Dale Rhodes
2 Apr 2025
Understand how certifications, such as Professional Consultants Certificates and structural warranties, are key to property development success, ensuring compliance and facilitating smooth lender interactions.
Property development success is built on more than just bricks and mortar — it depends on trust, compliance, and a solid foundation of certification.
Whether you’re building from scratch, converting a building, or delivering a major retrofit, obtaining the right certifications is essential. These certifications prove that work meets the required standards, reduces legal and financial risk, and opens the door to funding and sales.
In this article, we explore two of the most important tools in the developer’s toolkit: the Professional Consultants Certificate (PCC) and the Structural Warranty. Both serve different purposes — but each plays a crucial role in giving confidence to lenders, buyers, and regulators.
Why Certification Matters
Lenders, conveyancers, insurers, and buyers all look for reassurance that a property is compliant, safe, and sound. Certification provides that peace of mind by:
✅ Demonstrating adherence to building regulations and professional standards
✅ Providing certification that supports mortgage applications and smooth sales transactions
✅ Reducing legal and financial exposure if things go wrong
✅ Building trust in the quality and professionalism of the development
Without proper certification, a project can run into major hurdles — including refusal of mortgages, reduced valuations, and lost buyer confidence.
Understanding Professional Consultants Certificates (PCCs)
A Professional Consultants Certificate, formerly known as an Architect’s Certificate, is issued by a qualified consultant (typically an architect, surveyor, or engineer) who has monitored the construction work.
It confirms that, in the consultant’s professional opinion, the construction has been carried out to an appropriate standard and is fit for purpose.
Key features of a PCC include:
• Issued by a professional with appropriate qualifications and professional indemnity insurance
• Covers a 6-10 year period from completion
• Based on periodic inspections throughout the build
• Accepted by many lenders as a condition for mortgage approval
Note: The issuing consultant must carry valid Professional Indemnity insurance that will remain in place for the full 6- or 10-year term — without this, the certificate may not be accepted by lenders.
What Is a Structural Warranty — and How Is It Different?
A structural warranty (also known as a latent defects insurance policy) provides a longer-term insurance-backed guarantee covering structural defects in a property.
Unlike a PCC, a structural warranty is not based on a professional opinion — it is a formal insurance policy underwritten by an insurer. It typically covers a period of 10 to 15 years and provides financial protection for the homeowner or investor in case major defects occur.
Key features of a structural warranty:
• Covers structural defects, including issues with foundations, walls, roofs, and waterproofing
• Can cover both developer and buyer interests
• Backed by an insurance provider (e.g. NHBC, Premier Guarantee, LABC)
• Often required by lenders — especially for new builds or conversions
• More widely accepted than PCCs by mainstream mortgage providers
PCC vs Structural Warranty: Which One Do You Need?
Feature | PCC | Structural Warranty |
Provider | Qualified consultant | Insurance provider |
Cover period | 6-10 years | 10–12 years |
Mortgage lender acceptance | Some lenders | Widely accepted |
Based on site inspections | Yes | Yes (by warranty inspector) |
Insurance-backed | No (Professional Indemnity cover only) | Yes |
Covers cost of defects | No (unless negligence proven) | Yes (within policy limits) |
Cost | Lower | Higher (due to underwriting) |
In short:
• PCCs may be suitable for small-scale developments or refurbishments, where costs are tighter and accepted by lenders.
• Structural warranties are preferred for new builds and high-value projects, where buyer and lender confidence is critical.
How Certibuild helps developers get it right
At Certibuild, we guide developers through the entire process of achieving the certifications needed to protect their project and maximise success.
We support with:
✅ Advising on which certification route is right for your project
✅ Connecting you with qualified professionals or warranty providers
✅ Providing snagging surveys where required
✅ Coordinating inspections and compliance documentation
✅ Helping avoid delays in sales, funding, or completion
Whether you’re working on a new build or a permitted development conversion, we help ensure your certification is secure, compliant, and trusted.
In Summary
Certification is more than a tick-box exercise — it’s a foundation for success in modern property development. Whether you choose a Professional Consultants Certificate or a Structural Warranty, the right approach gives peace of mind to buyers, unlocks mortgage approval, and helps you move forward with confidence.
Don’t leave certification to chance. Get it right — and get ahead.
Need Certification Advice or Support?
📧 Email us at hello@certibuild.co.uk
🌐 Visit [Insert Website Link]
📞 Call [Insert Number] for a free, no-pressure consultation
Certibuild it right — from planning to paperwork.