Setting up your home to make life easier and more convenient is a goal for many, but it’s easy to feel intimidated by the technology. A smart home has internet-connected appliances and devices that can be controlled remotely by the homeowner via a smartphone or tablet. Security access such as door locks and home monitors, thermostats, lighting and home entertainment can all form part of a smart home.  Wireless systems are easy and cheap to install, but the downside is that you are likely to need strong Wi-Fi coverage and broadband service throughout the whole house. You may need range e ..read more

Insuring your motor trade business is based on a number of specific pieces of information, but life does not stand still and these can change at any time. It’s easy to forget to update your insurance policies when there is a lot going on, but failure to do so could have consequences. Run through this checklist and see if your policy might need refreshing. Accidents If you are involved in an accident or need to make a claim, let your insurer know straight away. This also goes for any named driver on your policy. You should also let them know even if you don’t intend to make a claim – send a ..read more

If you need more space at home, but don’t want to move to a different location, adding to your existing property could be the answer. Extending up into the loft or out into the garden can give you the space you need, but you have to ensure it complies with current planning regulations. Getting permission takes time, money and patience – here is what you need to know.   Are all applications granted? No, there is always the chance that permission may not be granted. Speaking to your local authority planning department at the very beginning of the process is a good idea. They can tell yo ..read more

Many factors affect the cost of car insurance. Some – such as age, experience and quantity of no claims bonus – we have no control over, but there are others that can be used to make savings on premiums. Car insurance is a considerable annual cost for most Irish households, particularly if you are insuring more than one vehicle, so it’s even more important to seek out the best deals available. TIP 1 Size matters Your car’s horsepower will have a big effect on the insurance premium you pay, so choose your car wisely. The bigger the engine and the more expensive the car, the higher the premium ..read more

In the Autumn of 2022, the Society of Chartered Property, Land and Construction Surveyors issued updated rebuilding cost rates for buildings, and it made sobering reading. With a steep increase in construction costs and with inflation at an all-time high, it showed that it is critical homeowners review their sums insured to avoid being out of pocket in the event of a claim. A great resource is the Society of Chartered Property, Land and Construction Surveyors house rebuild calculator – https://scsi.ie/consumer/build/calculator/.  Follow the simple steps by providing information about th ..read more

While most second-hair cars offer reliability at an affordable price, there are pitfalls to be aware of. A small minority of vehicles may have been clocked or crashed, or may have outstanding finance arrangements on them, so it always pays to do a little research before you buy. Use an online checking service These trawl online databases to find out information about the vehicle. They will flag if a car has been crashed – some can legally be returned to the road, but must be repaired properly and signed off after meeting regulation levels. A good history check will also highlight if there is ..read more

If you need more space at home, but don’t want to move to a different location, adding to your existing property could be the answer. Extending up into the loft or out into the garden can give you the space you need, but you have to ensure it complies with current planning regulations. Getting permission takes time, money and patience – here is what you need to know.   Are all applications granted? No, there is always the chance that permission may not be granted. Speaking to your local authority planning department at the very beginning of the process is a good idea. They can tell yo ..read more

If you take on casual help on the farm during busy periods, even if that help comes from family and friends, it’s still essential to ensure the correct insurance coverage is in place. With the best will in the world, accidents can happen and anyone injured on your premises would be within their rights to make a claim for damage, leaving you with the financial cost of any claims that may arise. You might call on younger family members to lend a hand while on a break from education, or you may have a mutual arrangement with a neighbour whereby you help on their farm and they return the favour ..read more