Architect's certificate or structural warranty?
Some homes are signed off with an architect's or professional consultant's certificate instead of a warranty. That can satisfy some lenders on some schemes - but when a buyer's lender or a funder wants a structural warranty, it is a different thing altogether.
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- 10 and 12 year cover
- Part built and finished projects
The difference
What a professional consultant's certificate is
A professional consultant's certificate, often called an architect's certificate, is issued by a suitably qualified professional who inspected the work at stages during the build. It confirms that, in their view, the home was built to a satisfactory standard and in line with the approved drawings.
On the standard UK Finance form the consultant is liable for six years from the date of the certificate and must hold professional indemnity insurance. A claim is a claim against that consultant, so what a later owner can recover depends on showing the consultant was at fault, and on their insurance.
A structural warranty works differently. It is insurance-backed cover from a warranty provider, with its own technical inspections and a certificate for each home. Claims for covered defects go to the provider or insurer named on the certificate.
Side by side
Consultant's certificate and structural warranty compared
Professional consultant's certificate
- Issued by the architect or other consultant who monitored the build
- The consultant is liable for six years from the date of the certificate, backed by their professional indemnity insurance
- A claim means showing the consultant was at fault
- Accepted by some lenders for some homes, often on smaller schemes
Structural warranty
- Issued by a warranty provider, with its own technical inspections
- Insurance-backed cover for the policy period, usually 10 or 12 years
- A certificate for each home, which normally stays with it for later owners
- Widely expected by mortgage lenders, if the lender accepts the provider
When the certificate is not enough
Signed off with a certificate, but the lender wants a warranty
We see this regularly: a project finished with only an architect's certificate, and then the finance company refinancing it, or a buyer's lender, says it needs a structural warranty. Some lenders accept certificates for small schemes, many prefer a warranty, and a lender's own requirements can change over time.
A consultant's certificate usually has to be arranged from the start, because the consultant is expected to inspect the work as it goes in. It is not normally something that can be added once the building is finished.
The good news is that the consultant's site visits and reports are exactly the kind of evidence a retrospective provider wants to see. A well-documented certificate can make a completed building a much stronger case - see evidence and surveys.
Architect's certificates and warranties - questions
Do mortgage lenders accept an architect's certificate?
Some do, for some homes. Lenders that follow the UK Finance Mortgage Lenders' Handbook may accept a professional consultant's certificate in certain cases, often on smaller schemes, but many prefer a warranty and each lender sets its own rules. It is worth checking with the lenders your buyers are likely to use.
Can I get an architect's certificate after the house is built?
Not usually in the normal way, because the consultant is expected to inspect the work at stages while it is being built. If the building is already finished, a retrospective structural warranty may be the more realistic route.
Does an architect's certificate help with a retrospective warranty?
It can. The consultant's inspection reports, photographs and the certificate itself are useful evidence for a provider deciding whether to cover a completed building.
Is an architect's certificate the same as a structural warranty?
No. With a certificate the consultant is liable for six years from its date, backed by their professional indemnity insurance, and a claim means showing they were at fault. A warranty is insurance-backed cover from a provider for the policy period, with a certificate for each home.
Certificate not enough for the lender?
Tell us about the building, the certificate and the lender asking for a warranty. We will tell you whether retrospective cover looks possible.
- Takes under a minute
- Instant reply by email with your reference
- We call you, usually the same working day, with an honest view of what is possible
- Part built and completed sites across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Free and no obligation
Already filled in a proposal form? Email it to us or send it on WhatsApp with any drawings you have and we will take it from there.
