Frequently asked questions

From order how long will it take to complete my HiBar Flood System?

My property is semi-detached, can you still protect?

We live in an riverside apartment, can we share the cost?

Will my property be covered for flood damage if I use the HiBar Flood System?

Will I get any state assistance?

How long will it be before I am back in my property after a flood has receded?

Flooding has damaged my garden. Can I make a claim?

Where can I get more information about HiBar Flood System?

Will my insurance premiums reduce as a result of having a HiBar Flood System?

What payment do you accept and do you have an easy payment terms scheme?

Will I have to obtain planning permission?

How visible will it be when not in use?

How can you be sure that the system will work when it needs to, if it hasn’t been needed for a long period?

What guarantee or warranty does the system have?

What if I move house to another flood risk area – can I take it with me?

Q: From order how long will it take to complete my HiBar Flood System?

A: After acceptance of our firm quotation (produced within 2 weeks of our detailed site survey) and subject to any unforeseen difficulties (such as previously unknown underground services) our installation team would expect to have the barrier fully fitted and tested within 9 weeks.

Q: My property is semi-detached, can you still protect?

A: Due to unprotected, internal party walls between the two properties, trying to protect only one property is not possible. It is clearly in both property owners’ interests to club together and put one barrier around both properties, which will be cheaper than two separate barriers anyway.

Q: We live in an riverside apartment, can we share the cost?

A: Similarly to the semi-detached property situation, one barrier around the whole development is the only viable solution, but the cost of one barrier split many ways makes it much cheaper per property.

Q: Will my property be covered for flood damage if I use the HiBar Flood System?

A: It is up to individual insurance companies, based upon their claims experiences and the particular property. However, in 2000 following the first of the major floods, the Association of British Insurers’ Statement of Principles promised to continue insuring properties in exchange for the Government continuing to properly fund flood defence work. It has stated in its 2005 review that:

"Insurance companies are committed to providing their customers with protection against flooding and have honoured the commitments they made in the ABI Statement of Principles. Insurance cover remains available to almost all households in high flood risk locations. For the vast majority of these homes, the existing insurer has been able to stay on cover, sometimes following steps taken by the householder to reduce their flood risk (e.g. flood protection products or flood resilient measures). ABI members have only refused to renew insurance in very exceptional cases – typically following multiple, large flood claims."

Q: Will I get any state assistance?

A: Recommendation 12 of the Pitt Review 2008 into flooding states that "All local authorities should extend eligibility for home improvement grants and loans to include flood resistance and resilience products for properties in high flood-risk areas" so we are hopeful that a similar system to that which operates to help people insulate their properties will soon be extended to flood defences.

Q: How long will it be before I am back in my property after a flood has receded?

A: Straight away, unlike flood "resilient" measures that some people propose, where the floodwater is allowed in and (hopefully!) it does not take very long to remove the mud, damp and smell. By keeping the floodwaters out completely (flood "resistance") as our system does, the property remains habitable throughout.

Q: Flooding has damaged my garden. Can I make a claim?

A: Any garden inside the perimeter of the HiBar system will be protected – anything outside will not. You decide when you order the system installation how much garden you wish to protect.

Q: Where can I get more information about HiBar Flood System?

A: Please feel free to contact us by whatever means you prefer – telephone, post or e-mail (see Contact Us section). Any initial meeting is entirely free and without any obligation whatsoever.

Q: Will my insurance premiums reduce as a result of having a HiBar Flood System?

A: We hope that, in accordance with the Association of British Insurers Statement of Principles 2000 and again 2005, they would continue to insure your property at standard rates, and not impose a heavier excess, if you have been prudent enough to install a comprehensive flood defence system such as ours. However, we recommend that you check this with your insurer first, or we could do that on your behalf, if you wish.

Q: What payment do you accept and do you have an easy payment terms scheme?

A: Our usual terms are 30% on acceptance of firm quotation, 30% on completion of the work and 40% within 30 days thereafter. Many clients would probably seek to fund this property improvement/enhancement by use of an extension to their mortgage and therefore spread the cost over many years. A £40,000 mortgage at 6% interest and repayable over 15 years would be £336 per month, or £256 p.m. over 25 years. We have a qualified mortgage broker on our staff to assist with any financial enquiries. Alternatively, we can arrange shorter term finance on your behalf, if you do not wish to secure the loan against your property.

Q: Will I have to obtain planning permission?

A: Although there is a certain amount of variation between different local authorities, you will probably have to obtain some form of permission, even if it is just to comply with the current building regulations. However, we should be pleased to provide assistance to you in obtaining this or, on payment of an additional fee, we can undertake this application on your behalf.

Q: How visible will it be when not in use?

A: One of the most attractive features of our system over other methods is that you only see it when you need it. During the time between flood events, the only part of the barrier that will be visible is the flat top of the float, lying flush with the ground and looking like a normal footpath around the property. For those sections that run across a lawn, we can incorporate artificial grass on the float lid, or even a shallow tray such that real grass can be allowed to grow on top. Similarly, flower beds can be simulated for other sections through the garden

Q: How can you be sure that the system will work when it needs to, if it hasn’t been needed for a long period?

A: A condition of the warranty we offer, we require that clients enter into an annual servicing contract with us. In return, our skilled service team will undertake an annual service of the system which will involve raising the barrier inspecting the components and undertaking any repairs before lowering it back into its housing trench and tidying up the site.

Q: What guarantee or warranty does the system have?

A: The barrier and system will carry a 15 year warranty, extendable by further 5 year periods upon agreement to undertake replacement of any worn or corroded components at each review, due the very damp conditions that it will be required to lie over many years.

Q: What if I move house to another flood risk area – can I take it with me?

A: Yes – it is technically possible to lift it all out of the ground and reinstall it elsewhere. However, we would not advise this for several reasons, including the fact that it’s presence at the property you are selling could well be a large factor in why the purchaser is prepared to buy a property at flood risk in the first place. Secondly, the dimensions, soil conditions and expected flood height at the new property will almost certainly be very different and the system would need adding to, amending and the cost of installation will now include the cost of moving it as well. Buy a new one instead, with the money you’ve saved by the purchase price being lower due to "flood blight"!