Together we can build better
Local authorities are increasingly adopting “Percentage Policies” under S106 agreements to secure more custom home opportunities. This approach reserves a portion of new developments for Self Build & Custom Housebuilding (SBCH), empowering homebuyers to have a primary say in the design and layout of their homes.
64%
of SBCH planning permissions are already secured through S106 on large sites, and expected to climb to 75% by 2026.
Challenges Facing Housebuilders.
Limited Economies of Scale
Selling land for SBCH to individuals or third-parties often results in losses of “margin-on-margin” as buyers are unable to match the efficiencies of larger builders.
Policy Complexity
Varied local authority interpretations of SBCH can lead to increased costs and administrative challenges, often driving developers toward overly complex and expensive solutions that may not match market demand.
Milestone Dependencies
SBCH is frequently linked to other site development milestones (similar to Affordable Housing), complicating project scheduling and delivery.
Customisation Delays
Many housebuilders are hesitant to engage directly with individual homebuyers for tailored solutions, which can result in delays and additional costs.
Design Constraints
Traditional self-build models typically require larger plots to accommodate detached homes, forcing housebuilders to compromise on-site density and overall profitability.
Introducing Blank Canvas.
Blank Canvas bridges the gap between self-build and new build, allowing homebuyers to have input into the design of their home while benefiting from expert-backed services.
Compliance & Optimised Land Use
Fully compliant with SBCH definitions and adaptable to various site sizes and densities, including semi-detached, terraced homes, and flats.
Optimised Returns
Sell at 100% market value, significantly enhancing developer returns compared to selling land to others. – see comparison table below.
Market Ready
Supported by over 20 mortgage lenders and backed by a specialist AA- Rated 10-year structural warranty, ensuring a robust and reliable product offering.
Streamlined Sales Process
Sold off-plan! We introduce and manage buyers through the customisation process, creating a “home order” for housebuilders to supply. Sales processes, including conveyancing, integrate smoothly with housebuilders’ existing processes.
Cost Control & Reduced Liabilities
Keeps costs in line with traditional builds, enables housebuilders to maintain strict site control, and removes snagging responsibilities.
Integrated Interior Fit-Out
Benefit from our comprehensive project management Blank Canvas app, which offers homebuyers a task manager, budget tracker, access to local and national trades, DIY advice, and more!
What types of projects are Blank Canvas suited to?
Detached
Semi-Detached
Terraced
Flat / Apartment
Homebuyer Demand for Blank Canvas
Blank Canvas benefits from huge consumer demand, with more than 150,000 applications to the Right to Build Register, owned and operated by Custom Build Homes. This tool offers housebuilders a robust route to market for SBCH, enabling swift successful sales.
150000+
Ensure compliance under Section 106
Blank Canvas enables housebuilders to seamlessly comply with their Self Build & Custom Housebuilding obligations under Section 106, optimising efficiencies at every stage. Most Local Planning Authorities insist evidence is submitted, detailing how self and custom build housing will be offered to homebuyers. Typically, this info is to be contained in a “scheme, strategy or plan” requested as part of the conditions contained in the Section 106 legal agreement. Adopting Blank Canvas enables full compliance as follows:
Does Blank Canvas align with the provisions of the Self-Build & Custom Housebuilding Act 2015?
Yes, Blank Canvas enables homebuyers to customise their new home design, room layout and all fixtures and fittings. It allows for direct homebuyer involvement, creating “sweat equity” opportunities for buyers, thereby ensuring all new homes are tailored to their owners.
Is Blank Canvas priced fairly and transparently?
All pricing is backed by Chartered Surveyors, as well as a panel of mortgage lenders, therefore all parties can be assured that fair market values are being marketed when selling Blank Canvas to homebuyers.
How is Blank Canvas marketed to the Self and Custom Build audience specifically?
Custom Build Homes owns and runs the Right to Build Register. This national database hosts the demand data from more than 190,000 active homebuyers, specifically looking for and self or custom build home. This, matched with industry leading knowledge and experience, and access to all major property portals ensures those who wish to self or custom build in the area can engage.
How do you market efficiently to local and regional audiences?
Our Right to Build Register database is sectioned by local authority areas, postcode areas or radii from specific sites. This means we can tailor our marketing campaigns from highly localised, to large regions or nearby cities. Many S106 agreements require the marketing efforts to cascade from local to further afield. Only Custom Build Homes can achieve this while also ensuring the self and custom build specific audience is reached.
How do you ensure homebuyers are “qualified persons”?
Some Local Authorities insist on buyers meeting certain qualifying criterion. Our sales team qualifies all potential buyers for affordability, as well as any third-party provisions of the Act that may factor. Typically, this will be determining and evidencing their local connection to the area.
Will there be an estate agent involved?
Yes, Custom Build Homes is a registered Estate Agent and has been actively marketing and selling self and custom build housing projects for over 10-years. With benefits including a 190,000+ consumer database, “Assisted Move” and a Part Exchange offering that enables people to stay in their current home while fitting out their Blank Canvas, Custom Build Homes is uniquely placed to achieve maximum exposure and swift completions.
Is the sales process more complex or restrictive than buying a traditional new home?
No, buying a Blank Canvas is almost the same as buying a new home. Custom Build Homes will support buyers to customise their Blank Canvas to suit. Contracts will be exchanged as usual, before the Blank Canvas is built. When the Blank Canvas is ready to be fitted out, sales completion will occur. Buyers will have up to 6-months to fit-out their Blank Canvas and move in.
Can homebuyers use a mortgage to buy a Blank Canvas?
Yes, a Blank Canvas can be bought and completed with as little as a 5% mortgage deposit, subject buyers’ affordability. We have access to exclusive mortgage products that guarantee the completion of homes, every time!
Does Blank Canvas come with a 10-Year Structural Warranty?
Yes, a Blank Canvas comes with an AA- Rated 10 Year Structural Warranty as standard.
What happens if the marketing period for SBCH expires, and Blank Canvas units remain unsold?
In the event the Marketing Period imposed under S106 expires, housebuilders can simply build homes beyond the Blank Canvas stage, and sell them on the open market, subject to the terms of specific S106 agreements.
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