The NHBC Standards define the technical requirements and performance standards for the design and construction of new homes registered with NHBC and provide guidance on how these can be achieved.

NHBC’s Standards are rigorously reviewed to drive incremental improvement and ensure that they continue to support builders and developers to deliver high-quality new homes.

Revisions to Standards for 2024

There have been several significant changes and updates across Parts 3 to 8. These include, but are not limited to:

• a new chapter 4.6 – ‘Engineered fill’ in Part 4 covering NHBC guidance on meeting the Technical Requirements and recommendations for using engineered fill to support residential developments, external works and infrastructures
• extensive revisions to chapter 6.1 including the provision of cavity trays to complicated junctions and additional insight on the design and specification of windposts
• updates to chapter 6.3 regarding internal masonry walls and fire-stopping details
• improvements to chapter 7.2 to provide more information on durability, ventilation strategies, integration of roof solar technologies and roof cassette systems
• a revision of Part 8 (chapters 8.1 – 8.6) to improve the usability of the sections and improve guidance on heat pumps and solar photovoltaics, ensuring alignment with the Requirements for Electrical Installations (IET Wiring Regulations 18th Edition), and weep hole locations in relation to gas meter boxes.

Mark Russell, standards & policy manager at NHBC, said: “Our standards team is committed to continuous improvement and revising the Standards annually to ensure they remain current and relevant. I am proud to be part of such a robust process that continues to support the ongoing advancement of build quality and helps builders and developers to keep raising standards in house building.”

NHBC works continuously to review technical content, update the Standards and make sure they keep pace with the needs of the industry, the regulatory environment and, wherever possible, anticipate changing consumer expectations. It consults with stakeholders from across the industry to ensure the Standards are always relevant and provide the required support for builders and developers to keep raising the level of quality in house building.

This latest edition of the Standards will apply to every new home registered with NHBC where the foundations are begun on or after 1 January 2024.