Tricky insurance for house extension

Smith_Square

Hi all,

We started a refurb of our house a year ago - we've planning permission for a side extension, attic conversion and addition of an en-suite to an existing room. The construction work for the extension and attic is complete and the builders are long gone - we are doing all the internals ourselves with a little help from freelance tradesmen, a bit at a time.

I called our insurer (Direct Line) soon after building work commenced to inform them and was told I would only be covered for the 'old' part of the house, not the newly extended/converted parts until they had a Certificate of Completion from building control. Fair enough. However its now renewal time, and they are now refusing to renew my policy full stop (even just for the old part of the house) as in their eyes our building work has been going on longer than a year (even though its not real construction work at this point). I won't be able to get a Completion Certificate until next year as I need to try and save up some cash for the final step - the en-suite! Building Control won't sign off until ALL the work has been completed as per the drawings.

Not sure where to go from here, contacted a specialist broker, very expensive - I would take it on the chin but there is a clause that says 'we will not cover uncertified work' so doesn't seem like its really a solution.

Sorry this is so long winded...

Smith_Square

Sorry, forgot to actually ask my question at the end of my post - does anyone have any experience of insuring a house while work is being carried out? Surely other people must have building projects that last longer than a year, it can't only be me?! Any advice appreciated.

paddyandstumpy

Unless you're asked the specific question you don't need to volunteer the information.

If the external extension is watertight already, then I can't foresee an issue.