Aftercare
In the context of the built environment, the term aftercare might refer to the soft landings process, which includes provisions for initial aftercare and extended aftercare services for three years after the completed development has been handed over for occupation.
Articles about aftercare on Designing Buildings include:
NB High Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Environmental Statement, Glossary, abbreviations and references, published by the Department for Transport in 2022, defines aftercare as: ‘The ongoing management of a restored site to ensure that the restoration is established, is sustainable and delivers the proposed after use. It is usually used in the context of restoration of agricultural land and borrow pits.’
Smart Building Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work, published by the RIBA in 2024, states in relation to aftercare: ‘The RIBA Plan of Work refers to initiatives aimed at making the use of the building, or subsequent buildings, more effective, including improving the performance of the building systems. Tasks may include gathering feedback on project performance and building performance from post occupancy evaluations. Where smart buildings are concerned, over and above the usual user surveys and system tests, there is the opportunity to evaluate the smart building technology and applications against system performance design information, and any future requirements for refinement and optimisation.’
Competence frameworks for the built environment – Core criteria for sustainability competence - Code of practice , Version 3, published by the Edge for the Construction Industry Council in February 2025, defines aftercare as: ‘support for the asset to meet its optimum performance and support the end operators and users in providing an environment that supports the required performance. Aftercare starts when the project passes from its final construction phase and into full time occupancy.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.