House insurance - which insurer

[Jon Maine]

Sadly around here there is a noticable downturn not just with me but many other local builders and allied trades.

My main problem I think is that whilst things were very buoyant I had effectively removed myself from the work pool by undertaking my own fair sized project. The plan was always that I would undertake the best job possible and it would hopefully open doors for me later rather than penny pinch the job and try to make a quick buck out of the building directly as the building deserved better. In retrospect I should have stayed working for others and stashing the proceeds and be undertaking my own job during the recession.

As ever my timing was far from perfect, now almost entirely finished with The Merchants House we are winding down over the last few weeks with the last of the tweaks into a market of potential customers who are sat on the fence wondering what to do next. I have been in business since feb 1988 and would say that the majority of my work has been from recommendation over the years. This is I think one of the problems I am having as without many jobs over the last 5 years for private customers It is almost like starting from scratch again. I have been featured in the local press publications at least half a dozen times in say 4 different publications for winning the Stansell Award and having Kevin McCloud around on our charity open day yet still no leads !!

I am just putting together the RICS awards entry for their 2009 competition this Friday. My architect is entering the RIBA awards next month with the property and The Grand designs awards entry is again within sights next month, although they have done away with their restoration/conservation category, I will have to enter it into the "Remodeled Home category " (doesnt seem right to me but have been assured this will make The Merchants House shine) They simply did not have enough quality conservation/restoration to have a seperate category.

I am hopeful I will at least gain some more publicity from all of this, who know I may even win an award somewhere along the line to.

I am not overly concerned for myself, more so for the others who have no work as I do consider that I have prospects after undertaking this job.

 

[KN]

Jon,

If your thinking about the B&B you could do what we have done, we now have a small hotels policy that covers the house insurance and all the public liability, contents insurance, etc. Ours if with Fortis and arranged through a broker. It is £2500 per year but includes everything.

Hope all is well with you and your heat pump and good luck with winning some awards.

Look out for the new series of Grand Designs, we just done a revisit with it focused on us B&Bing there o keep the bank manager happy.


Karen

 

[Penners]

I have been featured in the local press publications at least half a dozen times in say 4 different publications for winning the Stansell Award and having Kevin McCloud around on our charity open day yet still no leads !!

You've been featured for the wonderful job you've done, but I wonder whether people realise that this is your business, as well as your passion.

 

[Jon Maine]

Karen,

Actually recorded and watched the grand designs of yours this xmas just gone for the first time. Very impressed.

Still considering our options, need to rent out the adjoining property which we have just about finished re-decorating. Probably will go for B&B but as we both work full time it will either need some staff or a clever bit of juggling.

I have a small leak somewhere on one of my heating circuits , initially we found a damaged pipe in the 9kw heat pump and thought that had solved it but no. We lose pressure over the course of several days but there is no sign where the extra litre or two is going its bizarre, I think the problem is that it is leaking slowly onto a hot pipe and evaporating immediately leaving no trace. We had Clive out from Ice Energy to check the heat pump and comparatively discussed both of our installations and he said your pumps were performing well all things considered but that you may have benefited from a heavier power supply, is that due to distance from the main supply?

I will have to check the B+B with NFU but think it was ok.

Jon

 

[Jon Maine]

I have been featured in the local press publications at least half a dozen times in say 4 different publications for winning the Stansell Award and having Kevin McCloud around on our charity open day yet still no leads !!

You've been featured for the wonderful job you've done, but I wonder whether people realise that this is your business, as well as your passion.

Had lots of cards out on the openday, although I think we mainly had local tourists mixed with a lot of people doing their own work.

Have always been quoted as local builder in the press articles.

I do think that we will do ok in the long run but its just a bit flat at this moment .

Anyhow the missus has had a promotion so maybe I will do a few days a week and run some B&B if things do go really quiet now she is on a sensible salary.

 

[KN]

Jon,
Yes I think NFU ar fine with the B&B, I'm sure they insures a friends 2* period property who has run it as a B&B. I have employee's liability now as I had to take on cleaners and washer uppers sometimes as it is just too much work for for one person. Kevin McCloud stayed for B&B so we are hoping to bring in come extra guests after the programme goes out :roll: How are you going to let your accommodation?

Karen

 

[Jon Maine]

Got to get our heads around that one yet, not so much space as you have and we both work.

Will keep you informed

 

[bournonite]

I use the NFU - same thing - have had several claims - always settled immediately, no quibbles, lots of help - can't reccommend highly enough.

Pete