Frequently Asked Questions

There is no law stating you must have these products, unless you are employing direct labour. In this case you will need employers’ liability, which is included in our site insurance products. That said, your lender will normally insist on them - without insurance, a major accident on site can be a huge financial burden that may be difficult to recover from.

Even when you’re using a contractor, you still need your own cover. Your builder’s policy will not adequately protect your interests as the project owner. You should consider site insurance for the works in progress, public liability, and a structural warranty for the completed build.

Self builders need to avoid structural warranties with a defect period. A high percentage of structural warranty claims occur in the first two years. With a standard new home warranty, the “builder” is responsible for defects in that initial period - if you’re the self-builder, you’re unlikely to have the financial resources to rebuild. The Protek self-build warranty starts from the date of practical completion with no defects period, providing cover from day one.

Protek has been serving the self-build, renovation, conversion and extension sector for many years. Our products are flexible, comprehensive and competitive - backed by excellent service levels, genuine sector expertise, and an A-Rated insurance carrier. We really understand the risks you face and are well placed to help.

Protek enjoys wide acceptance by banks and building societies across the UK. Please contact us for a full and up-to-date list of lender approvals, or visit our Lender Approval page for more information.

Professional Consultant Certificates are often advertised as low-cost alternatives to a structural warranty - but they’re cheaper for a reason. A PCC is not an insurance policy; it’s simply a certificate identifying the professional involved. If a defect manifests, you’d need to prove negligence, which can be costly and fruitless. If the professional’s indemnity insurance lapses or they go out of business, you may have no protection at all. A structural warranty is the more secure option.

Site insurance covers the works in progress - against fire, theft, flood, accidental damage, liability and more - during the build. A structural warranty kicks in at completion, providing 10 years’ cover against defects in design, workmanship, materials and components causing major structural damage or defective weatherproofing.

Site insurance should be in place from the moment you exchange contracts on the plot or property. That’s when your exposure to risk starts, and you need to be protected from day one.

No - you’re not alone, and it’s not too late. We can provide site insurance and a structural warranty even if your project has already started. However, it’s worth knowing that a structural warranty becomes more expensive the longer you leave it, so act as soon as possible.

Professional Reinstatement Cost is the cost of rebuilding your project using professional contractors. If your project is destroyed just before completion, it will need to be rebuilt quickly using professional trades - which typically costs more than your self-build cost. Always insure for the professional reinstatement cost, not just your build cost.

It’s very important to insure existing structures - particularly for conversions, renovations and extensions where there’s a retained element. Site insurance can include cover for the existing structure, retained materials (such as roof tiles being reused), and more. Be aware that most standard household policies will not adequately cover an existing property while works are being carried out.

Not usually. Most homeowners don’t realise their standard home insurance policy is unlikely to provide sufficient cover when works are underway, especially where there’s an element of self-build or self-management. The assumption is that your contractor covers the works - but that’s rarely the case. A dedicated site insurance policy is strongly recommended.

Call us on 0333 456 8030 or email [email protected]. If you’ve experienced a theft, report it to the police first - you’ll need the crime reference number. Please read the claims procedures in your policy wording and be aware of the applicable excess shown on your Insurance Certificate.

Site insurance and self-build structural warranty are both underwritten by QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited - an A-rated insurer.

A technical audit is an essential part of providing a structural warranty. It comprises a design check and a series of site-based inspections, all reported following each inspection to ensure the project is designed and built in accordance with technical standards.

Yes - and it’s actually more financially and operationally effective to have one entity handle both building control and the technical audit. This is an option you can select during the quotation process.

We have a range of solutions for projects where the intention is to sell on completion. Not every project is the same, so get in contact and we’ll talk you through the available options.

Yes. That is real self-building, and believe it or not you are in the minority: most people use a builder and subcontractors. We have insurance and warranty solutions for you, and cover duration can be set to match a longer programme. If the build runs over, cover can be extended on a short-term basis rather than having to arrange something new mid-project.

Yes, that is absolutely fine. You can use either your local authority or an approved inspector for building control alongside a Protek structural warranty. If you would prefer, building control can also be incorporated into the technical audit process, but this must be with a Protek partnered Registered Building Control Approver (RBCA). Get a quote or call the team on 0333 456 8030 to talk it through.