Our simple custom build process explained

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• Angelo Baccarella
  6 minute read...

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The ideal way for you to build your own home without the stress and risk of going alone. Start your journey...

Once you have registered your interest and are ready to start your journey, we can begin the process to help you decide whether this is the right opportunity for you to design your home and for us to build it for you. 

Your Discovery Call

A vital first step to ensure you get the most out of the custom build process. Your discovery call involves:

• Discussing and understanding the custom build process.
• We will explore whether the Haslingfield scheme is right for you.
• We will help you choose your ideal home plot.
• Answering any questions you may have.

Design Concepts

With a better understanding of your requirements we can look at the proposed space and how you can customise it to your liking:

• What do you like about your chosen home plot and would not change?
• What would you like to change/modify?
• We will guide you as to the options available to you.

Feasibility

Having looked at the designs and tweaked them to your specification we can ensure your desired changes would be possible:

• We will consult our Architect and prepare revised drawings of the changes sought.
• We will consult our Planning Consultant on those changes that might require planning permission approval.
• Will the timescales work? We can discuss the timelines and how best they can be accommodated.
• What is the total purchase price? This is based on the overall agreed purchase price including taking into account any changes to the specification. 
• How will I know, I can afford it? If required we can introduce you to one of our funding partners. 

Financials and Plot Purchase

With the feasibility established how can I secure my chosen plot?

• Before you can secure your home plot, we will need concrete verification of affordability and available funds.
• Once we have both agreed that we can deliver what you are looking for, we will require a deductible Reservation Fee of £5,000 and the home plot will be taken off sale and secured for you. You will be given 6-8 weeks to exchange.
• When will I have to pay for my home? The payment process will be arranged into 3 specific elements:
  • Plot Purchase: A deposit and final payment on completion which is dependent on obtaining planning permission based on the existing drawings and elevations.
  • Infrastructure costs and utility services to the boundary of your home plot.  
  • Build Costs are payable on agreed stages based on a number of factors including the release of funds as required by your lender and our payment policy.
  • How will upgrades be payable? They will be added to the overall build costs and paid as part of the agreed stage payments. Upgrades falling outside the main payment and funding and purchase price will have to be paid in advance of ordering or commissioning the upgrade.

Detailed Creative Design

Once we have established the affordability and commitment to go ahead, we can start on the creative stage:

• Working together with our architect and project manager, we can translate how you want to live, into a new house design that you love.
• We will create optional floor plans for review and confirmation of your preferred design.

• We will provide realistic computer-generated images (CGI) and 3D images to help visualise your home and help you make the right choices.

• Once the plot purchase has been completed, any changes agreed and requiring planning permission will be submitted for approval to the South Cambridgeshire Council’s planning department. We will monitor the progress with the council and keep you informed.

Specification

We will work together to provide your very own detailed specification for your home.

Please note: All these drawings, specifications, schedules and notes should be studied thoroughly as changes and amendments will have financial and time implications. They will be presented to you for official and contractual signing off. Once approved, no changes will be allowed because it will disrupt the build cycle and timescales for the whole site development programme. 

Contractual Commitments

The contract will be completed within a prescribed period of having obtained planning:

• A sale contract will be prepared based on the designs, schedules and specifications signed off at the agreed price. You will be required to exchange within 6-8 weeks of reserving your plot.
• The contract will consist of 3 elements:
  • Purchase of home plot.
  • Completion of infrastructure and utility services.
  • Design and build contract.

Planning Application

We will submit a planning application for the whole site of 5 houses in September 2022:

• We would expect to obtain planning approval within 12 weeks. However, it can take longer.
• Planning applications that may be required, for changes we have agreed with you from our recommended design, will be submitted as soon as we are able to do so after planning permission is granted.

Planning Approved

Once planning is approved for our recommended design:

• Your home plot purchase will be completed within a prescribed timescale and the final balance for the plot purchase will be required.
• The preparation for the build will start.

​​​Technical Design and Building Regulations

This is the detailed design stage:

• The approved designs will be tailored for construction, to ensure your new home is structurally sound and can be built without complication.
• It will also be the time to get involved with the physical layout and design of your kitchen, bathroom, flooring, and heating systems, wall coverings as well as window and door schedules, electrical sockets, and lighting positions and all the major and minor details of finishing your home. 
• Once all the design schedules have been completed and signed off by you, these together with the construction drawings and notes, will be submitted for Building Regulations approval and sign off. This is required to receive a 10-Year Structural Warranty Certificate, which is a condition of sale and required to protect the value of your new home on completion.

Please note: All these drawings, schedules and notes should be studied thoroughly as changes and amendments will have financial and time implications. They will be presented to you for official and contractual signing off, enabling us to begin procurement, fabrication and construction. 

Start Building and Complete

From the start of the build process how long will it take:

• From obtaining planning to your new home being ready for you to move in, will on average, take c12 months to complete.
• You will be able to carry-out your final snagging on the finishes prior to completion and before making the final payment.
• Your 10year warranty will be issued.
• Your home will be sparkle cleaned and all appliances and services checked to ensure they are working as they should be, ready for you to move in. 

My Stellco Home Login

We have created a personal My Stellco Home portal for you to register as a member as part of the experience of designing and custom building your very own unique home.

This is where we can store your documentation and chart your journey throughout the build process and experience the joy of seeing your design and home take shape… literally from building out of the ground to completion!

We will store all the essential information you will need to know and keep about your home from the initial planning drawings to the detailed specifications and construction drawings, appliance instruction manuals, guarantees and where to find and how to use the many things installed in your home for you to use. We will keep you updated on the progress of your journey which you can share with your family and friends.

You will be going through a tremendous journey with different emotions and experiences throughout, from taking the first step of choosing your home plot to finalising your dream design, choosing your fixtures and finishes, and every important step in-between. Each phase marks a momentous moment that will shape your future and your future home.

A wonderful way to look back on your journey is to capture each milestone as they unfold. We will take regular photos and video clips and upload them for you to see.

And finally...

Move-in and enjoy your home!