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 Deal?
In Deal, a small housing development typically costs £2,000–£3,000 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 £800,000–£1,200,000. That range is adjusted for the South East, where domestic building work typically costs around 12% above the national average. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (280 m²) | £560,000–£840,000 |
| Typical project (400 m²) | £800,000–£1,200,000 |
| Larger project (560 m²) | £1,120,000–£1,680,000 |
| Rate per m² | £2,000–£3,000 |
Your quote will depend mainly on:
- Planning conditions and obligations
- Site access and phasing
- Ground conditions
- 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 Deal?
Before anything is built in Deal, we confirm which approvals apply in 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
Handled as part of most small housing developments:
- Handover packs for each home
- Utility connections
- Groundworks, roads and drainage
- Warranty and building control inspections
- House construction to building regulations
- External works and landscaping
How long does it take?
Allow 12 to 24 months depending on scheme size. Design and approvals come first and typically take 6 to 12 months, depending on the approval route.
Building in Deal
The South East has a broad mix of housing, from Victorian terraces in the towns to post-war semis and newer estates, so extension types vary street by street.
We work across Deal and neighbouring areas such as Dover, Ramsgate and Broadstairs. Postcodes we cover in Deal include CT14.
How it works
- 01
Survey and brief
We visit, discuss your ideas and budget, and survey the property or site at no cost.
- 02
Design and pricing
Design options, then a fixed quote based on the chosen drawings and specification.
- 03
Permissions sorted
Applications, building control and neighbour arrangements, all before the start date.
- 04
Build and sign-off
We run the build to a written programme and hand over the completion certificate.
Questions about small housing developments in Deal
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.
Is VAT charged on new homes?
Construction of qualifying new dwellings is normally zero-rated for VAT.
How much does a small housing development cost in Deal?
In Deal, a small housing development typically costs £2,000–£3,000 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 £800,000–£1,200,000. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
Who approves a small housing development in Deal?
Planning matters in Deal go to the council covering your address, and the work needs building control approval. We prepare and submit the applications for you.
Do you work with landowners?
Yes. If you own land, with or without planning permission, we can discuss building on it with you.
