07 / 15 Construction & conversions

New Build Construction in London

Building from the ground up gives you a home or development designed exactly for its site and its purpose. As new build contractors in London, we construct new houses and small blocks of flats, from site preparation and foundations to the roof, the services and the finished interiors.

A new build brings together more trades and more approvals than any other project. Because our team includes groundworkers, builders, plumbers, heating engineers, electricians, tilers and decorators, we run the whole construction as one programme, with one quote and one point of contact from the first dig to handover.

  • Free survey
  • Itemised written quote
  • One project manager
  • Certified sign-off
02Our New Build Services
09Steps from survey to sign-off
10Topics covered on this page
£0For your survey or quote

Our services

Our New Build Services

01
New Build Homes

New Build Homes

The construction of new detached, semi-detached and terraced houses, including self-build and bespoke homes designed for a particular plot. We build from your architect's drawings or help bring the design team together, and manage the build through to completion.

See our new build homes page
02
Building Flats

Building Flats

The construction of small blocks of flats and residential developments for landowners, developers and investors, managed as one programme from groundworks to the finished units.

See our building flats page

Not sure which?

We recommend the right option at your free survey

Every house is different — we check what suits yours before you commit to anything.

Discuss your new build

Process

The Process of Building a New House

Every new build follows the same main stages, although the detail depends on the site and the design:

  1. 01

    Site appraisal

    checking the plot, access, boundaries, ground conditions, trees, drainage and existing services.

  2. 02

    Design and planning

    an architect prepares the design, and planning permission is applied for. Some sites first get outline permission, followed by approval of the details.

  3. 03

    Technical design

    structural calculations, energy calculations (SAP), drainage design and full building regulations drawings.

  4. 04

    Warranty and pre-start

    the structural warranty is arranged, utilities are applied for, and any pre-commencement planning conditions are discharged.

  5. 05

    Groundworks and foundations

    site clearance, drainage runs, service ducts and foundations, which may need piling contractors on clay or poor ground.

  6. 06

    Superstructure

    walls, floors and roof, until the building is weathertight.

  7. 07

    First fix, plastering and second fix

    wiring, plumbing and heating, then plastering, followed by kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and decoration.

  8. 08

    External works

    driveways, paths, fencing and landscaping.

  9. 09

    Completion and handover

    building control completion certificate, warranty sign-off, test certificates and a walk-round of the finished building.

What you need to know

Planning Permission and Approvals for a New Build

Every new home needs full planning permission. Councils look at the design, the effect on neighbours, parking, amenity space, trees and how the building fits the street. Approval usually comes with conditions, some of which must be discharged before building starts, such as agreeing materials or a construction management plan.

Other approvals and charges you should plan for:

  • Building regulations: Full plans approval and inspections throughout the build.
  • Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL): A charge many councils make on new homes. Self-builders may be able to claim an exemption, but it must be applied for before work starts.
  • Sewer connections: Connecting new drains to a public sewer needs approval from the water company.
  • Street naming and numbering: The council allocates the address for each new home or flat.
  • Party wall notices: Where the site is next to neighbouring buildings or foundations are dug close to them, under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.

Warranty

Do New Builds Need a Structural Warranty?

A structural warranty is not a legal requirement, but in practice most new homes need one. Most mortgage lenders will not lend on a new home without a 10-year structural warranty from an approved provider, and buyers will expect one if you ever sell. Common providers include NHBC, LABC Warranty and Premier Guarantee.

The warranty must be arranged before work starts, because the provider inspects the build at key stages. We build to the provider's technical standards, work with the warranty provider you or your lender choose, and allow for their inspections in the programme.

What you need to know

Building Regulations for New Homes

New homes must meet the full building regulations. The main areas we plan for are:

  • Structure and foundations: Designed by a structural engineer for the ground conditions.
  • Energy efficiency: Insulation, airtightness, heating and ventilation that meet the energy standards, confirmed by SAP calculations and an air test.
  • Fire safety: Escape routes, fire separation between homes and in blocks of flats, and smoke alarms.
  • Drainage: Foul and surface water drainage, often with a soakaway or permeable paving, laid by our drain installation and replacement team.
  • Water efficiency, sound insulation and access: Limits on water use, sound insulation between homes, and step-free access where required.
  • Electric vehicle charging: New homes with parking must usually have a charge point, installed through our EV charger installation service.

