New research has revealed that almost half (49%) of housebuilders are unprepared for the introduction of the Future Homes Standard (FHS).
Designed to cut CO2 emissions from new homes by 75-80% compared with existing standards, the FHS is due to come into force next year.
However, the study – commissioned by Polypipe Building Products – says that the FHS is not viable in the current environment.
Almost three-fifths (57%) of housebuilders say the FHS will be a barrier to future housing delivery, and 61% think it will be extremely challenging to meet new regulations encompassed by the standard. Just less than two-thirds (65%) feel that more government support is required to meet these regulations.
Hayley Hayes, head of specification at Polypipe, said the FHS is a ‘significant and welcome step towards achieving net zero’, but will only be effective if housebuilders are equipped to implement it ‘properly’.
