If you’re building or renovating an innovative property – whether that’s an ultra-modern steel construction, a peat-walled eco-home, or a timber-framed listed building – you will probably need non-standard home insurance. In this article, we explain why specialist insurance is a must for those living in a property constructed from innovative building materials.

 

WHAT IS A NON-STANDARD PROPERTY?

Any property that’s not constructed from stone or brick, or that doesn’t have a pitched slate or tile roof, is considered a non-standard home. In a country like Ireland with a rich history of home-building and a thriving residential construction industry, there are actually plenty of homes that fall into this category.

Non-standard homes that make use of innovative building materials could, for example, include:

Older homes: Structures built pre-1900 are more likely to feature materials such as timber-frames, thatched roofing, or flint walls and may even carry a preservation order.
Modern homes: Cutting-edge architectural designs can feature unconventional materials and construction techniques such as flat roofs, steel frames, concrete panels, or modular construction.
Eco-homes: To minimize their environmental footprint, sustainable homes can make use of materials such as straw bales, recycled materials, or green roofs and walls featuring living plants.

WHY DO I NEED NON-STANDARD INSURANCE?

Living in a unique home is a dream come true for many people, but if your property features innovative or unusual building materials you could find the bill for any repairs is considerable.

Naturally, older properties are more likely to need repairs and maintenance as they can suffer from decay over time, however, new build homes can be just as much of a risk.

Depending on the nature of your property, you could find that fixing or replacing parts of the building is more expensive due to the cost of replacement materials. You may also need to hire specialist craftsmen, which means they will charge more to carry out the work.

Finally, with fewer tradespeople able to complete repairs and specialist materials potentially harder to source, any repairs can take longer, all of which makes work more expensive.

These factors mean non-standard home insurance is essential for your peace of mind as any claims could potentially be much higher than for a standard home.

BUILDING NEW HOMES

Using innovative materials in the construction of a modern home offers a range of benefits, but it can also have some drawbacks.

For example, modern materials like structural glass, steel composites, and advanced polymers often allow for more creative and flexible architectural designs, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of a property. They might even be more durable, with materials such as fibre-reinforced concrete and cross-laminated timber providing superior strength and longevity compared to traditional materials. Unfortunately, however, they can also be more expensive. Not only does this drive up initial costs but it also makes future repairs more costly.

Sustainability is an important driver for many of today’s modern homes, prompting the use of materials such as recycled metal, reclaimed wood and eco-composites. Some materials such as insulated concrete can also improve energy efficiency leading to lower utility bills, but in some cases the long-term performance of new materials is not well documented leading to uncertainty and potential risks over time.

To ensure you can enjoy the benefits of your property, without worrying about the risks associated with innovative building materials, your insurance policy will need to be tailored to your needs.

RENOVATING OLD PROPERTIES

When it comes to renovating a character property, there are several factors which can impact your insurance risk. Primarily, this is because adapting older properties often involves integrating contemporary amenities and technologies while preserving the historical essence of your home. If your property is listed, the alterations you can make will be restricted, but even if you can’t incorporate modern materials, sourcing the right materials can still prove difficult.

One of the key reasons many people want to renovate a period property is to update the kitchen, bathroom or heating system. This can make your home more comfortable and energy efficient, particularly with the addition of modern insulation or double-glazed windows. Unfortunately, changes such as this can clash with the historical character of your home and may even present structural challenges.

Upgrading a property can also uncover existing problems such as asbestos or lead, or even create new ones, posing potential fire or water damage risks.

Thanks to these issues, it’s important to take out specialised property insurance coverage, particularly if your home is a listed property. In such cases, any renovation work will be strictly controlled and building materials will be pre-determined, however failure to comply with heritage regulations can result in fines and legal issues.

OUR EXPERT TEAM ARE HERE TO HELP

With over 50 years’ experience, the OBF Insurance team are experts in non-standard home insurance. They can arrange comprehensive coverage for any kind of property featuring an unusual construction or innovative building materials.

That means you’ll be protected against structural damage, fire, and theft, in addition to specific risks associated with the property’s unique characteristics, such as specialised repair costs and materials.

Preserve your peace of mind: talk to our experts today about protecting your non-standard home.