Structural Warranty FAQ's

Protek warranty has wide lender approval from banks and building societies in the UK. The UK Finance (CML handbook) and the Building Societies Association Mortgage Instructions list Protek extensively.

A Structural Warranty is an insurance policy that pays for the cost of rectifying defects in the design, workmanship, materials and components that may have occurred during the construction process. The policy is often classified as a building defects or latent defects policy.

A defect is a failure of the design, workmanship, materials or components to comply with the requirements of the technical manual.

Cover for insolvency may be available on some of our New Home Warranty products – please get in touch if you need this.

Our New Home Warranty product includes a developer defect period. Other products are available that do not carry a defects period.

Fixing structural defects can be very costly, without a structural warranty policy in place you will invariably be responsible for fixing the problem or pursuing the entity that was negligent, which can be a tricky, expensive and time consuming exercise. A warranty adds saleability to a property for that reason.

A fairly recent court case highlighted some of the problems associated with reliance on Architects Certificates. They are an extension of the Architects professional indemnity cover and as such you will need to be able to prove they were professionally negligent in not spotting the issue that lead to the defect arising. That can be a time consuming and expensive exercise. If the Architect is no longer in practise or fails to renew their cover it can often lead to no protection. For more information: https://www.thenbs.com/knowledge/court-of-appeal-provides-clarity-on-architects-certificates

A buildings insurance policy provides cover in the event of fire, subsidence, lightning, explosion, storm damage etc., However, it will specifically exclude damage caused by faulty or unsuitable materials, design or poor workmanship. That is why you should consider purchasing a structural warranty policy as well as buildings insurance.

Most structural warranty policies last for 10 years, although commercial and social housing policies are usually 12 years.

Yes, we provide cover on most types of development from single units to main stream apartment developments, Barn Conversions, office to residential regeneration, mixed use , commercial, self-build, custom build, extensions and renovations.

Yes that’s fine. We will check the suitability of the design, workmanship, materials and components as part of the technical audit to ensure they meet our technical standards. We can cover other modern methods of construction including modular, insulated concrete formwork, straw bale as well as traditional brick and block. Protek is a Structural Timber Frame Association member.

The ideal time to get the structural warranty in place is after you have got your building regulation drawings in hand and are considering who to do your building control with. The Protek warranty works with both a local authority building control solution or an Approved Inspector.

We need some basic details regarding the project to be able to offer you a quotation like the size, build cost, location, design etc. and these questions form the basis of our quote process. You can apply for a quotation. Once you decide to proceed, we need you to provide a copy of the working drawings, calculations and specification to our technical auditor, who will check the design meets with the technical standards.

On average, it takes the sales team at Protek two days to turn a quotation request around.

It depends on the experience and status of the registering Developer or Builder. Registering (which is free) and organising the structural warranty prior to works starting is always the most cost effective route.

The policy specifically covers the property for which is was issued. The person who buys the house from you becomes the new beneficiary under the provision for successor in title.

Latent Defects Insurance (LDI) provides cover against the cost of repairing, replacing and/or strengthening an insured property following the discovery of defect in the design, workmanship or materials or components used in the structural works and envelope. The defect usually has to manifest itself during a 10 or 12 year period post completion. It must subsequently cause physical damage to the Premises; or the threat of imminent collapse to the premises, requiring  immediate remedial measures for the prevention of an actual collapse. It is often referred to as a Structural Warranty.

The sum insured should always be the cost to professionally re-build the property; it has nothing to do with it’s value.

This is required by banks, building societies and conveyancers to ensure the certificate has been issued on the correct home.

Yes we do! Visit our dedicated self build website for more information – https://www.protekselfbuild.co.uk

Yes, Protek provide retrospective warranties on part completed and completed properties.

The process can be fast tracked to provide policy documentation on an average 10 working day turnaround.

Under FCA regulation in relation to insurance related activities we have a duty to treat all customers fairly. Whatever the reason for the mid build sale, our team will work with you to make the process as cost effective and straightforward as possible for all parties.

No, it is simply a certificate issued by the building control inspecting party to confirm that the property meets the requirements of the Building Regulations with regard to Health and Safety.

Do you have a structural warranty frequently asked question that’s not covered here? If so, contact us and we will do our best to answer it!