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 Wandsworth?
In Wandsworth, a small housing development typically costs £2,350–£3,500 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 £940,000–£1,400,000. That range is adjusted for London, where domestic building work typically costs around 30% above the national average. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (280 m²) | £658,000–£980,000 |
| Typical project (400 m²) | £940,000–£1,400,000 |
| Larger project (560 m²) | £1,316,000–£1,960,000 |
| Rate per m² | £2,350–£3,500 |
What moves the price most:
- Specification
- Number and size of homes
- Roads, sewers and adoption agreements
- 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 Wandsworth?
Here is how the rules work for a small housing development 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.
Our first visit includes a check of your planning history, so you know the route before paying for drawings.
What we handle
Handled as part of most small housing developments:
- Utility connections
- Groundworks, roads and drainage
- Pre-construction cost plan
- Warranty and building control inspections
- Design development and discharge of conditions
- House construction to building regulations
How long does it take?
The build itself usually takes 12 to 24 months depending on scheme size. Before that, surveys, drawings and approvals usually take 6 to 12 months, longer if the council asks for changes.
Building in Wandsworth
Victorian and Edwardian terraces dominate many London streets, which is why side return, wraparound and mansard projects are so common here.
We work across Wandsworth and neighbouring areas such as Battersea, Chelsea and Fulham. Postcodes we cover in Wandsworth include SW18 and SW95.
How it works
- 01
Visit and measured survey
A free visit to understand the project, check access and take measurements.
- 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 sign-off
We run the build to a written programme and hand over the completion certificate.
Questions about small housing developments in Wandsworth
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.
Do you build small housing developments in Wandsworth?
Yes. We build small housing developments across Wandsworth, including postcodes SW18 and SW95. Every project starts with a free home visit.
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 Wandsworth?
In Wandsworth, a small housing development typically costs £2,350–£3,500 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 £940,000–£1,400,000. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
Do you work with landowners?
Yes. If you own land, with or without planning permission, we can discuss building on it with you.
