Having a structural warranty makes your property more attractive to potential buyers.  It demonstrates the quality of construction and provides them with peace of mind, potentially increasing your property value and speeding up the selling process.

Many lenders require a structural warranty in place before approving a mortgage for a self-build property or for the parts of a building where significant new work has taken place. 

What Does a Structural Warranty Cover?

A typical structural warranty covers the following:

• Defects in Design or Workmanship: This includes issues arising from faulty construction practices or errors in the building plans that lead to structural problems.

• Faulty Materials or Components:  If the building materials or components used are defective and cause structural issues, the warranty will cover repairs.

• Sudden Collapse:* In the unfortunate event of a sudden structural collapse, the warranty will typically cover the cost of rebuilding, subject to policy limits.

Cover details may vary depending on the provider and the type of policy you choose.  

How to Get a Structural Warranty for Your Building Project

Several companies offer structural warranties in the UK. JCT Insurance Expert will research reputable providers, compare their coverage options, obtain quotations and help you understand the options. 

You should obtain a warranty early on in the project, ideally make enquiries before starting as the insurers will want a lot of information which may take time to gather. By starting the cover at the same time as the building work you will save money in the longer term.

Most warranty providers will conduct technical audits at various stages of construction to assess compliance with building regulations and identify potential issues before they escalate. You may be required to do something in a certain way or to use products that meet the insurer's agreed standards. This is important as failure to follow guidance will result in insurers refusing or reducing cover at the end of the build. These audits can in many instances, replace building control audits, which will help reduce costs. 

Once the project is complete and receives a sign-off from the relevant authorities, the structural warranty typically comes into effect. 

Structural warranties add to the overall project cost, but the financial protection they offer will outweigh the initial expense if a problem arises that incurs repair costs in the future or one is needed as a condition of a sale or lending application later on.

By investing in a structural warranty, you will safeguard your building project, protect your financial investment, and increase your property's value and marketability.

Get a Quotation

For a quotation, help or advice call JCT Insurance Expert on 01825 745 410 or email enquiries@eig.email