These comments come despite an All-Party Parliamentary Group calling for a New Homes Ombudsman to improve the quality of new-build homes. 

However Rico Wojtulewicz, Policy Adviser at the National Federation of Builders, felt that despite pressure to build more homes due to the housing crisis, reputation was imperative to housebuilders.

“There is always a danger that quality can slip when you ramp up supply, but the government’s Housing Standards Review has strengthened building regulations and set a new minimum standard. 

“House buyers may find assurance that developers meet those standards thanks to the Consumer Code for Home Builders and alternative dispute resolution, which are offered by trade bodies such as the NFB. 

“In some respects, our homes may even be too well built.”

Meanwhile, Sarah McMonagle, Head of External Affairs at the Federation of Master Builders, felt that building regulations were among the strictest in the world and found that 86% of respondents were happy with their new home.

“The housebuilding industry as a whole is extremely competitive and therefore there’s a real emphasis on delivering quality as well as quantity. 

“This is especially true for SME housebuilders, for whom quality is their main strength compared to larger firms. 

“The recent All Parliamentary Party Group investigation into the quality of new-build homes mostly focused on greater consumer empowerment, such as the right of the homeowner to have a full survey before they complete the purchase, and we believe our members would support that fully.”

Meanwhile, John Waddicker, Director at Positive Commercial Finance, added: "No, I don’t expect we will see a general drop in the build quality, which already varies quite considerably throughout the industry, and that applies to both the major housebuilder and SME builders alike."

Ashley Ilsen, Head of Lending at Regentsmead, added that if there were a significant lowering of standards, then lenders would become concerned.

“Lowering building standards isn’t a solution to the housing crisis. 

“Properties have always been built to a varying degree of standards and quality, so it’s no different nowadays in that respect. 

“Our need for housing has never been greater, but this is no reason to start dropping building standards.”

However, although he felt that there would be no reduction in overall house quality, Scott Marshall, Director at Roma Finance, did feel there was concern that the drive for more homes could mean smaller dwellings away from local amenities, which could affect prices.

“New sites for residential developments aren’t always near schools, hospitals or public transport so these too have to be considered when undertaking housebuilding schemes. 

“In city centres, it’s probably the size and type of accommodation being built. They’ll be smaller as developers need to maximise the return on every square foot of space. 

“For landlords, this poses the challenge of generating a good yield on smaller city apartments, which are expensive to start with."

Meanwhile, Rico felt that he did not see build quality massively affecting house prices, but size could be a factor.

“UK house prices are generally dictated by location, but the government could influence change by offering tax discounts on energy efficient homes. 

“One way forward could be lowering council tax, following the approach used with vehicle excise duty’ and the defunct scrappage scheme. 

“This would not only increase demand for better homes, but stimulate the innovation that was absent during the Green Deal.”

Sarah concluded by adding: “Some homebuyers prefer older properties, which has always been the case, but that’s not to say that they are ‘better built’. 

“Others delight in new-build properties, which are much more energy efficient and therefore cheaper to live in, and do not require the same costly upkeep as period properties demand.”