When clients come to us with an enquiry about building a new home, acquiring land to develop, or using their own land for a new build or replacement home for something already there, we’re already starting to get ideas about what we can design and build for them.
They might come to us with a few ideas, no ideas, previous plans, inherited plans or plans that need a revision. We’ll look at what’s possible on the site, within the budget or find out what’s viable to make a profit if they plan to build and sell.
New build properties are zero rated for VAT – which gives a good reason for opting for a demolition and rebuild.
For example, a £500k spend on a refurb will attract a VAT charge of £100k, giving a total cost of £600k. The same budget spent on a new build would not include a VAT charge, meaning the extra £100k can be spent on the build itself, materials and furnishing your new home, or not at all. You could have an extra £100k to spend if you chose new build over refurbishment or renovation.
Once designs are drawn up, plans are approved and the build has started. We work with our clients to manage the whole process, meaning they can be involved with the project as much as they’d like to be, knowing that we are moving the project on with our in-house team of skilled trades.
Why build a new home with Vernacular Homes?
1: Build a home that suits your needs and lifestyle
With a new build, you have the opportunity to really think about what you want, how you live and how to make a home work for you.
Choose the number of bedrooms, guest rooms, utility room position, storeys, layout, step-through to the garage, or even future-proofing with ground floor bedrooms and en-suites.
We ask a lot of questions to find out how the house can work for you, then create a design based on this footprint.
A new build allows you to have the garden facing the direction you like, a bedroom window that gives you a lovely view in the morning or a sunset in the evening, a room with a view when you’re in the lounge or a kitchen window to add an extra ingredient to your cooking – a wonderful vista.
Read about this East Sussex home – we revised the plans to create a better home for the client’s needs:
https://www.vernacularhomes.com/our-work/new-build-home-east-sussex/
And here, we turned a proposed basement occasionally used guest suite into more living space – which is now used every day.
https://www.vernacularhomes.com/our-work/new-build-east-kent/
Take a look at this oast house extension that shows how we maximised the views:
https://www.vernacularhomes.com/our-work/extension-west-kent/
2: Energy efficiency
We’re being asked more and more about energy efficiency and greener, more sustainable energy solutions.
Ground or air source heat pumps, insulation and solar panels – just a few of the design features we can incorporate.
Read about this home that we completed the planning stage for, following a brief that included energy-efficiency.
https://www.vernacularhomes.com/our-work/new-build-planning-north-kent/
3. Build where you want to live
If you already own land, the chances are, you like the area.
You can choose the location that suits your lifestyle, whether that’s countryside, village, or a quiet infill plot in a more built-up area.
4. Knock down and start again
You could look at demolishing your existing home and re-building a new one if it’s not under any restrictions (Grade II for example).
Your current home might not work for you anymore, or would take more resources to renovate leaving this option unviable.
Some of our clients have lived in their existing house until the new one is ready, or lived in temporary accommodation on-site.
A new build can make better use of the footprint and add value whether you plan to sell now or in the future.
Homes built to replace an existing property:
An old bungalow into two detached homes:
https://www.vernacularhomes.com/our-work/two-new-builds-west-kent/
An old barn developed into two semi-detached homes:
https://www.vernacularhomes.com/our-work/new-build-home-surrey/
A 4-bedroom house where old sheds once stood:
https://www.vernacularhomes.com/our-work/new-build-home-east-sussex/
Revised plans took advantage of VAT savings and gave a brand new home:
https://www.vernacularhomes.com/our-work/new-build-planning-west-kent/
An old brick workshop is now a 4-bed family home:
https://www.vernacularhomes.com/our-work/new-build-home-east-kent/
5. No chain or nasty surprises
When you build a new home, there’s no chain, so you can control the timeline and not be reliant on others.
With a new build, you don’t have the headache of discovering nasties such as old electrics or plumbing, structural issues, a leaking roof or various bodge-jobs from previous owners!
It’s all brand new, working, under warranty and reliable.
6. One point of contact
Our clients have everything in one place – because we manage the whole project on their behalf, working to our agreed designs and plans.
We arrange everything, take care of the schedule, solve any challenges and keep in regular contact with our clients with updates, decisions to be made, progress or delays.
Our clients stay informed and in control while we handle the day-to-day work.
This client in East Sussex liked everything being taken care of:
https://www.vernacularhomes.com/our-work/new-build-home-east-sussex/
7. Add value
If you’re building to sell or rent, or are looking further ahead with investment and future value in mind, new homes often command a premium price due to modern features, warranties, and lower running costs.
This client had value added to 5 properties:
https://www.vernacularhomes.com/our-work/five-property-farmstead-conversion-planning-west-kent/
8. Maximise the plot
You might want one large detached home, two semi-detached properties, or you might want to fit in more for investment, rental, sale or holiday lets.
We come up with a range of options to reach your goals or go beyond them, taking into account the local planning authority, budget, available finances and timescales.
A bungalow was replaced with two 5-bed detached homes:
https://www.vernacularhomes.com/our-work/two-new-builds-west-kent/
An old barn is now 2 semi-detached, 3-bed homes:
https://www.vernacularhomes.com/our-work/new-build-home-surrey/
Two detached homes in one plot – both planned & built by Vernacular Homes:
https://www.vernacularhomes.com/our-work/new-build-planning-west-kent/
9: Personalise your home
Every detail can be just as you want it. Larger windows, open plan living, downstairs bedrooms, super views, a conservatory, amazing staircase, cinema room, en-suites, annexe, underfloor heating – it can all be considered.
A new home that looks old, with a stunning kitchen and views across the valley:
https://www.vernacularhomes.com/our-work/new-build-home-east-sussex/
10. Warranty
When required (typically by a customer’s lender) we can offer third party structural defects insurance.
Whether you’re building on land you already own, replacing a tired property, or looking at a plot for sale, take us up on the offer of a free initial consultation to see how we can help.
Get in touch:
Fill in our contact form to ask a question, make an enquiry or book a phone call with us on our
Contact Page
Give us a call:
01233 861177
Email us:
enquiries@vernacularhomes.com
For an informal conversation about your project please call us on 01233 861177 or email us using the form. Your data is not used for marketing – only to contact you.
If you have documents - previous designs, plans or photos, please send them to us via email: enquiries@vernacularhomes.com
