READER SURVEY: DELIVERINGTHE FUTURE HOMES STANDARD 41
How important are issues around reducing the carbon footprint of homes to your customers?
One respondent argued that there was “absolutely no clear guidance on the requirements and the costs associated with the change,” one that “they are just tinkering around the edges,” and one demanding support for SME builders, arguing that “most smaller builders are notorious for ignoring the requirements as they do not see the need for changing their work habits.” A lack of information on how changes to how SAP will be conducted was also highlighted. As one respondent commented: “Precise specifications cannot be established by housebuilders until the final version of the SAP software is made available.” They added that “no other industry could operate in this way.” With a full technical specification for the Future Homes Standard to be consulted on in 2023, our survey shows that the time for the Government to act on these issues, and inform the industry, is now.
SOLUTIONS TO FHS CHALLENGES
According to our respondents, the largest hurdle for the adoption of the FHS was increased construction costs, with 60% listing it as one of their biggest barriers. When asked how much they believe just the interim 2022
target of 31% lower carbon would increase their building costs, 20% said there would be no increase at all, 35% said the standard would add 1K to 5K per unit, 30% 6-10K, 12% 11-20k, and 1% over 30K. Thankfully – for builders at least –
over half (60%) believe they will be able to price this into the sale price of each unit. Among the remaining major barriers listed (as well as those of a lack of information and incentives discussed earlier) were: • lack of skilled workers (49%) • lack of experience with low-carbon technologies (41%) • inability to meet housing demand (27%) • having to switch suppliers (17%).
BENEFITS FOR INDUSTRY The FHS does however offer a number of benefits to housebuilders and developers that can lessen the burden it causes. Whether it's the integration of the latest technologies
compatible with a decarbonised grid, producing a level- playing field for climate-conscious developers, or improving the reputation of housebuilding on quality, there are many positives for housebuilders and developers as well as owners.
CUSTOMER DEMAND The mainstream industry must now weigh up the best build achievable to meet the new targets, with the reality of what they can sell. However, according to 11% of our respondents, when it comes to customers, issues around reducing the carbon footprint of homes are of no interest at all currently, and are not a ‘big’ factor for 16%. Conversely, 44% reported said it was a ‘small’ factor for their buyers, and 30% a ‘big’ factor. When it came to builders themselves, the majority of our respondents supported the importance of the journey to zero,
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