Is Your New Build Compliant?

So you’ve got a shiny new build, fresh paint, straight walls, and that new house smell that makes everything feel just a bit more official. But before you put the Prosecco and start arguing about where the sofa should go, there’s an important question to ask yourself. Is your new build actually compliant?

Sorry to offer you a spoiler here, but building regulations aren’t exactly bedtime reading. But they do matter a lot to make sure that your home is safe, efficient, and not haemorrhaging heat like a bad direct takeaway. Compliance isn’t just a box-ticking exercise either. It affects your comfort, your energy bills, and whether your home passes final sign-off. One of the less glamorous but very important checks happened earlier in the process and focuses on how airtight your home is.

This is where things like an air permeability test come into play. It measures how much air leaks through gaps and cracks you can’t see. Too many sneaky draughts and your homework make the required standards. It’s a bit like your house being asked to hold its breath. And yes, it’s judged if it can’t do it. A compliant new build should feel comfortable all year round, warm in the winter, cool in the summer and free from mystery breezes. If your home struggles to maintain a steady temperature, that’s often a sign that something’s not quite right behind the scenes.

Ventilation is another key piece of the puzzle. While air tightness is important, your home still needs to breathe properly. Good ventilation keeps moisture under control and stops condensation, mold and that damp smell that no one wants to admit exists. A well-designed system strikes that balance between ceiling heat in and letting fresh air circulate. Insulation should also play a starring role here because your walls, roofs and floors should be properly insulated to meet current standards.

If any corners were cut, you might notice cold spots, uneven heating, or higher energy bills than expected. None of these screams brand new home, do they? The paperwork for your house also matters because you should receive documentation confirming that your property meets building regulations. It includes certificates, test results, and sign-offs from the relevant professionals. Filing these away safely is important because you might need them in the future when you sell.

If you are unsure about your compliance, don’t panic. A professional inspection can highlight any issues and suggest fixes. Catching problems early is so much easier than dealing with them once you’re fully moved in and emotionally attached to your favorite spot on the sofa. A new build should be exciting, not a guessing game. When your home meets the rules, you get Peace of Mind, better performance, and a space that actually works as hard as you do. And that’s worth checking before the novelty truly does wear off and you’re stuck in a new house and the mortgage.