Renovations and Home Insurance: What to Tell Your State Farm Agent

Posted on 2026-02-26 16:04:23

Remodeling is equal parts excitement and logistics. You pick tile, argue with lead times, learn more about joist spacing than you ever wanted, and then a city inspector appears with a clipboard and a raised eyebrow. The piece many homeowners overlook sits quietly in a drawer: the home insurance policy. When you change the home, you change the insurance math. Materials cost more, square footage expands, new risks arrive, and old protections may not fit anymore. That is why a five minute call with your State Farm agent before demolition does more to protect your investment than any roll of plastic sheeting.

I have walked clients through everything from a simple roof swap to a studs-out historic restoration. The theme repeats. The earlier you loop in your agent, the smoother your project and the fewer surprises on premium, coverage, or claims. You do not need to memorize policy jargon. You need to share the right facts at the right time, keep records, and make sure the builder carries the correct insurance. The rest is mostly homework for the agent and your contractor.

Why renovations change the risk picture

Home insurance prices and coverages hinge on two questions. What would it cost to rebuild your home the day after a total loss, and what could go wrong along the way. Renovation moves both levers. New square footage, higher grade cabinets, and an imported standing seam roof push the rebuild number up. Exposed wiring during construction, open roofs, hot work with torches, and a dumpster full of copper wire change your risk of having a claim.

The policy that fit before the project may leave out critical pieces once walls start coming down. Some policies require the insurer’s consent if a home is unoccupied or undergoing major work for more than a set number of days. Some exclude theft of building materials. Ordinance or law coverage, which pays for code upgrades, can be the difference between a paid claim and a fight with your building department. The bottom line is simple. The policy has knobs you can turn. Your State Farm agent can help, but only if you tell them what is happening.

What your agent actually needs to know

Think of the insurance conversation as a scope walk, not a sales call. Your State Farm agent will translate the project into coverage changes, endorsements, and documentation. To speed that up, arrive with the essentials.

The scope of work: rooms affected, structural changes, roof type, windows and doors, finishes, and any new systems or features The cost breakdown: contractor’s bid, estimated materials, and your own sweat equity or owner-supplied items like appliances or flooring Timelines and occupancy: start date, projected completion, whether you will live there, move out, or short-term rent during the work Who is doing the work: licensed general contractor, subs, or DIY, plus certificates of insurance and license numbers Permits and inspections: which permits are pulled, any known code issues, and whether the home is in a historic or coastal zone

With those five pieces, your agent can estimate your future rebuild cost, flag liability hot spots, and advise on endorsements specific to State Farm insurance. If the scope shifts, send an update. The paper trail helps you later if you file a claim or need to verify upgrades for a discount.

Coverage A and the true cost to rebuild

Coverage A pays to rebuild the structure. Clients often confuse market value with replacement cost. Market value floats with the economy. Replacement cost cares about labor rates, material complexity, and design choices. If you add a 300 square foot sunroom with Pella triple-pane glass and radiant slab heat, the rebuild cost climbs, even if your neighborhood comps do not.

Your State Farm agent uses a replacement cost estimator that weighs square footage, roof geometry, story count, foundation type, and finish level. Bring details. A “kitchen remodel” could be painted builder-grade cabinets and a laminate top, or it could be custom maple with inset doors and quartzite. The first might change Coverage A by a few thousand dollars. The second could change it by tens of thousands. If you underreport, you risk a coinsurance penalty if a claim reveals the home was undervalued. When in doubt, round up and document with invoices and photos.

Inflation guard helps the policy track rising costs over time, but it is not a cure-all. In the last few years, I have seen framing lumber swing by 50 percent and subcontractor rates jump in busy seasons. Renovations are a step function increase, not a gentle slope. Get ahead of it.

Ordinance or law coverage, code cycles, and old houses

If your home predates today’s codes, a loss can trigger mandatory upgrades that your base policy may not fully cover. Think GFCI circuits, tempered glass near tubs, seismic strapping, or a requirement to bring more of the home up to code State farm agent when a percentage of the structure is repaired. Ordinance or law coverage pays for those added costs. Many policies start at 10 percent of Coverage A. On older homes or projects that touch structure and systems, I often recommend 25 to 50 percent.

Here is a scenario I have seen twice. A small kitchen fire stays in the cabinets, but smoke damages the drywall and a section of wiring. Once the wall opens, the inspector requires AFCI breakers and additional circuits to meet today’s code. The wiring bill swells. Without robust ordinance coverage, you either pay the delta or leave an open permit. Mention any known knob-and-tube, galvanized plumbing, or unpermitted additions when you talk to your State Farm agent. Surprises frustrate everyone.

