What is a new build home?

A new build home is a house built from the ground up on a cleared plot, a garden plot or a replacement-dwelling site. We work with plot owners and self-builders to design, gain approvals and build the house, either to a fixed design or from initial ideas.
How much does a new build home cost in Aberdeen and Grampian?
In Aberdeen and Grampian, a new build home typically costs £1,950–£3,100 per m² of floor area (build cost), including VAT at 0% (zero-rated for qualifying new dwellings). For a typical 150 m² project that is roughly £292,500–£465,000. Building costs in Scotland are close to the UK average, so the figures for Aberdeen and Grampian are close to our national guide. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (105 m²) | £205,000–£325,500 |
| Typical project (150 m²) | £292,500–£465,000 |
| Larger project (210 m²) | £409,500–£651,000 |
| Rate per m² | £1,950–£3,100 |
What moves the price most:
- Site access and demolition
- Ground conditions and foundations
- Specification and energy systems
- External works and landscaping
A guide range is only a starting point: the guide price tool gives an instant figure for your size, and a free survey turns it into a fixed quote.
Do you need planning permission for a new build home in Aberdeen and Grampian?
Approvals for a new build home in Aberdeen and Grampian follow the rules for Scotland. In Scotland a new home needs planning permission and a building warrant before work starts.
In Scotland a building warrant is needed before work starts on most extensions, loft conversions and conversions. It is issued by the council’s building standards service. When the work is finished, a completion certificate is submitted and accepted by the council after inspection.
At the survey we check your house’s planning history and any restrictions, and tell you which route applies.
What we handle
On a typical new build home we handle:
- Design and planning application
- Building control completion and warranty liaison
- Superstructure, roof and windows
- Site appraisal and feasibility
- Mechanical and electrical installation
- Groundworks, foundations and drainage
How long does it take?
Build time is typically 9 to 14 months on site for a typical house. Design and approvals come first and typically take 4 to 9 months, depending on the approval route.
Building in Aberdeen and Grampian
In Scotland, bungalows and one-and-a-half-storey homes are common, so dormer conversions are a popular way to add bedrooms.
Towns we cover in Aberdeen and Grampian include Aberdeen, Elgin, Peterhead, Inverurie, Fraserburgh and Westhill.
How it works
- 01
Free visit
We look at the property, talk through what you want and measure up. There is no charge and no obligation.
- 02
Design and fixed quote
Drawings, structural calculations and an itemised, fixed price for the agreed specification.
- 03
Approvals in place
We handle planning, building control and neighbour notices before work starts.
- 04
Build and sign-off
We run the build to a written programme and hand over the completion certificate.
Questions about new build homes in Aberdeen and Grampian
How long does a new build home take in Aberdeen and Grampian?
Typically 9 to 14 months on site for a typical house. Design and approvals beforehand usually take 4 to 9 months.
Can you build to my architect’s design?
Yes. We price and build from your drawings, or we can manage the design for you.
Is VAT charged on building a new house?
Construction services for a new dwelling are normally zero-rated when supplied by a VAT-registered builder. Self-builders who buy materials directly can reclaim VAT through HMRC’s DIY housebuilders scheme.
How much does a new build home cost in Aberdeen and Grampian?
In Aberdeen and Grampian, a new build home typically costs £1,950–£3,100 per m² of floor area (build cost), including VAT at 0% (zero-rated for qualifying new dwellings). A typical 150 m² project comes to roughly £292,500–£465,000. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
Is Community Infrastructure Levy payable?
In areas with CIL, new homes may be liable. Self-builders can apply for an exemption before work starts.
Do I need planning permission for a new build home in Aberdeen and Grampian?
In Scotland a new home needs planning permission and a building warrant before work starts.
