Skip to Content

Stages of Buildmark cover

Buildmark is our 10-year warranty and insurance cover for new build homes. The cover is split into different sections. Insolvency cover after exchange of contracts, a builder warranty and NHBC Guarantee for two years after completion and then eight years of insurance cover against defects to certain parts of the home.

Before you complete

From exchange of contracts to legal completion.

Find out more

In your first two years of the policy

For the first two years after completion date.

Find out more

In years 3 to 10 of the policy

After the builder warranty ends, we provide insurance cover (usually for a period of eight years) until the expiry of the policy.

Find out more

Buildmark policy details

Your Buildmark policy covers you against defined issues with your home or land resulting from the builder becoming insolvent, or from the builder failing to meet the NHBC requirements when building your home.

What's covered?

  • Before completion, loss of deposit or having to pay more to complete the build of the home because the builder is insolvent. This is known as Section 1.
  • A two year builder warranty period, during which the builder is liable to put right defects which are reported to them (a defect is a breach of NHBC requirements by the builder). NHBC guarantee the obligations of the builder during this period, this is known as Section 2.
  • Insurance cover of eight years follows the two year builder warranty, this is known as Section 3. The insurance cover includes:
    • the cost of repairing damage to your home caused by defects in specific parts of your home described within the policy - for example, damage to your home caused by foundations not built to NHBC requirements.
    • reasonable costs for removing and storing your possessions and alternative accommodation, if work is required which means that you cannot live in your home.
    • cover to improve the condition of contaminated land in the event a statutory notice has been, or could be, issued.

Full details can be found in your Buildmark policy documents.

What's not covered?

  • Items or incidents covered by other insurances, warranties, guarantee schemes or formal compensation schemes - examples include buildings and contents insurance or manufacturers’ warranties on domestic goods and boilers.
  • Gradual deterioration, wear and tear, neglect and failure to undertake appropriate maintenance.
  • Any alteration, modification, or addition to the home - examples include extensions, loft conversions and other works carried out after NHBC final inspection.
  • Damage caused by fire, smoke, or severe weather conditions.
  • Theft or accidental damage to your home.

Full details can be found in your Buildmark policy documents.

Not the first owner of your home?

If you are not the first owner of your home, the financial limits of your policy may already have been partly or fully used up by claims from earlier owners. Please contact us or your conveyancer to find out what cover is remaining.

Minimum claim value

If your claim is valid and meets the minimum claim value, you won't have to pay anything towards the cost of repair. Should the claim value be lower than the minimum claim value, the claim will be declined. Your minimum claim value is shown on your Buildmark policy certificate and schedule. This applies to claims made in section 3.1 only.

Homeowner resources and information

Woman unpacking new home and looking at documentation

Useful guides

Guides and information about some of the most common queries we receive.

Visit this page
Family of four sat on the floor smiling

Frequently asked questions

Check out our list of FAQs for homeowners or people looking to buy a new-build or newly converted home.

Visit this page
People entering a new home via the front door

Consumer protection codes

Learn about industry schemes which give protection and rights to the buyers of new homes, ensuring they are treated fairly and are fully informed about their purchase.

Visit this page