Our third and final home series discusses loss prevention during any construction or renovation projects you have planned. While we’d like to think construction companies and contractors would have these measures in place, here’s a short checklist to get your conversation about construction-related losses started.
- Confirm your contractor, and any other vendor, is adequately insured. Your contractor should be able to provide you with a certificate of liability (and it should state the liability for any one occurrence equals the total insured value of the project!).
- Ensure proper storage and disposal of hazardous materials. Used construction materials are highly flammable and should be removed daily, along with any solutions and rags used by painters. You should also enforce a strict no smoking policy with anyone who works on site.
- Secure your construction site. Keep unwanted visitors out using motion-activated lights, perimeter fencing, gates/chains on the driveways and security guards, if necessary.
- Consider fire safety options:
- Install a residential sprinkler system to protect your home against a major fire.
- Ensure a number of portable extinguishers are available throughout the worksite.
- Include fire and burglar alarms in planning phases:
- If you are renovating your home, do not disconnect your fire or burglar alarms. Have smoke detectors covered with plastic bags or tops that can be removed at night after work is completed for the day.
- If you are building a new home, install a temporary system as soon as a phone line and temporary power are available. You can also get your home wired for a security system more easily during the construction phase. Follow up with proper installation, when possible.
These are simple tips often overlooked in building or renovation processes. Penny Insurance, along with Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, wants your home protected at all times, even when you’re not residing there!