The Property Magazine New Homes Winter 2018-19

GRAVEN HILL
At Graven Hill, plot owners are free to choose
who builds their home, the pace at which to do
so – as long as it’s within two years of completion
of the land and foundations – and to what standard
or specification. Some people choose to bring in
external contractors, others prefer to roll up their
sleeves and get stuck in themselves.
Stuck for ideas?
There is no need to accept a badly-designed home
– from first-time buyers and growing families,
to those looking to downsize and futureproof,
learning what matters most is the first step to a
successful self-build. Graven Hill are building a
catalogue of example homes to inspire those who
are new to the project and who want inspiration of
a three-dimensional kind.
Banishing money worries
For those considering building their own home, cost
and securing finance is always a worry, with many
lenders adopting a more cautious attitude to selfbuilds,
compared with standard new homes. Graven
Hill has engaged with specialist mortgage brokers,
who offer advice and support to ensure that
financial worries don’t get in the way of the dream.
A self-build mortgage varies slightly from a standard
mortgage, as the money is released in stages as
the build progresses, as opposed to in a lump sum.
There are different ways in which the money can
be released, and this is dependent on the type
of products that buyers choose. The mortgage
companies working with Graven Hill ensure that the
release of money coincides with each key stage of
the build, meaning self-builders have one less thing
to think about.
Golden Brick – what’s that?
More savings also come from the fact that selfbuild
projects at Graven Hill are zero-rated for VAT.
Additionally, Graven Hill will design and build the
foundations according to buyers’ specifications in a
package called ‘Golden Brick’.
Choosing this option includes a ground floor slab to
suit the house design, installation of drainage and
utilities, and a 10-year structural warranty on the
new home. Graven Hill provides estimates for these
costs, meaning that there are no nasty surprises if
something crops up later in the course of the build.
This simple approach to the self-build process
gives the plot owner the maximum control on
the delivery of their project, whilst removing the
uncertainty and vulnerability which is associated
with laying the foundations of any self-build.
What’s more, Graven Hill has negotiated that plot
owners will only pay Stamp Duty on the price of the
plot itself and the Golden Brick foundations, rather
than on the completed home. Upon exchanging
contracts, work on the foundations can begin,
setting the project on its course.
The Graven Hill sales team manage the properties
on a day-to-day basis so that those who are
interested can visit and learn from projects, take
tours of the houses and the wider development,
and find out how to secure their own plot at this
unique self-build and custom build site.
It is clear to see why revolutionary projects such
as Graven Hill are generating excitement within
the custom and self-building community, or even
planting the seed with those who have never
considered designing their own home. The reality
of a flourishing village community based around an
ingrained passion for individuality and creativity is
both exciting and intriguing – with each phase of
the project that unfolds, a new dimension is added
to a site.
If you’re interested in hearing more about Graven
Hill, The Plot Shop in Bicester town centre is the
place to visit. The in-house team are keen to answer
questions about any aspect of the development –
from designing and planning, through to how to
reserve a plot, securing finance, and much more.
For more information, visit www.gravenhill.co.uk
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