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 Galashiels?
In Galashiels, 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 Galashiels 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 |
What moves the price most:
- Specification and energy systems
- Site access and demolition
- External works and landscaping
- Ground conditions and foundations
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 Galashiels?
Before anything is built in Galashiels, we confirm which approvals apply 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.
If the answer is not clear-cut, we can apply for formal confirmation before you commit to the build.
What we handle
On a typical new build home we handle:
- Structural and services design
- Groundworks, foundations and drainage
- Internal fit-out and finishes
- Site appraisal and feasibility
- Mechanical and electrical installation
- Design and planning application
How long does it take?
Expect 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 Galashiels
In Scotland, bungalows and one-and-a-half-storey homes are common, so dormer conversions are a popular way to add bedrooms.
Our Galashiels coverage includes postcode districts TD1, and we also work in nearby places such as Selkirk, Hawick and Kelso.
How it works
- 01
Visit and measured survey
A free visit to understand the project, check access and take measurements.
- 02
Design and fixed quote
Drawings, structural calculations and an itemised, fixed price for the agreed specification.
- 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 Galashiels
Do I need planning permission for a new build home in Galashiels?
In Scotland a new home needs planning permission and a building warrant before work starts.
How long does a new build home take in Galashiels?
Typically 9 to 14 months on site for a typical house. Design and approvals beforehand usually take 4 to 9 months.
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 Galashiels?
In Galashiels, 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.
Can you build to my architect’s design?
Yes. We price and build from your drawings, or we can manage the design for you.
