Self-Build Mortgages
- Over 25 years experience providing expert mortgage advice to our clients
- Team of expert self-build mortgage advisers
- Access to the whole mortgage market, including products only available via advisers
What is a Self-Build Mortgage?
A self-build mortgage is a specialised loan designed to fund your house build project. Unlike traditional mortgages, funds are usually released in stages based on build progress rather than a lump sum payment.
Projects include:
- Full self-builds
- Large extensions or renovations
- Knock-down and rebuilds
- Part-completed builds needing financing
How to Finance Your Dream Project
Many clients dream of building their own home because they can make it exactly how they want it. However, a self-build project requires a different type of mortgage, for which you will need bespoke advice. The typical stages for a self-build project in the UK are:
- Finding land
- Organising your finances and budget
- Producing plans, undertaking site surveys and obtaining planning permission
- Finalising your self-build mortgage and purchasing the land (if not owned already)
- Confirming relevant contractors
- Groundworks & foundations
- The build
- Final steps & snagging
- Refinancing your self-build mortgage and switching to a standard mortgage
Our team of experienced mortgage advisers will work with you to understand your project, source the right deal for your circumstances, and manage the application process from start to finish.
- What We Do
- Self-build mortgages
- Finance for large renovations or extensions
- Knock-down and rebuild finance
- Finance for part completed self-build projects
Why Use a Mortgage Broker?
It is predicted that 89% of all mortgages in 2025 will be organised via an adviser or broker (source IMLA). Working with a independent, whole of market mortgage adviser can save you a great deal of time, stress and money, and you’ll gain invaluable advice throughout the process, and even post-completion. They’ll look to secure you the best deal, and can often access lenders, rates and financing that is not available to the general public.
Ready to Discuss Your Self-Build Mortgage?
Complete our enquiry form below and one of our self-build mortgage advisers will be in contact.
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FAQs
Before building a house, you will need planning permission from the local planning authority. Often, plots are sold with planning permission in place, but this is not always the case. Even if a plot already has planning permission, you may wish to alter it to get exactly what you want. This is where a planning consultant can help.
The process can be costly and dogmatic, so it can save you time and money if you find out whether you have a realistic chance of achieving what you want before submitting a planning application. A good planning consultant will also be able to advise you on how to achieve your desired outcome.
Typically, with a custom-build project a builder has land and approved plans for a small number of houses. Clients collaborate with the builder from the outset and can decide on the finish and interior layout of the house, but will have limited influence on the overall size and design.
Self-build projects are defined as those where someone directly organises the design and construction of their own home. It can also refer to large extension or renovation work that cannot be financed by standard mortgage products.
These projects can be delivered in a range of ways, from someone choosing to design and build the house themselves, or more traditionally employing the relevant architects, builders, tradesmen etc. to complete the build on their behalf.
Each self-build project will vary, and planning is key. As well as the cost of purchasing the land and obtaining the required planning permission there are several other costs to consider:
- An architect to produce the relevant drawings and specifications
- Project management costs if you are not planning to do this yourself
- Applicable survey or associated fees
- Costs to hire a builder and any other required trades
- Solicitors fees
- Any fees to your lender or mortgage adviser
- Stamp Duty costs, although you may only need to pay this on the value of the land you purchased
- Relevant insurance costs (you may be required to have specific insurance in place before the build)
- Purchasing of fixtures, fittings and furniture
Plus it is always good to have a contingency fund should you need it. This is why speaking to a mortgage adviser early is key to understanding how much finance could be available to you.
A number of traditional high-street banks and building societies offer self-build mortgages, plus there are also specialist self-build lenders who offer a choice of products.
Unlike traditional mortgages, self-build financing follows a stage-by-stage approach. Essentially, you borrow what you need as you need it through the project, from purchasing the land to paying for contractors to build.
When the build is complete, you switch your lending to a more traditional mortgage.