Should I opt for personal consultant certification (PCC) or a building warranty for my self build project?

We were recently approached by a structural engineer offering a PCC for our barn conversion at £5,000+VAT. Since researching further, I’ve found quotes for as little as £1,930 (inc VAT), and one proposing an upgrade to a full building warranty for £8,000 all in.

I’ve tried to find out what more I’d be getting for the extra money, but the only advantage seems to be as many site visits as we need, compared to the four standard ones at key stages by the other companies. The structural engineer has since offered to extend his guarantee from six to 10 years for the same £8,000 fee, but am I right in thinking that this isn’t a warranty as such?

Surely the building inspector would have to visit when we need him, too? We would also still be paying separately for any structural calculations. Advice would be welcomed. A 10 year structural warranty, although it looks expensive, is insurance backed and will pay up if there is a major defect in the same way that your car gets fixed if you dent it. Structural warranty providers can also offer Building Regulations approval under the Approved Inspector scheme. is means that one inspector can address both warranty and Building Regulations issues, which can save you time and hassle on site.

If you want basic certification, as you’ve already found, there are much cheaper options including the likes of an architect’s certificate. However, these are not insurance backed and rely on the professional concerned having their own indemnity insurance cover – in effect, you have to sue them if there is a problem. It’s not clear what this structural engineer is offering in addition to a PCC. If you are using an architect or a reputable designer, then they would be arranging the structural calculations as part of their service and these would be covered under their certification.

In my opinion, insurance backed 10-year structural warranties make good sense – for your own peace of mind, for your lender and, importantly, for any future buyer and their mortgage provider should you sell the barn within 10 years of completion. If you do opt for this cover, then buy from one of the recognised companies who offer a tailored product that will meet your needs. A good place to start is www.selfbuildzone.com.