Raising standards to protect homeowners
Moving into your new home
If you've just moved in to a brand new property, our Guide to your new home contains some really useful tips on how to get the most from your home.
Your Buildmark policy documents
If you are the first owner
You should receive your insurance certificate and Buildmark document from your legal advisor. If you don't receive them within 4 weeks of moving into your new home, please call us on 0844 633 1000 and ask for 'Customer Services'.
If you are not the first owner
If your home still has the benefit of Buildmark cover, your legal advisor will obtain the documents from the previous owners on completion of your purchase and should forward them to you. If you don't receive them, or you are not sure if your home is covered, please call us on 0844 633 1000 and ask for 'Customer Services'.
Completing the Acceptance Form
If you are the first owner of a new home your legal advisor must fill in a Buildmark Acceptance Form on completion of your purchase. This tells us the purchase price of the property, the date of legal completion and the address of the home.
We only issue your Buildmark insurance certificate once we receive a completed Acceptance Form.
Checking your new home
We advise you to check your new home before you complete your purchase and again when you move in. Our checklist can help you to do this:
If there are items you're not satisfied with, notify your builder as soon as possible. It's important to date and keep copies of all correspondence as well as notes of telephone conversations or meetings.
Running-in your new home
After your home is built it needs to go through a process of 'drying out'. Every home can contain up to 5,000 litres of water in the concrete, mortar, screed and plaster. This water needs to evaporate away and, as the home is lived in and heated, water evaporates and the timber and plaster will shrink. This can cause small cracks to appear and your builder is not legally bound to rectify them.
The cracks can be filled in the normal process of decoration.
You may also notice that drying out causes condensation in your home.
The following guidance notes give advice on understanding and controlling condensation:
Your guide to condensation in homes
Your guide to condensation in roof spaces
Planning an extension or alteration?
Your Buildmark policy will not cover you for any defects or damage caused by alterations or extensions to your home after the date on your Buildmark insurance certificate. You may find the following guidance notes useful:
Contact us
0844 633 1000
Open: Mon - Fri 08:30 – 17:30
For general enquiries:
Ask for ‘Customer Services’,
email us or write to us
To discuss a claim:
Ask for ’Claims’,
email us or write to us
Making a claim?
If you have a problem with your home and need to let us know Find Out More
Any questions?
Downloads
The Consumer Code
The Consumer Code for Home BuildersFind out more