What is a Structural Warranty?
A structural warranty is a construction insurance policy that protects you against structural defects in a new build, conversion, or renovated building. It is also sometimes known as Latent Defects Insurance,
This means that if your building develops problems due to poor workmanship or materials, the structural warranty will provide cover, ensuring you receive financial compensation to help cover the costs of structural damage and repairs.
The Structural Warranty usually lasts 10-12 years from the date on the Building Control Completion Certificate, whether it’s for social housing, mixed-use projects or commercial sites. Explore more about structural warranties with our dedicated guide.
Do I Need a Structural Warranty?
In most cases, a structural warranty is required or strongly recommended for new build, conversion, and development projects. This is particularly the case where the property will be sold or occupied by a third party.
Most UK mortgage lenders expect an approved 10-year structural warranty to be in place before they will release funds or approve a purchase. This makes it a key requirement for developers and property investors looking to ensure smooth transactions.
A structural warranty also provides long-term protection against latent defects that may not become apparent until years after construction is complete. Without appropriate cover, responsibility for repairs can fall directly on the property owner or developer.
Why Choose ABC+ as Building Warranty Providers?
Our 10-year structural building warranty insurance offers the most secure protection for construction projects. Our warranty provides in-depth protection against latent defects in building materials, workmanship, and the design of your construction.
Here are just some of the reasons why you should choose ABC+ Warranty as structural and building warranty providers:
- 30+ years’ experience as a trusted UK structural warranty provider, with cover backed by AXA Insurance
- A fast and efficient certification process, with quotes and cover issued in hours, not weeks
- No hidden costs, with no membership fees or holding bonds required
- Flexible cover options, including 6-year PCCs with the ability to upgrade to a 10-year structural warranty when needed
- Accepted by major UK mortgage lenders. This ensures your project will meet lending requirements
Get an indicative QUICK QUOTE in minutes, or call 0161 928 8804 to discuss your building project.
Types of Developments Covered
Whether you require standard structural defects insurance for a residential or commercial building, or something more bespoke like a conversion or custom build, we’ll do our best to adapt our ABC+ Warranty to suit your needs and provide protection.
As a trusted structural warranty insurance provider in the UK, we offer a range of policy types for property developers.
Professional Consultants Certificate (CML Certificate)
ABC+ Warranty also offer 6-Year Professional Consultants Certificates (PCC) as an alternative to a 10-Year Structural Warranty insurance. Formerly known as a CML Certificate (Council of Mortgage Lenders), a merger of trade bodies formed UK Finance in 2017. All of our architects’ certificates and warranties comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook, and you can find our approved lender list.
We can also carry out independent Building Control inspections from commencement to completion of your build, ensuring that every component and method used complies with Building Regulations for quality and safety standards. This also helps to reduce the risk of potentially costly defects developing.
Of course, we also offer 6-Year Professional Consultants Certificates (PCC) as an alternative to a 10-Year Structural Warranty insurance. Formerly known as a CML Certificate (Council of Mortgage Lenders), a merger of trade bodies formed UK Finance in 2017. All of our architects’ certificates and warranties comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook, and you can find our approved lender list.
We can also carry out independent Building Control inspections from commencement to completion of your build, ensuring that every component and method used complies with Building Regulations for quality and safety standards. This also helps to reduce the risk of potentially costly defects developing.
Bespoke Survey and Building Control Support for Your Construction Project
Bespoke Survey and Building Control Support for Your Construction Project
As one of the UK’s leading warranty providers, we understand how challenging and stressful a construction project can be, which is why we’re always on hand to help.
Thanks to our years of experience in the construction industry and our fantastic customer service, we’ve built up a portfolio of high-quality technical inspectors familiar with local authority building control regulations, who can help facilitate surveys and inspections for your development projects to make sure everything is running smoothly.
By choosing an ABC+ 10-year structural building warranty (also known as latent defects insurance), you’ll benefit from:
If you have already applied for building regulations approval from your local authority, we can arrange for a schedule of technical audits to be conducted during your residential development project, alongside the local authority’s building control inspector.
Frequently Asked Questions
In many cases, a social housing warranty can be extended for phased or converted developments.
If a project changes scope, is delivered in phases, or involves converted properties rather than new build, get in touch before work commences so cover can be arranged to match the project as it stands.
In order to get a quote for our social housing warranties, you’ll need your developer experience (if applicable), an overview of the development including unit type and quantity, construction cost estimates, and the estimated total property sales price.
Without these details, we can’t issue a formal written quote.
Latent defects are faults that are hidden at the time of inspection and only become apparent later through use, time, or changing conditions. Common examples include:
- Defective waterproofing or damp-proof membranes that allow moisture to get through a wall, floor, or roof
- inadequate or poorly installed insulation that causes condensation and mould
- Structural issues such as subsidence, foundation movement, or inadequately designed load-bearing elements that only manifest as cracking over time
- Faulty electrical wiring concealed within walls that presents a fire or safety risk
- Defective plumbing or drainage (such as poorly jointed pipes) that leaks within the fabric of the building
- Timber decay or woodworm hidden behind finishes
- The warping of a door or doorframe preventing a smooth-fitted close
- Poor workmanship in the original construction that was covered up before completion, such as missing cavity wall ties or inadequate fire stopping between floors
The defining characteristic is that reasonable inspection at the time would not have revealed the problem, distinguishing them from patent defects, which are visible and discoverable on an ordinary survey.
Latent defects insurance covers problems with the building’s structural integrity. Generally, these policies don’t cover fixtures and fittings inside the property, or mechanical systems, such as heating.
An LDI policy will only cover structural defects that are not found during initial surveys and do not become apparent until months or years after completion of the building. This means that the policy will not cover the costs for damage resulting from:
- Known defects or defects discovered before taking out the policy
- Abnormal use of the building or inadequate maintenance
- Non-approved alterations to the building (e.g. extensions)
- Normal wear and tear (e.g. changes in colour due to ageing)
- Accidental damage, including weather damage, vandalism, arson, etc.
- Latent defects insurance usually will not apply to anything that hasn’t been signed off under the technical audits that take place as part of the warranty process.
Yes, LDI can be obtained after project completion, but this is often more complex and costly. LDI is available for completed structures so long as the appropriate checks are done, such as a technical survey.
Costs are often higher here because the risk is potentially higher, due to the building already being completed. However, many defects do not make themselves visible until years down the line, so this is a form of hedging against future issues.
A variety of people and professionals can set up a latent defects insurance policy. Though the developer and/or builder typically do this before construction begins, the policy later passes to the building owner who buys the property. However, if the insurance isn’t already in place at the time of purchase, the owner may be responsible for arranging retrospective cover.
Most warranties covering structural defects are adjusted on a case-by-case basis to the specifications of the project, so this can vary, but they tend to be available for a variety of buildings, including:
- Commercial or domestic properties
- New builds or conversions
- Renovations or extensions
- Self-build constructions
These can include private or social housing, elderly or student accommodation, business premises, and public sector buildings. Essentially, any type of newly built or altered structure can benefit because latent defects insurance covers the quality and safety of its structural elements.
A PCCC typically lasts six years from the date of practical completion of the building works. This reflects the standard limitation period under the Limitation Act 1980 for claims in contract or tort, meaning the certifier can be held professionally liable for that period. Most mortgage lenders, including those following UK Finance (formerly CML) guidance, require the certificate to be in place for a minimum of six years. The certificate itself does not expire or need renewing; it simply becomes less relevant as the limitation period passes and the building ages beyond the point where the certifier could realistically be pursued.
