if a visitor’s child falls from it. You won’t find many insurers who will cover injuries sustained in makeshift structures, meaning you could be sued.
Adding Solar Panels
Installing solar panels yourself might not be a great investment in solar energy. Incorrect installation can void warranties and even create a fire risk, and your claim will be denied. Professional installation reduces risk and increases efficiency, both of which insurers like.
Refinishing Floors
It seems easy enough to sand or stain floors, but materials such as oil based stains are highly flammable. Many insurers won’t cover DIY related accidents, and an improperly ventilated room can be a fire hazard.
Constructing a Backyard Deck
Entertaining on a backyard deck is a dream, however, cutting corners on the construction of the deck can result in disaster. Improper supports may cause your deck to collapse, and your insurance may not pay for repairs or liability claims.
Re-roofing Your House
Repairs to a roof are expensive, so DIY solutions are tempting. But shoddy work will lead to leaks, structural damage, or even blow-offs during storms. Insurance companies, however, often require proof that roofing jobs were done by licensed contractors before they will approve related claims.
Installing an Irrigation System
An irrigation system may appear simple to install, but incorrect installation can lead to underground pipe leaks or flooding. This resulting damage might not be covered by your insurance if it wasn’t inspected for compliance to local codes.
Upgrading Plumbing
All the video tutorials make DIY plumbing upgrades seem easy, but you can risk causing leaks or water damage over time with poor connections. It will not be likely that your insurer will sympathize or cover your burst pipe if it came from amateur work.
Adding an Outdoor Fireplace
Outdoor fireplaces or fire pits are risky the same way wood stoves are, when installed without proper guidance. According to the NFPA, outdoor fireplace or fire pits are responsible for 3700 grass or brush fires yearly. Installing one supposed to meet certain safety standards to prevent fire risks, according to insurance providers. If you’ve got a poorly placed or constructed fireplace, you’ll be footing the bill for any damages.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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