Structural changes, roofs, and what underwriters notice

Underwriters watch three things closely: roof age and type, electrical systems, and plumbing. Renovations touch all three. If you replace a three-tab roof with Class 4 impact-resistant shingles, you might qualify for a premium credit. If you add a flat section over a new porch with a membrane roof, that introduces ponding risk. Upgraded electrical from fuses to a modern panel with copper wire reduces fire risk and can open doors to better terms. Old polybutylene or galvanized pipes replaced with PEX or copper is another risk win.

Share specifics. Brand and rating of roofing, panel amperage, wiring type, breaker details, and photo documentation. I have seen a $150 to $400 yearly premium drop after a full electrical and plumbing update on a mid-century ranch. Not because the house got cheaper to rebuild, but because the probability of a claim fell in the eyes of the insurer.

Additions, ADUs, and how outbuildings fit into Coverage B

A new detached garage, shed, or accessory dwelling unit generally falls under Coverage B, which covers other structures. Coverage B is often set at 10 percent of Coverage A by default. That number can be too small once you frame a real garage or build an ADU. If your main dwelling has 500,000 dollars of Coverage A, you might start with 50,000 dollars for other structures. A 24 by 30 garage with power and insulation can reach or exceed that, fast. If the ADU is rentable, the policy conversation becomes more complex. Short-term rentals and tenant-occupied spaces carry different liability profiles and may not fit under a standard Home insurance form without endorsements.

Tell your State Farm agent if the structure is attached or detached, finished or unfinished, heated or not, and whether you will lease it. I have seen clients underinsure a new studio above a detached garage, then feel blindsided when their State Farm quote rose once the real numbers hit the file. Better to align early than haggle when a claim is pending.

Kitchens, baths, and material theft during the build

Cabinets, fixtures, and appliances often arrive weeks before installation. They sit in the garage or a pod, which makes insurers nervous. Theft of building materials is commonly limited or excluded during renovation under some forms, especially if the home is unoccupied. Ask your agent about theft coverage for materials both on site and in transit. If your contractor buys the items, they might be covered by the contractor’s inland marine policy until installed. If you pay and store them, the risk may sit with you.

Simple measures help. Deliver as late as practical, keep items indoors, and use lockable storage. Put serial numbers and receipts in a shared folder. If a claim happens, proof of ownership shortens the process.

Basements, water, and the fine print that bites

Many renovations include finishing a basement or adding a bathroom. Two policy items matter here. Water backup coverage pays if a drain or sump overflows into the home. Standard policies often start with limited or no coverage for this, and finished basements turn a nuisance into a major loss. The rider is usually inexpensive compared to the cost of ripped-out flooring and drywall. Second, seepage and surface water are not the same as sudden and accidental discharge. A slow leak behind a tiled shower that rots the subfloor over months can be denied if the policy excludes repeated seepage. Good construction and quick response are your best defenses.

Service line coverage, when available, pays for buried utility line failures, like a collapsed sewer lateral. If you are already digging for a new addition, ask whether upgrading the line and adding that coverage makes sense. I have seen sewer repairs run 5,000 to 12,000 dollars for a simple break, and multiples of that under a driveway or mature tree.

Pools, decks, and liability that follows fun

Adding a pool, spa, trampoline, or elevated deck changes the liability picture. Some insurers restrict or surcharge certain features without approved fencing, self-latching gates, or locked covers. Your personal liability limit should reflect the fact that guests will use what you build. Umbrella liability, often starting at 1 million dollars, is relatively inexpensive when paired with your primary Home insurance and Car insurance. It becomes even more relevant if you host gatherings or if teenagers and their friends enjoy the yard unsupervised.

Mention dogs as well, especially breeds that some carriers exclude or surcharge. Rules vary by state and by carrier appetite. Your State Farm agent knows what the local underwriter will accept.

Occupancy, vacancy, and when an endorsement becomes mandatory

Some policies restrict coverage if the home is unoccupied for more than a set number of days, commonly 30 or 60. Renovations sometimes push families into rentals or a relative’s guest room. Tell your agent before the house sits empty. You may need a renovation or dwelling under construction endorsement to keep theft, vandalism, and water coverage intact. I have seen clients discover a vacancy clause the hard way after a burst pipe in a closed-up home. One short call could have avoided a five figure problem.

If you will stay in the home, note any periods when utilities are off, alarms are disabled, or the roof is open. Insurers may require additional safeguards or temporarily adjust coverage during high-risk phases.

