Experts have warned that a lack of clarity on the Future Homes Standard (FHS) is creating a major bottleneck for residential projects, leaving architects “planning in the dark.”
The State of Sustainable Construction 2026 report, published by Eurocell, features expert commentary highlighting how the absence of a finalised regulatory framework is forcing professionals to make “educated guesses” on multi-million-pound specifications. As the Future Homes Standard moves towards implementation, the lack of confirmed fabric targets and system standards remains a primary barrier to accurate project costing and design.
Adil Haji, architectural technician and SAP assessor at HJK Construction, who contributed to the report, noted that the current lack of clarity is making future planning incredibly difficult:
“At the moment, we’re planning in the dark. We hope the government will provide firm guidance soon with enough lead time to adapt. Without a clear framework (for example, confirmed fabric targets or system standards) it’s impossible to finalise specifications and accurately cost future projects.
“We’re having to build flexibility into our designs and take educated guesses about compliance. The sooner we have finalised documentation, the better equipped we’ll be to adapt and avoid costly rework.”
The report highlights that the FHS is expected to raise the bar significantly on Part L of the Building Regulations, mandating low-carbon heating and improved energy efficiency. However, the transition from the old SAP system to the new Home Energy Model (HEM) has reportedly left many in the sector awaiting firm guidance.
Martin Benn, head of new build at Eurocell, added:
“Sustainability has been on the agenda for a long time, but for developers to lead the way in future-proofing new housing and the wider housing pipeline, they need the confidence to invest in new materials and off-site construction methods.
“Without a stable policy position, we risk a fragmented system where manufacturers and installers cannot scale up in time to meet the government’s ambitious targets.”
The research concludes that while the housing sector recognises the urgency of tackling climate change, the practical delivery of the FHS depends on a finalised evidence base and technical working groups to provide the sector with the certainty it needs to innovate.
The full findings are available in Eurocell’s State of Sustainable Construction 2026 report here:
