Building Confidence in Industrialised Construction
BOPAS and Xpanel Building Technologies: A Case Study in Confidence
The UK has made its housing and climate ambitions clear. Government targets 1.5 million homes over the current Parliament—around 300,000 per year—and a legally binding commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Achieving both will require new ways of building: faster, greener, and more predictable. That’s where industrialised construction comes in. But no matter how advanced the system, widespread adoption hinges on one thing: confidence.
As a founding partner of the Buildoffsite Property Assurance Scheme (BOPAS), BUILDOFFSITE has long championed the case for independently verified, mortgageable modern methods of construction. Our latest case study with Xpanel Building Technologies shows how the right assurance framework can unlock industrialised construction for clients, lenders and communities alike.
Why Confidence in Industrialised Construction Matters
Offsite and industrialised approaches already deliver:
- Shorter programmes
- More consistent quality
- Better use of labour and materials
- Lower embodied and operational carbon
Yet common concerns persist:
- Will these systems last?
- Will the homes be mortgageable long-term?
- How can we tell the difference between proven solutions and untested ones?
Without clear, trusted answers, innovation is often perceived as risk. That’s why BUILDOFFSITE helped create BOPAS—to provide that trusted assurance.
What is BOPAS?
The Buildoffsite Property Assurance Scheme (BOPAS) was developed by BUILDOFFSITE, RICS, LRQA, and BLP in collaboration with major lenders. It’s a risk-based certification designed to:
- Demonstrate to lenders, clients, and purchasers that homes built using modern systems will be durable and mortgageable for at least 60 years
- Assess not only the construction system but also the end-to-end processes—design, engineering, manufacturing, installation, and governance
- Drive continuous improvement through ongoing surveillance and re-assessment
In short, BOPAS builds confidence—at every level of the value chain.
Xpanel Building Technologies: Assurance in Action
Our latest case study with Xpanel Building Technologies demonstrates how this works in practice.
Xpanel delivers an integrated, offsite-first model—managing the full value chain from structural and MEP design to factory manufacturing, logistics, and on-site assembly. This single-source accountability allows for:
- Pre-optimised cost, programme, and performance
- Reduced construction time and labour
- Lower consumption of steel and concrete
- Significant embodied carbon reductions
These outcomes are already proven in the UAE—and are exactly what the UK needs to deliver more homes, more sustainably.
Why BOPAS Accreditation Was Strategic for Xpanel
Despite holding respected international accreditations, Xpanel recognised that UK clients and funders demand domestic, lender-recognised assurance.
BOPAS became a strategic priority for three reasons:
- Confidence with Funders and Valuers
BOPAS sends a clear, independent signal that Xpanel’s system meets long-term durability and mortgageability expectations. - Internal Quality Improvement
The assessment process provided valuable insights that strengthened Xpanel’s governance, operational frameworks, and quality management systems. - Market Visibility and Growth
Being listed in the BOPAS searchable database raises Xpanel’s profile with developers and investors actively seeking accredited solutions.
Showcasing its BOPAS-accredited system at UK Construction Week’s 10th Anniversary, Xpanel saw first-hand how trusted assurance turns innovation into real opportunity.
What This Means for the Sector
For developers and housing providers
BOPAS helps de-risk adoption by validating the durability and governance of industrialised systems—supporting confident investment.
For funders and valuers
A standardised assurance framework makes it easier to assess new systems and ensures accredited assets are backed by long-term credibility.
For communities and residents
BOPAS-backed homes are built under rigorous, ongoing oversight—helping build trust in offsite solutions as mainstream housing options.
Industrialised Construction, Assurance, and Net Zero
The road to net zero runs through the built environment. Industrialised construction offers:
- Precision manufacturing
- Better thermal performance
- Reduced material waste
- More consistent data for carbon reporting
But to realise these benefits at scale, we need confidence, clarity, and comparability. That’s where BOPAS comes in.
A Call to Action for Industry and Policy
Xpanel’s journey is just one example. Dozens of providers now work within the BOPAS framework—and more are coming through.
For government, clients and funders, the opportunity is clear:
- Recognise accredited industrialised systems as key to low-carbon housing delivery
- Use existing assurance frameworks like BOPAS to build consistent standards
- Shift the conversation from risk avoidance to innovation confidence
Looking Ahead
At BUILDOFFSITE, we see industrialised construction and BOPAS as two sides of the same coin:
🏗️ The tools to build faster, better and greener
🛡️ The assurance to build confidence and unlock investment
Together, they offer a practical, scalable pathway to the homes and infrastructure the UK needs.
Want to be part of the next case study?
Whether you’re a manufacturer, client, lender, or policymaker, BOPAS is here to support the next generation of housing innovation.
Further Reading