Before You Start a Home Improvement Project, Ask Yourself 'Does My Home Insurance Cover This?'

When you buy a home, you are investing in that property. Thus, it makes sense that you'd want to improve it in various ways so that it always looks nice and well-maintained. Without routine improvements, the house can fall into disarray and look unkempt, potentially earning the ire of your neighborhood's homeowner's association.

But before you begin those improvements, it could be prudent to verify that your homeowner's insurance policy covers that so you have a lower out-of-pocket cost. Learn more about some common home improvements that you must check to make sure your policy covers them.

Installing sod can get expensive quickly.

If your lawn is in disrepair and you are trying to figure out how to fix it, you may want to look into installing sod. There are a lot of options when it comes to lawn repair, but putting in sod is the quickest way to get a green, healthy lawn. While prices are $.14 to $.60 per square foot for the sod itself, the labor costs of installing it can cause the overall price to skyrocket.

The cost is likely something you will have to absorb, but it doesn't hurt to give your insurance company a call to determine your coverage options. Remember that once your sod is installed, you'll have to follow the lawn care guidelines that the company gives you. This will keep your lawn healthy and also gives you protection in the event something happens to the grass.

A new roof will cost thousands of dollars.

If your home needs roof repair or a new roof, the cost can be quite high. If your roof was damaged due to hail, wind, or other storm damage, then the cost will likely be covered by your insurance company — so long as you can show you've been maintaining the roof in a timely manner. If your roof is old and needs to be replaced entirely or needs new shingles, insurance typically does not take on those costs.

For the most part, insurance is there to cover you for unexpected costs, like when a hurricane sweeps through your area and creates the need for a total roof replacement. Speak with an Allison Park roofing contractor to learn more about how much this may cost you, and make sure to always work with a reputable, licensed roofing company.

Water damage may be covered depending on other factors.

If your bathroom or another area of the home develops a leak, then you may end up with extensive water damage throughout your home. You may not even know it's there until you see a visible stain on a ceiling or a wall. You'll need to have an inspection done to check for the presence of mold as well. Mold can create a health risk for you and your family, so it's important to have to removed safely by a trained mold remediation specialist.

Depending on how the water damage happened, your insurance company may cover it. They will not cover it if you have older pipes that should have been replaced or if you neglected to perform maintenance such as routinely cleaning out gutters to prevent water seeping in under the roof. If you're unsure about whether your insurance will provide coverage, reach out to an insurance agent such as TulsaInsuranceGroup so that they can help you determine the viability of your claim. You may also be able to get all of the damage covered and avoid paying anything except for the deductible on your policy.

No matter what happens with your home, make sure to always contact your insurance provider to learn about your options.

Home Services that Free Up Time to Spend with Your Pup

If you've just got a new puppy or have been a loving pup parent for years, you know that there's never enough time in the day to spend with your canine friend. You have a lot of responsibilities as a pet parent, including making enough money to support the two of you. Then, when you finally get home, there's still plenty to keep you busy that doesn't include one-on-one time with your furry friend.

It's easy to get weighed down by other household tasks even when you'd rather be snuggled up on the sofa with your pup. However, it doesn't have to be that way anymore. With these useful home services, you can free up your time at a relatively low cost, giving you more hours in the day to spend with your favorite pooch. Here are a few ideas for tasks you can delegate so that you get more snuggle time with your pup.

Create a fur free zone

As much as you love them, having a dog around the house can cause quite a mess on a regular basis. Even the best-behaved dogs shed and leave dander all over the place. If your pooch is hypoallergenic, you still might not be sure what they're tracking in on their little paws. If you have carpeting in your home, having a pup can feel like a losing battle, especially if you try to handle it on your own. In order to stay on top of the smell and fur, you may find yourself vacuuming your carpet every day — or even multiple times a day. Even then, you might not be seeing or smelling the results you want! If that's the case, it's time to call in the professional carpet cleaners.

The time you spend cleaning up after your furry friend could be spent playing catch or catching up with mutual puppy friends at the dog park. No matter how much you sweep and vacuum, your problem might literally be deeper than surface level.

When was the last time you had someone come and professionally clean your carpeting? Does your carpet look different than when you purchased it? Does the carpet always smell a little off even after you've treated it with animal odor spray? You don't have to keep fighting that battle anymore. Call in the best carpet cleaners Brisbane or wherever you're located, and give your carpet a deep cleaning. You can stop worrying if your home smells. These carpet cleaning professionals will have your place looking and smelling great in no time, and you won't even have to lift a finger, or paw, to make it happen.

To walk, or not to walk?

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This may sound counterintuitive, but as a dog owner, you can't escape the fact that there will be some things you need to do at home away from your dog. That might be taking work calls, straightening up, or getting the kids to soccer or dance. If you can't find the time to give your dog the long walks they want every day, find a dog walker or trainer that you trust to take care of your dog for a few hours. That will give you some uninterrupted time to get all these other tasks done. Then, once they're home, you're free to be completely focused on your puppy.

If you're handing your pup off to someone else, make sure you equip your walker with best harness for dogs. Joyride Harness is widely considered to be the best dog harness on the market. These harnesses adjust to the dog's body to make sure there's no discomfort, while still providing a secure fit. Joyride Harnesses have a front leash attachment chest piece which discourages pulling. They protect your dog and ensure that they're on their best behavior for the walker or trainer.

Provide yourself with an easy treat.

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You're probably always supplying your pup with treats. Why not spread that generosity to yourself? If you're just not feeling like cooking so you can pay more attention to your dog, it's okay to order out. Ordering out is a timesaving tactic. Have someone else make the food for once. Treat yourself!

Hire a babysitter

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If you had a dog before you introduced children into your home, your dog might be really jealous. Most dogs adapt quickly to having a new human around, but some dogs just aren't about kids. It might not even be that your dog doesn't like your baby — your dog's probably just feeling left out of the equation. It's pretty safe to say that your attention has definitely been more split since your new arrival. Call in a sitter, and give your dog some much-deserved attention, even if it's just for an hour. That undivided time will be great for both you and your dog.