If you are going to have a mortgage then it will be necessary for you to have some sort of warranty of insurance against major defects for at least the first 10 years.

The main options are:

• NHBC Build Mark (the most common warranty in use.)
• Architect Certificate
• Zuric

NHBC Build Mark - To obtain this you would normally employ a NHBC registered builder to undertake your project.In the last year or two the NHBC have introduced "SOLO", a method for self builders who are going to control their own project to use none registered builders to work on their home. Prices are depending on the completed value of the home and are in the region of £800 to £1100 per registration.

Architect Certificate - You will need to instruct a registered architect to oversee and inspect your build as work progresses. At the end of the project you will be issued a certificate from the architect that can be used to gain a mortgage. Prices vary greatly, often working out as a percentage of the value of the dwelling or a negotiated figure.

Zuric - This works much the same way as the NHBC Solo and is aimed more specifically at the self builder. Prices are in the same sort of region as Solo.

Even if you do not need a mortgage it would still be prudent to have some sort of structural warranty.