A fresh look at new build house designs.
New Build Services London
Getting important decisions right
The opportunity to build a house from new can be life changing and life enhancing. And it’s a big investment too, so it is essential to get everything right, right from the start.
As experienced architectural designers and Planning specialists, we take great pride in our new build house projects.
Incorporating new and imaginative ideas in a practical way means we help you get the best out of the land and location with your build project.
We’ll help you maximise space and natural light while making sure your new home is attractive and easy to live in. At the same time we’ll have an eye to the future: our designs and specifications will add real long term value to the property too.
Making your investment a reality
If you’re a property developer with a single or multi-unit project in mind, we’ll provide the same high level of care and attention to detail as if it were your own home – thus further helping to increase your return on investment.
On this page we’ll consider the practicalities of making your perfect new build house come to life. And we’ll include important questions, such as ‘What is the cost of building a house?’, and ‘How long does it take to build a house?’
So if you’re thinking of a new build home, or a multi-unit project, why not get in touch?
Call us on +44 (0)203 488 2828 or email us via info@divi-design.co.uk
Potential: combining vision with detail
Seeing beyond the obvious
Whether your new build project is for your own use or renting or selling on, the demands on design are similar.
We take into account not just the available square footage on which to build , but also how best to site the house in its plot.
We’ll consider the best orientation and also how possible new house designs might best fit with neighbouring properties.
If your new build is a back land development (ie taking the rear part of a larger plot) we’ll factor in ways to ensure both properties retain privacy and light. We’ll assist you with project management throughout the new house build.
How do we make sure that your new house build will stand out from the rest?
For every new build house design in London, we work hard to ensure it is unique. Our architectural designs reflect the personality and style of each client – right down to materials used and the type of lighting required to achieve exactly the right effects.
A changing London needs high quality homes
With ever more pressure for additional housing in the Greater London area, Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) are generally adopting a more flexible approach in line with the London Plan. This does not automatically make every proposed new build certain of approval. However, it does allow scope to approve well-considered and thoughtfully designed new build homes which will provide much needed accommodation.
Our architectural vision is very much in line with this approach – improving the urban and suburban environment with high quality new build house designs suitable for the 21st century.
Feasibility underpins successful outcomes
Our preparation for new build house designs – and, of course, new build floor plans – includes more than architectural drawings. We undertake a comprehensive feasibility study. This way we can be sure of checking that what you have in mind is practicable, and how best it can be achieved.
Our thorough preparation helps eliminate false starts or dead ends, so once designs and specifications are agreed, the project can go ahead without wasting time or money.
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New Build House Designs
Easy to read new build floor plans and project visualisation
Our feasibility studies include 3D visuals to help you see how the new build house could look when complete, inside and out and from different perspectives. Our Building Information Modelling software also enables us to consider construction details at the same time as the appearance of the new house.
We combine 3D modelling with traditional 2D drawings and photo-realistic renderings to create a truly comprehensive vision of the new build design.
Securing Planning Permission
A new build house requires Planning Permission
Planning Permission is always required for a new build house. Factors taken into account will include the right to light & privacy of neighbours, adequate storage for waste and recycling bins, and suitable parking and accommodation for bicycles.
Designs will need to be sustainable – eg with suitable insulation – and considerate, and if the property is in a Conservation Area additional conditions may also be required.
Divi Design are Planning specialists as well as architectural designers. We’ll be able to support your Planning application with an holistic approach to the project supported by a mastery of technical detail.
Local London knowledge
One ingredient in our success – and therefore in yours too – is our knowledge and understanding of the Planning policies adopted by the many different LPAs in and around London.
We have good professional relationships with Planning Officers in nearly every London borough, so not only do we know each local Planning policy – we know how they are likely to be applied too.
Building Regulation compliance
Building Regulations govern the standards of construction throughout the UK. Enforcing these standards, which are principally about health and safety, is known as Building Control. All building projects, including new build houses, must comply with the regulations.
Your new build house will need to be inspected at key stages of the construction process to ensure compliance.
Inspection is by a Building Control surveyor, who reports to the Local Planning Authority.
There are fees payable to the LPA for this service and these can vary depending on the size and nature of the work done.
We can help you with organising this part of the job, to ensure everything runs smoothly and on time.
New build house Project Management
Divi Design offers a complete project management service, providing a total overview and quality control service. Because we’ll have drawn up the plans, drawings and specifications, we will know exactly what should happen and how and when.
Our project management service is robust and thorough. We know that because our reputation depends upon it, we leave nothing to chance.
How long does it take to build a house?
The time needed to build a house from scratch – from first ideas to handing over the keys – does vary considerably with the size and scope of the project.
A large house, say of 5 or more bedrooms, could take over a year, and potentially 18 months, to complete. However, not every such new build takes as long.
With good project management, few changes to plans, and minimal delays caused by bad weather, most new builds can be completed within a year. Smaller properties can be done more quickly still.
While we do not provide construction services, we are in contact with a construction company that we highly recommend for new build projects.
What is the cost of building a house?
The average cost of new build house construction in the UK is £150 per square foot.
This means that a 3 bedroom house (approximately 2000 square feet) costs in the region of £300,000 to build.
However, the costs of construction do not always increase in a linear fashion. Thus, a five-bedroom house (about 4000 square feet, ie double the floor area of a 3-bedroom home) does not automatically increase to £600,000 – it might cost less (say £500,000) or considerably more, depending on materials used, especially internally.
Other non-construction costs should be remembered too when it comes to new build designs. These can include:
- Architectural designs and specifications
- An application for Planning Permission
- Advice from a structural engineer and/or a party wall surveyor
- Building Regulations / Building Control approval.
Divi Design – delivering on new build house designs, and more.
We pride ourselves on our comprehensive and detailed approach to every project we undertake.
For us, it’s not just about one element; it’s about finding that perfect balance between personal taste, practicality and inspired, elegant design. With this in mind, we’d love to learn about your new-build ambitions – and we’d love to be part of making your ideas become reality.
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New build services FAQs
Our recommended approach to new builds involves engaging with your local planning department right from the early stage via a pre-application advice service.
Typically, pre-application advice service can take up to two months and a follow-up meeting another two months. Planning can take an additional two months. So overall, it generally takes four to six months.
From the appointment of the architect to completion, it usually takes around 2 years to finish building a new build property. While we do not offer any construction services, we are more than happy to recommend a construction company that we work with closely.
This depends on the context here. But generally, they do as a new build will either be an addition to the host property or a large/improvement to the original.
From a technical standpoint, new builds are designed to current building regulation standards, which means that they are more energy efficient. You are less likely to experience any structural issues and/or water damage such as rising damp – which you would typically find with older properties.
If you are part of a new-build project, you get to dictate how the layout works for you and the size of the spaces. Essentially, you have more control over the outcome of your project compared to older properties where they have more constraints to work with.
While older homes may offer bigger rooms or more garden space, they often need a lot of attention. There will be general wear and tear from over the years and your older property will probably need expensive renovations or maintenance. Old properties won’t be as energy efficient as newer builds, and they may have a heating system which is no longer fit for purpose.