Want a new build but not on an estate

[Ouzz]

Is this really too much to ask for? There are houses all over the place, but if you want an unassuming modern house (think 3 bed, terraced or semi) they all seem to be on massive estates. I just want a house on a country road, but a new(ish) one!!! Surely there must be some in existence in Surrey?

My dad used to build these, but they are not an efficient use of land so not any do. Can you buy your own plot and get it commissioned?

it would seem not. If you want it, you may have to do it yourself.

Doesn't make financial sense for the builder.

I bought a new build on a small plot (less than 10 houses and well spaced out) from a small developer so they do exist. Let all local estate agents know what you're looking for so they can alert you if any come up for sale.

You’d be unlikely to buy a one-off new build of that size, but you might find a small development as PP mentions.

I’d love to have my house not in an estate but it’ll cost me £100-150k more to get a similar house. I’ve decided to go for an older non-estate house next, but will modernise.

You could look to buy a plot and build yourself, however it would probably cost you more as builders and materials are so expensive now.

Keep your eye on the local council’s planning portal and you can see what developments are put in for approval. You could contact the applicant and express interest.

Recently had two lots of these types of developments in our village.

One lot of 9 properties were built on a small holding and the other were 3 houses built in the back garden of an old house. Both by the same developer.

Not sure if all planning is the same but in our area if you want planning for more than a set number of houses you have to have a percentage being social housing so a lot of developers buy up smaller parcels of land and although collectively they'll build over this set number they won't be within the same plot of land so it's considered separate planning application.

There's loads near me. The world and its dog seem to be selling off chunks of their garden for a house or two to be built, or buying up old garages, run down houses, shops etc, knocking them down and putting up houses. Research local small builders in your area and ask if they've got anything in the pipeline.

You get little ‘steadings’ near us that used to be stables or something, built around a courtyard they are very high end modern conversions of old barns etc.

Sometimes you get a handful of newbuilds. But they are usually crammed in a not very convenient spot. There is the odd individual one to
be found but not many. Anything in a good spot will be very expensive.

We effectively live in a new build, but the actual property is about 80 years old.

Extension, loft conversion, walls moved, new bathrooms, kitchen, electrics, all new plumbing, new windows and doors and new flooring. At one point it there was literally only the outside walls, the roof was off as the pitch needed to change to accommodate the loft conversion.

It cost about £200k all in, on top of the purchase price. We funded it initially from savings and a loan, which was all paid back when we sold our existing property.

I appreciate it won't work for everyone, but it's an option.

£200k for all that seems extremely reasonable! We did a lot less for £150k.