Jake
14 Nov 2025
If you’re an SME developer or architect navigating completions, lender sign-off, and sales timelines, choosing between a Professional Consultant’s Certificate (PCC) and a Structural Warranty can materially impact budget, programme risk, and sales velocity. This guide gives you a pragmatic framework to decide when a PCC is the right route, when a warranty is the safer bet, and how to evaluate lender expectations, exit strategy, and scheme profile.
Quick Definitions (Plain English)
- Professional Consultant’s Certificate (PCC): Certification issued by a qualified professional following inspection, typically accepted by lenders on certain schemes. It’s a lower-cost alternative to a structural warranty and is often suited to smaller developments and extensions, with 6- or 10-year term options available through CertiBuild.
- Structural Warranty: Insurance-backed cover for structural defects for a defined period (commonly 10+ years), widely required by lenders and buyers, and backed by FCA-regulated providers via CertiBuild.
When a PCC Is the Better Choice
A PCC can be the optimal route where the primary requirement is credible professional assurance for lender acceptance, without the broader insurance cover:
- Smaller schemes or single-unit builds
Ideal for one-off homes, smaller infill sites, conversions, or extensions where risk profile is lower and lender requirements are satisfied by a PCC.
- Budget-sensitive projects
Where cost efficiency matters and the additional premium for a structural warranty isn’t justified by the risk profile or exit route.
- Faster route to certification
If you need a streamlined path to certification with a qualified inspector-led process and clear documentation for the lender, a PCC can be more straightforward.
- Lender acceptance confirmed
Some lenders accept PCCs, especially for certain small-scale developments and self-builds. If your lender confirms acceptance, a PCC can be a smart, lower-cost solution.
- Professional oversight already robust
Where you have strong design, supervision, and quality control in place, and you want professional assurance to evidence this to lenders.
- Choice of cover duration
CertiBuild can provide 6- or 10-year PCC terms to match lender expectations and project needs.
When a Structural Warranty Makes More Sense
A structural warranty is typically preferable when broader risk transfer and market expectations are critical:
- Multi-unit or higher-risk schemes
Larger sites, complex builds, or challenging ground conditions justify full defect cover and reduce sales friction.
- Build-to-sell strategies
Buyers and many lenders expect a structural warranty on new homes; having one can accelerate reservations and exchanges.
- Investor/broker requirements
Equity partners and brokers often require warranties to de-risk disposals and refinance.
- Future-proofing the asset
For assets you plan to hold or refinance, a warranty can simplify exit and mitigate unknowns.
- Lender requires warranty
If a lender mandates a structural warranty as part of the offer, the decision is made.
Decision Framework for Developers and Architects
Use these six questions to align the protection route with your scheme and exit plan:
- What’s the exit strategy? Build-to-sell or hold/refinance?
- What’s the lender’s stance? PCC accepted, or warranty required?
- What’s the scheme profile? Single unit vs multi-unit; complexity; ground risks.
- What’s the budget? Balance cost against risk, timeline, and buyer expectations.
- What are the timelines? Do you need the fastest route to certification (PCC) or the wider marketability of a warranty?
- What reassurance will buyers/investors expect at sale or refinance?
Practical Scenarios
- One-off home or 2–3 unit infill with confirmed lender acceptance: PCC likely optimal for cost and speed.
- 10+ unit development with off-plan buyers: Warranty supports sales confidence and lender requirements.
- Conversion or extension with light structural intervention and lender acceptance: PCC balances cost and assurance.
- Investor-led scheme or forward sale: Warranty de-risks and supports valuation.
How CertiBuild Supports Your Choice
- One provider, both options
CertiBuild offers Professional Consultant Certificates and Structural Warranties alongside snagging, so you get a single, coordinated path to completion and sale.
- Qualified inspection team
Inspections are delivered by experienced Approved Building Inspectors with a collaborative, on-site approach that keeps projects moving.
- Streamlined 3-step process
Quote → Inspection → Certification. CertiBuild’s simple workflow keeps admin light and timelines clear.
- PCC terms to fit your scheme
6- or 10-year PCC options available to match lender expectations.
- FCA-regulated warranty providers
Structural warranties are backed by FCA-regulated providers to meet lender and buyer requirements.
Next steps?
Want a quick, confident decision? Download our PCC guide to compare routes, lender expectations, and costs, and see which option fits your scheme best. Download the PCC guide.
If you need to move fast, request a free quote and we’ll advise whether a PCC or warranty is the best fit for your lender, timeline, and budget.
- Diagram: PCC vs Warranty decision tree.
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Not sure whether to use a PCC or a structural warranty? Learn when a Professional Consultant’s Certificate is the right choice for SME developers and architects, and how CertiBuild can help.