If you’re looking for an NHBC alternative, this guide sets out how a CIR structural warranty compares on cover, cost, process, timescales and lender acceptance, so you can decide what’s right for your next site.
As a digital-first provider, CIR lets you manage your structural warranty entirely online, from initial quote to final certification.
Why do developers look for an alternative to NHBC?
NHBC is the UK’s largest new home warranty provider, and its Buildmark policy covers most new homes built in the UK. It also sets its own technical standards and offers building control services.
Builders and developers aren’t tied to a single provider, though. Builders registered with NHBC are free to buy warranties from other providers as well, or to switch entirely, and many now compare options for reasons such as:
- The type of project: conversions, self builds, mixed-use and commercial schemes, or sites that need retrospective cover, may suit a provider that tailors cover to each project.
- How they want to be set up: NHBC cover is only available to builders and developers on its register. Others may prefer to arrange cover project by project.
- Spreading their options: some builders use more than one provider across their sites.
- Service and price: comparing quotes and the way each provider manages the process is simply good practice on any site.
The structural warranty policies CIR offers are designed around each individual project.
CIR vs NHBC: how do they compare?
NHBC and CIR both provide 10-year structural warranties with the same basic shape: the builder puts right defects for the first two years, then the warranty provider covers structural defects for the rest of the policy.
The main differences are in how you get set up and how cover is priced. The table below summarises the detail, and each point is covered more fully in the sections that follow.
| Feature | NHBC | CIR |
|---|---|---|
| Policy length | 10 years (Buildmark) | 10 or 12 years |
| How cover is structured | Two-year builder warranty, then eight years of insurance | Builder’s defects liability period (usually the first two years), then the structural warranty period |
| Getting set up | Builders and developers join the NHBC register before registering plots | Submit your project details online for a quote |
| How cost is set | Registration fees plus individual warranty fees for each plot | Quoted per project, based on its risk |
| Lender acceptance | Widely accepted by mortgage lenders | Meets the UK Finance Warranty Guidance in full |
| Inspections | Risk-based inspections during the build | Surveyor inspections during the build, including a final inspection of every property |
| Projects covered | New homes and conversions | New build, self build, conversion, social housing, build to rent, commercial and retrospective |
| Managing your policy | Builder portal | 24/7 online portal with real-time updates and all documents in one place |
How does the cover compare?
At their core, an NHBC Buildmark policy and a CIR structural warranty do the same job: they protect a new or converted property against defects in its design, workmanship or materials for 10 years after completion.
Both follow a similar structure. For the first two years, the builder is responsible for putting right defects in their work. After that, the warranty provider covers the cost of repairing structural defects for the rest of the policy.
There are differences in detail. NHBC Buildmark also includes deposit protection between exchange and completion if the builder becomes insolvent. CIR offers 10 or 12 year terms, and can provide builder insolvency cover as part of the warranty, subject to underwriting assessment and terms and conditions.
As with any warranty, the exact cover, limits and exclusions are set out in the policy documents, so it’s worth comparing them side by side.
For homes, see our new build warranty.
How much does an NHBC warranty cost compared with CIR?
Neither NHBC nor CIR has a single fixed price, so the only reliable comparison is a quote for your own site.
Where CIR can be more competitive is that, unlike NHBC, we insure based on the reinstatement value of your property, also known as the rebuild cost.
It’s also worth understanding that with NHBC, builders and developers pay to join the NHBC register and then renew each year. Each plot registered for Buildmark then carries its own warranty fee.
With CIR, there’s no register to join first. Each project is priced on its own risk, taking in factors such as:
- The build value and number of units
- The construction type and location
- The builder’s experience and track record
- How early in the project you apply, as earlier assessment allows more accurate pricing
To see how CIR compares for your next site, get a free, no-obligation quote.
Will mortgage lenders accept an NHBC alternative?
Yes. NHBC is not the only warranty mortgage lenders accept, and the lender lists in the UK Finance Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook include a wide range of providers.
Each lender decides for itself which warranties it accepts. To help, UK Finance publishes Warranty Guidance setting out what lenders typically expect from a new build warranty, including a named, FCA-regulated insurer, Building Regulations certification, a minimum of 10 years’ cover that passes to future owners, and an annual attestation to lenders.
CIR’s structural warranty meets the UK Finance Warranty Guidance in full, and CIR is a UK Finance associate member. As with any provider, it’s worth confirming your buyers’ lenders are happy before you commit.
Read more in our guide: can I get a mortgage without a structural warranty?
How do the process and timescales compare?
NHBC: builders and developers first apply to join the NHBC register. NHBC assesses each applicant, including their technical ability to build to NHBC standards, before making an offer of registration. Once registered, the builder submits each new site, and NHBC prepares a risk management plan for it and inspects during the build.
CIR: you submit your project details online and one of our advisers comes back to you with a personalised quote. A surveyor then reviews your development and inspects it during the build. Once the build is complete and all conditions are met, CIR issues your Certificate of Insurance.
With CIR, you can track every stage on our online portal, with inspection reports and documents available at any time. Applying early is the best way to keep any warranty on schedule, whichever provider you choose.
Can you use NHBC and CIR side by side?
Yes. In 2017 the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) accepted undertakings from NHBC confirming that its rules must not prevent or discourage registered builders from using other warranty providers. NHBC registered builders are free to buy some warranties from NHBC and others from another provider, or to switch to another provider altogether.
That means you can keep existing NHBC sites where they are and use CIR on new ones, for example a conversion or mixed-use scheme alongside your standard housing.
Why choose CIR as your NHBC alternative?
CIR is a specialist structural warranty provider, established in 1986, offering tailored, fully compliant policies of 10 or 12 years.
- Meets the UK Finance Warranty Guidance: our structural warranty meets the guidance in full, and CIR is a UK Finance associate member.
- FCA regulated: CIR is a trading style of M.R. Bloor & Co Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
- Digital from start to finish: submit your project online and receive a quote quickly. Our 24/7 portal gives you real-time reporting and every document and inspection report in one place.
- Cover for every type of project, all under one provider:
NHBC Alternative FAQs
How long is an NHBC warranty?
An NHBC Buildmark warranty usually lasts 10 years from legal completion. It’s made up of a two-year builder warranty, followed by eight years of insurance cover. Before completion, it also protects the buyer’s deposit if the builder becomes insolvent. A CIR structural warranty runs for 10 or 12 years.
Is NHBC the only structural warranty provider in the UK?
No. NHBC is the largest, but a wide range of providers offer structural warranties, and mortgage lenders accept many of them. CIR is one of these providers, and its structural warranty meets the UK Finance Warranty Guidance.
Do I need to be NHBC registered to use a CIR warranty?
No. NHBC registration is only needed to offer NHBC’s own Buildmark cover. To arrange a CIR warranty, you simply submit your project details for a quote. If you are NHBC registered, you’re free to use CIR on some or all of your sites.
Can I move a part-built site from NHBC to CIR?
It may be possible, but it depends on how far the build has progressed and what inspections have already been carried out. If a site is already registered with NHBC, check your obligations under NHBC’s rules first.
Where cover is arranged once building is under way or complete, a retrospective building warranty may be the right route, so speak to our team about your site.
