New Build Homes in Kent
Bespoke New Build Homes Across Kent
Tonbridge-based new home builders covering Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Ashford and the wider county. Foundations to handover, fully managed. 5★ Google rated, 20+ years experience.
Typical Build Cost
£2,000–£3,500 / sqm
Excluding land
Typical Programme
12–18 months
Foundations to handover
Scope
Foundations, superstructure, fit-out and handover — fully self-delivered groundworks, brickwork and carpentry
Free, no-obligation quote
Building New Homes Across Kent for Over 20 Years
Carey Brothers & Sons has been building new homes across Kent for more than two decades. From compact three-bedroom houses on infill plots in Tonbridge, to seven-bedroom executive homes in Wrotham, to oast-house conversions and replacement dwellings in the High Weald AONB — we have delivered new build projects in almost every kind of setting Kent has to offer. Our base at 24 Dodd Road in Tonbridge sits at the geographical centre of West Kent, which means we can be on a Sevenoaks site by 8am, in Tunbridge Wells by half past, and over to Maidstone or Ashford before lunch.
Most of our new build clients fall into one of three groups: families who have bought a plot and want to build a one-off home, landowners replacing an existing dwelling under Class Q or paragraph 80, and developers delivering small bespoke schemes of one to four units. The common thread is that they want a builder who self-delivers the trades that matter — groundworks, brickwork and carpentry — rather than one who subcontracts everything and disappears between phases. That is what we do. Lewis Carey runs the groundworks and machinery; Alex Carey leads brickwork and carpentry. We do not get caught short waiting for a sub-contractor who is finishing someone else's job.
Building in Kent is genuinely different from building in most of the rest of the South East. The geology shifts mile by mile — Wealden clay around Tonbridge, Greensand ridges across Sevenoaks, chalk to the north and alluvial deposits along the Medway. Every plot has its own foundation story, and getting the design right at trench-fill stage is the difference between a build that runs to programme and one that loses three weeks at the start to remedial deeper digs. We have walked enough Kent sites to know what to expect before the JCB arrives — and we always commission a soil investigation when the design is non-trivial, because £1,200 spent at feasibility saves twenty times that at first concrete.
Get a Free Quote
Tell us about your plot or your design ideas. We'll call you back to discuss feasibility, cost and timeline — no obligation.
What it Costs
New Build Home Costs in Kent — 2026 Guide
Most Kent buyers ask the cost question first, so we will answer it directly. The table below shows what we typically charge per square metre for the build itself, excluding land, professional fees and VAT relief considerations.
| Specification | Cost per sqm | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Standard build | £2,000–£2,500 | Building Regs baseline, brick & block, conventional timber roof |
| High-spec build | £2,500–£3,500 | Structural glazing, oak floors, bespoke kitchen, MVHR, heat pump |
| Premium / heritage | £3,500–£5,000+ | Hand-made bricks, natural slate, lime mortars, Passivhaus-equivalent fabric |
Costs above are indicative for new builds delivered in Kent in 2026. Land, professional fees, planning costs, Section 106 / CIL contributions and VAT zero-rating relief are excluded. Self-build VAT can usually be reclaimed on a qualifying new dwelling — we will explain the process at quote stage.
Local Knowledge
Kent New Build Planning, Authority by Authority
Kent is split across more local planning authorities than most counties, and each one runs to its own design rhythm. Here is what we have learned from working with each of them.
Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council
Our home authority. Generally pragmatic, but Green Belt covers most of the rural areas — replacement dwellings under paragraph 80 and Class Q barn conversions are the most realistic routes outside settlement boundaries. Conservation areas in central Tonbridge, Hildenborough and West Malling carry material-matching requirements. Flood Zones 2 and 3 along the Medway require flood-resilient design.
Sevenoaks District Council
The toughest authority for new builds in our area. The Kent Downs AONB and Metropolitan Green Belt cover most of the district, so any application outside settlement boundaries needs an exceptional case. Within the towns (Sevenoaks, Westerham, Edenbridge) infill plots occasionally come forward and design quality expectations are high. Pre-application advice is genuinely worth paying for.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
High design expectations, especially within the multiple conservation areas across the town. The High Weald AONB applies across the south of the borough towards Frant and Goudhurst, adding landscape and visual impact assessment to most rural new build applications. Local material vocabulary — clay tile-hanging, weatherboarding, ragstone — runs deep in policy.
