Building & Structural Warranty Providers.

No, and conflating them is one of the most common mistakes we see. Buildings insurance covers sudden, insurable events like fire or flood. A structural warranty protects against latent defects in the design, workmanship or materials of the build itself, problems that may not surface for years. You need both; one doesn’t replace the other.

Most lenders won’t release funds on a new or converted property less than 10 years old without an acceptable warranty in place, because it protects their security in the asset. If a structural defect emerges, the lender needs certainty the cost won’t fall on the borrower – or on them. Choosing a warranty provider recognised by major lenders (as CIR is) avoids deals stalling at the valuation stage.

It’s driven by risk, not a flat rate per square metre. Build value, construction type, number of units, the track record of the builder, and the complexity of the project all feed in. A straightforward single dwelling and a high-rise mixed-use scheme sit at very different ends of the scale. The earlier we assess a project, the more accurately we can price it.

The term reflects the period of latent-defects cover from completion. The right length depends on who’s asking – certain lenders, housing associations and contract types specify a minimum term. Rather than defaulting to the cheapest, it’s worth confirming what your funder or buyer requires before you commit, so you’re not re-papering the deal later.

Yes. In October 2025, UK Finance introduced updated Warranty Guidance setting out the standards mortgage lenders expect from a new-build warranty – covering the named insurer’s regulatory status and credit rating, Building Regulations certification, a final inspection of every completed property, and an annual attestation to lenders. CIR meets this guidance in full: our policies are backed by FCA-regulated, FSCS-protected insurers, our surveying includes a final inspection of each property, and we maintain the ongoing attestation the guidance requires.