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 Argyll and Bute?
In Argyll and Bute, 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. Prices in Scotland sit near the national average for this kind of work, and the range for Argyll and Bute reflects that. 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 |
The biggest cost drivers are:
- Ground conditions and foundations
- Specification and energy systems
- Services connections
- Size and complexity of the house
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 Argyll and Bute?
Whether you need planning permission depends on your house and its location in 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.
We check this for your address before design work starts, so there are no surprises later.
What we handle
On a typical new build home we handle:
- Structural and services design
- Site appraisal and feasibility
- Superstructure, roof and windows
- Mechanical and electrical installation
- Groundworks, foundations and drainage
- Internal fit-out and finishes
How long does it take?
Allow 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 Argyll and Bute
Scotland’s housing ranges from sandstone tenements and villas to post-war and modern estates, and the building warrant system shapes how projects are planned.
Towns we cover in Argyll and Bute include Helensburgh, Dunoon and Oban.
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
Drawings and written quote
We prepare the design and give you a written, itemised quote with inclusions and exclusions.
- 03
Permissions sorted
Applications, building control and neighbour arrangements, all before the start date.
- 04
Construction and completion
We build, put right any snags and hand over the building control certificate.
Questions about new build homes in Argyll and Bute
How much does a new build home cost in Argyll and Bute?
In Argyll and Bute, 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.
Do I need planning permission for a new build home in Argyll and Bute?
In Scotland a new home needs planning permission and a building warrant before work starts.
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 Community Infrastructure Levy payable?
In areas with CIL, new homes may be liable. Self-builders can apply for an exemption before work starts.
Who approves a new build home in Argyll and Bute?
Planning matters in Argyll and Bute go to the council covering your address, and the work needs a building warrant. We prepare and submit the applications for you.
What warranty will a new home need?
Lenders usually require a structural warranty or a professional consultant’s certificate. The warranty is arranged before work starts, and the provider inspects the build at key stages.
