Building your own home has never been more rewarding — or more detailed. From insulation and renewables to fire safety and drainage, today’s self-builders are navigating a new era of expectations.

Quantity Surveyor Tim Phillips from www.quantiv.uk, a regular expert at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, refers to these core requirements as the “Four Ss” — a helpful way to understand the essential features shaping the future of homebuilding, fast becoming the foundation of every well-planned project.

“Rather than being an extra spend, these features are simply part of what goes into a future-ready home. The combined cost is typically around £25,000, but it’s an investment that pays back in performance,” says Tim.

The Four Ss: Smarter, Safer, Sustainable Homes

Phillips breaks it down into what he calls the “four Ss” — core elements that are now part of almost every new build:

• Solar panels – around £7,000, and from 2027, expected to be mandatory in England.

• Source of heating – as gas boilers are phased out, heat pumps or radiant systems typically cost £10,000 or more, even with the boiler upgrade grant.

• Sprinklers – mandatory in Wales and increasingly common in multi‑storey homes: £4,000.

• Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) – to reduce flood risk and ease pressure on sewers: around £2,000.

“These are features that make homes safer, warmer, and greener — they just need to be planned for early so they don’t become an unwelcome surprise.”

While modern self-builds are evolving to meet new standards, Phillips believes there’s still much to learn from the past — especially when it comes to lasting quality. His own home — a five‑bed 1860s stone‑built pit manager’s house — proves the point. “It’s solid. It’s been here for over 160 years and it’s not going anywhere,” he adds.

That kind of enduring build, he says, reflects the real strength of renovation. “When done properly, renovation projects showcase true craftsmanship — skill, pride, and personality,” says Phillips. “It’s why supporting the next generation of trades is so important, so we can keep these standards alive for the future.”

Closing the Skills Gap

Looking ahead, Phillips points to a crucial opportunity — investing in the next generation of skilled trades.
“We have a wealth of experience in the industry, but many seasoned tradespeople are now approaching retirement,” he says. “To keep that knowledge alive, we need to encourage more young people into practical, rewarding careers in construction.”

While Brexit and a decline in apprenticeships have left some gaps, Phillips believes the solution lies in forward-thinking collaboration between government and industry.
“Imagine timber frame factories the size of Amazon warehouses — producing quality modular homes and training apprentices at the same time. That’s how we build a future-ready workforce and give people pride in what they create.”

For more inspiration to build your own home, claim free tickets to The Homebuilding & Renovating Show here: https://www.homebuildingshow.co.uk/pr-general-outlets