What is the NHBC warranty?

Buying a new build home in the UK usually comes with one important reassurance - a new home warranty. The National-House Building Council (NHBC) is the organisation most homebuyers think of first, its Buildmark policy is the familiar 10 year warranty offered with many new homes.

What the NHBC (Buildmark) warranty is

Buildmark is NHBC’s 10 year warranty and insurance product for newly built and newly converted homes. The cover is structured in stages:

• Deposit protection and pre-completion cover - protection for buyers between exchange of contracts and legal completion if the builder becomes insolvent.
• Years 0 to 2: builder warranty and NHBC resolution service - for the first two years after legal completion the builder is responsible for repairing defects caused by faulty workmanship or materials. NHBC operates a resolution service to help where the builder does not meet its obligations.
• Years 3 to 10: NHBC insurance cover - for the remaining eight years, the NHBC provides insurance against physical damage to certain parts of the home caused by structural defects (subject to policy terms, exclusions and minimum claim values).

In short, buyers normally get two years where the builder must fix problems, and eight years of insurance against qualifying structural defects. The NHBC explains this split and the main stages of Buildmark on its homeowner pages.

It’s important to understand the limitations. Buildmark is primarily aimed at structural issues during years 3 to 10 and will not cover cosmetic wear and tear or routine maintenance.

Homeowners should read their specific policy documents (the Insurance Certificate and policy wording) to know what is and isn’t covered, and to check any minimum claim levels or exclusions.

The NHBC warranty, known as Buildmark, is a 10 year protection scheme for new build homes that gives two years of builder backed repairs followed by eight years of insurance cover for structural defects.

Who operates the NHBC?

The National House-Building Council is a long established UK organisation, formed in 1936, that provides inspection, warranty and related services to the house building industry.

NHBC is a private company limited by guarantee governed by an NHBC Council; it is the UK’s largest provider of new home warranties and a major Approved Inspector for building regulations.

The organisation runs the Buildmark insurance product, accredits registered builders who build to its technical standards and provides consumer support and a resolution service for disputes between homeowners and builders.

NHBC also operates within the financial and regulatory framework for insurers. It publishes policy documents and governs the Buildmark product according to its terms and regulatory responsibilities.

Homebuyers should note that NHBC is distinct from the builder or developer. NHBC is the insurer and standards body, while the developer is the party who constructs and initially warrants the home.

Developers that offer the NHBC warranty on their homes

Many of the UK’s large housebuilders use NHBC Buildmark for warranty and insurance cover. It is widely regarded as the market standard. Below are examples of major national developers that commonly sell homes with NHBC protection:

• Barratt Homes states that all homes come with an NHBC warranty and insurance policy (Buildmark is referenced as the usual policy, with the familiar 2 plus 8 split).
• Taylor Wimpey confirms that the warranty provided on its new homes is the NHBC 10 year Buildmark, explaining the builder responsibility period and the NHBC insurance cover in later years.
• Persimmon Homes states that every Persimmon home comes with a 10 year new home warranty and insurance policy (the first two years covered directly by Persimmon, followed by the insurer’s cover). Persimmon commonly uses NHBC Buildmark.
• Bellway developments are sold with a 10 year NHBC Buildmark policy (or an equivalent warranty where applicable) and directs homeowners to check their policy documents.
• Berkeley Group reference NHBC Buildmark in their specification documents.

Developers sometimes offer “equivalent” warranties where business arrangements differ, so always check the contract.

These examples are not exhaustive - dozens of national, regional and local builders register with NHBC and use Buildmark for many of their developments. However, developers are not obliged to use NHBC.

Alternatives exist (such as LABC Warranty, Checkmate or other providers) and some builders may offer different warranty products or variations.

Practical tips for buyers

Check the specific policy

On completion you should receive an NHBC Insurance Certificate (or equivalent). Read it to confirm whether Buildmark or another warranty applies and to understand the precise terms.

Report defects early

Non structural or cosmetic defects should generally be reported during the first two years when the builder is responsible; structural problems are the primary focus of years 3 to 10 insurance. Keep records and correspondence.

Use NHBC’s resolution service if necessary

NHBC offers independent support and a resolution process where a builder fails to address issues during the warranty period.

Know your consumer protections

Developers must follow consumer codes (New Homes Quality Code / Consumer Code for Home Builders) and buyers have access to dispute and ombudsman services in certain situations.

The NHBC Buildmark warranty is the most widely used new home warranty in the UK and offers a structured 10 year protection package for buyers, combining an initial builder warranty with later NHBC insurance for qualifying structural defects.

NHBC operates as a private company limited by guarantee and is the insurer and standards body behind Buildmark, while many major developers - including Barratt, Taylor Wimpey, Persimmon, Bellway and others - commonly supply Buildmark cover on their homes.

Always check the exact warranty paperwork for your purchase so you know what is covered, for how long, and who to contact if problems arise.