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 Dorset?
In Dorset, a small housing development typically costs £1,850–£2,750 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 £740,000–£1,100,000. Building costs in the South West are close to the UK average, so the figures for Dorset are close to our national guide. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (280 m²) | £518,000–£770,000 |
| Typical project (400 m²) | £740,000–£1,100,000 |
| Larger project (560 m²) | £1,036,000–£1,540,000 |
| Rate per m² | £1,850–£2,750 |
Your quote will depend mainly on:
- Ground conditions
- Planning conditions and obligations
- Specification
- Site access and phasing
Your exact price depends on the survey and drawings. The guide price tool gives a quick range in the meantime.
Do you need planning permission for a small housing development in Dorset?
Whether you need planning permission depends on your house and its location 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.
We check this for your address before design work starts, so there are no surprises later.
What we handle
The work we manage on a small housing development:
- House construction to building regulations
- Groundworks, roads and drainage
- Warranty and building control inspections
- Handover packs for each home
- Design development and discharge of conditions
- Utility connections
How long does it take?
Build time is typically 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 Dorset
In parts of the South West, protected landscapes and conservation areas shape what can be built, so materials and roof forms are chosen carefully.
Towns we cover in Dorset include Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth and Christchurch.
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 small housing developments in Dorset
How long does a small development take?
Typically 12 to 24 months on site, depending on size and phasing.
How much does a small housing development cost in Dorset?
In Dorset, a small housing development typically costs £1,850–£2,750 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 £740,000–£1,100,000. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
Is VAT charged on new homes?
Construction of qualifying new dwellings is normally zero-rated for VAT.
Who approves a small housing development in Dorset?
Planning matters in Dorset go to the council covering your address, and the work needs building control approval. We prepare and submit the applications for you.
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.