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 Magherafelt?
In Magherafelt, a small housing development typically costs £1,550–£2,300 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 £620,000–£920,000. That range is adjusted for Northern Ireland, where domestic building work typically costs around 14% below the national average. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (280 m²) | £434,000–£644,000 |
| Typical project (400 m²) | £620,000–£920,000 |
| Larger project (560 m²) | £868,000–£1,288,000 |
| Rate per m² | £1,550–£2,300 |
The biggest cost drivers are:
- Ground conditions
- Planning conditions and obligations
- Roads, sewers and adoption agreements
- Specification
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 Magherafelt?
Before anything is built in Magherafelt, we confirm which approvals apply in Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland small schemes need planning permission and building control approval, with road adoption agreed with DfI Roads where relevant.
In Northern Ireland building control approval comes from the council, usually through a full plans application or a building notice, with inspections during the work and a completion certificate 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
The work we manage on a small housing development:
- Design development and discharge of conditions
- External works and landscaping
- Utility connections
- House construction to building regulations
- Groundworks, roads and drainage
- Warranty and building control inspections
How long does it take?
Expect 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 Magherafelt
Across Northern Ireland, bungalows and chalet bungalows are common, so loft conversions and rear extensions are popular projects.
Our Magherafelt coverage includes postcode districts BT45, and we also work in nearby places such as Cookstown, Ballymena and Antrim.
How it works
- 01
Survey and brief
We visit, discuss your ideas and budget, and survey the property or site at no cost.
- 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
Build and sign-off
We run the build to a written programme and hand over the completion certificate.
Questions about small housing developments in Magherafelt
Do I need planning permission for a small housing development in Magherafelt?
In Northern Ireland small schemes need planning permission and building control approval, with road adoption agreed with DfI Roads where relevant.
How long does a small housing development take in Magherafelt?
Typically 12 to 24 months depending on scheme size. Design and approvals beforehand usually take 6 to 12 months.
Can you help with planning?
Yes. We coordinate the architect or designer and, where needed, a planning consultant.
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 Magherafelt?
In Magherafelt, a small housing development typically costs £1,550–£2,300 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 £620,000–£920,000. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
Who handles road adoption?
We build roads and sewers to adoptable standards where agreements are in place with the highway authority and water company.