Demolishing an existing house and rebuilding is a very common way that self-builders realise their dream project. Around 55% of new homes built in the UK by self-builders take place on the site of existing homes.
Potton have worked on a number of replacement dwelling projects, all of which can be found on our
Case Studies page.
Jean and Eric Sawyer bought land from their neighbours and self-built a contemporary home for their retirement years. After researching build systems and visiting our
Elsworth show home, they set about the task and completed the build process with some really interesting eco features like solar hot water and an air source heat pump that feeds underfloor heating.
Andrew and Michelle Earle were living in what they described as a “hovel” before their replacement build took them to a
perfectly proportioned home in Cornwall. You can also read more about Brian and Loveday Ellis, who bought a plot with a small bungalow and existing planning permission for a four-bedroom dwelling.
You can also look to Christina and John Horan’s completely bespoke self-build in Gloucestershire for inspiration. They replaced an asbestos-heavy small bungalow with a cleverly designed building that matched the simple front facades of the houses surrounding it, with a beautiful, modern glazed rear.
The general rule when it comes to self-building versus renovation is that the smaller and more run-down a house is, the more sensible it is to knock it down and start again.
This is true for financial as well as structural reasons. An important financial factor is the situation with regards to VAT. Self-builders, in this case building from scratch after demolition, find their labour and materials costs zero-rated for VAT purposes. If you’re renovating or extending an existing house you are required to pay the full 20%.
For even more information on decision making prior to demolishing an existing property in order to make way for a new building, you can also read our full analysis of whether you should
rebuild or repair an existing home.
Are you considering demolishing an existing building to make way for your very own self-build project? Request a call back to discuss your requirements and what we can do to help make your dream a reality.