Your contractor’s insurance matters as much as yours

A reputable general contractor should carry general liability, workers’ compensation where required by law, and often builder’s risk or installation floater coverage for materials. Ask for certificates of insurance naming you as additional insured where appropriate, and confirm coverage limits that fit the project size. A typical small renovation contractor may carry 1 million dollars per occurrence and 2 million aggregate in liability. On a six figure project, that is a sensible floor.

Verify that subcontractors are insured, not just the GC. Uninsured subs can push injuries or property damage back toward you. Keep certificates current. They expire mid-project more often than you would think.

Builder’s risk, if needed, covers the structure and materials during construction. On modest owner-occupied renovations, your Home insurance with the right endorsements can be enough. On major additions or long timelines, a separate builder’s risk policy may be cleaner. Your State Farm agent can explain which route fits your scope and your state’s options.

Documentation that pays you back

Insurers love clarity. So do adjusters. Take dated photos before, during, and after. Keep contracts, change orders, permits, and receipts together. If you upgrade wiring, photograph the panel, breaker labels, and any permit sign-offs. For high-value items like imported tile or custom millwork, save the invoice and the delivery receipt. After completion, update your home inventory, especially if you purchased new furniture or electronics to match the remodeled space.

I once handled a claim for stolen appliance packages. Two clients, two outcomes. The first had serial numbers and invoices scanned. The claim paid in under two weeks. The second had only a contractor text and a bank transfer. That one turned into a month of back-and-forth. Same carrier, same form, different paperwork.

Premium changes and where savings can offset them

Expect your premium to change if your rebuild cost rises. You cannot upgrade features across the home and keep the same limit without creating a gap. At the same time, many renovations produce credits. New roof, modernized electrical and plumbing, central station fire or burglar alarms, and whole-house water shutoff systems can lower risk-based components of your premium.

Bundling matters too. If you carry Home insurance and Car insurance with the same Insurance agency, multi-line discounts often offset part of the increase. With State Farm insurance, that can be meaningful. Ask your State Farm agent to run a new State Farm quote with and without expected credits and any multi-line discount you qualify for.

A simple way to update your policy without derailing the project

You do not need to sit through an hour-long meeting. A focused, short process works best.

Call or message your State Farm agent with your project summary, budget, and dates, and ask if a renovation endorsement or builder’s risk is needed Share the contractor’s certificate of insurance and permits, and confirm occupancy status during the build Review proposed changes to Coverage A, other structures, ordinance or law, water backup, and liability limits Ask about discounts tied to updates, and request a revised State Farm quote that shows old and new premiums Save the updated declarations page and endorsements to your project folder, and calendar a check-in if the scope expands

Most adjustments can be bound the same day once paperwork is in. If underwriting needs photos or an inspection, plan that around project phases so it does not slow work.

Special cases worth flagging early

Not every renovation fits a standard pattern. A few edge cases call for extra attention.

Historic homes. If your house sits in a historic district or is subject to easements, material and method requirements can escalate costs beyond typical replacement guides. Millwork, plaster, and specialty roofing take longer and cost more. Ordinance coverage and higher Coverage A limits are common adjustments here, and builder selection matters. Underwriters often want proof of licensed, experienced contractors.

Short-term rentals. If you intend to rent your home or an ADU on a platform after the remodel, tell your agent. Standard forms exclude or limit business use. You may need a different policy form or endorsements to keep protection intact when guests pay to stay.

Home businesses. A workshop or office with inventory, tools, or client foot traffic may fall outside personal property limits or liability coverage. Separate business property coverage or a rider can be inexpensive compared to a denied claim.

Solar and batteries. Roof-mounted solar and home batteries affect both structure and electrical risk. Provide brand, capacity, attachment method, and whether the installer is certified. Your roof’s rating and wind uplift resistance also matter more once panels go on.

Large trees and grading. If you regrade for drainage or remove large trees, you change your exposure to wind and water. Service line coverage and water backup riders become higher priority, and roof shape and anchoring can influence wind-hail pricing in certain states.

Claims during construction, and how they play out

Losses mid-project are messy. Roles blur between homeowner, contractor, subs, and vendors. If a plumber’s torch ignites framing, the contractor’s liability policy may respond. If a storm rips off a partially installed roof and the contractor failed to tarp, parties may share responsibility. Call your State Farm agent first, even if you believe the contractor is at fault. They will start a claim as needed and coordinate with other carriers.

Document the scene before cleanup if it is safe to do so. Get the fire report or police report number when applicable. Ask the contractor to notify their carrier in writing and to preserve materials that may matter for subrogation. Cooperation speeds recovery and can keep your out-of-pocket lower.

