How much does it cost to build a new house in the UK?

Build costs in the UK typically range from £1,000-£1,500/m² for a basic specification up to £3,500-£5,000/m² for a bespoke architect-designed home. A standard-specification detached house costs around £1,500-£2,000/m², meaning a 150m² home would cost £225,000-£300,000 to build before professional fees, contingency and plot cost.

What is the cost per m² to build a house in the UK in 2025?

In 2025/26, typical UK new build costs per m² are: Basic £1,000-1,500, Standard £1,500-2,000, Good spec £2,000-2,500, High spec £2,500-3,500, and Bespoke £3,500-5,000. London adds approximately 30% to these figures; the North East is around 12% below the national average.

What professional fees should I budget for a self-build?

Professional fees for a self-build typically run to around 15% of the base build cost. This covers architect fees (8-12%), structural engineer (2-4%), planning consultant, project manager and statutory fees including planning applications and building control.

How much contingency should I allow when building a new home?

RICS and most self-build advisors recommend a minimum 10% contingency on the base build cost. For complex sites, first-time builders or projects with unknown ground conditions, 15-20% is more appropriate. Contingency should be treated as a reserve fund, not additional budget.

New Build Cost Calculator - Cost Per m²

This calculator estimates the cost of building a new home in the UK using benchmark data aligned to BCIS and RICS published cost ranges. Enter your floor area, region and specification level to get a cost-per-m² estimate with a full breakdown across all major trades - from groundworks and structure through to kitchens, electrics and decoration.

Simple mode covers the core inputs most self-builders need. Advanced mode unlocks foundation type, structural system, roof form, site difficulty, services connection and professional fees - useful if you have a clearer picture of your project.

Figures are indicative ranges for early budget planning - not a quote. Actual costs depend on your contractor market, procurement route and site-specific conditions. Always commission a quantity surveyor before committing to a budget. Not sure of your overall project budget yet? Start with the Self-Build Cost Estimator first.

Configure Your Build

Project basics

Plot cost (optional) If known, enter your land purchase price. This is added to the build cost in the total. Leave blank to show build cost only.

Region

Internal floor area (m²) Total internal area across all floors. A typical 4-bed detached is 120-180m².

Specification level

Basic £1,000-1,500/m²

Standard £1,500-2,000/m²

Good £2,000-2,500/m²

High £2,500-3,500/m²

Bespoke £3,500-5,000/m²

Standard = developer-grade finishes. Good = above average, quality kitchen/bathrooms. High = premium materials, underfloor heating. Bespoke = architect-led, no compromise.

House type Detached homes cost more per m² than semi or terraced due to four exposed walls. Bungalows have proportionally more roof and foundations.

Foundations & structure

Foundation type

Structural system

Roof type

Services & site

Services connection

Site difficulty

Fees & contingency

Include professional fees (~15% of build cost) Architect, structural engineer, planning consultant, project manager and statutory fees.

Contingency (%)

Configuration saved

Configure your project and press Calculate Cost to see your cost estimate.

New Build Cost Calculator

Configure Your Build

Just so you know...