April 2026

Part L 2026 is here

More build cost increases! However, the good news? It looks like the transitional and implementation period are a little more favourable.

Get your sites registered by March 2027. Get your plot up to damp by March 2028.

Note the slight change in requirement; the ground floor structure now has to be completed.

I think the two major headlines beyond what housebuilders are already doing appear to be;

ASHPs as we all thought

Larger quantum of PV - But the cost lies in the inverter, so it’s just ensuring you have the roof space to meeting the 40% of floor area requirement.

Are you building in South Staffs Water?

Infrastructure charges have moved from £360 to £487 per plot. That’s a 35% increase.

The reasoning is simple. Reinforcement spend is now being divided across fewer forecast connections as delivery slows. The same network cost, spread over fewer plots (headscratches….. thought we were building 1.5m homes)

On a 100 unit scheme that’s another £12,700 straight onto the bottom line, before you even look at connection cost increases.

If you are reviewing site valuations this quarter, make sure your water numbers are current.

Thursday calls… Adam we’ve got a bid due in 10 days. We need a constraints plan by Monday to brief a masterplan.

Puts down beer and opens AutoCAD*

Constraints plan subsequently issued for the Monday. Backed by 20+ datasets, third party services information and including a Technical Summary on the drawing sheet.

Our Constraints plans aren’t only comprehensive, but they can get you out of jam if needed.