Development is assessed completely differently from buying to let or to live in, lenders and experienced developers alike work backwards from the finished value, not forwards from today's costs.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need development experience to get development finance?
Not necessarily, but a strong professional team (architect, quantity surveyor, contractor) genuinely improves both your approval chances and the terms you're offered. Lenders assess the scheme's viability and your team's credibility together, not your personal track record alone.
How is this different from the renovation and extension guides elsewhere on the site?
Our Renovation Planning and Extension Budgeting guides cover home improvement projects for your own property. This hub covers ground-up development and larger conversion projects assessed on Gross Development Value and lent against by specialist development finance, a genuinely different scale and lending framework.
About the author
✓ Editorially reviewed — all Poqet guides are checked for factual accuracy before publication and updated when UK rates or legislation change. Editorial Policy