NHBC Reviews 494

I wanted to make a claim, however I was told if I made a claim despite whether my claim was approved or I was right in making the claim, any future buyers of my property would be informed I made a claim against my warranty. This tactic is certainly off putting to people making claims and feels like a blackmail tactic.

Extremely Disappointed – NHBC Is Failing Homeowners

NHBC is a disgrace to the concept of homeowner protection. When tiles on my roof were damaged — an issue clearly covered under the supposed structural warranty — NHBC outright refused to help. They buried the claim under technicalities and exclusions, showing zero intention of standing by the homeowners they claim to protect.

This is not just my experience — after doing some research, it’s clear that NHBC routinely denies valid claims, delays responses, and hides behind vague policy language to avoid paying out. It feels like a scam masked as a warranty provider.

An independent investigation into NHBC is urgently needed. This company should be either overhauled or shut down entirely. It's outrageous that they’re allowed to continue operating while offering homeowners false peace of mind. People pay for protection and get absolutely nothing when something goes wrong.

Avoid NHBC at all costs — their warranty is worthless.

literally they have a reason for everything to not cover you.... we have 3 defaults due to building works carried out and they have found a reason each time not too pay out, honestly no point in having them

When you buy a house and there is problems. These cowboys won't take responsibility. Scum bags

10-year new build insurance, yeh right!
After our mains water pipe parted directly from the underground pipe into the house (due to a builders defect in cutting the mains pipe too short and having to install a temporary spacer connection to make up to the stop-valve), NHBC shut the claim down over the phone within a couple of minutes. I followed up with a second phone call, only to have the same result.
They were not interested in understanding what had happened, they just envisaged ‘flood’ and how this is not covered under the ‘policy’. The incident ruined the entire ground floor of our property.
After providing photographs of the incident, and of our neighbours property showing how the correct mains pipe set up should be (completely different on how ours was) the claim continued to fall on deaf ears.
The customer representatives were terrible to deal with and do not take the time to listen. I had one customer representative say over the phone to submit photos of the incident and that it will be reviewed by the technical team, only for them to follow up in an email shutting the claim down again (not what was discussed over the phone!).
Despite several back and forths, we have been provided details to contact the Financial Ombudsman Service. Let’s hope they have a better understanding on the issue than NHBC have had and can provide the assistance we require.
NHBC have been terrible to deal with - I have no faith in them being able to provide any ‘insurance’ for the remainder of our 10-year period.

It’s not really protection, it’s more house developer propaganda to make it look like they are doing more than they are.
My house had over 100 issues, at least 10 significant NHBC breaches. I contacted NHBC to show them all the issues as I thought they may want to know their inspector missed a load of items that will end up costing them money so that person/team needs training. Their response is they are not bothered and it’s the house builders problem. So I pointed out that NHBC picked up two issues on inspection and the developer signed off they were done and they were not. And again NHBC not bothered. NHBC don’t even record what they check onsite, so I do find it funny how can they award site manager and developer awards? Is it who makes the best cup of tea?
Unfortunately it’s what house building industry is allowed to get away with. There is more proper regulation if I buy a toaster from Argos and spread the payments.
NHBC are not actually helping anything, it just another rubbish biased insurance policy.
NHBC can’t be raising standards if you don’t record what you check, follow up on what you find and just say it’s up to the developer. If that’s how it works that’s fine, but change your website and advertising so it’s truthful and reflects what you actually do and how you do it.

My whole estate ME3 Nightingale rise have got issues with their doors not opening and getting stuck and residents have been complaining since 2020 but nothing has happened, the developer is useless and this sheme does not work. What is the point of your company if you do not help the residents.

Seems the stories in the other reviews are true. Would give negative stars if possible.

Went to the NHBC to assist in a resolution dispute with Taylor Wimpey. After my new home flooded with sewage approximately 2 weeks after receiving my keys. Originally I tried to handle the dispute with the builder but after they continued making false allegations of inappropriate waste disposal and forced us through our home insurance for a resolution. I turned to NHBC with the evidence me and my wife had collected. Several videos and photos have been captured and reports created by third party drainage companies of the drainage underneath the property. It was filled with construction debris. Further evidence can be found throughout our estate where the same level of care has been taken with the groundworks.

After meeting with the representative I provided this detail and advised about the issues with the drainage. Initially all seemed positive as NHBC conducted their own drainage inspection, which identified a further issue. The builder had installed the incorrect joint in the pipe work causing a build up of sewage material within the system. Based on all the evidence provided we were confident that the builder would be found at fault however we were sadly mistaken.

NHBC have ruled that they are unable to determine who is responsible. This is despite the builder providing no evidence to support their claim instead making general statements.

We feel incredibly let down by NHBC and there process and would strongly recommend anyone who is considering approaching them to manage their expectations. As with the majority of other reviews here, the NHBC are clearly and firmly in the pockets of the building companies they are meant to protect you from.