Working with a local expert pays off

Searches for an Insurance agency near me rise every spring. There is a reason. A local State Farm agent knows which roofs draw hail credits in your county, which inspectors insist on arc-fault everywhere, and what underwriters ask when a home sits vacant during a kitchen gut. They also know the reputable contractors and which certificate of insurance pages are red flags. Use that knowledge. It is built into what you already pay for.

If you live in an area prone to wildfire or hurricane, local knowledge only grows in value. Clearing defensible space, choosing ember-resistant vents, or upgrading to impact-rated openings can shift both your risk and your insurability. Your agent can point you to the right documentation for discounts that exist by state.

After the dust settles

Once the final inspection passes and the punch list shrinks to a sticky note, do one last sweep on the insurance side. Verify that your Coverage A matches the final invoices, not just the bid. Adjust Coverage B if a new shed or patio crept into the scope. If you added high-value personal property, like artwork or jewelry, consider scheduling those items for broader coverage. Update your home inventory and keep photos of key upgrades stored in two places.

If your liability profile changed, like adding a pool or increasing entertaining space, revisit your personal liability and umbrella limits. If you switched from base smoke alarms to a monitored fire and burglar system, confirm the discount is applied. This is also a good moment to have your State Farm agent check for any multi-line savings if your Car insurance or Life policies have changed. One quick refresh of your State Farm quote can catch credits you earned during the project.

A brief, real-world example

A family in a 1968 split-level planned a mid-range kitchen and a new deck. The contractor bid 95,000 dollars, including panel upgrades and moving a load-bearing wall. They told their State Farm agent ahead of demo. Coverage A rose by 70,000 dollars to reflect higher finishes and a modest bump in square footage, and ordinance or law increased to 25 percent. The policy added water backup at 10,000 dollars when the basement powder room moved to a new location. The contractor’s certificates were in order. Midway, prices shifted, and the deck changed from wood to composite with aluminum railings. They emailed the change order. The agent reran the numbers, and the premium rose by about 22 dollars a month. After completion, the electrical and plumbing credits trimmed about 12 dollars a month. The monitored alarm knocked off a bit more. Net, the better home cost slightly more to insure, and the family slept easier with the right liability and ordinance coverage in place.

Contrast that with a homeowner who replaced a roof, added skylights, and let the home sit empty for six weeks with no notice. A break-in led to stolen tools and copper. The policy had a vacancy clause and no materials theft coverage. The result was an expensive lesson. Both homes, same city. The difference was a call that never happened.

Final thought

Renovation magnifies everything good and bad about a house. Insurance is the quiet constant that turns chaos into an inconvenience when something goes wrong. If you remember nothing else, remember this. Share your scope, budget, timeline, occupancy, and contractor details with your State Farm agent before the first dumpster lands. Ask about Coverage A, other structures, ordinance or law, water backup, and liability. Keep receipts and take photos. The rest is a series of small, manageable steps handled by people who do this every day.

Whether you already work with a trusted Insurance agency or you are still searching for an Insurance agency near me, set the conversation up early. Renovation is busy. Good insurance planning is not loud. It is just the part that lets you enjoy the home you worked so hard to build.

Business NAP Information

Name: Andrew Brenneise – State Farm Insurance Agent
Address: 13310 Telge Rd Ste 102, Cypress, TX 77429, United States
Phone: (832) 653-4248
Website: https://www.abcoversme.com/?cmpid=VAC4HT_blm_0001

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Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
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Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Plus Code: X992+Q5 Cypress, Houston, Texas, EE. UU.

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Andrew Brenneise – State Farm Insurance Agent serves families and businesses throughout Cypress and the greater Houston area offering renters insurance with a experienced commitment to customer care.

Residents of Cypress rely on Andrew Brenneise – State Farm Insurance Agent for personalized policy options designed to help protect what matters most.

Clients receive policy consultations, risk assessments, and financial service guidance backed by a quality-driven team focused on long-term client relationships.

Contact the Cypress office at (832) 653-4248 for a personalized quote and visit https://www.abcoversme.com/?cmpid=VAC4HT_blm_0001 for additional details.

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Landmarks Near Cypress, Texas

Houston Premium Outlets – Major shopping destination with national retail brands.
Berry Center of Northwest Houston – Multi-purpose complex hosting sporting events and community activities.
Lone Star College–CyFair – Local higher education campus serving the Cypress area.
Blackhorse Golf Club – Popular public golf course in Northwest Houston.
Cypress Towne Center – Retail and dining hub for residents.
Cy-Fair ISD Stadium – Large athletic stadium serving local high schools.
Telge Park – Community park offering outdoor recreation and green space.