2-Year New Build Warranty: Your Complete Guide

The 2-year defects liability period covers workmanship defects, material failures, items not meeting the agreed specification, non-compliance with building regulations, and damage caused by defects (such as damp from a failed seal). Normal shrinkage, damage you cause, and cosmetic wear are not covered.

Report defects in writing to your builder's customer care team — email is acceptable and creates a paper trail. Include a clear description or photo of each defect. Keep copies of all correspondence. If the builder fails to respond, you can escalate to NHBC or the New Homes Ombudsman.

The 2-year warranty does not cover normal shrinkage and minor cracking, damage you cause yourself, items outside the builder's scope, defects not formally reported before the 2-year period expires, and general cosmetic wear and tear.

After 2 years, you move into the NHBC insurance period (years 3-10) which covers only major structural defects. Cosmetic and workmanship issues are no longer covered. This is why documenting and reporting all defects before the 2-year expiry is critical.

There is no single fixed legal timescale, but NHBC guidance suggests defects should be rectified within a reasonable period. Urgent or safety-critical defects (such as heating failures in winter) should be addressed within days. Non-urgent defects are typically expected to be fixed within 30-60 days.