Building a home is a huge investment, one that shouldn’t be taken lightly! There are many aspects to take into consideration, including the time it takes to build the property and the financial cost, not to mention the number of contractors or external organisations involved in the project too. That’s why a safety net is important, as it protects your newfound property from unforeseen circumstances which may arise during development. With help from the team at Build-Zone, we’re taking a look at why investing in a structural warranty is a sound idea.
Protect your investment
Ultimately, a structural warranty is there to protect your investment. No matter how good a builder is, or how much an organisation sticks to the regulations, there could be unavoidable consequences to building a property. Most builders take pride in their work to produce something magical, and we bet yours will! But no matter the quality, there’s always a chance it could go wrong.
A structural warranty provides peace of mind, which is exactly what is needed in 2020! If a defect in design, workmanship or material occurs to the structure of your property, a structural warranty ensures that you’re covered, usually within the first 10 years after the project has been completed. For example, cracking could occur throughout the structure of your property due to the inferior quality of brickwork, causing potentially catastrophic consequences. With a warranty in place, you are protected.
It’s a selling point
A structural warranty isn’t just useful for the homeowner, it’s also essential for most lenders too. In fact, many lenders won’t sell a new property without one, so in that regard, a structural warranty is essential. It’s also commonly seen as a selling point on a new property, as the warranties are (in most cases) fully transferable to the new homeowner. You should check with your warranty provider to make sure that this is the case beforehand if you want to get on the property market sooner rather than later.
Suitable for all kinds of project
Due to the number of providers on the market, there are a huge number of structural warranty types available. Bespoke warranties are also available too if needed. This variety is often daunting, especially for those new to the industry. Our friends at Build-Zone breakdown their structural warranties like the below:
- New Home Warranty: For new homes, extensions or conversions. A great way to set yourself apart from the competition.
- Commercial Latent Defects Insurance: Used on new-builds and conversions of commercial and mixed-use developments of any size. (Such as offices and student accommodation.)
- Social Housing Warranty: Made for housing associations and registered social landlords. It’s also suitable for regeneration projects.
- Completed Housing Warranty: Designed for those with a property that was constructed without a warranty, also known as a retrospective warranty.
- Self & Custom Build Warranty: Created for those that are constructing or designing their own property.
You can always speak to an advisor at Build-Zone to find out which cover suits your project best.
You’re covered
The warranty provider that you choose is important. A lot of horror stories arose in the last couple of years, with some warranty providers folding, unable to provide the cover that was promised to homeowners throughout the UK. That’s why you need to look for the A-rated seal of approval when you choose your warranty provider.
An A-rated approval ensures that your provider is covered by an A-rated insurer. This insurer is deemed to have the capital required to pay out claims. (A C-rating means they are “weak” in their ability to pay out claims, for example.) While there is no requirement for an insurer to be rated, it does provide credibility to their operations.
Build-Zone is backed by multiple well-known A-rated insurers, which gives you peace of mind that you’re covered to the best possible extent. For further information on structural warranties, or to speak to one of the Build-Zone team, please visit the website or call 0345 230 9873. With a team of expert advisers, Build-Zone examines your project in detail to ensure that you’re covered throughout your warranty period.