Summer is fast approaching, and you might be eager to transform your garden before welcoming guests. However, before embarking on any DIY projects, it's worth knowing that certain additions could potentially invalidate your home insurance.

Households pay a considerable amount for insurance, so the last thing you want is for that money to be wasted if something goes wrong. With around 70% of homes in the UK thought to be underinsured, failing to disclose garden features could increase the risk of reduced pay-outs or rejected claims. With this in mind, Ian Wilson, home insurance expert at Tiger.co.uk, has revealed five 'seemingly harmless' garden features that could have an impact on your insurance policy.

Installing garden rooms or outbuildings

Permanent structures, such as outdoor offices and summer houses fitted with heating or plumbing, must be declared to your insurer as they may not be covered if left undisclosed.

They can also push up the cost of rebuilding your home if it sustains damage and may heighten the risk of fire or theft.

Adding sheds or storage structures

Sheds and storage units in the garden can have an impact on your cover, especially if high-value items are being kept inside. Insurers often impose strict limits and security requirements for outbuildings.

It's vital that homeowners thoroughly read their policy terms and conditions, as some insurers may even demand that valuable items must not be visible from the window.

Planting new trees, especially those placed too close to buildings, can cause long-term structural problems such as subsidence or damage to foundations.

This can have an impact on your home insurance and may result in claims being rejected if the risk was not declared or properly managed.

Poor-quality garden work

Undertaking poor-quality garden work that then causes problems can affect your insurance. This might include badly installed decking, unstable patios or poorly fitted electrical work.

If the work is deemed unsafe, substandard or not compliant with regulations, it could invalidate a claim if it's found to have contributed to the damage.

Trampolines and large play equipment

Trampolines and large outdoor play equipment, such as climbing frames, heighten the risk of injury, particularly to children, and can create liability complications if someone gets hurt on your property.

Many insurers exclude them altogether or impose strict conditions such as safety nets, soft landing surfaces or secure anchoring in order for cover to remain valid.