There is a distinct allure to a new build property. Unlike renovating an older home, where you are often correcting the mistakes of previous owners or compromising on layout, a new build offers a blank canvas. It is an opportunity to create a space that fits your lifestyle perfectly—highly energy-efficient, structurally sound, and designed exactly to your taste.
However, building a new home from the ground up in Sussex is a significant undertaking. It requires navigating planning laws, managing complex logistics, and ensuring strict compliance with building regulations. At Ridge Group Contracting, we act as the bridge between your architectural drawings and the physical reality. Here is what you need to know about the new build journey.
The Scarcity of Land and Infill Sites
In densely populated areas like Brighton, Hove, and the wider Sussex coast, large greenfield plots are rare. The modern new build market here is defined by “infill” development. This involves building on garden plots, replacing a single decrepit bungalow with two modern townhouses, or reclaiming brownfield sites.
These sites present unique logistical challenges. Access can be tight, requiring careful management of deliveries and machinery. You may be building in close proximity to neighbours, requiring Party Wall Agreements and considerate construction practices. We specialise in these constrained sites, using micro-diggers for excavations and coordinating “just-in-time” deliveries to keep the site clear and safe.
Designing for the Future: Energy Efficiency
One of the greatest advantages of a new build is energy performance. While Victorian terraces struggle to retain heat, a modern new build is designed to be a thermal fortress.
Current Building Regulations (Part L) demand high standards of insulation and airtightness. But many of our clients choose to go further, aiming for Passivhaus standards or near-zero carbon homes. This involves:
- Fabric First Approach: investing in the shell of the building—high-performance insulation in floors, walls, and roofs to minimise heat loss.
- Renewable Tech: Integrating Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) and Solar PV panels from the outset. Unlike retrofitting, these can be hidden seamlessly within the design.
- Mechanical Ventilation: Installing MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) systems that provide fresh filtered air without losing heat—crucial for healthy living in an airtight home.
The Build Process: Foundations to Finishes
A new build project is a marathon, not a sprint. It typically follows a structured path:
- Groundworks: The most unpredictable phase. We excavate foundations, install drainage, and bring in utilities. In Sussex, we often encounter chalk or clay, requiring specific foundation designs (like piling) to prevent future subsidence.
- Superstructure: The frame goes up. Whether traditional brick and block, timber frame, or Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF), this is when the house takes shape.
- First Fix: Once the roof is on and the windows are in (watertight), we install the “hidden” elements—stud walls, electrical cabling, and plumbing pipework.
- Second Fix & Finishes: The transformation phase. Plastering, flooring, kitchen installation, and decoration. This is where the quality of workmanship really shows.
The Importance of Warranties (NHBC/LABC)
A new build is a major financial asset. To sell it in the future, or to secure a mortgage against it, you generally need a 10-year structural warranty.
Ridge Group Contracting builds in strict accordance with warranty providers like the NHBC (National House Building Council) or LABC. This involves a rigorous inspection regime. An inspector will visit the site at key stages—before concrete is poured, before walls are closed up, and upon completion. They are checking that the build meets technical standards for fire safety, structural stability, and moisture resistance.
We manage this entire process for you. We don’t just build; we ensure the paperwork is as solid as the brickwork.
Why Choose a Turnkey Contractor?
Many self-builders try to project manage the build themselves, hiring separate bricklayers, plumbers, and roofers. While this can look cheaper on paper, it often leads to “scope gaps”—where trades blame each other for mistakes—and spiralling timelines.
Ridge Group Contracting offers a turnkey solution. We employ the trades in-house or manage trusted specialists directly. We take responsibility for the entire programme. If the windows are delayed, we reschedule the plasterers. If the design changes, we advise on the cost implications immediately. We provide a single point of accountability for the entire project.
Building a new home is one of the most exciting things you will ever do. It shouldn’t be a source of stress. By partnering with an experienced contractor who understands the Sussex landscape, you can ensure your dream home is built on firm foundations.