"If you’re looking to save money by going down the DIY route, and you lack additional cover like accidental damage protection, your insurance is highly unlikely to cover any disrepair caused during the renovation"
- Nathan Blackler - Go Compare
A recent survey has found that one in 10 Brits who plan on doing DIY home renovations this year are uninsured. This means a huge estimate of 245,870 UK households will undergo DIY improvements with nothing to cover potential accidents and damage.
The study, compiled by Go.Compare Home Insurance, asked the nation about their renovation plans for the year ahead. It combined the results with ONS data on the number of UK households, revealing how many might be taking a huge financial risk.
It found that a third of Brits plan on renovating their homes in 2024. Out of these, 34% stated they will leave the work to hired professionals, while 25% are choosing to perform the changes themselves, a tenth of which are forgoing insurance.
But the preferred option across the nation is a blend of DIY and professional labour. A total of 39% of respondents planning a renovation project said they would do some of the work themselves and leave the more specialised tasks to those qualified.
Those who are neither hiring professionals nor doing the work themselves are trusting the renovations to family members, with 61% of these respondents going down this route. Others plan to rely on their partner or friends, with 38% and 30% stating as such, respectively.
The insurance comparison site dived into the consequences of completing home renovations without the help of a certified professional. It warned that it could void any insurance claims in the case of accident or damage.
Nathan Blackler, home insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “It’s always important to notify your insurance company of any plans to renovate the home, especially if it involves major structural changes, as it could significantly affect the value of the property.
“If you’re looking to save money by going down the DIY route, and you lack additional cover like accidental damage protection, your insurance is highly unlikely to cover any disrepair caused during the renovation. It’s worrying to see so many households taking this risk, as their attempt to save money could cost them a lot down the line.
“Some policies include cover for a certain extent of renovations, but if not, it’s worth purchasing the necessary additional cover for the duration of the work. When contacting your insurer, be clear on the exact projects you have in mind, as well as the approximate duration of the renovations, and make sure they’re kept updated on any changes.”
