Westerwood Homes

Westerwood Homes - NHBC

What is the National House Building Council? The National House Building Council (NHBC) was established over sixty years ago as the independent regulator for the new homes industry. NHBC is a not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to help the house-building industry construct good quality new homes which meet the reasonable expectations of home buyers. NHBC's primary role is to register house builders, set standards of construction, inspect homes, promote better building practices amongst house builders across the UK, and provide a structural warranty called the Buildmark on new and newly converted homes.

Does the Buildmark warranty cover me for all faults and defects? No, Buildmark is not a complete guarantee against all defects. The warranty covers you against specified defects which could be very expensive to remedy. It does not provide cover for general wear and tear, condensation, normal shrinkage, or damage arising from failure to maintain the property properly.

What does NHBC registered builder mean? Only house builders and developers who can demonstrate financial security and technical competence can be registered with the NHBC. They are required to abide by NHBC Rules and build homes in accordance with NHBC Standards of construction.

What are NHBC's Standards and who sets them? NHBC Standards are the definitive standards for house construction in the UK, and have been developed over many years through consultation. They are set by a committee representing all relevant organisations interested in improving the quality of house building. The standards are continually reviewed and amended to minimise defects.

How does NHBC check that my builder complies with the Standards? During the construction of every home, NHBC inspectors carry out checks on every plot to satisfy themselves, as far as is practicable, that your home conforms to NHBC Standards and is an acceptable risk for a Buildmark warranty. inspectors will visit the property at varying stages of construction to check the elements that you would not normally see, like the foundations, the damp proof course, and cavity wall insulation etc.

What is the Buildmark warranty and when is it issued? The Buildmark warranty is a ten year insurance policy divided into three main parts. The Buildmark is issued when the inspector is satisfied, as far as is practicable, that your home has been built in accordance with NHBC's Standards. The warranty runs from the day your home is 'signed off' by our inspector, not from the day you move in. The start date of the warranty can, however, be re-dated if a considerable period of time has elapsed between completing the property and moving in.

Will the Buildmark warranty protect me before my home is completed? Yes. If, due to insolvency or fraud, the builder does not start building or fails to complete your home, NHBC will reimburse you any amount you have paid the builder that cannot be recovered from him. If the property is incomplete, NHBC can arrange for the property to be completed in accordance with its Standards. There is a financial limit of £10,000 or 10% of the purchase price (whichever is the greater) to this part of the cover.

What cover do I get during the first two years from sign off? For the first two years after your home has been signed off by NHBC's inspector, the warranty covers you against any physical damage to the home caused by a defect which results from the builder failing to construct in accordance with NHBC's Standards Under this part of the warranty, it is the builder's responsibility to carry out any repairs necessary. You must report any faults to the builder in writing as soon as possible, and you should keep a copy of your letter. If the builder fails to rectify the problems, NHBC offers a free conciliation service which aims to resolve disputes between the home owner and builder. Under the conciliation service, NHBC can also assist in arranging remedial work required to put things right if the builder fails to do so. If the builder is insolvent, then NHBC insures these obligations. Please remember that the builder is not responsible for items such as normal shrinkage or condensation due to the property 'drying out', general wear and tear, and damage arising from failure to maintain the property.

How will the warranty protect me for the remaining eight years? For the next eight years, the Buildmark warranty covers you against the cost of putting right: Major damage caused by a defect in the load bearing structure of your home, or by subsidence, settlement or heave affecting the structure. Damage caused by a defect to roof tiles and slates, external wall rendering and tile hanging, floor decking and screeds (but not the first £500 of such damage). Defects in below ground drainage system. Defective chimneys and flues causing a danger to the health and safety of occupants. Some examples of the problems NHBC has helped to remedy include dry rot affecting structural timbers and foundation failure due to defective workmanship or materials. It is important to note that this part of the warranty does not cover items such as windows or doors, gutters, central heating, etc. Nor does it cover you against any claim that is covered elsewhere, or by your household insurance policy (e.g. storm damage to roof tiles).

Who pays for the Buildmark warranty? The cost of the warranty is included in the purchase price of your home. Your builder pays the premium directly to the NHBC. The premium is based on a scale of charges relating to the sales value of each home. The warranty document belongs to you, and it is important you ask your solicitor for this document and read it.

Will the Buildmark warranty help me get a mortgage? Mortgage lenders prefer to lend on homes that have a structural warranty like Buildmark because they know the home will have been built in accordance with specified standards of construction.

What if I sell my home before the ten years expire? If you sell your home while the Buildmark is still in force, the benefit of the remainder of the cover automatically transfers to the new owners.

