New Homes – what the government needs to know

Quality and Quantity Can – and Should – Coexist in New Build Homes

Over the years, one recurring theme that has dominated conversations about new-build housing in the UK is quality - or rather, the lack of it. Recent surveys by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment (APPGEBE) reveal that many residential buyers and housing groups remain unconvinced about the standard of new homes. A staggering 93% report defects, with over a third identifying 11 or more issues. The concerns are not just about small snags; they range from poor workmanship and finishing to long waits for repairs.

And yet, here we are with the Government’s most ambitious housing target in a generation: 1.5 million homes in this Parliament. Politics aside ambition on this scale should inspire optimism and innovation in the industry charged with delivering this target, but history has taught us that chasing numbers as the priority risks sacrificing quality, design integrity, and liveability.

So, how do we ensure that this time, quality and quantity move in lockstep?

Learning from the Past

APPGEBE’s Inquiry and report into the quality and workmanship of new housing in England  from July 2016 nearly a decade ago “More Homes, Fewer Complaints” was clear that in order to meet the government’s target of building 1 million new quality homes by 2020  we needed a “cultural change” in housebuilding. This means shifting from a volume-at-all-costs mindset to a consumer-focused, quality-first approach. It’s not enough to build to minimum compliance; we must build to last, to perform, and to delight the people who will call these houses their homes.

The newly reconstituted APPGEBE, chaired by Mike Reader MP, has rightly put this question at the centre of its latest inquiry: how can we build more homes without repeating the mistakes of the past?

I was privileged to give oral evidence to the parliamentary group in July this year as a director of Zed Pods and as a member of the Construction Industry Council’s (CIC) Housing Panel alongside other industry voices, each sharing ideas on how we can raise the bar while meeting delivery targets.

The Zed Pods Way - Embedding Quality from the Start

Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), particularly Category 1 volumetric modular delivery, is at the heart of our delivery model and allow us at Zed Pods to build faster and better. Speed and quality are not opposing forces.

I was able to give evidence to the Inquiry on a number of our projects including our Peterborough factory project where  homes are completed up to 90% before they even reach site. Controlled conditions mean no rain delays, fewer defects, with photographic evidence of all stages of the build process. Kitchens, bathrooms, plumbing, and electrics are fitted in-factory, ensuring consistent standards every time. The result? Faster installation, minimal on-site disruption, and homes that are ready to live in without the long snagging lists buyers have sadly come to expect.

But the technology is only part of the story. Our “fabric-first” philosophy means we maximise insulation, airtightness, and passive design before adding renewable energy systems like solar PV, MVHR, and heat pumps. All our homes achieve EPC A+ ratings and zero-operational-carbon performance, meaning residents enjoy lower bills and our clients, including local authorities, housing associations, and NHS Trusts, avoid costly retrofits.

And we’re not afraid to take on complex or “market failure” sites - flood-prone land, disused car parks, and small brownfield plots. Elevated podium structures and sustainable drainage make these viable, unlocking much-needed urban housing while enhancing climate resilience.

Policy and Procurement - Driving Cultural Change

If we truly want quality to be non-negotiable, procurement rules must reward lifecycle value, sustainability, and proven delivery, not just lowest upfront cost. That’s why we’ve advocated for:

• A “Brownfield Passport” fast-track for zero-carbon MMC developments on constrained land.
• Performance-linked grants for projects that exceed sustainability and quality benchmarks.
• Incentivise digital construction (advanced BIM levels) for SMEs
• Direct MMC procurement routes for SMEs, cutting costly, time-consuming tendering.
• Utility connection reforms that reflect offsite manufacturing realities.

These aren’t just nice-to-haves - they are the levers that can shift the industry from a race to the bottom towards a culture of excellence.

What Others Are Saying - RIBA’s Perspective

It was encouraging to hear the oral evidence of the RIBA President, who echoed the call for cultural change, urging that quality, sustainability, and accessibility be embedded from day one.

They advocate for involving architects early, embedding a “design vision” into spatial strategies, adopting the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard, and making post-occupancy evaluation mandatory. They also see MMC as a key part of the solution, provided there’s consistent demand to justify investment in manufacturing capacity.

This alignment across different corners of the sector, from a modular housebuilder (Zed Pods) to the architectural establishment, is a sign that we would like to move in the same direction.

A Personal Reflection

In all my years in housing delivery, I’ve seen the frustration when beautiful-looking marketing brochures translate into a disastrous  reality for many. I’ve also seen the pride and joy when a resident moves into a home that’s been built with care, precision, and attention to detail.

But quality isn’t just about bricks, mortar, or even net-zero performance - it’s also about who we build for and who builds them. Diversity and inclusion aren’t trendy add-ons to be dispensed with as the political climate changes; they’re essential to creating sustainable homes and thriving communities that reflect the people who live in them long term. Whether it’s engaging a broad range of voices in design consultations, ensuring accessible homes for all abilities, or opening pathways into construction careers for underrepresented groups through initiatives like Zed Pods’ ‘Prisoners Building Homes’ programme. Inclusive thinking enriches quality.

A truly high-quality housing programme doesn’t just deliver units; it delivers dignity, opportunity, and belonging. That’s the cultural shift our sector needs just as much as precision engineering or better procurement rules.

Conclusion - Building a Legacy, Not Just Units

As the Government pushes towards its 1.5 million homes target, we have a choice. We can repeat the mistakes of past housing drives , where “quality” was compromised and catastrophic defects, poor repairs, and disappointment were the outcomes. Or we can prove that quantity and quality can co-exist, leaving instead a legacy of well-designed, sustainable, inclusive, and resilient homes.

If we embrace MMC, reform procurement, commit to diversity and inclusion, and deliver that long-overdue cultural change, we won’t just hit housing targets - we’ll create places where people truly want to live. And that, surely, is the mark of success.