Shed light on investment
in the next 21 months. As many as 13 million of us became homeworkers during the pandemic, official figures show, and sales of sheds and summerhouses have been rising.
Last year, councils approved 75 per cent of planning applications for garden annexes, and 67 per cent of conversions. The average annexe costs nearly £7,000, but can add as much as £91,000 to your property’s value, according to new research from Churchill Home Insurance. Families are making extra space to create larger households, provide room for home schooling or help relatives move in to help with childcare. Other uses include granny flats, children’s living spaces or TV and games rooms.
Head of Churchill Home Insurance Pritpal Powar said many people now see their homes as offices, businesses, schools and gyms, as well as places to live: “Annexes add space and value, without spending huge amounts of money on extensions or moving.”
She said anyone considering constructing or converting a garden annexe needs to inform their insurer before starting work, to ensure cover against mishaps and accidents. “You may need additional building and contents insurance once work is complete,” Powar added.
Aviva is urging homeworkers using summerhouses, outbuildings or sheds as workspaces to protect tech and other office equipment against theft.
It said home contents policies typically have lower cover limits for stolen items stored in sheds, garages and outbuildings.
Aviva General Insurance’s head of risk Sarah Applegate encouraged homeworkers to remove valuable items such as laptops, phones and tablets when not in use: “While many insurers cover home office equipment under home contents policies, this may be restricted for items outside the main property.”
Typically, insurers will cover items stolen from outbuildings for a maximum of £2,500. “Tech devices are easily portable so be vigilant and remove expensive equipment when not in use,” Applegate said.
Tips to protect yourself:
Check your home contents policy wording and be aware of cover limits for items kept in external buildings.
Lock sheds, summerhouses, garages and outbuildings when not in use. Replace any damaged or rusty padlocks.
Check access to your home and garden, close gates and repair damaged fences to deter break-ins.
If you buy new office equipment, do not leave packaging outside or in a place others can see it. If boxes are too large to go in a bin, store indoors until you can dispose of them.