NHBC Buildmark warranty — what it covers and for how long

The NHBC Buildmark warranty is the most common warranty for new build homes in England and Wales, covering defects in the construction of the property.

What it covers

• Years 1–2 (builder period): the builder is responsible for repairing defects. Report defects in writing immediately.
• Years 3–10 (NHBC warranty period): NHBC covers structural and physical damage to the home if the builder cannot or will not resolve it.
• Deposit protection: if the builder goes bust before completion, Buildmark protects your deposit and in some cases the costs of completion.

What it does not cover

Wear and tear, cosmetic defects reported after year 2, and damage caused by the homeowner. Normal maintenance (painting, redecorating) is always the homeowner's responsibility from day one.

Making a claim

First contact the builder in writing during years 1–2. If unresolved, escalate to NHBC's resolution service. Use our free snagging list to document all defects systematically before legal completion.