Maidstone Borough Council
More open to volume housing and small bespoke schemes than Sevenoaks or Tunbridge Wells. Land allocations across the borough have produced new build opportunities in places like Marden, Headcorn and Staplehurst. Wealden clay is widespread; soil investigations and trench-fill foundations are routine. CIL applies — factor that into budget at feasibility, not at month six.
Ashford Borough Council
One of the most actively-growing parts of Kent. Garden communities at Chilmington Green and elsewhere have set a tone of contemporary family housing. The borough is generally constructive on smaller bespoke new builds, particularly replacement dwellings on rural plots. Watch for the High Weald AONB as you approach Tenterden.
London Borough of Bromley (Chislehurst)
Different rulebook from the Kent districts. Multiple conservation areas around Chislehurst carry Article 4 directions that strip back permitted development, so almost every meaningful project is a full application. Design expectations are elevated and trees are routinely protected by TPOs — root protection zones drive a lot of new build foundation design.
Planning Permission in Kent — Full Guide
We have written a longer 2026 guide covering thresholds, fees, pre-application advice and timelines for every authority above.
How We Work
From First Conversation to Front-Door Keys
Most Kent new build projects break down into four phases. Each one builds on the last; we tell you exactly what is happening, when, and why.
1. Feasibility & design
We meet on site or at your plot, talk through what you want, what your budget is, and what the planning authority is likely to accept. If you do not yet have a plot, we can advise on what to look for and what to avoid. Where useful, we introduce you to architects and planning consultants who know your local authority.
2. Planning & technical
Your architect prepares planning drawings; we contribute buildability advice and indicative costings. Once permission is granted, technical design follows — structural engineering, services design, materials specification. Pre-commencement conditions are discharged. We provide a detailed, fully-priced quote against the technical drawings.
3. Groundworks & shell
We start on site with site set-up, foundations, drainage and ground-floor slab. The superstructure follows — external walls, roof, windows and doors. Carey Brothers self-deliver groundworks, brickwork and carpentry, which is the single biggest reason our programmes stay on track.
4. Fit-out & handover
First-fix electrics, plumbing and heating; insulation and plaster; second-fix carpentry, kitchen, bathrooms, decoration, flooring and external works. We commission services, snag the build with you, and hand over a defects schedule covered by a 24-month workmanship guarantee.
Why Carey Brothers
The Practical Reasons Kent Self-Builders Choose Us
We self-deliver the critical trades
Groundworks, brickwork and carpentry — the trades that determine quality and programme — are run by Lewis and Alex personally. No waiting for a sub-contractor between stages.
Fully insured, 20+ years trading
Public liability, employer's liability and contractors all-risk cover in place. We have built continuously across Kent since 2004 — references and recent project visits available on request.
Local — daily site supervision is standard
Tonbridge base means most West Kent sites are inside an hour. The directors visit live builds daily — issues get caught and resolved on the day, not at the next monthly meeting.
Honest pricing — no surprises at month nine
Our quotes are fully scoped against the technical drawings, with provisional sums clearly identified. If the brief changes mid-build, we cost the variation transparently before any work happens.
Where We Build
New Build Homes Across Kent
Tonbridge-based, covering Kent and into Bromley borough. Click your area for local planning notes and recent projects.
Recent Work
Kent New Build Projects
From a 7-bedroom Wrotham new build to stable redevelopments in the Weald and drainage-pond civils, our recent project gallery shows the breadth of new build work we deliver across Kent.
Helpful Guides
New Build Reading
Detailed guides covering cost, planning, foundations and more.
New Build Costs in Kent: Complete 2026 Guide
Everything you need to know about building a new home in Kent in 2026 — from cost per square metre and land prices to groundwork budgets and common pitfalls.
Read moreDo I Need Planning Permission? Kent Homeowner's Guide 2026
A clear, practical guide to planning permission and permitted development in Kent — covering extensions, outbuildings, loft conversions, and local council specifics.
