Debra Williams, managing director of Confused.com - the UK's leading insurance price comparison site - offers some helpful hints to those thinking of doing work on their home this bank holiday weekend:

Inform insurers of any home alteration work

This includes any minor work, such as changing a lock; this can nullify a claim if it doesn't match the lock written in your policy. Once insurers have been notified of the work, the home insurance premium may increase temporarily, but this will cover you for any accidental damage done by the builder. In this way, you will not have to face the damage cost alone after the insurer has refused to pay.

Be security-savvy when renovating

Homeowners must ensure that when making alterations to a property, security doesn't decrease. Giving workmen a key to your property might seem convenient but this puts you at risk from once again having your home insurance invalidated, should theft occur.

Tidy up after your day of DIY

Leaving a ladder and tool box outside your house, or opening windows to allow paint to dry overnight, will provide thieves with a helping hand when it comes to getting into your property, and will subsequently provide insurers with the ammunition to refuse a claim payout.

If in doubt, check it out

Checking with the insurer is the best way to ensure that you are protecting yourself from unforeseen costs when taking on DIY projects. Homeowners must find out what is already covered within their policy and take out extra cover for anything not already included.

Visit www.confused.com for the chance to win £1 million tax free

About Confused.com:

Confused.com is one of the UK's biggest and most popular price comparison services. Launched in 2002, it dominates the car insurance aggregator market with a massive 70% market share and almost one million quotes per month. It has expanded its range of comparison products over the last couple of years to include home insurance, travel insurance, pet insurance, van insurance, motorbike insurance, breakdown cover and energy, as well as financial services products including credit cards, loans, mortgages and life insurance.

Confused.com is not a supplier, insurance company or broker. It provides its customers with a free, wholly objective comparison service to help with their decision making. Using cutting-edge technology, Confused.com has developed a series of intelligent web-based solutions that evaluate a number of risk factors to help customers search, buy and apply for whichever product or policy best matches their individual needs. Its service is based on the most up to date information provided by UK suppliers and industry regulators.

Confused.com is owned by the Admiral Group plc. Admiral listed on the London Stock Exchange in September 2004. Confused.com is regulated by the FSA.