Insurance Cover & Safety on a New Build Home

Posted on December 4, 2011 by admin

The construction of your new self-build property is an exciting time, watching your house being built from the foundation right up to roof level and completion.

A much less exciting, though absolutely vital aspect of self-build houses however, is the provision of proper levels of insurance cover. Your loan provider may insist on you obtaining adequate insurance cover before releasing the staged payments of your mortgage.

The insurance cover you need for your self-build house can be divided into various categories.

Public liability insurance provides you with insurance cover against the possibility that visitors to your new house site , whether invited or not, receive injuries to themselves or to their property whilst on your land and building site.

Without public liability insurance, which currently is not legally compulsory, you are exposed to the risk of being forced to personally pay any claim awarded against you. Having public liability insurance reduces your cost to just the excess on the policy, which is normally around one thousand euro. It also gives you peace of mind and allows you to concentrate on what you really want to do, which is build your own house.

As well as public liability cover for yourself, you should ensure that each of the building tradesmen and contractors employed by you are adequately insured and properly certified. If you have any doubts, ask to see the documentation relevant to this insurance.

The cost of public liability cover depends on the level of cover you need and the number of people working on your house building site. The level of cover varies but usually ranges between 1.5 million and 2.5 million euro.

Employers liability insurance protects you against claims being made against you by tradesmen working on your land or building site, even if the tradesmen or contractor is working for someone else. Employer’s liability insurance will protect you against possible negligence claims from both primary contractors and any subcontractors or tradesmen working on your new build house site.

Public liability insurance will not protect you against claims made by people working on your site so it is vital that you obtain employers liability insurance. Again, the loan company providing you with a mortgage for your new house may insist on the proper level of insurance cover.

Contract works insurance is a insurance policy for builders and may include cover against the loss of machinery, materials or tools by theft, fire or vandalism. An important aspect of contract works insurance is that it usually has provision to cover the loss or damage to machinery that is hired and brought onto the building site.

Personal Accident Cover is also important to minimise the monetary loss you may suffer if you are injured in an accident on site and unable to continue working for a period of time.

No matter how small the building project, you should treat the construction site as a professional workplace.

As well as having proper levels of insurance cover, you should reduce your risk of claims made against you by setting a high standard of safety from the very start of your house building project and demonstrating that you are committed to keeping that standard.

Make sure all the tradesmen and contractors employed by you are properly insured and certified. If you have any doubts, ask to see the documentation relevant to this insurance.

Minimise your exposure to insurance claims, from both building site workers and also from visitors to your new house site.

Make sure that the proper protective gear is worn by workers on your house building site at all times and that notices regarding site safety are prominently displayed on your site entrance and around the site. Move these safety signs around the building to reduce the chance of them being taken for granted and so that they will receive more attention from contractors and visitors to your site.

Do all you can to keep the site building tidy. Piles of broken bricks, loose cable and tubing and offcuts of wood should all be regularly removed and either stored safely or else disposed of. As with safety, if you set a high standard of tidyness, construction staff are more likely to follow your lead. If you allow your site to accumulate rubbish, the chances of an accident and a subsequent claim against you are increased.

Update Your Home With Door Hardware

Posted on November 25, 2011 by admin

You may not realize it, but the doors in your home are begging for new accessories. Door hardware doesn’t exactly have a reputation for being decorative, but with decorative hardware now available, it’s the perfect way to spruce up an outdated door, or add that extra pizazz to a newer piece. Your doors are the first thing that visitors to your home see, so it’s important that they leave a good impression on those that see them. The perfect place to start with a home makeover is at the entry to your home.

The first aspect of the door that most people think of is door handles. This notoriously round, brass piece has certainly come a long way over the years and is available in a ton of decorative styles, colors, and patterns. Adding lever door handles is a way to add a new, interesting element to a door without sacrificing function. When considering new door hardware, remember that there are no rules that go along with choosing new pieces. Doors are home accents, so treat them as you would treat an end table or a coffee table. Think of the decorative hardware as a pretty lamp on the end table, or a floral centerpiece in the middle of the coffee table. They add an interesting element to an otherwise standard piece in the home. Just like adding knickknacks to a bookshelf, you’re adding visually pleasing design to your entryways. By replacing your current standard door hardware with decorative hardware, you’ll be giving your space an instant home makeover without the hassle or cost of a home remodeling project. The installation of the new decorative hardware is a great do it yourself project, and can be accomplished in one day with minimal set up and clean up.

However, if you are considering a big home remodeling project, don’t let your doors get lost in the shuffle. If you’re updating your entire home’s look – it’s a good idea to give your door hardware an update. Even if you’re just replacing your door handles, you are instantly updating the look and feel of your entry way. This is what visitors into your home see first, and door hardware definitely makes a difference. Home accents are so much more than artwork, plants, and table coverings. As a homeowner, it’s important to concentrate on the details of your home in order to pull together your entire d

Victorian Era Architectural Styles and Home Hardware

Posted on November 20, 2011 by admin

The Victorian architectural style and the home hardware produced during this time (1825-1900) is not one specific type of hardware but rather an eclectic mix of various styles that were popular and classified as Victorian Era hardware after the fact. Most notably during this time home decorating became more ornate and reflected the changing social and economic revolutions that were occurring in the United States. The industrial revolution brought mass production of goods and beautiful home hardware was no longer only accessible to the “upper class” of society. The newly formed middle class in America embraced these new architectural styles and filled their home with a variety of popular trends.

Depending on the taste of the inhabitants the doorknob sets, cabinet hardware, window hardware and home hardware could vary widely. In some homes a very ornate style (sometimes referred to during this time as romantic because of the emphasis on flowers and nature motifs) was used while in others more geometric designs (such as the Eastlake design) were extremely popular. Solid brass was used for its strength and the ability to cast in a wide variety of designs and patterns. Some of the most popular styles included Gothic Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Queen Anne and Stick Style. The trademark features of each style varied slightly with different emphasis being placed on window design, roofing, exterior decorative elements and interior home hardware patterns.

Victorian style hardware is produced today and can be used in both older Victorian homes and modern houses. It is a timeless addition to any room and can transform an entire room with little effort. Older and worn furniture can be transformed by replacing the original knobs with elegant designs and doorknob sets can be easily replaced to become a wonderful focal point. Interior and exterior Victorian style is available and makes it extremely easy to create a new and beautiful theme throughout your entire home. Remember that these styles were used interchangeably during the Victorian era so you can use a variety of patterns and shapes throughout your house and it will tie itself together nicely.

Victorian era hardware is readily available online and in many home decoration catalogs. Search for solid brass construction to ensure high quality and strength. Solid brass hardware is available in several finishes and can coordinate well with your existing hardware. These pieces are available online through LookInTheAttic & Company and they offer free design assistance and help.