What is a small housing development?
A small housing development is a scheme of a few new homes, typically two to nine, on a single site. We work with landowners, small developers and investors to build schemes that already have planning permission, or help take a site through planning first.
How much does a small housing development cost in Bedfordshire?
In Bedfordshire, a small housing development typically costs £1,900–£2,850 per m² of floor area (build cost), including VAT at 0% (zero-rated for qualifying new dwellings). For a typical 400 m² project that is roughly £760,000–£1,140,000. We start from a UK-wide guide and adjust it for the East of England, where labour and materials are typically about 6% above average. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (280 m²) | £532,000–£798,000 |
| Typical project (400 m²) | £760,000–£1,140,000 |
| Larger project (560 m²) | £1,064,000–£1,596,000 |
| Rate per m² | £1,900–£2,850 |
Your quote will depend mainly on:
- Ground conditions
- Site access and phasing
- Specification
- Number and size of homes
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 small housing development in Bedfordshire?
Approvals for a small housing development in Bedfordshire follow the rules for England. In England small schemes need full planning permission and may involve a section 106 agreement, the Community Infrastructure Levy, highways and drainage approvals, and biodiversity net gain where it applies.
Building regulations approval comes from the council’s building control service or a registered building control approver. The work is inspected at key stages, such as foundations, drainage and insulation, and a completion certificate is issued at the end.
At the survey we check your house’s planning history and any restrictions, and tell you which route applies.
What we handle
What we take care of:
- Warranty and building control inspections
- Pre-construction cost plan
- Utility connections
- House construction to building regulations
- Groundworks, roads and drainage
- Handover packs for each home
How long does it take?
The build itself usually takes 12 to 24 months depending on scheme size. Allow time beforehand for drawings and approvals, usually 6 to 12 months.
Building in Bedfordshire
Across the East of England, 1930s and post-war semis, newer estates and rural cottages all feature, each with different extension and loft options.
Towns we cover in Bedfordshire include Luton, Bedford, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Ampthill and Kempston Hardwick.
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
Approvals in place
We handle planning, building control and neighbour notices before work starts.
- 04
Build and handover
Work follows the agreed programme, with inspections along the way and a completion certificate at the end.
Questions about small housing developments in Bedfordshire
Can you help with planning?
Yes. We coordinate the architect or designer and, where needed, a planning consultant.
How long does a small housing development take in Bedfordshire?
Typically 12 to 24 months depending on scheme size. Design and approvals beforehand usually take 6 to 12 months.
How much does a small housing development cost in Bedfordshire?
In Bedfordshire, a small housing development typically costs £1,900–£2,850 per m² of floor area (build cost), including VAT at 0% (zero-rated for qualifying new dwellings). A typical 400 m² project comes to roughly £760,000–£1,140,000. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
What about biodiversity net gain?
In England, biodiversity net gain rules apply to many developments, with exemptions for some small sites. We work with your ecologist to confirm what applies to your scheme.
Who handles road adoption?
We build roads and sewers to adoptable standards where agreements are in place with the highway authority and water company.