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Bespoke Residential Policy

The Q Policy is a structural warranty for new build, refurbished and converted properties which puts quality build and customer service first.

Our construction & housebuilding expertise means that we can work with your Builder during the build period to help overcome potential problems through our regular inspection process, assessing the progress of the build against our insurance and technical requirements, and we will try to support your Builder to help them to build to a high-quality standard.

Key Features: The Q Policy for Bespoke Residential

Designed to meet your needs

Q has designed a policy for people who are commissioning their own quality home under contract with a Builder.

Cover includes insolvency cover for the Defects Liability Period, alternative accommodation in the event of a claim as standard, and a low minimum claim value or excess. Additionally, financial loss cover can be made available for the build period* (which includes some security costs for abandoned sites).

In certain cases, depending upon the underwriter of the policy, we may also be able to offer cover for 12 years.

* availability will depend upon the financial stability of the Builder.

Our Site Visits

During the build process, we carry out regular physical inspections of each property* we insure on behalf of the underwriter.

These visits are to ensure that the property meets our Technical Requirements and is fit for insurance purposes.

While these visits are not to guarantee the quality of the works, our site surveyors are experienced and knowledgeable, so when we accept a property for insurance cover, it means we are satisfied that it has been built in accordance with good building practice.

*If a property has already commenced or is completed when we are asked to provide a quotation, we may not have the opportunity to inspect it at the same frequent intervals as a property which has not yet been started.

Registered Members

Under The Q Policy, underwriters only insure new homes which are built by companies registered with Q.

This means we assess the financial & technical competence of each company we work with and ask them to sign up to a Terms of Business Agreement which sets out their responsibilities to the insurer and what they can expect from us and the insurer.

Refurbishment & Conversion Specialists

Our policies have been developed with the challenges of refurbishment & conversion in mind: we assess each project on its individual merits, applying requirements which are proportionate and necessary with the full support of an experienced surveyor.

When we insure a conversion or refurbishment, we will include the existing structure in the overall cover.

Staged Payment Support

As part of our planned visits at the required key stages, if it is necessary, we can provide staged payment certificates at the required key stages, signing off the works at each stage as satisfactorily complete in accordance with the current standards and designs deposited with the Local Authority or Approved Inspector.

This can assist you to satisfy your Lender’s criteria for draw down of funds and help advance the project on-time.

Modern Methods

In an increasingly environmentally conscious world, we actively encourage innovation & eco-friendly building methods – we want to help you stand out from the crowd and lead the way.

From insulated concrete formwork (ICF), lightweight steel frame, panelised timber frame, SIPS panels or concrete panelised systems, we are happy to consider the design of your Grand Design and suggest solutions to help meet our insurance requirements.

What does the Bespoke Residential Policy cover?

Our structural warranties aim to be easy to follow and provide certain insurance cover for the owners of the buildings for 10-12 years following completion of the build period. Each warranty is slightly different depending upon the underwriter of the policy, but typically they include cover for the following:

Defects Liability Period

During the two year period following completion of the build, the Builder is responsible for arranging the repair of any Defects identified and reported by a Policyholder.

The Q Policy will respond if the Builder fails to rectify known Defects because they are no longer able to due to fraud or insolvency, subject to the conditions of the policy.