Being a new homeowner brings with it responsibilities and the need to focus on making the property you have purchased your own with your taste in decor and style. However aside from the aesthetics of your new home, you must consider the standards of building control and practices in place to ensure the safety of your home and it complies with the latest building regulations. Over the years these regulations have been developed with their impact on quality of construction and sustainability at the forefront of their focus.
History of Building Control
The implementation of building control started decades ago while in more recent years the regulations set by governing bodies are more strict, This is due to the start of building control setting out basic guidelines that must be followed to prevent any structural failures and ensure that fire safety is considered during the construction of the building. In the current construction sector, the building control regulations cover a wide range of criteria that include energy efficiency, and overall impact on the environment.
Changes to Modern Building Control
Enhanced Safety Measures
Ensuring that adequate building safety is in place is a crucial element of carrying out building control. More modern building control standards and practices require much higher levels of structural integrity and chance of failure. Alongside this ensuring that the building is safe against fires and natural disasters. This means that for any new homeowners, your home has been designed with various risks in mind allowing for better peace of mind for you and your family.
Energy Efficiency
Improved sustainability and improvements to living more green have led to significant developments that have been made to building standards over the last decade. Any newly built homes must adhere to increasingly stricter green initiatives and requirements for energy efficiency. These requirements include the need for insulation of a set level, windows that reduce energy loss, and the use of sustainable materials during the construction process. Being a new homeowner, meeting these building standards allows for a better way of living with a reduction in energy consumption and, a smaller carbon footprint meaning lower bills as a result.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
The impact of the current building practices is continually aiming to reduce the impact that it is having on the environment. Using materials during construction that are more environmentally friendly is just one tactic that is being implemented to reduce the levels of carbon use and waste produced. By understanding how these practices can positively impact your home and the value that they bring to not only your home but the environment.
Accessibility
A key element of any building project and incorporating building control is ensuring that all aspects of the home are accessible to anybody, with a particular focus on wider doorways, and bathrooms that have accessible features, any of which can be modified if required.
Technological Advancements
The advancement of technology in the construction sector has resulted in improved effectiveness and efficiencies. There is software and technology throughout the market that is used to support the design, construction, and inspection of homes. This ensures that they meet all of the necessary building standards, meaning that as a homeowner your home is built to a higher standard of construction.
How does this affect you?
Understanding how building control standards have developed can allow you to make better-informed decisions about your new home:
Remain informed: Keep yourself updated with the latest information about building practices and trends, this will help you to keep your home maintainable and be able to plan further renovations in the future.
Ask questions: When looking to purchase your home, ask as many questions as you can about all of the building standards that it meets. This will allow you to understand and confirm that it complies with the latest safety, energy, and sustainability regulations.
Future planning: If you are looking to carry out any future renovation work ensure that it complies with the current building control regulations, bringing protection to your investment and keeping your home secure.
Building control has evolved to allow for much safer homes to be built that are more efficient and environmentally friendly. As a newer homeowner, you must understand how these changes impact the quality of your home allowing you to make informed decisions about its current condition and any potential renovations.
