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 Manchester?
In Manchester, a small housing development typically costs £1,700–£2,550 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 £680,000–£1,020,000. The guide for Manchester reflects typical costs in the North West, roughly 6% below the UK-wide figure. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (280 m²) | £476,000–£714,000 |
| Typical project (400 m²) | £680,000–£1,020,000 |
| Larger project (560 m²) | £952,000–£1,428,000 |
| Rate per m² | £1,700–£2,550 |
The biggest cost drivers are:
- Roads, sewers and adoption agreements
- Site access and phasing
- Specification
- Ground conditions
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 Manchester?
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.
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:
- House construction to building regulations
- Utility connections
- Pre-construction cost plan
- External works and landscaping
- Groundworks, roads and drainage
- Warranty and building control inspections
How long does it take?
The build itself usually takes 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 Manchester
Terraced streets across the North West often suit rear dormers and single-storey kitchen extensions.
If your home is in Manchester or close by in Salford, Failsworth and Droylsden, a free home visit is the first step.
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 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
Build and sign-off
We run the build to a written programme and hand over the completion certificate.
Questions about small housing developments in Manchester
How long does a small development take?
Typically 12 to 24 months on site, depending on size and phasing.
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.
How much does a small housing development cost in Manchester?
In Manchester, a small housing development typically costs £1,700–£2,550 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 £680,000–£1,020,000. 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.
Do you build small housing developments in Manchester?
Yes. We build small housing developments across Manchester, including postcodes M1, M2, M3 and M4. Every project starts with a free home visit.