NHBC Re-vamps Solo for Self Build warranty 09/09/05

The self-build housing market is increasingly appealing to homeowners who want to opt for the chance to design a home which fits in with their specific needs. NHBC, the country's leading warranty provider for self-build homes, has been in the self-build marketplace since 1998 and has just re-vamped its "Solo for Self Build" ten-year warranty.

Previously the Solo policy provided £10,000 of cover at several key stages of the build. This has been replaced in favour of enhanced cover of up to £500,000 for the substructure. The increase was driven by the fact that this is the most costly part of a build to fix if it goes wrong, covering, as it does, the foundations, ground bearing slabs and any newly built drainage beneath those.

Like NHBC's flagship Buildmark policy, which covers some 85% of new homes in the country, the Solo policy now also covers non load-bearing partition walls, wet-applied wall plaster, ceilings, staircases, internal floor decking and screeds and double or triple glazing panes to external windows and doors upon completion of the home.

Mehban Chowdery, NHBC's Head of Social Housing, who oversaw the Solo revamp said: "Crucially, this improved cover is backed by NHBC's inspection expertise. Our national team of Building Inspection professionals inspect up to eight key stages of construction for all Solo applications. Upon satisfactory completion of each stage, NHBC Building Inspectors issue an approval certificate which gives assurance to lenders that the home is built to NHBC Standards"

The revised Solo policy was launched on September 1, 2005.

For further information please contact NHBC Customer Services on 01494-735363 or visit the NHBC website at

Notes to Editors:

NHBC's ten-year 'Buildmark' warranty covers 85 % of homes built in the UK and has protected more than 6 million homes.

NHBC helps raise standards by:

• registering builders who agree to comply with NHBC's Rules and Standards
• setting and maintaining construction standards for new homes
• inspecting at key stages of construction
• providing 'Buildmark,' the most comprehensive warranty and insurance cover for homes in the UK
• offering building control services in England and Wales
• providing a range of services, including technical information, training, health and safety, engineering and energy rating services for new homes and housing-related sectors

NHBC is the leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes in the UK. It was established nearly 70 years ago as a non-profit distributing company. NHBC's primary purpose is to help raise standards in the new house-building industry and provide consumer protection for new house buyers.

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