Benedict Wallbank, Trimble’s BIM Strategy and Partnerships Manager, explores how digital construction software can help housebuilders and contractors to demonstrate a clear golden thread of traceable and accessible data throughout the supply chain.
The last few years have featured a lot of change for those in housebuilding, from the amended Part L regulations in June 2022, the Building Safety Act 2022 to the new Labour government with its ambitious housing plans and the Future Homes Standard (FHS) in 2025.
All these new standards require enhanced oversight, transparency and accountability throughout the construction process and beyond.
Maintaining a ‘golden thread’ of information is crucial, meaning critical building safety and construction data must be recorded, stored and made instantly accessible throughout the building’s lifecycle. But what if this doesn’t happen?
Differing implementation approaches
Many housebuilders and developers are addressing the regulatory changes with systems and procedures already in place and training complete or underway. However, approaches do vary.
Some may have implemented a centralised Construction Management System (CMS), which pulls together the activities of different disciplines. Tracking regulatory changes, monitoring compliance activities and managing documentation, it provides a unified platform for communication across departments. This allows for the easy sharing of data, reports, and compliance status between departments, ensuring that all teams have access to the same information and are aware of any issues that may cross departmental boundaries.
Other housebuilders use a standard sharing ‘drive’, such as Google Drive or Dropbox, or even a largely paper-based process, both of which can often be inefficient with the possibility of information being lost. So, what is it that has to be evidenced?
Achieving a clear golden thread of traceable and accessible data
Take Building Regulations UK Part L (BRUKL) as the example. Compliance reports and certificates are required to verify that the building meets the energy efficiency standards. These reports must be submitted to the building control body, as well as the building owner. There should be both the design stage report, highlighting intended calculations and specifications, and the as-built report.
Photographic evidence of the installed components should be included in the BRUKL as-built report, along with up-to-date product specification and calculation actuals. High-resolution images should capture each detail within a plot, with at least one photo per detail per plot. If the initial image doesn’t show the detail clearly, additional close ups must be provided for clarification.
These photographs must be taken nearing completion of each stage allowing building control to audit before that stage is closed out. Typically, this involves working with local authority building control or an approved inspector who will confirm whether work has been done in line with current building regulations. This photographic evidence can also help verify the correct products have been installed.
How a technology solution helps with evidencing
Digital construction tools, like Trimble’s Viewpoint Field View, can support housebuilders and sub-contractors to deliver this ‘golden thread’ throughout the construction supply chain, by providing a comprehensive and traceable audit trail. These tools can be used to track all site activities, including quality checks, safety inspections, progress reports and project milestones, ensuring that all actions are documented, for full compliance.
Anyone authorised should be able to use a tablet or device, go to the site location and undertake an inspection without prior knowledge of the details, guided by specific questions and clear, accessible information. This ensures inspections can be completed quickly and thoroughly.
The key for housebuilders and developers is to collaborate with all stakeholders, from the client, building control and inspectors plus all the different contractors involved, to ensure compliance from the start.
Documentation and compliance tracking
Any form or approval process currently done with pen and paper can be replicated and improved, digitally. From toolbox talks and site diaries to quality checks and project progress, everything is digitised so teams on-site can spend less time handling paperwork.
Everyone in the business and supply chain follows the same paperless format, with cloud-based documents that are accessible offline and stored throughout the project’s lifecycle and beyond.
For Part L compliance, energy performance data like air tightness test results and thermal insulation details can be recorded. The installation of energy-efficient systems such as solar panels, heat pumps, and triple-glazed windows can be tracked, with photographic evidence attached and electronic signature signoff.
Minimise snagging and enhance quality control
Both Part L and the Future Homes Standard emphasise airtightness and insulation to minimise heat loss. Look out for digital construction systems that allow for real-time inspection and defect tracking on-site, even without an internet connection. This allows contractors to record issues like gaps in insulation or improperly installed windows and doors that could affect the energy performance of the building, for prompt rectification.
Inspection and testing documentation
Where testing processes are required, for Part L air-tightness tests are needed to ensure buildings are energy-efficient, the results of these tests can be easily documented, ensuring that all relevant performance metrics are recorded and available for compliance verification.
Checklists and workflow management
To aid the workflow of teams and ensure nothing is missed, digital checklists can be tailored, with specific tasks to ensure compliance. These checklists help provide assurance that site teams follow best practices, confirm correct installations and meet regulatory requirements throughout the construction process.
Collaboration and communication across teams
Effective compliance with all the new standards can demand collaboration across multiple teams, from design and sustainability to project management and on-site construction. Selecting a centralised digital platform for communication ensures that all stakeholders have access to the latest updates, reports, and compliance information.
Plus, many of the building products and systems covered by these regulations are installed by subcontractors. This approach can help manage subcontractor compliance by enabling real-time documentation and checklists for third-party installers to ensure they are meeting regulatory requirements.
Handover documentation and post-completion
When homes are completed, the building regulations require detailed documentation to be handed over to building owners or occupiers. All the necessary handover documentation, including documents like energy performance certificates (EPCs), heating system manuals, and as-built information, can be organised and stored in a centralised place.
Incorporating digital construction tools into everyday processes not only provides enhanced efficiencies and streamlined compliance and quality control, but also helps contractors stay ahead of evolving standards – like Part L and the Future Homes Standard. By embracing these technologies, housebuilders can ensure they are meeting regulations, improving building performance and delivering energy-efficient homes that stand the test of time.
See what Trimble Viewpoint Field View can do for your business here.