Self-Build Homes

Shape your ideas

Think about your design

Think about what you’d like your new home to look like, how much space you will need and which character area of Graven Hill is best for you.

Work out your finances

Be realistic about what you can afford and if it’s important to you, consider the final market value of your house once it is built.

There is an increasing number of lenders who offer self-build mortgages. These are different from standard mortgages, you will need to be financially qualified by Buildstore before you reserve. Funds are normally released to you in stages as your project progresses.

Under current HMRC rules, you will only pay Stamp Duty on the Golden Brick price (land and substructure) and your purchase from us is VAT zero rated. When budgeting, be aware of the rules on Stamp Duty introduced in April 2016.

Find the land

You can see what is available at Graven Hill using our Find a Plot Map.

Who is going to build your dream home?

How ‘hands on’ or ‘hands off’ do you want to be with the construction?

Your home can be made by a specialist supplier to your specification and assembled on site for you by their expert team. Many customers like the cost certainty that this route provides and find it easier to manage than a traditional build.

Talk to us

We’ll work with you to ensure your project will, in principle, work on your preferred plot. From reserving the plot through to construction, we will guide you all the way.

You will need to have some outline design drawings prepared, showing the floor plan, elevations and your choice of materials.

Following the design rules and guidelines on the Plot Passport makes your self-build journey easier and will help ensure permission to build is confirmed. If you choose a custom build home, the supplier will normally provide drawings and specifications for you.

Reserve your plot

Once your finances and/or mortgage are confirmed and you are ready to proceed, we can reserve the plot for you.

Your design does not need to be fixed just yet but establishing your design early can help give you cost certainty. At this stage we ask for a deposit to secure your reservation.

Your self-build journey can then begin.

Detailed design and permissions

With your design set and your drawings, now is the time to secure the necessary permissions.

Don’t forget:

The next step is to put the finishing touches to the design of your dream home.

Once the design is fixed, we will assign a structural engineer to work with you to finalise the substructure and foundation design. We’ll then be able to price your Golden Brick foundation accurately and programme the construction of your substructure and foundations.

Exchange contracts

With planning permission and drawings approved, Golden Brick design and price agreed, it’s time to exchange contracts and pay a 10% deposit on the total price.

Sales contracts must be exchanged within seven months of reserving your plot. After exchange of contracts, we will – within an agreed timeframe – build the substructure and foundations of your new home, and complete the package for you.

Completion

When we are five working days away from completing your substructure and foundation, we will issue to you a formal notice with a date for completion of the sales contract, when the remainder of the purchase price must be paid.

Following completion, you are all set for construction of your new home to begin.

Get Building

If you have opted for a custom-build home, you could be moving in very soon. This construction method is high-quality, can be much quicker than a traditional build and it provides cost certainty.

More traditional self-builds can take longer, and you may need to engage a builder, other trades and possibly a project manager, unless you have these skills yourself.

Whatever method you choose, taking care to comply with the terms of the sales contract will help ensure your build goes smoothly.

Graven Hill is a beacon of good practice for health and safety and we will work with you to ensure the highest standards are maintained on your build. Health and safety on the plot is the purchaser’s responsibility.

Construction to certificate of completion on your build must be fulfilled within 24 months of completion of the sales contract.