To get a better idea of the Westerwood style of living and details of all developments contact the Head Office on 01506 597534.

westerwoodhomes

Westerwood Homes - NHBC What is the National House Building Council? The National House Building Council (NHBC) was established over sixty years ago as the independent regulator for the new homes industry. NHBC is a not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to help the house-building industry construct good quality new homes which meet the reasonable expectations of home buyers. NHBC's primary role is to register house builders, set standards of construction, inspect homes, promote better building practices amongst house builders across the UK, and provide a structural warranty called the Buildmark on new and newly converted homes. Does the Buildmark warranty cover me for all faults and defects? No, Buildmark is not a complete guarantee against all defects. The warranty covers you against specified defects which could be very expensive to remedy. It does not provide cover for general wear and tear, condensation, normal shrinkage, or damage arising from failure to maintain the property properly. What does NHBC registered builder mean? Only house builders and developers who can demonstrate financial security and technical competence can be registered with the NHBC. They are required to abide by NHBC Rules and build homes in accordance with NHBC Standards of construction. What are NHBC's Standards and who sets them? NHBC Standards are the definitive standards for house construction in the UK, and have been developed over many years through consultation. They are set by a committee representing all relevant organisations interested in improving the quality of house building. The standards are continually reviewed and amended to minimise defects. How does NHBC check that my builder complies with the Standards? During the construction of every home, NHBC inspectors carry out checks on every plot to satisfy themselves, as far as is practicable, that your home conforms to NHBC Standards and is an acceptable risk for a Buildmark warranty. inspectors will visit the property at varying stages of construction to check the elements that you would not normally see, like the foundations, the damp proof course, and cavity wall insulation etc. What is the Buildmark warranty and when is it issued? The Buildmark warranty is a ten year insurance policy divided into three main parts. The Buildmark is issued when the inspector is satisfied, as far as is practicable, that your home has been built in accordance with NHBC's Standards. The warranty runs from the day your home is 'signed off' by our inspector, not from the day you move in. The start date of the warranty can, however, be re-dated if a considerable period of time has elapsed between completing the property and moving in. Will the Buildmark warranty protect me before my home is completed? Yes. If, due to insolvency or fraud, the builder does not start building or fails to complete your home, NHBC will reimburse you any amount you have paid the builder that cannot be recovered from him. If the property is incomplete, NHBC can arrange for the property to be completed in accordance with its Standards. There is a financial limit of £10,000 or 10% of the purchase price (whichever is the greater) to this part of the cover. What cover do I get during the first two years from sign off? For the first two years after your home has been signed off by NHBC's inspector, the warranty covers you against any physical damage to the home caused by a defect which results from the builder failing to construct in accordance with NHBC's Standards Under this part of the warranty, it is the builder's responsibility to carry out any repairs necessary. You must report any faults to the builder in writing as soon as possible, and you should keep a copy of your letter. If the builder fails to rectify the problems, NHBC offers a free conciliation service which aims to resolve disputes between the home owner and builder. Under the conciliation service, NHBC can also assist in arranging remedial work required to put things right if the builder fails to do so. If the builder is insolvent, then NHBC insures these obligations. Please remember that the builder is not responsible for items such as normal shrinkage or condensation due to the property 'drying out', general wear and tear, and damage arising from failure to maintain the property. How will the warranty protect me for the remaining eight years? For the next eight years, the Buildmark warranty covers you against the cost of putting right: Major damage caused by a defect in the load bearing structure of your home, or by subsidence, settlement or heave affecting the structure. Damage caused by a defect to roof tiles and slates, external wall rendering and tile hanging, floor decking and screeds (but not the first £500 of such damage). Defects in below ground drainage system. Defective chimneys and flues causing a danger to the health and safety of occupants. Some examples of the problems NHBC has helped to remedy include dry rot affecting structural timbers and foundation failure due to defective workmanship or materials. It is important to note that this part of the warranty does not cover items such as windows or doors, gutters, central heating, etc. Nor does it cover you against any claim that is covered elsewhere, or by your household insurance policy (e.g. storm damage to roof tiles). Who pays for the Buildmark warranty? The cost of the warranty is included in the purchase price of your home. Your builder pays the premium directly to the NHBC. The premium is based on a scale of charges relating to the sales value of each home. The warranty document belongs to you, and it is important you ask your solicitor for this document and read it. Will the Buildmark warranty help me get a mortgage? Mortgage lenders prefer to lend on homes that have a structural warranty like Buildmark because they know the home will have been built in accordance with specified standards of construction. What if I sell my home before the ten years expire? If you sell your home while the Buildmark is still in force, the benefit of the remainder of the cover automatically transfers to the new owners. To get a better idea of the Westerwood style of living and details of all developments contact the Head Office on 01506 597534. westerwoodhomes