The Home Quality Mark (HQM) scheme has been introduced by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) to help developers achieve building designs which exceed minimum standards and help them demonstrate this in the marketplace.
A home is awarded a Home Quality Mark (HQM) certificate when it has been independently verified to show that it goes beyond minimum standards for sustainability and quality.
It does this through having properties assessed by independent experts on the quality and sustainability of the design.
It indicates to householders the high construction standards in relation to running costs, health and wellbeing benefits, and environmental footprint associated with living in the home.
The scheme has been developed as a replacement for the Code for Sustainable Homes was introduced in 2007 but which has been essentially cancelled by the Government
The scheme rewards developers by allowing prospective owners to identify which properties exceed the minimum standards.
The outcome of the assessment is based on a star rating system, with the higher rating representing a high standard of construction and lower environmental impact.
The scheme is derived from the Building Research Establishment’s BREEAM scheme and provides an opportunity for developers to prove performance of buildings after construction as well as through design.
Third Stone’s consultant sat in on the first training course for HQM and has extensive experience in the sustainable design and use of buildings.
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