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Structural Warranty for Self-Builds

Your self-build warranty: built by experts

A self-build warranty is essential when it comes to protecting all your hard work. Whether you’re building your own property, customising it, or planning a project to sell on, self-building is well worth the effort. But it’s also a big investment, so it’s crucial to plan ahead.

With some structural problems taking years to show and potentially costing hundreds of thousands of pounds to repair, you need a self-build warranty you can trust. Our award-winning 10-year structural warranty insurance is a specialist type of cover that protects you against any defects in the design, materials or workmanship of your home for a decade after completion.

At Self-Build Zone, we understand the highs (and lows) of self-building, and we’ve been providing peace of mind for self-builders since 2002. Backed by ‘A’ rated insurers and approved by the majority of UK mortgage lenders, our self-build warranties enable you to self-build new houses, conversions and extensions safely – and sell more easily. We’re here every step of the way.

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0345 230 9874

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Project Finance

Approved by the majority of lenders in the UK

Build Zone

Are you a commercial or residential property developer? See Build-Zone for development structural warranty policies.

Advice Podcast

Check out our Guest podcast with the House planning help podcast answers ‘Do I need a Structural Warranty for my Self Build?’

A brick house with a gabled roof, white trim, fenced yard, and a portable toilet on the left offers peace of mind with a self-build warranty.

Why a self-build warranty is so important

Self-building is a complex process, especially when structural work is involved. Sometimes faults in the build quality may only appear over time – even years after you’ve finished.

A building warranty covers you for any defects in the design, workmanship and materials that may arise in your self-build, including those affecting the drainage or waterproofing of the property, for 10 years after completion. These defects can be seriously expensive to remedy, and might even require a full or partial rebuild. With a self-build warranty in place, you’re covered for the costs of repairing latent defects – giving you peace of mind your self-build investment is protected.

You’ll also need a structural warranty for other self-build projects including new builds, conversions and extensions, if you have to sell the property. Most lenders require a structural warranty to mortgage a self-build home, with the building warranty transferring straight to the new owner when sold.

Do lenders require a structural warranty?

When it comes to selling a self-build and the buyer acquiring the funds, lenders need to ensure the property is secure and protected to make sure their investment is safe. That’s why most lenders will require a structural warranty in place on the newly built property for a period of 10 years.

Having a self-build warranty in place not only offers peace of mind to a lender that the structure is protected in the event of latent defects cropping up, but it also reassures the lender that professional inspection has been carried out during the course of the building process and that self-builders have been supervised by technical professionals who would expect high standards to issue the building warranty.

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Why choose Self-Build Zone

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Market-leading self-build insurance provider

It’s not just about being able to cover a range of building projects, we’ve proven our quality by providing self build insurance and warranties since 2002 to the majority of self-builders in the UK.

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‘A’ rated insurers

We know the risks involved with building your own home and the importance of the right insurance protection. That’s why we only use ‘A’ rated insurers.

Over 20 years’ experience

At Self-Build Zone, we understand the highs (and lows) of self-building, and we’ve been providing peace of mind for self-builders since 2002, making us one of the longest running site insurance and warranty providers in the UK.

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Self-build experts

We know every self-build is different, and that’s why we cover all types of builds including modern methods of construction such as SIP and ICF – you build it, we cover it.

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Lender Approved warranties

Our warranties are approved by the majority of UK mortgage lenders. Our self-build warranties enable you to self-build new houses, conversions and extensions safely – and sell them more easily. We’re here every step of the way.

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Flexible time period policies

Everyone has different timelines for a build, that’s why we offer a range of flexible policy lengths from 3-24 months, so you can build your policy around your project.

Ensure better protection with a self-build structural warranty

A structural warranty offers the most secure and comprehensive protection on the market, compared with other cheaper alternatives like architect’s certificates, CML or professional consultant certificates.

It’s important to understand that a building warranty is different to an architect’s certificate and a professional consultant certificate. A self-build structural warranty provides more thorough protection because it covers defects in the workmanship and materials (where structural claims are more likely) as well as the design of your self-build.

An architect certificate only guarantees your new home against defects in design for just six years, rather than 10. A professional consultant certificate is simply a certificate stating who the professional for the project was. If any defects arise down the line, you would need to prove liability of the professional for the damage. Professional consultant certificates are issued to professionals when they take out professional indemnity insurance, so if their policy expires or they are no longer in business at the time of the structural issue arising, there would be no cover in place at all.

That is why a 10-year structural warranty is the best route to go down when it comes to protecting your new build. Our specialist self-build warranty is designed for self-builders and we have a technical team on hand every step of the way to ensure your self-build is built to high standards to qualify for the structural warranty.

