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Book an Online Consultation Before Building a House Anywhere in the UK

If you are considering building a house on land you already own, you need advice from an experienced professional before going ahead. This is one of the most riskiest and expensive investments it is possible to make, so you need to get it right. 

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I will sense check your ideas, timescale, budget and give you my view on the odds of getting planning permission approved before you commit to buying land to build a house.

Online Consultations with Real Life Architecture are available if...

  • The property is in the UK. 

  • You intended to build a single house, not multiple properties

  • There isn't already an architect involved. 

  • Consultations are private and confidential. Videos featuring properties from earlier consultations were made with the client's approval. If you don't want your property to feature in a video that's totally ok, I will always ask and it won't affect the consultation if you say no. 

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Follow this link for the full Terms & Conditions 

What can you expect from the online consultation

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  • The purpose of the consultation is to establish whether the project is feasible and affordable within your budget.

  • Identify alternative ideas that might achieve a better result for you.

  • Refine your ideas and requirements, to make the best use of your property and budget.

  • Advise on pitfalls to avoid during the planning application process.

  • Identify requirements of the building regulations relevant to your project.

  • Help you understand how to find the right local architect for your project.

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The consultation is done online, via a zoom call. Once the consultation is booked I will ask you to email me with specific information about the property. I will need photos, the full postal address and as much information as you can give me on your requirements, including your budget and timescales. ​

 

Please be aware I will not provide design services, drawings or specifications as part of the consultation. 

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I will write you a summary of the consultation afterwards so there is a record of our discussion. The summary email will come with a copy of my Project Guide document. 

Popular Posts About Building a House

Frequently Asked Questions When Building a House in the UK

I own a plot and want to build a house — where do I start?
The first step is establishing whether full planning permission is required and what that application will need to address. If your plot already has outline permission, you will need to submit a detailed application agreeing the design. If there is no permission, a full application is required from the outset. Before any of that, you need to be clear on your budget and whether it is realistic for the size and type of house you want to build. A 30-minute consultation maps out the approvals required, flags any obvious site risks, and gives you a realistic picture of likely costs before you spend money on drawings or professional fees.
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What planning permission is needed to build a new house in the UK?
A full planning application is required for a new house in virtually all circumstances. The application must demonstrate that the proposed dwelling is appropriate for the site in terms of design, scale, access, impact on neighbours, and compliance with the local authority's planning policies. In conservation areas or near listed buildings, additional consents may be required. In Scotland the process differs slightly from England and Wales — but the fundamental requirement for planning permission before building a new house is the same across all parts of the UK.
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What are building regulations, and how are they different from planning permission?
They are entirely separate. Planning permission is about whether you can build. Building regulations are about how you build — covering structural safety, fire safety, thermal performance, drainage, ventilation, and a range of other technical requirements. You must have both planning permission and building regulations approval (called a Building Warrant in Scotland) before construction begins. A structural engineer will be required on any new-build project, and an energy consultant is usually needed to demonstrate compliance with current insulation and energy efficiency standards.
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How much does it cost to build a house in the UK in 2026?
As a broad benchmark, construction costs for a one-off new house in the UK in 2026 start at around £2,300 per square metre, plus VAT where applicable. High-specification finishes, complex sites, remote locations, or difficult ground conditions push costs considerably higher. This figure covers construction only and does not include architect's fees, structural engineering, planning and building regulations fees, or site-specific costs such as ground remediation, a new access road, or connecting to services. Allow a contingency of at least 15% on top of your construction budget for unexpected costs, particularly on sites where the ground conditions are unknown.
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Do I need to appoint an architect, or can I use a design-and-build company?
You are not legally required to hire an architect, but you must use an ARB-registered architect if you wish to use that title. A design-and-build company combines the design and construction under one contract, which can simplify the process but means the person designing your house also has a financial interest in keeping costs low. An independent architect works solely in your interest, produces drawings that meet planning and building regulations requirements, and can manage the construction process on your behalf. For a new house, independent architectural input at the design stage almost always adds value.
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How long does it typically take to build a new house in the UK from start to finish?
From initial design work to moving in, the full process typically takes two to four years. A planning application for a new house takes three to twelve months from submission to decision — the eight-week statutory target is rarely met, and applications for new houses are more complex than extensions. If neighbours object in sufficient numbers, the decision passes from the planning officer to the local elected committee, which can add months to the process. Building regulations approval takes several weeks to several months. Finding and appointing a builder and agreeing a contract typically takes a further three to six months after approvals are in place. Construction itself usually takes 6 to 12 months, depending on the size and complexity of the build but could take years if you self-build in stages. 

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