Entering the WhatHouse? Awards is a prestigious opportunity for businesses in the UK housebuilding industry to showcase their exceptional projects and gain recognition for their hard work. Rupert Bates, Editorial Director of Show House and host of the WhatHouse? Awards, gives valuable insights and tips to help you craft a winning submission that captures the judges’ attention and highlights what makes your development truly remarkable. From emphasising your unique selling points to demonstrating the positive impact on the community, follow Rupert’s guidelines to make your entry stand out and increase your chances of success.
Attract the judges attention
The entry needs to grab the attention of the judges through compelling messaging. Get your point of difference, your USPs, across early in the submission. Clearly articulate what makes your project worthy of recognition and a contender for the most prestigious prizes in UK housebuilding.
Showcase excellence
Emphasise what distinguishes your scheme, whether it’s large or small, out of the ordinary, or extraordinary. Highlight aspects such as design, value for money, innovation, or environmental enhancement. Reflect on what you have built that makes you proud, and why it deserves to be an award winner.
Inspire with storytelling…
Impress the judges with the story behind the house, the development, the place-making, as well as your values as a business.
…but keep it concise.
Avoid excessive marketing and sales speak; keep the text compact and clear. Enhance your entry with a powerful collection of images showcasing the project in the context of the category entered and include any relevant video or other digital assets.
Demonstrate impact
Demonstrate the impact of your project on the community, including social, environmental, and economic benefits that go beyond the bricks and mortar. Highlight how your development has improved the quality of life for residents and include testimonials from all stakeholders to provide a well-rounded perspective.
Personalise your entry
Include quotes from the founder or CEO. Also name and acknowledge, as appropriate, the supply chain partners and collaborators who contributed to the project’s success, detailing how and why they were involved.
Read the small print
It is as obvious as it is important: thoroughly read the entry criteria and conditions, Ensure your house or scheme is entered in the correct category (you can enter as many developments in as many different categories as you wish, except categories 2, 3, 4, & 5 ), giving it the best chance to win by being the best in class – and in the correct class.
Don’t miss out on the chance to have your best projects recognised at the WhatHouse? Awards 2026: Entries are open now! Enter here before 17th July 2026: Enter now
