The NHBC - The National House Building Council

The NHBC is the leading new home warranty and insurance provider. Established over 75 years ago as an independent, non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee, its primary purpose is to raise standards in the new home building industry and provide consumer protection for new home buyers.

The NHBC Standards

The NHBC has over 13,074 registered builders, who undertake to adhere to strict NHBC technical standards. Around 80% of all new homes are registered with the NHBC for Buildmark warranty. Of the 2,559 complaints investigated by the NHBC under their resolution service, 66% were found in favour of the home owner.* The NHBC has reserves of £1,081 million and paid out £73 million in claims last year.*

The NHBC helps raise standards by-

registering builders who agree to comply with NHBC Rules and Standards.
setting and maintaining construction standards for new homes.
inspecting at key stages of construction
providing "Buildmark" warranty and insurance cover.
offering Building Control services in England and Wales.
providing a range of services, including technical information, training, health, & safety.
engineering and energy rating services for new homes and housing related sectors.
The 280 inspectors employed by the NHBC, made 527,273 inspections of 104,228 new homes last year*. These are made at critical stages of construction before the next stage is started. The inspection stages are:
Foundations:- once excavated (before concrete).
Drainage:- if NHBC is also carrying out Building Control services.
Superstructure:- the floors, roof, brickwork and blockwork.
First fix:- before plastering or drylining.
Pre-handover:- final (CML) inspection.

NHBC Percentage of claims and cost of claims in 2010 for each building element.

(*Source NHBC Annual Review 2012/13)

Pride in the Job Awards

NHBC Pride in the Job, is the only national competition organised to recognise and reward site managers who achieve the highest standards in house building. The NHBC claim the competition "has been instrumental in driving up the quality of new homes for 32 years."

A Pride in the Job award is said to be the highest industry accolade a site manager can attain. An award acknowledges the extra effort the site manager, his team and associated trades have made in building their new homes to the highest possible standards and best practice.

Most importantly, homeowners who buy a new home on a Pride in the Job award-winning development, should benefit from a high quality product.

Every site manager, irrespective of whether they work for a large or small company has an equal opportunity to win an award. All new homes are eligible including, refurbishment and housing association sites.

Persimmon new homes

The NHBC take steps to ensure that their Pride in the Job competition is fair, transparent and consistent. Their judges, including an independent panel, all use the same comprehensive marking checklist, scoring site managers against 37 pre-set criteria. Download the Pride in the Job Checklist here

The same judging rules apply to all categories and at all stages of the competition, and with processes for checking and verification of scoring, clarity and equality is ensured for every site manager taking part.

Quality Awards are selected by NHBC Building Inspectors and their Inspection Managers. The Seals of Excellence are chosen by NHBC Regional Directors. The Regional Awards are decided by the Regional Directors and an independent panel. NHBC Pride in the Job league table.

The NHBC has NHBC, NHBC House, Davy Avenue, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire. MK5 8FP

Contact via telephone through the switchboard number: 0844 633 1000.

For more about NHBC Warranty and how and when to make a claim click

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