Read moreUnderstanding Groundwork: The Foundation of Every Great Build
Learn why proper groundwork is essential for any construction project and what goes into laying solid foundations in Kent's challenging ground conditions.
Read moreHouse Renovation Costs in Kent: Room-by-Room Breakdown
A practical guide to renovation costs in Kent for 2026 — covering kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and whole-house projects with realistic budgets and expert advice.
Read moreCommon Questions
New Build Homes Kent — FAQ
1How much does a new build home cost in Kent?
Kent new build costs typically run £2,000–£3,500 per square metre for the build itself (excluding land). A 200 sqm five-bedroom detached home therefore costs roughly £400,000–£700,000 to build. Premium specifications with structural glazing, MVHR, ground source heat pumps and bespoke joinery push costs towards £4,000+ per square metre. Land costs vary enormously across Kent — from £150,000 for a serviced plot in a less-pressured rural location to over £1 million in the Sevenoaks district or High Weald villages.
2How long does a new build home take to build in Kent?
Twelve to eighteen months is typical from foundations to handover for a substantial Kent new build. Compact three-bedroom houses can complete in nine to twelve months; larger executive homes with complex landscaping or basement levels run eighteen to twenty-four months. Planning, technical design and discharge of pre-commencement conditions usually adds a further six to nine months before groundworks can begin, so realistic end-to-end timelines from initial design to moving in are around two years.
3Do I need planning permission for a new build home in Kent?
Yes — new build homes always require full planning permission. There is no permitted development route for an entirely new dwelling. Kent is divided across several local planning authorities (Tonbridge & Malling, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Ashford and others) and each has its own policies, particularly around Green Belt, the Kent Downs AONB and the High Weald AONB. Self-builders should commission a feasibility study or pre-application advice before purchasing land. Carey Brothers regularly works with planning consultants familiar with each authority and can introduce homeowners to specialists who know the local political landscape.
4Can you build a new home on a plot I already own?
Yes — we frequently work with self-builders who have purchased plots in Kent and need a contractor to deliver the build. Whether you have outline permission, full planning approval, or just a piece of land you are exploring, we can help you understand what is feasible. We work with structural engineers, architects and planning consultants across the county, and we can advise on phasing, build cost, and likely programme before you commit. We also build for landowners replacing existing dwellings under Class Q or paragraph 80 (formerly 79) approvals.
5Do you build new homes to Passivhaus or net-zero standards?
Yes — Carey Brothers delivers new build homes to a range of energy standards, from Building Regulations Part L baseline through to fabric-first low-energy specifications and Passivhaus-equivalent builds. Common upgrades include 0.15 W/m²K wall U-values, triple glazing, MVHR (mechanical ventilation with heat recovery), air-source or ground-source heat pumps, and PV with battery storage. We will openly discuss the cost premium, payback period, and practical trade-offs of each specification so you can make an informed choice rather than buying a label.
6Which Kent areas do you build new homes in?
We build new homes across West Kent and the surrounding areas — Tonbridge (our home town), Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Ashford, Hildenborough, West Malling, Borough Green, the Weald and into Bromley borough at Chislehurst. Our base at 24 Dodd Road in Tonbridge means we can mobilise quickly across the M25/M20/M26 corridor and reach most Kent sites within an hour. For sites further afield (East Kent, the Romney Marsh) we are happy to discuss feasibility but typically work within a 50-mile radius for new build projects.
7Will I be involved in the design of my new home?
Absolutely — most of our self-build and bespoke clients are deeply involved in design. We collaborate with the architect of your choice or introduce you to local practices we work with regularly. You make the design decisions; we contribute practical buildability advice (avoiding structural choices that triple cost for marginal aesthetic benefit, flagging materials with long lead times, suggesting cost-saving substitutions where the result is identical). The result is a home that reflects your vision but does not surprise you with budget overruns at month nine.
8How do I get started on a new build home in Kent?
Start with a free, no-obligation conversation. Call 07879 447975 or use our contact form. We will ask about your plot (or your search criteria if you are still looking), your design ideas, your budget range, and your timeline. From there we can recommend next steps — a feasibility study, an introduction to a planning consultant, a meeting with our architects, or a costed outline if you already have plans. There is no pressure and no fee for initial discussions.
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