Development Funding FAQ's
What is development finance used for?
Development finance funds the ground-up construction or heavy refurbishment of residential or commercial property, released in stages as the build progresses.
How is development finance released?
Funds are typically released in tranches against certified stages of work, verified by a monitoring surveyor, rather than as a single lump sum.
What is GDV and why does it matter?
GDV, or Gross Development Value, is the estimated value of a completed development; lenders size facilities against a percentage of both build cost and GDV.
What exit strategy do lenders expect?
Common exit routes are sale of the completed units or refinancing onto an investment or commercial mortgage once practical completion is achieved.
What LTC and LTGDV can I borrow?
Lenders typically fund up to 65-70% of total build cost (LTC) and up to 60-65% of gross development value (LTGDV), with the exact figures depending on experience, location and scheme risk.
Do I need previous development experience?
Experienced developers generally access the widest range of terms, but a number of lenders will support first-time developers, often with additional oversight or a lower gearing level.
What is a monitoring surveyor and why is one appointed?
A monitoring surveyor is an independent professional appointed to verify build progress and costs before each drawdown is released, protecting both the lender and the overall viability of the project.
Can I fund the land purchase and build costs together?
Yes, development finance is usually structured to cover both the land or property acquisition and the subsequent build costs within a single facility.
What happens if my development runs over budget?
Most facilities include a contingency allowance, but significant overruns may require additional funding; discussing cost buffers with your lender at the outset helps avoid delays later in the build.
Can development finance be arranged alongside planning permission still pending?
Some lenders will offer conditional terms ahead of planning being granted, though drawdown is normally only possible once full planning permission is in place.
Do you arrange development finance across England?
Yes. Ground-up development loans and refurbishment funding are arranged on sites throughout England and Wales, from London and the South East to Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Bristol, for both first-time and experienced developers.
What loan size and structure can development funding take?
Facilities typically fund a percentage of land cost plus one hundred percent of build costs, drawn in stages against monitoring surveyor sign-off, with interest rolled up to exit. We structure the facility around gross development value, loan to cost and your exit strategy.