Building a new home can be an exciting yet daunting journey. We will help you through each step of the process from initial concept through to completion.
Whether you are looking to self-build your own home or are a property developer planning to build multiple houses, we can help you through the entire process. In all cases our approach remains the same, to create stunning high quality custom designed homes on time and to budget.
We offer a full residential architectural and interior design new build service from concept through to completion, taking the environment into consideration, our designs are elegant, liveable and personalised to suit the new owners needs.
Our years of experience in new build architecture, feasibility studies and planning mean each project is individually crafted in response to the client’s brief with a full understanding of the site, local and national planning policy and the planning system. This enables us to create exquisite homes whilst maximising the site’s full potential.
Every new build is unique and contains an individual set of requirements, regarding design, so your project will be supervised all the way through by a fully qualified residential architect. Building a strong bond between you, the client and the team of professionals working alongside you.
RBD were commissioned to design a new build development in Lambourn, West Berks. This sustainable, contemporary house also incorporates a racing establishment to train racehorses, jockey accommodation with stables and administrative offices.
At RBD Architecture & Interiors we have previously worked with Local Authorities to achieve and successfully obtain Planning Consent for all types of Mews House extensions and alterations.
Choosing to build a new home means you can get exactly what you want in a property, for less than it would cost to buy it. This guide to new build and self building gives an outline of things you need to know
The benefits are numerous, from getting a space tailored to your exacting needs to the chance to make a profit on your build if you ever come to sell, self build is definitely worth considering in your quest for the perfect home.
Of course, self build is likely to be far more challenging than simply buying a new home, but if you get to grips with the process with this helpful guide, you’ll be armed with all the information to both anticipate these challenges and succeed with your project.
Self build refers to when an individual commissions a house to be built on a piece of land that they own to live in. Self build usually encompasses a process where the would-be homeowner has control over the build, and can work with an architect, architectural technologist or design and build team to create a home that fits their specific requirements.
SELF BUILD
Self build is often lumped together with custom build, but the terms aren’t interchangeable and differ by the amount of involvement the individual has in the build and in the self build project management. While approximately 11,000 self build homes are built each year, less than 10% of those homeowners were physically involved in the process by taking on the building work.
You will also need to be aware of the factors that may cause your build costs to skyrocket, such as:
This is also a more hands-off approach, but still offers the chance for an individual home that meets individual needs. Custom build sites are usually managed by developers who can give you more information on the financial requirements.
Specialist plotfinding services (like plotfinder.net) are incredibly useful when it comes to finding land, but they shouldn’t stop you from being proactive. Click to see some of our useful tips when searching for a plot.
Specialist plot finding services (like plotfinder.net) are incredibly useful when it comes to finding land, but they shouldn’t stop you from being proactive.
Plots will rarely fall into your lap, so you’ll often need to be savvy to secure one.
When assessing your plot, look out for:
Also, make sure you register with your local authority under the Right to Build, which requires local authorities in England to keep track of the demand for serviced plots in their area.
The Planning Hub is a new online resource that will help you understand how to get to grips with complex planning rules. Join today for access to easy-to-read guides which & information to help you secure planning permission.
Do I need planning permission for a new/self build?
JOIN THE PLANNING HUB
The Planning Hub is a new online resource that will help you understand how to get to grips with complex planning rules. Join today for access to easy-to-read guides which will provide you with key information to help you secure planning permission.
When you self build, you’ll have to apply to your local authority for planning permission.
The cost of submitting a planning application varies across the UK, but is currently £462 in England. However, the real cost of obtaining planning permission arguable comes from preparing the plans and documents (the design fees) in readiness for submission and any accompanying surveys (such as ecological surveys) that may be required.
You should find out when your local planning authority has approved your application after eight weeks — although more complex schemes can take longer.
All planning permission is granted with planning conditions attached. Failure to address the conditions will invalidate your consent, making any work done unlawful.
On average, a self build house will cost somewhere between £1,000 and £3,000/m² to build. You will also need to be aware of the factors that may cause your build costs to skyrocket, click below to learn more.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SELF BUILD?
