New Build Costs – What You Need to Know Before Building
Thinking about building a house? The first question that pops up is always the price tag. New build costs can feel like a mystery, but they break down into a handful of clear categories. Knowing those categories lets you control the budget instead of letting it control you.
Key Cost Drivers in a New Build
Land is the foundation of any price estimate. In high‑demand areas a plot can cost more than the whole house you plan to put on it. Once you own the land, permits and design fees come next. Planning permission, structural drawings, and architect fees usually run between 5‑10% of the total project cost.
The next big chunk is the ground‑work: excavation, foundation, and drainage. Soil quality, site access, and the need for a deep basement can swing this cost dramatically. Expect foundation work to take up roughly 10‑15% of your budget.
From there, the shell of the house—walls, roof, windows, and doors—takes up another 30‑40%. Choosing high‑performance windows or a complex roof shape adds extra mileage, but basic brick or timber framing keeps things on the cheaper side.
Services are the hidden hero of any new build. Plumbing, electrical, heating, and ventilation run about 15‑20% of the total cost. The more you want smart home features or underfloor heating, the higher this line item climbs.
Finishing touches—kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, and paint—are where the budget can balloon fast. A standard kitchen fit-out might cost £8,000‑£12,000, while a luxury suite pushes past £20,000. Keep an eye on these numbers; they often account for the final 20‑25% of the spend.
Smart Ways to Save on Your New Build
Start with a realistic budget and stick to it. Use a spreadsheet or budgeting app to log every quote, and always ask for a detailed breakdown. This helps you spot hidden surcharges before they become a problem.
Consider a design‑and‑build contractor. One firm handling both design and construction can cut coordination costs and reduce the risk of change orders.
Standardise where you can. Repeating the same window size, door style, or wall finish across the whole house saves on material waste and labor time.
Buy materials in bulk or source them locally. Local brick yards or timber suppliers often offer better rates than national chains, and you save on delivery fees.
Plan for the unexpected. Set aside 10‑15% of the total budget as a contingency fund. It feels like an extra expense, but it prevents panic‑driven decisions if something goes off schedule.
Finally, get multiple quotes for each trade. Even a small difference in hourly rates or material mark‑ups can add up to thousands over the life of the build.
Building a new home is a big investment, but breaking down the costs into clear sections makes it manageable. Keep tabs on land price, permits, foundation, shell, services, and finishings, and use the saving tips above to keep your project on track. With the right approach, you’ll avoid nasty surprises and end up with a house that fits both your dream and your wallet.
