This article was originally published on 27th January 2026 on LinkedIn by Clint Walker and is republished here with permission. You can read Clint’s Retrofit Rundown here
I’ve spent the last few weeks in conversations with installers, councils, Housing associations and partners who are all asking the same question: “What does Warm Homes actually mean for us?”
There’s certainly no shortage of commentary online but there seems to be very little practical advice for the businesses who still have vans on the road and payroll to meet.
This isn’t policy theory. It’s based on what I’m seeing day to day across ECO Delivery, remediation conversations and early Warm Homes thinking.
ECO4 extension. Warm Homes Plan coming. If you’re an installer, this is the moment that decides whether you lean into it or get squeezed out.
There’s been a lot of noise recently, policy announcements, LinkedIn hot takes, and plenty of guesswork. Let’s strip it back and two things matter:
- ECO4 has been extended – that’s breathing space, not a lifeline. There is no new funding injected in, it’s been extended for utilities to delivery and to allow remediation.
- The Warm Homes Plan will change how money flows – and who gets trusted with it.
If your business is built purely around ECO4 delivery, now is the time to pivot properly, not cosmetically.
Here’s the reality check, and the advice I’d give any installer who wants to still be here in 3–5 years.
1. Stop thinking “scheme”. Start thinking “system”.
ECO taught the industry to chase measures. Warm Homes will reward outcomes.
That means:
- Whole-house thinking
- Fabric-first decisions
- Long-term performance, not install-and-forget
If your offer is still “we fit X because funding says so”, you’re already behind.
Action 1: Upskill your team in retrofit coordination, assessment, and design even if you don’t deliver all of it in-house. Understand the why, not just the spec.
2. Get comfortable outside PAS comfort zones
PAS 2035 isn’t going away but Warm Homes will put more emphasis on:
- Consumer journeys
- Quality assurance
- Accountability over time
Installers who only operate when a managing agent spoon-feeds work will struggle.
Action 2: Start building direct relationships:
- Local authorities
- Housing associations
- Community energy groups
Be known as a problem solver, not just a contractor.
3. Your balance sheet matters more than ever
This is the blunt bit.
Warm Homes will favour:
- Financially stable businesses
- Good governance
- Clear audit trails
If you’re running lean to the point of fragility, one delayed payment will hurt.
Action 3: Be frugal. Protect cash. Protect Net Margin. Invest profits back into:
- People
- Processes
- Accreditation and compliance
This is long-term investing in your business, not short-term margin chasing.
4. Data is going to separate the smarter contractors out from the others
Performance data, customer outcomes, evidence of impact this is coming whether people like it or not.
Those who can prove quality will win repeat work.
Action 4: Start now:
- Capture better install data
- Track call-backs and performance
- Learn from failures instead of hiding them
Warm Homes will reward transparency.
5. Don’t wait for the framework to save you
A lot of installers are sitting back waiting to see “what Warm Homes looks like”.
That’s a mistake.
The winners will be the ones who:
- Adapt early
- Build capability before funding forces it
- Position themselves as long-term partners, not transactional suppliers
Final thought:
ECO4’s extension is time to prepare, not time to relax. Warm Homes isn’t just another scheme it’s a shift in mindset. It’s hard to argue that ECO4 was a failed scheme, because whilst the NAO audit numbers seem a little “off”, it does signpost some serious failures.
Those failures are not just pointed at installers, although it feels like it might be. There are other actions in pipeline, that might not seem as obvious.
If you treat it like ECO with a different logo, you’ll miss the opportunity.
If you treat it like a chance to professionalise, stabilise, and invest for the long term you’ll be exactly where government, funders and consumers want you to be.
Tell it straight. Adapt early and play the long game.