How much profit could i make on a self build?
A self build project could make as much as 25% profit in the final value of the home in relation to the build costs.
On average, a self build house will cost somewhere between £1,000 and £3,000/m² to build.
You will also need to be aware of the factors that may cause your build costs to skyrocket, such as:
SELF BUILD AND THE BUILDING REGULATIONS
All new homes need to adhere to the Building Regulations, and as such, a building inspector will visit at key stages of the build to inspect the work and ensure it complies. These stages include:
Much like finding a designer, choosing a builder requires plenty of research. It’s best to meet with them to discuss your project and to ask them to give you a quote, visit a project they’ve completed and talk to previous clients.
You can establish contact with and line up a builder, main contractor, package company and/or subcontractors during the design and planning processes, but you won’t get an accurate quote for the work until your Building Regulations drawings have been finalised.
One of the best ways to find a builder and/or subcontractors is through word of mouth — ask your designer, friends, family or neighbours who’ve undertaken projects, and anyone else you know locally who’s built their own home, for recommendations.
Much like finding a designer, choosing a builder requires plenty of research. It’s best to meet with them to discuss your project and to ask them to quote (your designer can help you to prepare tender documents). It’s also a good idea to visit a project they’ve completed and to talk to previous clients.
The best builders and subcontractors will be booked up months in advance, so it pays to start your search as early as possible.
Please contact us with questions regarding our new build architecture services.
We would be happy to discuss your project and ways our team can assist you with the design and construction of your home.
I cannot recommend Andy and the RBD team enough – absolutely fantastic. I engaged Andy on a major project for 6+ months. At all times he was super professional and knowledgeable. I was DELIGHTED with the results and will definitely use him again!
We are still early in the construction phase but we’re very pleased with the excellent design and advice we’ve received from Andy Willis so far. Our project has been complicated and unusual for various reasons and Andy has gone above and beyond in helping us. Andy has been great at steering us, drawing out what we were looking for and organising us and our priorities. Andy’s great at communicating regularly and we’ve been really pleased at his level of care and attention. We just can’t wait to see the final house, and then I’ll be back to update my review!
I employed RBD Architecture & Interiors to renovate a London townhouse into 2 apartments. Andy did a fantastic job of laying out the space in both properties resulting in both apartments achieving the full asking price in record time. His designs were clever, utilized all available space, and looked fantastic, quickly reminding me of the added value an architect can have on any property. I am currently doing another similar development in London as well as renovating a holiday home in the West Indies and using Andy for both properties was the obvious choice. I am excited to see both come to fruition. If you are looking for a smart and easy-to-work with architect who understands your brief and goes beyond that by offering intelligent solutions to any design problem, then look no further.
RBD have helped with the redesign of various parts (living areas, bedrooms, bathrooms) of our London home over recent years. We are delighted with the results – the mix of arresting vision and ‘fit for use’ practicality. We plan to continue using them in the future.
We were exceptionally pleased with the work done by RBD. They took into consideration all of our asks, came up with innovative solutions for maximizing storage, and worked extremely closely with the builders to ensure the entire process went smoothly from start to finish and that the end result was exactly what we were looking for from an aesthetic and practical perspective.
We were exceptionally pleased with the work done by RBD. They took into consideration all our asks, came up with innovative solutions for maximising storage, and worked extremely closely with the builders to ensure the entire process went smoothly from start to finish and that the end result was exactly what we were looking for from an aesthetic and practical perspective.
RBD Architecture & Interiors helped us with various works to our home including a new master suite. The service provided was excellent and their team have a real eye for detail – especially in Interior Design.
Andy and his team designed our beautiful new home combining creative design with very good ideas and the capacity to deliver on time, with great results.
We have been working with RBD for a while now during the redevelopment of our London offices. Their combined architectural and interior design capability has been particularly useful in meeting our objectives.
We used RBD Architecture & Interiors to design and manage the extensive redevelopment of our period Mews house in London. They helped us each and every step of the way including obtaining all the relevant planning consents.