Specialist survey support for your self-build

We know how challenging self-build projects can be, so we’re here to help. We partner with a network of independent technical inspectors who can help facilitate you surveys for your project, You’ll benefit from:

A dedicated surveyor looking after your project from start to finish, who you can call on at any time
On-site visits at key stages throughout the build, usually within five working days
Formal plan checks along with checking calculations, helping flag and report any issues early
Access to highly-qualified surveyors with proven experience in self-build projects
Better risk management on-site to reduce the chance of any accidents or claims.

Working with your local inspector

If you’ve already made your building regulation application to your local authority or an approved inspector. We’ll then arrange for a suitable schedule of technical audits to be carried out during the project’s duration, alongside the local authority building control inspector.

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0345 230 9874

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Planning a self-build? Don’t forget site insurance

A self-build is a big investment so keep it safe during building works. While your builder’s policy protects what they do, our site insurance protects you, your project, existing structures and the people you bring on site throughout the entire build process.

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Insurance Product Details

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FAQs

What is a Structural Warranty?

A Structural Warranty is an insurance policy that protects any new construction works on your home for a period of 10 years against defects in design, workmanship and materials.

The 10-year Structural Warranty policy is fully transferable to any new owners of the property if you sell. In the UK it is a lender requirement to have a 10-year Structural Warranty.

How long is Structural Warranty?

A standard Structural Warranty policy lasts for 10 years but some can last 12 years.

Are Self-Build insurance and Site Insurance the same thing?

Yes, Site Insurance is also known as Self-Build Insurance but both types of cover are designed to protect you, your project and your employees from the start of your project until completion.

What is covered under a Structural Warranty?

A structural warranty covers your property against defects in design, workmanship and materials for 10 years from completion.

Do I need a Structural Warranty?

A Structural Warranty is not a legal requirement, but it is a requirement from the majority of lenders in the UK. This means if you will need a mortgage to finance your project or sell your property in the next 10 years, you will need a Structural Warranty.

What's the difference between a PCC, Architect Certificate and Structural Warranty?

An Architect Certificate or PPC is a certificate issued by a professional that offers against defects in design for 6 years. It is subject to the professional still having Professional Indemnity Insurance and you must prove them to be negligent if you have a claim. Not all lenders will accept a PPC.

A Structural Warranty is more comprehensive and covers defects in design, workmanship and materials for 10 years. A Structural Warranty is a standard requirement by most lenders, and you do not need to prove fault to make a claim.

Do you need a Structural Warranty for a mortgage?

In the UK it is the requirement of most lenders to have a 10-year Structural Warranty on all new structural works.

Which lenders approve your Structural Warranty?

We are Associate Members of UK finance and approved by the majority of their registered lenders. Check out our approved lenders under our resources tab.

How long does it take to get a Structural Warranty?

You need to make sure you arrange your Structural Warranty before you start. Structural Warranties require their own set of inspections which start with the foundations being poured.

You can get a quote for up to 30 days before you start but should allow two weeks at least for a surveyor to be appointed.

Is Site Insurance the same as a Structural Warranty?

No, Site Insurance covers your project while it is being built. A Structural Warranty covers all new structural works for 10 years from completion.

How do I make a claim?

If you think you might need to make a claim, please phone our advisors on 0345 230 9874.

There is a claim form to complete, and we operate a 24-hour service number for genuine emergencies for Site Insurance and Warranty. Please see your policy document for excesses.

If you are unsure whether you need to make a claim, please call and you will be advised accordingly. All calls are recorded for legal and training purposes

Do you arrange my surveys for the Structural Warranty?

When you purchase your Structural Warranty from us you will be appointed with one of our approved inspectors. It is your responsibility to contact the surveyor at the correct key stages of your build for your Warranty provision.

How much does a Structural Warranty cost?

A Structural Warranty cost is calculated on the square metre area of the build, location and professional reinstatement cost. There can also be factors such as material type, number of storeys or a basement that can affect the cost. The cost of a Structural Warranty varies for every build due to these factors.

What insurance do I need for a self-build?

When doing a self-build you will need:

Public Liability to protect you while you just own the plot.
Site Insurance when you are about to start works until completion.
A Structural Warranty to protect your build for 10 years post completion and allow you to meet the UK lender requirements.
Site Insurance and a Structural Warranty should be arranged up to 30 days before you start.

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Self-Build Zone is a trading style of Sennocke International Insurance Services Limited. Sennocke International Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, No. 309040, and registered in England and Wales, No. 02489110. Registered office: Horizon House, Sittingbourne Rd, Maidstone, ME14 3EN.