New Build Homes

What Is a Bespoke New Build?

A bespoke new build is a home designed and constructed to your exact requirements on a plot of land you own or purchase. Unlike volume housebuilder developments, a bespoke new build gives you complete control over layout, size, materials, specification and energy performance. The process starts with an architectural brief and site assessment, moves through design, planning permission and building regulations, and then into construction — typically 9–15 months on site. MTD Building Contractors manage the entire build from foundation to handover, coordinating architects, engineers and all trades.

New Build Costs

Building a bespoke new home typically costs between £1,800 and £3,000 per square metre depending on specification, ground conditions and site access. A standard-specification 150 sqm (approximately 1,600 sq ft) 4-bedroom detached home would cost £270,000 to £350,000 for the build alone. A high-specification build with underfloor heating throughout, air source heat pump, triple glazing, engineered flooring and a high-end kitchen might cost £350,000 to £450,000 for the same footprint. These figures exclude the cost of the land, professional fees (architect, structural engineer, planning — typically 12–18% of the build cost), utility connections and landscaping. We provide a detailed cost plan at the design stage so you have full visibility of the budget before committing to construction.

Planning Permission for New Builds

All new build homes require full planning permission from the local planning authority. The planning process typically takes 8–13 weeks from application submission to decision, though larger or more complex schemes may take longer. Before submitting, we recommend a pre-application enquiry — a formal discussion with the planning authority to test the principle of development on your site and get early feedback on design, scale and materials. This significantly increases the chances of approval and reduces the risk of costly redesigns. MTD Building Contractors coordinate the full planning process, including architectural drawings, design and access statements, ecology and drainage reports, and any conditions discharge required after approval.

Construction Methods and Energy Efficiency

We build new homes using traditional masonry (brick and block with cavity insulation), timber frame, or a combination. All new builds meet or exceed current Building Regulations Part L for energy efficiency. Standard specifications include air source heat pumps (replacing gas boilers under the Future Homes Standard), mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), high-performance insulation (0.15 W/m²K wall U-value or better), triple glazed windows, underfloor heating and solar PV panels where appropriate. We also offer EPC A-rated and Passivhaus-standard builds for clients seeking the highest energy performance.

How Long Does a New Build Take?

A typical bespoke new build takes 9–15 months from breaking ground to handover. The construction sequence runs through substructure (foundations and ground floor — 4–6 weeks), superstructure (walls, floors and roof — 8–14 weeks), weathertight shell (windows, doors and roof covering — 2–4 weeks), first fix (electrics, plumbing, heating — 3–5 weeks), plastering and screeding (2–3 weeks), second fix and fit-out (kitchens, bathrooms, joinery, decoration — 6–10 weeks), and external works and landscaping (2–4 weeks). Including the pre-construction phase — design, planning and building regulations — the full project timeline from first enquiry to moving in is typically 18–24 months.