Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find your new home developments?
Our homes are generally found in South Aberdeenshire, North Angus & Perthshire. View current developments here
Is there a reservation fee? How much? How can this be paid?
When buying one of our development properties, there is a reservation fee to secure the plot prior to its completion. Following this the financials will then be handled through a conveyancer. For more details in the buyer process read on here.
What is buying off-plan?
Buying off plan is purchasing one of our homes prior to construction being completed. Entering into an agreement early, you will have far more opportunity to customise layouts and interiors, you may also benefit from a discount if prior to the development going on the open market.
What aftercare do you offer?
One of our team will personally welcome you into your new home, this will be someone you have got to know throughout the development process. They will give you a detailed hand-over explaining all the key features and functionalities including heating control, appliance warranties, water shut off points and more.
A custom, home manual containing all the important information on your home, and details on the local area that will help you settle in.
Snagging carried out by a member of our team one week after move in, we will then continue to provide support where required upto 1 year from entry date
Structural issues are covered for the first 7 or 10 years (site specific)
I’m yet to sell my home, how do I know when to do that?
As part of the initial discussions we will discuss expected completion dates to help you plan ahead. We are also able to be flexible with these where required, should you need more time to sell. Alternatively part-exchange can be offered on certain properties.
Can I alter the design of my home before it is built?
Yes, we want to ensure the layout of your new home suits your needs perfectly. Whether it’s moving a doorway, adding a sunroom or adapting the kitchen to suit your needs we will try our best to accommodate your requests.
What stamp duties/fees should I expect?
In Scotland, you are liable to pay Land and Building Transaction Tax (LBTT) when you buy a residential property, or piece of land costing more than £145,000 (or more than £40,000 for second homes). For upto date information see https://www.revenue.scot/land-buildings-transaction-tax
Do you work with the ‘help to buy’ scheme?
Yes. If you would like to discuss this with us please get in touch.
Does my home come with any warranty in case something goes wrong?
Upon completion of your home, it will be covered for snagging for the first year and thereafter for structural repairs.
Do you provide any landscaping/garden work before I move in?
We are really flexible in working around what you’d like to do, including pavers, lawn, and gravel to name a few. Your garden layout will form part of our design conversations for your home.
Do you allow for the ‘snagging’ process?
Yes, a week after you move in we are in touch to gather any initial snags. In addition for the next year you can then contact us for any additional issues that may arise, following this point you will be covered for structural concerns for 7–10 years depending on the property.
Is there a variety of house types in each development?
Most of our developments have a variety of house types on offer to accommodate the different needs of people. For more details view our development pages here
How long in advance should I be looking to reserve my property?
We would advise that you reserve your property as soon as you have found the one you love. The feeling of losing out on your dream house because you didn’t get in quick enough can be devastating. Our homes are very often sold before construction is completed with many of those being sold off plan. Although we aim to keep our website up to date with reservations it is always worth asking the team just in case. info@fotheringhamhomes.com
Do your homes come with fitted kitchens?
Yes all of our developments are provided with luxury fitted kitchens. If you purchase the home before construction is complete, you can work with us to select the layout, worktops, splashbacks and appliances.
Are there showhomes that I can see before reserving a property plot?
We love when we get the chance to design a show home for people to tour around. However this very much depends on the development and the requirements for it. If one isn’t available for your development, we will provide you with alternative sites or past clients to talk to.
How long does it take to build a custom home?
This all depends on what stage you are in the planning process, the design of your home, availability of supplies and the complexity of your plot of land. We can physically build a custom home within a matter of weeks, however to get a more tailored timescale it would be best to speak to the team in person
I don’t know anything about construction, will this make it more difficult for me?
We can be involved in as much or as little as the project management as you’d like.
For people who want a bespoke home, but have no idea about construction - we can be the ideal solution, providing a full project management service. We will engage with you throughout the journey so it is still your decision and designs; it just means that you don’t have to stress and worry about how it is being implemented.
On the contrary, should you want to make a more ‘hands-on’ approach we can also facilitate that, after all it is your dream home we are building.
Will you manage the project or do I?
Many of our custom home clients choose us to manage the project as they have seen our previous projects and heard of our reputation. Letting us manage the build provides them with peace of mind that the construction of the home will be done in a stress-free manner, where they can enjoy watching their new home unfold.
Where can I find land for sale?
We have created two helpful articles which will help you identify opportunities for land
Where to Find a Self Build Plot
The 3 Best Self Build Plot Finder Websites – Reviewed
How much does a self build home cost?
It depends!
We’re working on a fuller article for this question, but in the meantime it may help to understand the following are key factors in deciding the cost of a self-build home
- The size and complexity of design
- The chosen framework, materials and finishings
- The location of your plot and ground conditions
- Accessibility of the site and what services are already available
How much does land cost?
There are lots of impacting factors that vary the answer to this question. Our article on how much land is for sale in Aberdeenshire should help you, and provide you with a ballpark cost. Building Your Own Home: How much is Land for Sale in Aberdeenshire?
Should I speak to you before or after getting designs and planning permissions from an architect?
We can get involved at either before or after the design stage. Working collaboratively with you and the architectural team from the start has its advantages though as you benefit from additional advice and enables us to highlight any concerns or improvements before planning is obtained.
What geographical locations will you cover for custom homes? Traditionally we build in Aberdeenshire, Angus and Perthshire, however for the right project we will consider further afield.
What is a custom house build?
A custom built home is a house of unique design, constructed by a developer. The term self-build is often used too, and although we take care of the actual construction for you, we want you to feel like this is your journey too. It is a project that you can be proud of and admire for years to come.
What experience do you have?
Our team have over 50 years of experience between them. Although our reputation was originally built through our developments, we now are well regarded locally for our custom homes too. Our priority is to provide an outstanding experience for our clients, therefore we undertake no more than four custom projects in a year.
Are you able to provide recommendations on renewable energy sources?
We have worked with numerous partners and architectural teams to provide the best energy efficient homes for our clients. We have worked with ground source heating, air-source heating, solar panels and biomass, as well as other renewable systems. Working in collaboration with renewable suppliers, we have a ‘can do’ attitude and will support you through the decision making process.
