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COMMON QUESTIONS
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answers
Self-build is new to many buyers. Here are the questions we hear most often.
Reserve your plot - £1,000 reservation fee
Process appointment via BuildStore
Customise your house plans & design with build partner
Exchange of contracts- 10% deposit due
Submit planning permission
Planning granted engage with the chosen contractor
Complete on golden brick foundation
Is it worth exploring?
You want to design and build your own home (you can also choose a set house type and customise all finishes, fixtures, fittings & sanitaryware!);
You want to have financial control on where your money is going in your design;
You’re willing to take the time to design and build the perfect home;
You have the option to incorporate the latest renewable technologies for a sustainable and cost-effective home.
Is it not worth exploring?
You may prefer to have a house builder choose your house design & the way you live;
You may prefer to let the house builder choose the specification & finish of your house (which may incur further costs down the line!);
You want to move in ASAP;
The location may not be suitable for your requirements.
Yes, we have partnered with Build Store (https://www.buildstore.co.uk) who provide > 90% of Self and Custom Build Mortgages for the U.K. housing market.
Stamp duty is calculated as a percentage of the plot purchase price, rather than the value of the house. Therefore, buying a plot can offer over a 50% saving on Stamp Duty.
This will depend on how long it will take you to finalise your design, however, once this is complete and the foundations are built, we allow eight to twelve weeks for the house to be built and delivered.
Net Zero refers to homes that are designed and built to produce as much energy as they consume over a year. This is achieved by reducing energy consumption as much as possible and then generating an equivalent amount of energy, typically through renewable sources like solar panels. The benefits of net zero are:
Reduced Energy Bills;
Lower Carbon Footprint;
Improved Comfort
CIL is defined as Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which is a local Tax. Self-build projects often qualify for CIL exemptions. This includes homes built or commissioned by individuals for their own use, rather than for sale.
There are various incentives for self & custom builders; one of them is that it’s VAT exempt.
The price of foundations typically depends on the final house design and size. We would factor in £35,000 to your budget for a two-storey home.
Drainage design is also required as part of your planning package, so please allow £720 + VAT for this*
*Pricing as of Oct 2025
The groundworks contractor will be able to factor this into their works when installing the foundations. Your Plumber and Electrician will then be able to make the connection inside the house when the house has been delivered.
We will introduce you to our approved partner to facilitate this. They also build Youngman Lovell’s house designs, as well as offering fully customisable options. They build circa 1,500 homes every year throughout U.K. & Europe and are a PLC
A £1,000 reservation fee is required. Once paid, your plot is removed from the market.
The open space will be owned and managed by a third party to ensure maintenance is kept on top of but you and your family have full access to the land to use at your leisure.
Golden Brick is a mechanism which allows a developer of a new-build residential property to sell a partly-constructed building without having to apply VAT to the land price.
Youngman Lovell will introduce you to their designated Planning Consultant to go through your Reserve Matters application
Yes, your house is fully customisable.
£1,000 reservation fee.
Once you have designed your home and are ready to submit your planning application, a 10% stakeholder deposit is due on Exchange. This will be held with our solicitor until Youngman Lovell delivers your foundations.
On delivery of your foundations, we reach Completion on the plot.
ONLY 2 PLOTS REMAINING
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Contact one of our appointed agents directly on 020 3488 1745, or complete the form below and we'll respond within one working day.
Or call our appointed agents directly:
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