Finance Your Home
Finance that works for you — from the whole market.Funding a custom build home is different from a standard mortgage — but it is widely available and well-supported. We work with a carefully selected specialist funding partner chosen from the whole of the available market, to ensure every buyer receives the most suitable finance solution for their individual circumstances.
Introduction
We believe that every buyer deserves independent, impartial finance advice — not a referral to a tied partner whose products may not be the best fit for their situation. That is why we work with a specialist funding partner selected from the whole of the available custom build mortgage market, assessed for the quality of their products, the depth of their expertise and their track record of supporting buyers through the custom build process.
Our funding partner will be introduced to you at the point of reservation. They will assess your individual circumstances, search the full market for the most suitable product and structure your mortgage around your build programme — with no obligation to proceed and no cost for an initial conversation.
Our Approach to Finance
Custom build mortgages are a specialist area and not all lenders or brokers are equipped to handle them well. We have chosen our funding partner specifically for their expertise in this market — their knowledge of how stage payment mortgages work, their relationships with lenders who understand custom build, and their ability to structure finance around the particular requirements of the purchase.
Crucially, they are not tied to any single lender or product range. They search the whole of the available market to find the most appropriate solution for each individual buyer — whether that is a valuation-based stage payment mortgage, a cost-based product, or a bridging arrangement for buyers with an existing property to sell.
Why Specialist Advice Matters
Most new homes are built speculatively — designed by a developer, finished to a standard specification and offered to buyers on a take-it-or-leave-it basis. Bespoke Custom Build Homes does things differently.
We develop carefully chosen sites across the South West and bring them to market as custom build opportunities — giving buyers the ability to shape their home before construction begins. Every detail, from the layout of the rooms to the choice of flooring, tiling and finishes, is agreed and confirmed at a fixed price before a single component leaves the factory.
The result is a home that is not just new — it is yours. Built to reflect the way you actually want to live, in a location you have chosen, at a price you agreed from the start.
Not all Lenders Accept Custom Build
Custom build homes are funded through stage payment mortgages — a specialist product that most high street lenders do not offer. A whole-of-market specialist knows which lenders are active in this space and which products are genuinely suitable for your situation
The Structure Matters
Because land and build are purchased separately, the mortgage structure is more complex than a standard purchase. Getting it right from the outset — including how stage payments align with your build programme — requires expertise that a generalist broker rarely has.
Higher Borrowing Potential
Specialist custom build lenders can offer higher loan-to-value ratios than standard new build mortgages in many cases — meaning buyers can often borrow more, on better terms, than through a conventional route.
Support Throughout the Build
A specialist finance partner remains involved throughout the build process — managing stage payment drawdowns, liaising with lenders and helping to navigate any financial decisions that arise along the way.
How Custom Build Mortgages Work
Unlike a standard residential mortgage — where a lump sum is released on completion — a custom build mortgage releases funds in stages aligned with the progress of your build. There are two principal types:
Valuation-based stage payment mortgage: Funds released after each stage of work based on an uplift in property value. Typically lending between 70% and 85% of plot and build costs.
Cost-based stage payment mortgage: Guaranteed stage payments based on agreed build costs rather than interim valuations — providing greater certainty and often allowing higher borrowing. Available through specialist whole-of-market brokers.
If You Currently Own a Home
Specialist custom build lenders have products designed for buyers who are selling an existing home, allowing you to proceed with your purchase while you remain in your current property and complete its sale in your own time. Our funding partner will identify the most appropriate solution for your circumstances.
SDLT Saving
Example 1 - £650,000 Home
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard SDLT | £22,500 |
| If second property | + £32,500 |
| Maximum standard SDLT | £55,000 |
| Custom build SDLT (plot only) | £2,500 |
| SAVING | £20,000 - £52,500 |
Example 2 - £800,000 Home
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard SDLT | £30,000 |
| If second property | + £40,000 |
| Maximum standard SDLT | £70,000 |
| Custom build SDLT (plot only) | £9,500 |
| SAVING | £20,500 – £60,500 |
Disclaimer:
These examples are for illustration only. SDLT rates and calculations depend on individual circumstances including whether you own other property at the point of purchase. Independent legal and tax advice should always be sought before committing to a purchase.
Equity Uplift
Your completed home could potentially be worth more than it cost to build. Because you are purchasing and building at today's costs, and the open market places a premium on a finished, uniquely personalised home, many buyers find themselves in positive equity from the day they move in.
Getting Started with Finance
You do not need to have reserved a plot before exploring your finance options. We recommend starting the conversation as early as possible — so that you have a clear understanding of your borrowing capacity and how your mortgage will work before you commit to anything.
Our funding partner will be confirmed and introduced to buyers at the point of reservation. If you would like to be put in touch before that point, please contact our team and we will make the introduction.
Legal and Regulatory Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute financial or mortgage advice. Mortgage products, lending criteria and interest rates are subject to change. All mortgage applications are subject to lender assessment and approval. SDLT information is illustrative only — independent legal and tax advice should always be sought. Bespoke Custom Build Homes is not a financial services provider and does not provide regulated mortgage advice. Our funding partner is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or any other debt secured on it.