Warranties and cover

Buildmark policy details

The following is a summary of the Buildmark cover we provide.

Before completion

After exchange of contracts your homebuyer is covered if you are not able to start or complete the home due to insolvency or fraud.

During the first 2 years

During this period you are responsible for putting right defects or damage to the home and its common parts, caused by a failure to build to the NHBC Standards. You must do this within a reasonable time and at your own expense.

Our Resolution Service can help if a dispute arises between yourself and a homeowner about defects or damage.

During years 3 to 10

We provide insurance to cover the cost of putting right any damage caused by defects in specified parts of the home, usually the structural and weatherproofing parts. This will start two years after the date on the Buildmark insurance certificate.

Homeowners will need to contact our Claims team, rather than yourself, to make a claim.

What parts of the home are covered?

These parts of the home are covered:

Foundations
Load-bearing walls
Non load-bearing partition walls
Wet-applied wall plaster
External render and external vertical tile hanging
Load-bearing parts of the roof
Roof coverings
Ceilings
Load-bearing parts of the floors
Staircases and internal floor decking and screeds where these fail to support normal loads
Retaining walls necessary for the structural stability of the house, bungalow, flat or maisonette, its garage or other permanent outbuilding
Double-glazing or triple-glazing panes to external windows and doors
Below-ground drainage for which the owner is responsible

We also will pay the homeowner the cost of putting right defects to a flue or chimney if it causes a danger to the physical health and safety of the occupants.

The homeowner is also covered for alternative accommodation costs if they need to move out of their home while repair work is being done.

Building Regulations

If you appoint NHBC Building Control Services Ltd or an Approved Inspector registered with NHBC for your site, your buyers will also be covered for certain breaches of some Building Regulations if they pose a danger to the health and safety of the occupants.

Contaminated land

Buildmark also protects homeowners if they are served, or are likely to be served, a Statutory Notice about contamination of the land that existed at completion.

What's not covered?

Buildmark does not cover general wear and tear, condensation, normal shrinkage, cosmetic damage or damage arising from failure to maintain the property. You should refer to the full policy document for information on all the exclusions and limitations that apply.

Full policy document

For full details of the Buildmark Policy, please read this policy document:

Current Buildmark policy document

This particular sample document applies to new homes registered from 01 April 2012. If you need a copy of a policy for a home registered before this date please call us on 0844 633 1000 and ask for 'Customer Services'.

Contact us

0844 633 1000
Open: Mon - Fri 08:30 – 17:30

For general enquiries or to discuss a guide price: Ask for ‘Customer Services’,
email us or write to us

Downloads

Any questions?

See some frequently asked questions

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