Warranties and cover

Buildmark - frequently asked questions

Check out our list of frequently asked questions and answers. If you can't find what you're looking for, please contact our Customer Services Team.

Click on a question to reveal the answer or reveal all answers.

Why do I need Buildmark for my new home?

If you are buying a newly-built home you will need cover such as Buildmark in order to secure a mortgage and release funds.

If you are buying a newly-converted property your lender may not require you to have such cover, however, buying a property with Buildmark cover will give you reassurance that you will have protection if problems arise in the future. Please note that sometimes on conversion properties we add exclusions to the cover - these will be printed on your insurance certificate.

What is and what is not covered by Buildmark?

Buildmark is not a complete guarantee against all defects. It is an insurance policy to cover you against specified risks which could be very expensive to put right.

Buildmark gives you cover for:

Failure to start or complete the home due to builder insolvency or fraud
Damage or defects to the property caused by not following the NHBC Standards
Damage to certain parts of the home, and defects to chimneys, after the first 2 years
Contaminated land in, on or under the land on which your home is built
Certain breaches of some Building Regulations if NHBC Building Control Services Ltd or an Approved Inspector registered with NHBC carried out building control on the site.

Buildmark does not provide cover for general wear and tear, condensation, normal shrinkage, damage arising from failure to maintain the property.

Please refer to the Buildmark cover page for more information. Remember that you must always check your own Buildmark documents to confirm the precise cover on your home.

When does Buildmark cover start and when does it end?

If you are the first owner of the home, Buildmark gives you protection from exchange of contracts if, due to your builder's insolvency or fraud, they are unable to start or complete construction.

Cover then continues for ten years from the date on your Buildmark insurance certificate - usually the date of completion.

Is there a financial limit to the cover after legal completion?

Yes. The most we will pay is the original purchase price as shown on the insurance certificate up to a maximum of:

£1,000,000 for a newly-built home, or
£500,000 for a converted home
(up to £5 million for all the homes in a continuous converted structure).

The financial limit will be increased each year in line with the RICS House Rebuilding Cost Index, or if less, by 10% compound per year from the date of the insurance certificate (please see the Buildmark Policy document for full details).

What if I sell my home?

Buildmark cover is intended to benefit every owner of the home during the 10 year period of cover. So, if you sell the home and the Buildmark policy has not expired, the new owner benefits from the remaining term of cover

What are the NHBC Standards?

To offer Buildmark cover, your builder is required to build in accordance with the NHBC Standards which provide a benchmark for acceptable levels of design, material specification and workmanship for newly-built homes registered with NHBC.

Our inspectors make a minimum of five visits to all new NHBC registered developments at key stages during their construction to check compliance, as far as reasonably practicable, with the NHBC Standards.

Who can apply for Buildmark and how is it paid for?

NHBC registered builders and developers apply and pay for Buildmark when they register their building plots with NHBC.

Buildmark warranty and insurance cover is included when selling newly-built or newly-converted residential homes to homebuyers.

Do I have an NHBC warranty?

If you are not sure if your property is covered by an NHBC warranty, please email us at cssupport@nhbc.co.uk, with your full name, address, postcode and a daytime telephone number, and we will let you know.

Alternatively, please call us on 0844 633 1000, and ask for 'Customer Services'.

How do I get my policy documents?

You should have received your Buildmark policy documents from your solicitor or conveyancer upon completion.

If you have not yet received your policy documents, please contact NHBC Customer Services at cssupport@nhbc.co.uk, quoting your name, address, postcode and NHBC Buildmark policy number if available.

Alternatively, please call 0844 633 1000, and say 'Duplicate Documents'.

I've lost my Buildmark documents. Can I get duplicates?

Can't find your policy document?

The first two letters of your Buildmark policy number (found on your insurance certificate) will determine which Buildmark policy document applies to you. Select the appropriate document below: