Designing and building your own home is one of the most rewarding projects you can undertake, but it is also one of the most complex.
Step 1: Find and Assess Your Site
Key factors to assess include planning history, vehicular access, services availability, ground conditions, and site constraints such as flood zones or conservation areas.
Step 2: Develop Your Brief
Work with your architect to capture requirements: number of bedrooms, living spaces, garage, garden, architectural style, energy performance targets, and budget.
Step 3: Concept Design
The architect produces initial concept designs exploring layout options and massing. This typically produces 2 to 3 options and takes 2 to 3 weeks.
Step 4: Detailed Design and Planning
Once you approve a concept, detailed planning drawings are produced including floor plans, elevations, site plans, section drawings, and a design and access statement.
Step 5: Planning Submission
The application is submitted with the required fee (currently £578 for a new dwelling). The determination period is typically 8 weeks.
Step 6: Building Regulation Drawings
After planning approval, detailed construction drawings are prepared including structural specifications, insulation calculations, drainage plans, and electrical layouts.
Step 7: Tender and Construction
With completed drawings, you obtain builder quotations. We recommend at least three competitive tenders.
How Long Does It Take?
From initial design to construction-ready drawings: 4 to 6 months. Planning adds 8 to 13 weeks. Construction: 6 to 12 months for a standard dwelling.
QM Designs New Build Service
We provide complete architectural design services for new build homes. View our service or request a free consultation.
