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Independent technical opinion on land for residential development

Our Land Quality Service supports house builders (whether registered with us or not), strategic land developers, local authorities and development agencies, land agents and anyone seeking expert land quality advice for complex land schemes.

Our specialist in-house team of geotechnical and geo-environmental engineers examine various types of land during the pre-development stage, including brownfield, grey belt, geotechnically challenging, marginal and greenfield sites.

Providing a pathway to warranty and insurance cover

Our specialist team review ground reports, remedial proposals, verification evidence and designs to ensure that contamination and geotechnical risks are adequately addressed. This thorough approach facilitates a smoother approval process for NHBC warranty and insurance acceptance.

Our specialists are checking that the land will be able to meet the land quality requirements of the NHBC Standards. This removes uncertainty and reduces the potential of unexpected delays by ensuring that ground and geotechnical hazards are appropriately assessed and that mitigation for ground contamination, unstable soil and ground treatment is acceptable.

The benefits of using our Land Quality Service

We are specialists in new home building with experience on some of the UK’s largest reclamation schemes.

Adds value

A de-risked site has higher development potential, increasing the marketability of land, reducing land value renegotiation risks and increasing investment returns.

Reduces financial risk

Ensures land is de-risked and suitable for development plans before investment in infrastructure and building work.

Reduces delays

Minimises unforeseen delays by certifying land suitability before development begins, reducing potentially costly issues and compliance risks.

Proactive solutions

Early engagement allows us to be proactive in helping you come up with solutions and resolve issues up front, leaving no ‘nasty surprises’ for the future.

How our Land Quality Service works

With an NHBC Land Quality Service certificate, you gain confidence and reassure any other stakeholders that the land has been assessed against the land quality requirements of the NHBC Standards and is already de-risked. This assurance streamlines the journey to registration for our warranty and insurance, with our team ready to support the process, subject to any outstanding matters.


Our service is split into three stages in line with NHBC Standards Chapter 4.1:

Stage 1 Hazard identification/evaluation

Technical opinion of the acceptability of the desk study appraisal and site investigations against NHBC Standards.

Stage 2 Managing ground risks

Technical opinion of the suitability of the remedial and/or design solutions against NHBC Standards.

Stage 3 Documentation and compliance verification

Technical opinion that the verification evidence demonstrates achievement of remedial objectives and/or compliance against NHBC Standards.

The path from land acquisition to NHBC warranty and insurance

Frequently asked questions

Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss our Land Quality Service

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