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
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.
A Professional Consultant’s Certificate covers a certifying professional’s confirmation (usually an architect or surveyor) that a property has been built to a satisfactory standard. Specifically, it states that they supervised the construction, inspected the construction at key stages, and that the building has been constructed in accordance with the approved drawings, complies with building regulations, and is structurally sound and fit for habitation, to the best of their knowledge. It also confirms the certifier’s professional qualifications and professional indemnity insurance.
A section 38 Agreement starts initially with the local authority preparing a draft agreement for the developer, incorporating the proposed works. The developer and their bond provider (surety) then sign the agreement before it is formally completed by the Council.
Section 38 agreements are designed to ensure that roads and associated infrastructure are built to an acceptable standard and can be adopted by the local authority once completed. They also provide protection in the event of developer or contractor failure, such as substandard workmanship or insolvency before completion or adoption of the works.
A Sewer Bond can also be a requirement by a local authority. A Section 104 agreement is a legal arrangement between a developer (or other owner of a private sewer) and the relevant water authority. It sets out the terms under which the sewer must be constructed to an agreed standard and maintained for a specified period. Once these conditions are met, the water authority will adopt the sewer, and it will become part of the public sewer network.
Our structural warranty offers some of the best value for money on the market. We do not require membership fees or holding bonds, and we can issue our certifications within hours, not weeks, giving you comprehensive protection as soon as possible.
Our 6-Year CML Certificate, known as a UK Finance Professional Consultants Certificate, gives you the option to upgrade to a 10-Year Building Warranty – helping you to save money with a PCC until a lender requires you to have a structural warranty.
Through key inspections, our chartered surveyors perform their due diligence to ensure that latent structural defects won’t occur down the line on completed properties. However, even the best builders can’t always guarantee that nothing will happen, so it’s worth upgrading to a 10-year structural warranty.
Many approved lenders accept our PCC and 10-year structural warranty for a range of development types, so you can rest assured that your paperwork will be in order. Get an indicative quick quote in minutes, or call 0161 928 8804 to discuss your building project.
When you apply through our website, you can either submit our quick quote form to receive an indicative quotation as quickly as possible or fill out our longer application form with more details. You can also apply for a quick PCC quote.
The more information you give us about your building project, the more accurate your prospective quote will be. As we don’t use brokers, the process of receiving a quote from us is faster than many other providers who rely on middlemen, and we can offer lower prices without those additional fees.
Of course, the process may take longer if we require more information about your building proposal, or should we need to visit your site to conduct an inspection. Whatever the case may be, we always offer a fair and honest quote, so you’re sure to get a competitive rate with a speedy turnaround.
