The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 9: Autumn 2018 | Page 41

PLANNING A RENOVATION OF YOUR HOME? You’re not alone. By Ian Sandham, branch director, Jelf in Bath Ian Sandham 01225 444553 The last five years has seen a 27% rise in planning applications, and a huge 183% rise in applications for basements. However, it has been shown that only 14% of homeowners inform their insurers about their home renovations This oversight could lead to devastating financial disasters in the case of accident or injury during the project, any damage caused to your property during the development, as well as any rights to compensation should the project not go as planned. You should always tell your insurers before any work commences or they could decline any claims that may arise. Your insurance policy will detail the limits of acceptable works that your insurer will cover. This could be a contract/project value as low as £25,000 but even lower limits are quite possible. In many cases, the best approach is to arrange relevant renovations insurance, this will provide cover while work is underway – much like travel insurance protects you while you’re on holiday. When looking to undertake home improvement projects, you must also consider whether the work will increase the value of your property as this will have an effect on your insurance. Some examples of home improvements that could affect the cost of your insurance include: • Building an extension - though one of the most effective ways of adding value to your property, extensions can lead to significant damage if not planned correctly. It is vital that you inform your insurance company about your plans for the property, as well as the insurance you and your chosen contractors have in place. • Roof renovations – roof renovations and improvement can actually help to lower your claim rate in the long run – protecting against weather and structural damage. However, some insurance companies don’t cover roof damage in standard insurance policies, so it’s important to double check your policy before starting work • Plumbing – water damage is one of the most damaging long-term risks to your property and can be very expensive to correct. It is therefore advisable to alert your insurance company well in advance of having any plumbing wor k done. For further information about how your home improvements could affect your insurance cover, contact Jelf via Jelf.com. “It has been shown that only 14% of homeowners inform their insurers about their home renovations” Contact details: www.jelf.com [email protected] Bath firms collaborate to bring new sculpture to Bath Riverside A new piece of artwork is set to be installed at Crest Nicholson’s Bath Riverside development this autumn. The sculpture, titled Maid of the Bridge, has been designed by local artist Anna Gillespie in collaboration with Bath-based engineering firm Buro Happold and will be created using metal retained during the refurbishment of Victoria Bridge. Local company Ironart of Bath is working to forge the sculpture which is due to be unveiled on Elizabeth Parade in September. Anna Gillespie said: “Maid of the Bridge will take the form of an abstract figure overlooking the new park. The original idea came from my ‘Blown Away’ series of figurative sculptures but rather than modelling it in a traditional way, the brief was to make it out of the ‘slats’ of cast iron that had to be removed from Victoria Bridge as part of its conservation and reconstruction.” “My main hope for the sculpture is that it will create connections, between the past and the present, between the land and the river, between one bank and the other. I hope too that in time, the people who are making their homes in this newly opened up area of Bath will enjoy the sculpture and find their own connections to it.” Andy Thearle from Ironart of Bath added: “We are delighted to be involved with the making of Maid of the Bridge that combines our passions and worlds of heritage and metal in the service of excellent art. We are always keen to support the work of artists that require our practical knowledge and making skills.” Specialising in commercial & domestic moves, plus global shipping. Get in touch for your no obligation quote. www.britanniaquickmove.co.uk [email protected] 01225 738330 THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2018 41