A persistent housing shortage has exacerbated strains on the supply chain as the construction industry strives to keep pace with UK housing demand
A combination of factors, including a shifting economic climate, escalating material costs, labour shortages and evolving regulatory framework, has collectively contributed to a drop in new home construction within the UK, despite ever-increasing demand.
However, there are indications that the outlook may be more positive for housebuilding as the government has set ambitious targets for the construction of new homes over the next five years.
Interest rates have been falling and with further cuts predicted, this could ease the pressure on the cost of borrowing, enabling the release of funding for developers and attracting more buyers to the new homes market.
Partnering with builders and developers to meet the UK’s housing demands
The UK boasts a dynamic housing market driven by investment from private sector housebuilders and developers. To meet the demand for new homes, a collaborative approach with support from government to streamline the planning process will be required.
While many challenges remain, the announced planning reforms and stabilising housing market may offer a window of opportunity to boost housebuilding activity across the UK.
At ICW, we are dedicated to exceeding our client expectations. Our core value lies in partnering with developers to bring exceptional, high-quality new homes to market. We go above and beyond to provide the warranty expertise and technical support needed to achieve success, including tailored A-rated residential warranty services, Insurance Backed Guarantees (IBGs) and bonds specifically for housebuilders to help mitigate any risks effectively.
Sustainability and the Future Homes Standard
This year, compliance with the Future Homes Standard is expected to come into force and will have a significant impact on the new build housing market.
While it may lead to higher construction costs and potentially higher house prices in the short term, it is also expected to drive innovation, improve energy efficiency and increase the sustainability of the housing stock in the long term.
As awareness of sustainability grows, new home buyers may increasingly prioritise energy-efficient and environmentally friendly homes, creating a stronger demand.
In this evolving regulatory landscape, early engagement with building control professionals is vital. ICW Building Control, part of the ICW Group, offers a complimentary pre-application advice service that empowers developers to proactively address potential challenges before submitting formal planning applications.
Our expert team will review plans and guide you through any potential issues, including compliance with the latest updates to Building Regulations Parts F and L, to help streamline the process and minimise delays.
Building new homes is a complex and challenging process. By addressing the many challenges in a proactive manner, ICW partners with clients to ensure that new homes are built to a high standard in a way that is sustainable, resulting in quality new homes that homeowners will enjoy living in.
To find out more about how ICW can support you on your next project, please get in touch via our website at www.i-c-w.co.uk
*Please note that this is a commercial profile.
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