DIY Renovators Can Put Their Home Insurance in Jeopardy

Renovation programs have inspired a new generation of enthusiastic DIY renovators who may be unaware of the risks.

Leading insurer Suncorp said many insurance policies will not cover damage to property if it’s related to poor workmanship.

“Additionally, home owners are not covered if they have carried out renovations to their home which do not comply with building laws or regulations,” Suncorp’s Head of Property Claims and Repair Donna Stewart said.

“Poor or unregulated DIY work can also have disastrous effects. Suncorp has seen many cases where amateur renovators or Weekend Warriors have built their own verandas, pergolas or carports, only to see their insurance declined because of a number of issues.

“Some of the claims declined relates to decking and awnings installed by customers who used incorrect materials that did not withstand weather conditions.

“In one case, the home owner proudly added a veranda, which promptly collapsed when a storm hit a few weeks later. The veranda proved to be substandard and the insurance claim declined.”

Some of the common problems Suncorp has seen include:

• Not using the correct sized framing members
• Not spacing rafters and battens correctly
• Building with undersized timbers
• Building too close to boundary
• Building with no permit
• Using standard pine (not treated pine) and then installing shade cloth on top – which will rot
• installing spouting with no downpipe or connection to drains

“Turning garages into habitable rooms is popular among weekend renovators and equally fraught with potential traps,” Ms Stewart said.

“A number of Weekend Warriors feel the need to renovate their kitchens with equally disastrous results.”

Common mistakes include installing splashbacks, which are not sealed; and water filters being installed incorrectly.