Why brokers and lenders need surveyors
New build homes are reshaping the housing market in the UK, driven by a demand for more sustainable, energy-efficient properties and bold government initiatives aimed at turning around the current housing shortage.
According to figures from the National House Building Council (NHBC), new home registrations saw a significant surge in the first quarter of 2025, jumping by over a third compared to the same period in 2024[1].
This indicates growing confidence in the market, with a 36% increase in developers registering their intent to build a new home compared to the same period last year, which is encouraging news for the sector.
These new homes are a very different proposition from the new builds that have gone before and are being constructed with a focus on energy efficiency, lower running costs and modern living.
Using non-standard construction methods such as modular builds, timber frames and insulated concrete formwork (ICF) presents a significant change for housebuilders who need to adopt more energy-efficient and sustainable practices, to comply with the Future Homes Standard (FHS) and contribute to achieving net zero.[2]
And it’s not only new territory for housebuilders. The unfamiliarity of these new methods can cause complexities for buyers and lenders, making surveying as vital for new builds as it is for older properties.
Surveying is critical to ensure quality and mitigate risks with new build homes, while buyers can often assume that new homes are without defects, issues such as poor workmanship, incomplete finishes or structural flaws can, and do, arise.
For non-standard construction, surveyors assess materials such as timber, steel, or ICF for durability and compatibility with local conditions. For example, timber frames require precise moisture management to prevent rot, while modular homes need checks for proper assembly.
On site inspections can also assess site-specific risks such as flood zones or subsidence. Flood risk requires scrutiny of drainage systems and local flood defences, while subsidence, common in areas such as the South East where clay soil is prevalent, demands soil analysis to ensure foundation stability. Both factors influence insurability and the long-term value of a property.
Lenders also rely on surveyors to avoid overexposure, something that is important when it comes to new builds, especially those using non-standard methods. By having access to accurate risk assessments and valuations, lenders can make informed decisions, avoiding loans that exceed a property’s true value or risk profile.
It is important to recognize that this next generation of new build homes is also going to be carrying an inflated price tag, and confidence that these properties will appeal to buyers and lenders years from now is an important factor, requiring surveyors to evaluate build quality and adaptability to future challenges.
Integration of these new build properties into the market hinges on understanding all the elements that combine to give us value. Lending decisions are all based on understandings of value and risks such as exposure to several properties on a site. As the market evolves, surveyors will remain essential in bridging innovation with reliability, protecting buyers and shaping a resilient housing future.
[1] https://www.nhbc.co.uk/insights-and-media/insights/new-home-registrations-rise-in-q1-with-developers-encouraged-by-government-focus-on-housing-reports-nhbc
[2] https://theoffsiteguide.com/articles/the-2025-future-homes-standard-explained