The Future Homes Standard explained – what’s changing for new build housing

The Future Homes Standard has been widely discussed across the construction and housing sectors in recent months, as government sets out plans to improve the energy performance of new homes.

While much of the focus has been on timelines and policy changes, the core message is clear. The way new homes are designed and built is evolving, with a stronger focus on energy efficiency, lower carbon emissions and long-term affordability for homeowners.

Take a look at this week’s blog to understand what the Future Homes Standard involves and what it could mean for the future of housebuilding.

What is the Future Homes Standard?

The Future Homes Standard is a set of proposed building regulations aimed at ensuring that new homes are significantly more energy efficient and produce far lower carbon emissions than those built under previous standards.

In simple terms, it is about creating homes that are ‘zero carbon ready’, meaning they will not require major retrofitting in the future as the UK continues its transition towards net zero.

The intention is that new homes built under the standard will be more comfortable to live in, cheaper to run and better aligned with long-term environmental goals.

What will change in practice?

For those involved in construction, the Future Homes Standard represents a shift in both design and delivery.

One of the most significant changes is the move away from traditional gas boilers towards low-carbon heating systems, particularly heat pumps. These systems are designed to improve efficiency while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
There is also a greater emphasis on the overall performance of the building fabric. This includes improved insulation, better airtightness and higher-quality construction methods to minimise heat loss.
In addition, renewable technologies such as solar panels are expected to play a more prominent role in new developments, helping to generate clean energy on site and further reduce running costs for residents.

Taken together, these changes are intended to create homes that are not only more sustainable, but also more cost-effective over the long term.

What this means for the construction industry

For the construction sector, the Future Homes Standard presents both opportunities and challenges.

On one hand, it reinforces the direction of travel towards higher quality, more energy-efficient homes. On the other, it requires changes in how projects are designed, specified and delivered. This includes the need for new skills and training, particularly around low-carbon technologies such as heat pumps, as well as closer collaboration across the supply chain to ensure materials and systems meet the required standards.

There are also practical considerations around cost, programme and delivery. As with any major regulatory change, ensuring that standards are both ambitious and achievable will be key to successful implementation. Neil Jefferson, CEO of the Home Builders Federation, highlighted some of these challenges, stating:

“The government has really pushed the number of solar panels that are required on rooftops right to the limit, we think 60% of homes can’t actually reach that standard. Each home will have to be looked at individually. There are some challenges within the process [and] we don’t want bottlenecks.”

This reflects a wider industry view that, while the direction of travel is positive, practical delivery will require careful planning, flexibility and collaboration to avoid delays and ensure targets can be met in a realistic and consistent way.

What this means for homeowners and communities

For homeowners, the benefits are more tangible. More energy-efficient homes can lead to lower running costs, improved comfort and reduced exposure to fluctuating energy prices. As standards improve, energy performance is also becoming an increasingly important factor in the overall value and desirability of a home.

For communities, the wider impact is equally important. Better performing homes contribute to lower emissions, support environmental targets and help create more sustainable places to live.

Looking ahead

The Future Homes Standard is a significant step in the ongoing evolution of housing in the UK. While there are still details to be finalised and challenges to address, the direction is clear. Energy efficiency, sustainability and long-term performance are becoming central to how new homes are built.

For the construction industry, this is an opportunity to adapt, innovate and continue delivering homes that meet the needs of both today and the future.

What are your thoughts on the Future Homes Standard and its impact on construction? Share your views with us on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

31.03.2026

Feature image: Freepik

Managing work-related stress: understanding the pressures and how to respond

Whether you are working on site or in an office-based role, the demands of the construction industry are constant. Deadlines are tight, programmes need to be met, quality standards must be maintained and safety is always a priority. With so many moving parts, the stakes are high – and that can create significant stress if not managed effectively.

Understanding the key pressure points is the first step in addressing work-related stress, particularly in fast-paced environments like construction. Keep reading to explore what these are and what they mean in practice.

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17 March 2026

Managing your time: seven practical tips for busy construction professionals

From managing complex programmes and coordinating subcontractors to handling safety, budgets and client relationships, the day-to-day reality of construction is a constant balancing act. While we cannot create more hours in the day, we can make better use of the time we have.

Effective time management in construction is not just about productivity. It directly impacts a company’s ability to deliver successful projects. Get it right and work runs smoothly. Get it wrong and delays, inefficiencies and avoidable costs quickly follow. Here are seven practical tips to help construction professionals manage their time more effectively.

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11 March 2026

Focus on safety: PPE – your last line of defence

Personal protective equipment, or PPE, remains one of the most visible and recognisable elements of construction site safety. Hard hats, high-visibility clothing, safety glasses and protective footwear are all part of everyday working life on site.

But while PPE may feel routine, it should never be taken for granted. It is often described as the last line of defence – the final protective layer when other control measures cannot fully eliminate safety risks. Used correctly, PPE helps prevent serious injury; using it incorrectly or while damaged can give a false sense of security.

In this week’s Focus on Safety feature, we look at why PPE is so important, when it is required, and how to ensure it is properly fitted, maintained and inspected.

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3 March 2026

£9 billion unspent: when developer contributions fail to reach communities

When new homes are built, they are supposed to bring more to local communities than bricks and mortar. Through Section 106 agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy, developers contribute millions of pounds each year towards local infrastructure – funding schools, healthcare facilities, transport improvements and affordable housing.

Yet recent figures show that more than £9 billion in developer contributions is currently sitting unspent in local authority accounts. For communities waiting for improved services and infrastructure, that is not just an accounting issue – it is a missed opportunity. Read this week’s blog to understand why rising unspent contributions matter and what the real impact is for local areas.

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25 February 2026

Putting social value into practice: what our new impact report shows

Social value in construction is embedded into how projects are commissioned, how contractors are evaluated and how success is measured across the sector. Clients and communities rightly expect businesses to demonstrate meaningful impact beyond the physical asset delivered.

At Sheriff Construction, we take that responsibility seriously. Our latest Social Value Impact Report sets out how social value is integrated across our business and the measurable difference it is making. Keep reading to see what the report reveals.

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17 February 2026

Focus on safety: The importance of fall protection on site

In the UK, falls from height are consistently one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities, particularly within the construction sector. This makes effective fall protection an essential part of any safe working environment. Understanding what fall protection involves and how to implement it properly helps keep workers safe and ensures sites remain compliant, efficient and productive for everyone involved.

Keep reading this week’s blog to learn more about why fall protection matters, the hierarchy of protection measures that should be deployed and how to ensure equipment such as personal fall arrest systems are used correctly on site.

Model of a house with model people set on top of building plans and scale for energy efficiency

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10 February 2026

New build homes are 21% cheaper to run – offering long term savings for residents

With energy costs continuing to be a major concern for households across the UK, the cost of running a home is now a key factor for buyers, developers and the wider construction sector. Alongside affordability and supply, energy efficiency is playing an increasingly important role in shaping decisions about housing.

Recent research shows that new build homes are, on average, 21% cheaper to run than older properties, offering significant long-term savings for homeowners and renters. Read on to find out what’s driving this difference and what it means for the future of housebuilding.

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4 February 2026

Heart Month: Small steps that can protect your heart this February

February marks Heart Month in the UK, an annual campaign led by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease (also called heart and circulatory disease) and encourage people to take steps to protect their heart health.

Heart conditions remain one of the biggest health challenges facing the nation, affecting millions of people and impacting families, workplaces and the NHS.
Keep reading this week’s blog to find out more about these conditions and what you can do this Heart Month to look after your heart and support lifesaving work.