Professional Consultants Certificates For New Dwellings

As Architects, we are being asked more and more to provide an alternative to a NHBC Certificate with respect to New Build Dwellings.

Most lending authorities (Banks and Building Societies) accept what is called a ‘Professional Consultants Certificate’ as stipulated in the Council of Mortgage Lenders Guide, as issued by ourselves.

This standard format Certificate is issued by ourselves on satisfactory completion of a new dwelling, on the understanding that:

We have carried out periodic site inspections generally at:

Foundation level
DPC and slab level
First floor (and any other intermediate floor levels)
Wall Plate level
Practical Completion

That the works are of have been constructed to a reasonable acceptable standard

That the materials used are to a reasonable acceptable standard

That we have experience in monitoring this type of work

We have and will hold adequate PI Insurance for the next six years

That the Certificate can be passed on to any owners/purchasers of the property within a six year period of the date of the Certificate

The certificate as issued is to meet the requirements of the mortgage lender only, and by its very nature does not verify that the whole of the work carried out is to particular standard, or is free from defect. Nor does it imply full compliance with Planning and Building Regulations Approval – confirmation of this is available from the Local Authority. It is simply a statement that the property has been built in accordance with standard and accepted building principles.

The certificate as issued only refers to the quality of workmanship as seen at the time of inspection, and is limited to matters which can reasonably be expected to be seen by an architect during the course of such limited inspection. In particular, work, which is carried out and covered up between inspections, is obviously excluded. The certificate is not a guarantee or warranty, nor is it insurance. This certificate does not have (and is not intended to have) the equivalent standing as NHBC cover or Zurich guarantee.

The majority of our Domestic Clients do not require our services beyond obtaining a Building Regulations approval, where as some and most of our other Clients require us to have involvement beyond this stage.

Health And Safety >