They do not review or inspect sites to ensure they are meeting standards, instead allowing builders to appoint random third parties or internally check their own builds. There by allowing them to get away with poor practice. When I pushed them on this topic and asked who is holding these business's accountable for their failings, they gave no answer stating that they had no power to compel a builder to rectify a mistake within a build, instead they rely on the builder choosing to fix the issue.

Three months from my last review and NHBC have continued to delay and refuse. We have also uncovered a lot of rotten plywood that has clearly been exposed then covered by NHBC's appointed contractors. In the last year we have lodged five official complaints, which have come back in our favour, and offered derisory compensation. What NHBC has not done is achieved any building progress. NHBC contractors have used sub-standard materials to do a sub-standard job and left the property in a dangerous condition. NHBC disregarded Health & Safety leading to a previously undamaged 20 metre first floor glass and metal balustrade to fall and smash, despite us sending numerous emails, photos and videos warning of the impending likelihood of collapse. Two months later, with NHBC claiming to have "made safe", the balustrade collapsed. We and NHBC are fortunate that this did not involve loss of life or serious injury, the drop to the patio below was 4 metres. Beware of their latest ruse of claiming not to have any inspectors/surveyors who are "available" to carry out inspections, no timing or other reasons given. Delay, delay and more delay. Many unsatisfied policy holders probably give up under the cost and stress of trying to claim under their NHBC policy, this must be a common method of NHBC claims denial as can be seen by other reviews. We have no intention of giving up. Four years and counting, 2021 to 2025, during which time the costs have tripled from the original quote.

Truly shocking - these people should be investigated and put in prison! Scandalous how they are allowed to exist. They do NOTHING!!!!

NHBC is the institution that mocks buyers of Newly built homes with the so-called Building Standards Check. But the inspectors only check visually. Many inspectors have no idea about construction. And when owners come with snagging reports prepared by professionals they just come and dispute them without having any arguments. This institution is a disgrace to this country.

useless incompetent tossers. Just an extension of the builders. Work which they deemed unacceptable is now strangely acceptable. How has that become so.... i will let you make up your own minds.
Builders work these days is shoddy, why, because the idiots let them get away with it.

Contacted them about mortar falling out in between bricks.

Inspector came around and sent a report saying it was in a small area and only a few mm eroded.
Then on the same report he posted a pic of a non eroded section making out this was the area of concern. Claim denied.

Appealed..

Didn’t answer any of my questions plus sent a standard/similar letter which I have seen posted online from other people.

I asked if there was an issue with the quality of the mortar used. Didn’t even respond to this question..

NHBC is simply a piece of paper. Do not expect anything other than that. THEY WILL NOT DO NOTHING. Developer pay (ultimately the customer) for an accolade, it’s misleading customers to believe they have a third party watching over the build. The NHBC (10year man) comes out and does very little. It simply all fake and is smoke and mirrors to defraud the customer

Can confim what other people are saying here. Don't expect any service, or indeed basic competence from them.

Insurance scam, where nhbc will try their best not to.pay out, and use every delay tactic, it's shameful they have no accountability. Even when a claim is accepted, the process is again set up to fustrate and delay. Premiums they collect year on year and then not to pay out on what must be a small % is wrong. 3 sets of consultants been through our house, but yet nhbc will not share the findings, they have suggested a full final settlement, but insisting on us a home owners to appoint more consultants to draw up a technical scope and go out to. Tender , When nhbc have this resource and must know every building contractor in the UK and already have the findings from 3 sets of consultants. nhbc are aware we have a family member been diagnosed with serious health issue during the period of this claim and have be lying in a bedroom with water coming while trying to recover in bed, You have though that some effort would be made to settle or find the quickest way to the house right.
My insurance contract is with Nhbc why is there no guarantee service levels and accountability, Guess its legal letters and financial ombudsman and this on an accepted claim.

The assessor was very kind and everything, they even agreed that the issue with our house was due to failure to meet the required building standards. Too bad the part of the house where the fault happened was not covered! Modern houses have carports, and the contract doesn't really mention carports (they aren't main dwelling, they aren't garages nor permanent outbuildings), which means it is OK for it to rain inside from an insurance perspective, and I need to fix it because the constructor used the wrong insulating material.

Based on the reviews here I was not expecting to receive anything back from my claim regarding a roof issue.
I usually don't leave reviews, but I don't think NHBC deserves 1*...
To my surprise, everything was smooth from my first email to the day I got the money back. (Took about a month all together)
My claim was dealt with very professionally by the staff. I am very pleased by the service provided

Shame I can't give more than 5 stars, would give 10 if I could!
NHBC were absolutely fantastic and supportive. Went through the process over emails and over the phone with a very very helpful lady. Had our claim approved and the house is being sorted.
Very happy couple and house.
Thank you!