If you are buying a new home you should be offered a NHBC guarantee as to the soundness of the construction.
The National House Building Council NHBC is a non-profit making body whose inspectors examine new properties and providing the builder is registered and the property meets standards drawn up by the NHBC will issue a Buildmark Warranty.
The warranty is a certificate of sound construction and offers substantial insurance protection against any building faults or structuraldefects for a period of 10 years up to a maximum liability of the original purchase price adjusted to take account of inflation. See also...