Home Renovation

Avoid the Risks of Do It Yourself Renovations.

    With today’s economy, many people are going the Do It Yourself route on home renovations.  These people, often trying to save money, are taking on projects and risks they are not able to handle competently. Risky projects involving electrical wiring or complicated plumbing, should definitely be handled by certified contractors. Yes, they will cost more money in the short term, but could literally save your family’s life in the long run.

   What about just sprucing up that paint or putting up new wallpaper? That can’t be too hard, right?     If you have a good eye and a steady hand, you can probably paint and wall paper easily enough.

But there can be issues with hazardous materials in the DIY project. Lead can be an issue with older homes. While it is no longer used, lead based paint was common as recently as 1978. Before we knew how harmful it could be, lead was used in paint, gas, water pipes and other products.  You can be exposed to harmful effects if lead based paint isn’t removed properly. Scraping, sanding or burning of lead based paint can harm you and your loved ones. Learn how to safely remove lead based paint.

     Approximately 25% of household fires occur during renovation and repair projects. Water damage can be caused by vibrations from construction work. Poor workmanship can cause water pipes to leak or burst, costing you even more.  If you insist on doing this project yourself, please follow these Safeguards from the EPA. If you are not doing it yourself, make sure you find a Certified Renovations/lead dust technician in your area.   

    Be careful when hiring a contractor. Home Improvement contractor fraud is the #1 complaint to the BBB, according to the National Federation of America’s 2011 Consumer Complaint Survey.  If a contractor/company seeks you out, research them before you let them pull a single nail. Ask to see their Certificate of Insurance. This give you proof of their limits of coverage. Make this a must, regardless of how great of a deal they are giving you. Just remember- if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

If your renovations increase the value of your home, make sure to call your insurance agent and have them increase your dwelling amount. Homeowners insurance is there to help you rebuild your home to the same level it was before a claim. If you have increased the value, your coverage should be increased to reflect the change in value.
   Renovating your home can be exciting.  But not if it is deadly or breaks your bank account!

Questions about your Home or Auto Insurance?
Contact us at  The Brockman Agency   or call toll free 877-987-8683