Q: What is the process?

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

Question 1

What is the process?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

What are the pros/cons of building my own home?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Can I get a mortgage?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

Why is there a saving on Stamp Duty?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

How long will it take to build my house?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

What is Net Zero?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

What is CIL and how can I save on it?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

Why is there savings on VAT?

Accepted Answer

There are various incentives for self & custom builders; one of them is that it’s VAT exempt.

Question 9

How much will the foundations cost?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

How do we connect the utilities up the house? Who does this?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

Who is the house builder?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 12

How much is the reservation fee?

Accepted Answer

A £1,000 reservation fee is required. Once paid, your plot is removed from the market.

Question 13

Who owns the communal land?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 14

What is Golden Brick?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 15

Who deals with the planning process?

Accepted Answer

Youngman Lovell will introduce you to their designated Planning Consultant to go through your Reserve Matters application

Question 16

Can I make internal configuration changes to a design I pick?

Accepted Answer

Yes, your house is fully customisable.

Question 17

What stages do I make payments to Youngman Lovell?

Accepted Answer

£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.

We've got
answers

What is the process?

What are the pros/cons of building my own home?

Can I get a mortgage?

Why is there a saving on Stamp Duty?

How long will it take to build my house?

What is Net Zero?

What is CIL and how can I save on it?

Why is there savings on VAT?

How much will the foundations cost?

How do we connect the utilities up the house? Who does this?

Who is the house builder?

How much is the reservation fee?

Who owns the communal land?

What is Golden Brick?

Who deals with the planning process?

Can I make internal configuration changes to a design I pick?

What stages do I make payments to Youngman Lovell?

Begin your story here

We've got answers

What is the process?

What are the pros/cons of building my own home?

Can I get a mortgage?

Why is there a saving on Stamp Duty?

How long will it take to build my house?

What is Net Zero?

What is CIL and how can I save on it?

Why is there savings on VAT?

How much will the foundations cost?

How do we connect the utilities up the house? Who does this?

Who is the house builder?

How much is the reservation fee?

Who owns the communal land?

What is Golden Brick?

Who deals with the planning process?

Can I make internal configuration changes to a design I pick?

What stages do I make payments to Youngman Lovell?

Begin your story here

We've got
answers