Building Warranties UK
Building Warranties
Protect Your Property Investment with a 10-Year Structural Warranty
A Building Warranty, also known as a Structural Warranty or Latent Defects Insurance, is essential protection for property owners, self-builders, developers and contractors. Designed to safeguard against structural defects that may emerge after construction is completed, these policies provide long-term peace of mind and financial security.
Most UK mortgage lenders require a valid 10-Year Building Warranty before approving mortgages or refinancing applications. Whether you are constructing a new home, undertaking a barn conversion, renovating a property, or developing a commercial project, securing the right warranty is a vital part of the build process.
What Is Covered by Building Warranty Insurance?
A Structural Building Warranty protects against hidden defects in design, workmanship and materials that may affect the structural integrity or habitability of a building.
Typical cover includes:
- Foundation defects
- Structural failures of load-bearing elements
- Roof and wall structural defects
- Waterproofing failures
- Latent defects affecting the safety or habitability of the property
Most policies provide protection for 10 years from Building Control sign-off, although certain commercial and social housing developments may qualify for cover of up to 12 years.
Why Latent Defects Insurance Matters
Structural issues can remain hidden for years before becoming apparent. A Building Warranty ensures that costly repairs resulting from covered defects are addressed without placing a significant financial burden on property owners.
Importantly, Building Warranties are linked to the property rather than the owner. If the property is sold during the warranty period, the remaining cover transfers to the new owner, helping improve marketability and buyer confidence.
Types of Projects We Cover
At Konsileo, we provide tailored Building Warranty Insurance solutions for a wide range of residential and commercial developments across the UK.
Our cover includes:
- Self-Build Projects
- New Build Homes
- Property Conversions
- Barn Conversions
- Renovation and Refurbishment Projects
- Completed Properties
- Commercial Developments
- Affordable Housing Schemes
- Social Housing Projects
No matter the size or complexity of your project, we can help arrange suitable warranty protection.
Professional Consultants Certificates (PCC)
For some newly built or converted properties, a Professional Consultants Certificate (PCC) can provide a cost-effective alternative to a full structural warranty.
Key benefits include:
- Accepted by many UK mortgage lenders
- Valid for six years following final inspection
- Compliant with Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) requirements
- Faster to arrange than many warranty schemes
- No two-year defects insurance period
PCCs are particularly suitable for smaller developments and budget-conscious builders seeking lender-recognised certification.
Get In Touch Today
Why Choose Konsileo for Building Warranty Insurance?
As an independent Building Warranty broker, Konsileo works with leading UK warranty providers to source competitive and tailored solutions for each project.
Our goal is to simplify the Building Warranty process, minimise delays and ensure your development is protected from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
The terms Building Warranty and Latent Defects Insurance are simply two names for the same type of cover. Both provide protection against structural defects that were not apparent when the construction was completed but become evident during the warranty period.
Building Warranties last 10 years from the date the property receives Building Control completion, although some developments such as Commercial Projects and Social Housing Schemes may be eligible for 12 years of cover, depending on the warranty provider.
A Building Warranty should be arranged before construction starts. This is not only the simplest time to arrange cover, but it’s also usually the most cost effective. As construction progresses, premiums often increase because underwriters have had fewer opportunities to inspect the works, resulting in a higher insurance risk.
While it is not a legal requirement, most UK mortgage lenders and finance companies will require a recognised Building Warranty or in some cases an acceptable alternative, such as a PCC, before lending on a newly built property or providing a mortgage on a property that is 10 years or younger.
Yes. Building Warranties are attached to the property and generally transfer automatically to future owners during the warranty period.
Insurance Backed Guarantees (IBG’s) are an insurance policy that protects the property owner if the original installer ceases to trade or is unable to honour their workmanship guarantee, by covering the cost of rectifying faulty workmanship or materials.
Surety Bonds are legally binding three-party agreements that provide financial protection if a contractual obligation isn’t fulfilled. They give clients confidence that a contract will be completed as agreed or that financial compensation will be available if it isn’t.
Right of Light Insurance is a specialist Legal Indemnity policy that protects developers against claims from neighbouring property owners whose natural light may be affected by a new development. The policy can cover legal defence costs, compensation payments, reductions in property value and, in some cases, the costs of altering or removing part of a completed building following a successful claim.