House Build

House builds offer an exciting opportunity to create a completely bespoke living space tailored to your lifestyle and needs. At James Howell Designs, we specialise in supporting clients through every stage of their house builds, from the first ideas right through to final completion. Whether you’re looking to build your dream home in the Essex countryside or develop a residential plot, our experienced team is here to guide you.

Our service for house builds often starts with the Pre-Application (Pre-App) stage. This is an essential step that provides early feedback from the local planning authority, helping to identify potential challenges and streamline the full planning application process. By addressing local concerns early, we help set your project on the right track and increase its chances of approval.

Following the Pre-App, James Howell Designs manages the entire Planning Application process for your house builds. We handle all aspects of the submission, including preparing site plans, detailed elevations, design and access statements, and other supporting documents required by the council. Acting as your planning agent, we liaise with the planning department, respond to any queries, and keep you fully informed throughout the 8-10 week decision period.

Once planning permission is secured, we move on to the detailed design phase. This stage is critical for translating your vision into buildable plans. For house builds, we carefully refine layouts, materials, room proportions, and spatial flow to ensure the final design meets both aesthetic goals and functional needs. Our designs are also tailored to comply with building regulations and local authority guidelines. A crucial part of any house build is a comprehensive site survey. James Howell Designs conducts detailed measured surveys to gather accurate site data, including boundary lines, levels, and surrounding features. This information ensures that all designs fit perfectly within the site and address any technical constraints from the outset.

Structural calculations are another key service we offer for house builds. Working with experienced structural engineers, we produce the necessary calculations to guarantee your home’s safety, durability, and compliance with building standards. From foundations to roof structures, we ensure every element is engineered for long-term stability. To complete your house build, James Howell Designs also provides full interior design services. We help select finishes, materials, lighting, and layouts that bring your interiors to life, making sure the inside of your new home matches the quality and detail of its exterior. If you’re considering house builds in Essex or the surrounding areas, contact James Howell Designs today to discuss how we can help turn your dream home into a reality.