CUSTOM BUILD
Custom build homes made simple.
Navigating the custom house building sector requires specialist knowledge and expert project management. Whether you’re a landowner looking to sell plots, a developer managing a custom build site, or an individual planning your dream home, we are here to help.
What is custom build?
Custom Build is an alternative approach to self-building which allows you to design your own unique home whilst benefitting from more developer support. With custom build, you work together with the developer to customise a pre-existing design, which the developer then builds out on your behalf. It's an ideal route for those who want a new home tailored to their needs without managing the entire build process themselves.
If you’re interested in custom build development, we provide specialist planning and development services to help you navigate the custom build development process. Whether you’re a developer purchasing a custom build site, working with a developer, or buying a serviced plot, we can help to ensure your project is legally compliant and financially viable.
What are the key features of custom build?
✔ Flexibility – buyers have primary input on house design, materials, and interior layout.
✔ Less Risk & Complexity – developers handle infrastructure, reducing buyer workload.
✔ Planning-Approved Plots – plots come with outline or full planning permission.
✔ Customisation Choices – buyers can choose from design templates or tailor specifications.
✔ Mortgage-Backed – more lenders are offering custom build mortgages to support buyers.
Our custom build services.
✔ Custom Build Plot Assessments – reviewing the planning potential of custom build projects
✔ Local Demand & Custom Build Register Analysis – helping you to understand demand.
✔ Self-Build & Custom Build Policy Advice – ensuring compliance with regulations.
✔ Planning Applications for Custom Build Homes – managing the entire process from design to approval.
Understanding the custom build development journey.
The custom build process differs from traditional housing developments, requiring careful planning at every stage. We guide developers, landowners, and self-builders through this journey to ensure a smooth experience.
The Key Stages:
1. Land Identification & Feasibility Studies
Finding the right site and assessing its potential.
2. Planning Permission & Infrastructure
Securing planning approval and installing essential services.
3. Serviced Plot Sales & Buyer Engagement
Marketing plots and supporting buyers in customisation.
4. Design & Build Coordination
Managing the relationship between buyers, architects, and contractors.
5. Project Compliance, Completion & Handover
Ensuring high-quality finishes and final approvals.
The Right to Build Legislation
and what it means for self & custom builders.
The Right to Build legislation, introduced in 2016, requires local authorities in England to keep a register of individuals and groups looking for self or custom build plots. This means councils must ensure enough land is available to meet demand.
How This Legislation Affects You:
✔ Finding a Custom Build Plot – if you’re registered with your local council, they must consider this demand when granting planning permission.
✔ Access to Suitable Land – developers are encouraged to release land for self and custom build projects.
✔ Opportunities for Landowners – if you own land, you can develop serviced plots to meet this growing demand.
✔ Support from Local Authorities – many councils actively promote custom build housing developments.
What support can we offer?
Custom Build
Project Management
Whether you’re an individual looking for a serviced plot or a developer managing a multi-plot custom build site, navigating the complexities of the custom build process requires expert support.
As a specialist custom build project management business, we offer tailored services to guide landowners, developers, and self-builders through every stage of their journey. From understanding Right to Build legislation to managing multi-plot developments and plot sales and build-out strategies, we provide end-to-end project management to ensure your development is successful.
Our Multi-Plot Custom Build Services:
✔ Planning & Design Coordination – we help developers design masterplans that meet custom build planning policy requirements.
✔ Infrastructure & Servicing Management – we ensure roads, drainage, utilities, and plot services are in place.
✔ Plot Sales Strategy – we develop marketing and sales plans for custom build plots, optimising sales conversions and ensuring buyers are well-supported.
✔ Custom Build Buyer Support – we assist developers and plot buyers in choosing house designs, appointing contractors, and managing build stages.
✔ CDM & Health & Safety Compliance – ensuring all regulatory requirements are met throughout the build process.
Custom Build Plot Sales Support
Selling serviced plots for custom build homes requires a specialist approach. Buyers need to understand their design choices, build routes, and financing options before committing to a purchase. We work with landowners, developers, and estate agents to provide sales training and dedicated plot sales support.
How We Help Sell Custom Build Plots:
✔ Marketing & Sales Strategies – promoting custom build plots effectively to target buyers.
✔ Buyer Education & Consultation – helping potential buyers understand the custom build process.
✔ Custom Build Mortgages Guidance – connecting buyers with specialist lenders.
✔ Developer Liaison – working with developers to ensure smooth transactions and project delivery
✔ Plot Purchase & Design Advice – assisting buyers with their planning applications and development approach
Custom Build
Developer Workshops
Our custom build developer workshops provide expert training for landowners, developers, and local authorities.
What Our Workshops Cover:
✔ Custom Build Policy & Legislation – understanding the planning framework.
✔ The Custom Build Development Process – following the customisation journey
✔ Site Feasibility & Plot Servicing – how to prepare land for custom build buyers.
✔ Custom Build Mortgage & Finance – understanding qualification and funding routes for buyers and developers.
✔ Marketing & Sales Strategies – effective techniques for selling serviced plots.
✔ Buyer Engagement & Support – how to educate and guide custom build customers.
Custom Build
Project Health Checks
Even well-planned custom build projects can encounter challenges. Our custom build project health checks provide a detailed assessment of your project’s progress, identifying risks, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
How Our Project Health Checks Work:
✔ Planning & Compliance Review – ensuring your project meets planning and building regulations.
✔ Financial & Budget Assessment – reviewing development cost control and cash flow management.
✔ Infrastructure & Servicing Audit – reviewing road access, drainage, and utilities.
✔ Build Programme & Customer Journey – evaluating construction timelines to offer an efficient development process.
✔ Sales Strategy – targeting the right market to secure plot buyers and provide the support they need.
Address
Orchard House, Greenfields,
St Ives, Cambs, PE27 5HB
Phone
07862 257 384