If you are considering buying a barn for conversion, one that has already been converted or if you already live in a barn conversion, you are probably considering the implications for your home insurance premium of owning and insuring such an unusual house. Converted barns are increasingly popular as a lifestyle choice and seen by many as the quintessential ‘Escape to the Country’ type of home. This has fuelled a demand among property developers for farmland and rural properties suitable for converting into modern living accommodation. If you are considering this change, suitable barn conversion home insurance is crucial.
What is a barn conversion?
A barn conversion is the act of converting a farm building into a habitable building for either commercial or residential use. Often built with high ceilings and generous proportions, they are highly desirable properties. The combination of ultra-modern interiors and traditional exteriors providing a fantastic combination of both comfort and history.
Barn conversions, by their nature, are typically unique both in design and construction and so from an insurance point of view, any insurance company that you approach for a buildings insurance quote for a converted barn will need to have a clear understanding of how the conversion was done and the extent of building conversion carried out. Unlike most newly-built houses that are usually developed on a large scale by established and familiar national building firms, converting a barn in theory can be carried out by any builder, as long as the builder works within the guidelines laid down by building regulations. It is not uncommon for barns to be converted as a ‘project’ by the eventual occupier of the barn and here again, from an insurance angle the competence of the builder is an unknown factor that the insurer would need to take into account when underwriting the buildings and/or contents insurance policy.
Therefore, many mainstream insurance companies will tend to shy away from offering a household insurance quote, at least on standard terms, for a building that has been extensively modified from its original layout and is now being used as residential accommodation, for which typically the original barn building was never intended. For barn owners, the potential market for competitive home insurance premiums may be restricted, making it ever-more essential to investigate specialist barn conversion home insurance.
Renting out your annex
In recent years, annexes and other property extensions have been used not only as an extra room for family members and friends but also as another source of income. As property entrepreneurs move away from traditional methods and towards newer, more flexible approaches like AirBnB, more homeowners are looking to utilise their extra space for short-term holiday lettings and long term rentals. If you are considering using your annexe for commercial use, you must investigate appropriate annexe insurance.
How can we help?
Fortunately QuoteRack works closely with insurance brokers who can offer you access to specialised schemes that are offered by niche insurance companies looking to insure converted barns. As well as insuring the barn itself, you may also be able to insure the property whilst it is actually undergoing conversion – a slightly different type of insurance policy as this will also involve insuring the building site, potentially.
Frequently asked questions
What type of barn conversions can I insure?
There are three common types of barn conversion in the UK:
- Box construction barns
- Cruck frames barns
- Post and truss barns
Construction details for your converted barn will usually be included in the survey documents. Ensure to check which types of barns your chosen converted barn insurance provider covers.
Can I cover renovation work?
Whilst some insurers can provide building cover for barns that have been renovated into residential properties, most won’t be able to provide cover for the renovation works themselves. This is often covered by the contractor completing the work.
Enquire through us for barn conversion home insurance
If you have explored other avenues of enquiry in your search for cheaper barn insurance, then you are welcome to submit your details through the QuoteRack website, without cost or obligation to proceed when you receive your insurance quote.
Converted barn insurance - resources
English Heritage - a guide to good practice in converting farm buildings
With due acknowledgement to English Heritage and all relevant copyrights, you can download their excellent 2-part Guide to barn conversion - part 1 and Guide to barn conversion - part 2 here.
Barn Conversions - Permitted Development Rights
From 6 April 2018, permitted development rights for barn conversions (i.e. 'agricultural buildings') have been extended - full details Please click here for full details.