HQM ONE
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Building more high-quality new homes that fit our current and future needs is a national priority. BRE has developed the Home Quality Mark (HQM) to provide developers with the tools and framework to differentiate, prove and communicate the benefits of their homes.
This then gives consumers, clients, financiers and the wider sector the information and reassurance about the homes they live in, finance, procure, plan or own. It provides a solution to a number of the major challenges in housebuilding today. It could be called the ‘TripAdvisor for new homes’ being a valuable tool in improving the culture around new house building.
The Mark recognises good practice guidance, processes and standards that the industry has to offer, drawing them all together in a way that can be understood by people outside the construction industry. Ultimately, building high quality new homes that are accepted by communities is the key to delivering the numbers of new homes that the Government has set out.
The HQM ONE technical manuals for new homes are now available for England, Scotland and Wales. HQM ONE builds on the beta version of the scheme, which has been operating since early 2016. BRE has received significant amounts of feedback in a variety of forms from many different people and organisations, all of which have had a hand in its evolution.
[edit] What is new about HQM ONE?
Key areas of difference to the beta version of the scheme include:
- An amended scoring / star rating system.
- A strengthening of the scheme’s quality baseline (in terms of design and construction quality).
- Introduction of updated science to keep it in line with other BREEAM schemes.
- Updates in response to feedback from the beta scheme.
- Adaptions to make the scheme usable for developments in Wales and Scotland.
HQM remains a flexible standard, suitable for all types of new homes including; private sale, all types of rental, low-rise, high-rise, urban, rural, traditional construction, modern methods / offsite, built by large or small developers and everything in between.
[edit] When can HQM ONE be used?
Registrations for HQM ONE are open from the 24 August 2018, when BRE will also be releasing the supporting tools required to complete an HQM ONE assessment.
More details can be found at: http://www.homequalitymark.com/standard
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- 5 things you need to know about HQM ONE.
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz.
- BREEAM.
- Differences between HQM Beta and HQM ONE.
- Flood level.
- Home Quality Mark.
- Improving home quality with HQM ONE.
- Making energy calculations more accurate with HQM.
Featured articles and news
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”
Guidance notes to prepare for April ERA changes
From the Electrical Contractors' Association Employee Relations team.
Significant changes to be seen from the new ERA in 2026 and 2027, starting on 6 April 2026.
First aid in the modern workplace with St John Ambulance.
Ireland's National Residential Retrofit Plan
Staged initiatives introduced step by step.
Solar panels, pitched roofs and risk of fire spread
60% increase in solar panel fires prompts tests and installation warnings.
Modernising heat networks with Heat interface unit
Why HIUs hold the key to efficiency upgrades.
Reflecting on the work of the CIOB Academy
Looking back on 2025 and where it's going next.
Procurement in construction: Knowledge hub
Brief, overview, key articles and over 1000 more covering procurement.
Sir John Betjeman’s love of Victorian church architecture.
Exchange for Change for UK deposit return scheme
The UK Deposit Management Organisation established to deliver Deposit Return Scheme unveils trading name.
A guide to integrating heat pumps
As the Future Homes Standard approaches Future Homes Hub publishes hints and tips for Architects and Architectural Technologists.
BSR as a standalone body; statements, key roles, context
Statements from key figures in key and changing roles.
Resident engagement as the key to successful retrofits
Retrofit is about people, not just buildings, from early starts to beyond handover.






