Taller residential buildings are covered by the extra requirements of the Building Safety Act 2022, which apply to buildings of at least 18 metres or seven storeys. Most small blocks of flats fall below that height.

Cost

What Affects the Cost of Building a New House?

Every new build is priced from the drawings and a site visit, and you receive a written, itemised quote. These are the main factors:

01

Size and design

Floor area, number of storeys, and the complexity of the shape and roof.

02

Ground conditions

Clay, trees, slopes or poor ground can mean deeper foundations or piling.

03

Construction method

Masonry, timber frame or other systems.

04

Specification

Windows, kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and finishes.

05

Heating and energy

Heat pumps, underfloor heating, and solar panel installation.

06

Site access

Narrow access, restricted parking or limited storage space on London sites.

07

Services and external works

Utility connections, drainage, driveways and landscaping.

08

Fees and charges

Design, structural engineering, planning, building control, warranty, CIL and party wall costs.

No guesswork: you receive a written, itemised quote after your free survey, with payments staged against clear points in the work.

Discuss your new build

Timescale

How Long Does It Take to Build a New House?

The build itself depends on the size of the house, the construction method and the site, and the design, planning and approvals stage comes before it. A single house is quicker than a block of flats, and timber frame systems can shorten the time needed to make the building weathertight. Your quote includes a programme for each stage, from groundworks to handover.

08 — One team

One Team From Groundworks to Handover

We coordinate every trade a new build needs:

For offices, shops and other non-residential buildings, see our commercial construction service.

Electrics

Full wiring, lighting, smoke alarms and certification through our domestic electrical installation service.

Heating

Heating systems through our central heating system installation and underfloor heating installation services.

Plumbing and bathrooms

Hot and cold water, bathrooms and kitchens, with tiling and decorating to finish.

External works

New driveways and paths, so the home is complete on handover.

Areas

New Builds Across London

We build across London, with a focus on east and south-east London, on infill plots, corner sites, back-land sites and the replacement of existing buildings. See our pages for new build homes in London and building flats in London, or find us as builders in Ilford, builders in Barking, builders in Dagenham, builders in East Ham and builders in Orpington.

FAQs

New Build FAQs

Can't see your question? Call or WhatsApp us — we're happy to help before you book.

Q1

How much does it cost to build a house in London?

It depends mainly on the size and design of the house, the ground conditions, the construction method and the specification, plus fees, warranty and any Community Infrastructure Levy. London sites also often have restricted access. We give you a fixed, itemised quote based on the drawings and a site visit.

Q2

How long does it take to build a new house?

Design, planning and approvals come first. The build itself depends on the size of the house, the construction method and the site. A single house is quicker than a block of flats. Your quote includes a programme for each stage.

Q3

Do new builds need a structural warranty?

It is not a legal requirement, but most mortgage lenders require a 10-year structural warranty from an approved provider, such as NHBC, LABC Warranty or Premier Guarantee. It must be arranged before work starts, because the provider inspects the build.

Q4

What is the process of building a new house?

Site appraisal, design and planning permission, technical design and building regulations, warranty and utilities, groundworks and foundations, the structure and roof, first fix, plastering and second fix, external works, and finally sign-off and handover.

Q5

Can you build from my architect's drawings?

Yes. We can price and build from your architect's planning and building regulations drawings, or work with your design team to develop them. We review the drawings early so buildability and cost are considered before the design is fixed.

Q6

What is the Community Infrastructure Levy?

It is a charge many councils make on new homes to help pay for local infrastructure. Self-builders can often claim an exemption, but the claim must be made before work starts.

Next step

Talk to Us About Your New Build

Tell us about your site and what you want to build. We will visit, review your drawings or plans, explain the approvals involved and send you a written, itemised quote.

Send us your site plan or drawings on WhatsApp to get started, or use our contact form.

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