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JackCousinsMortgages · Finance · Protection · Consultancy
Property and specialist finance

Ground-up development

A new-build scheme needs a funding structure that can support the whole construction programme. I help put the appraisal and delivery evidence into a lender-ready format.

Link the build programme to the funding programme

Site acquisition, enabling works and construction do not necessarily receive funds at the same time. We review contractor terms, professional fees and monitoring requirements alongside the facility. The borrower's cash contribution must be available when required.

How I approach the case

We begin with what you want to achieve, your timescale and any part of the case that needs explaining. I review the evidence and suitable lender routes, then explain the available options and their costs. A recommendation follows the individual assessment; an initial conversation does not commit you to an application.

Where legal, tax or other specialist advice is needed, we identify it early so the finance fits the wider transaction. Tell me about any change in employment, borrowing, deposit or property details before proceeding.

What to prepare

  • Site and planning documents
  • Detailed appraisal and programme
  • Contractor and professional team
  • Evidence of equity and contingency

You do not need every document before saying hello. Start with a short outline; detailed or sensitive records should follow through an agreed secure route.

Before you proceed

A facility limit is not the same as day-one cash. Planning conditions or surveyor requirements can delay drawdowns.

Your questions, answered

What makes a commercial or development brief useful?

Bring the property details, the borrowing purpose, the proposed repayment or exit and the evidence supporting the project. Depending on the case, this may include trading accounts, leases, planning information, an appraisal or a cost schedule. Identify gaps and decisions still outstanding.

How do you compare facilities beyond the interest rate?

Look at the funds available, repayment structure, term, fees, security, guarantees and conditions together. For staged funding, the timing and conditions of each drawdown matter to cash flow. A facility must fit the actual business or project rather than just an initial headline figure.

Who handles the legal, valuation and project work?

The relevant appointed professionals remain responsible for their own work. We identify which reports or legal input the lender needs and how those tasks affect the timetable. Mortgage or finance discussions do not replace legal, tax, surveying or project-monitoring advice.

Larger loans & individual properties£1m+ borrowing, substantial homes & landOpen the group to explore the loan, property and project pages relevant to your plans.8 routes

Further reading: MoneyHelper: mortgages and homebuying. Content reviewed 9 September 2026. General information; availability depends on the individual case.

Your next step

Let’s talk about your plans.

Start with ground-up development. Tell me what you want to achieve and when; we can work out what needs a closer look.

A useful starting point: site and planning documents; detailed appraisal and programme; contractor and professional team.

The property project navigator

One project.
Every important stage.

Choose a project and explore the questions from opportunity to exit. Use it to prepare a brief for Jack, not to assess eligibility.

Bridging brief

A time-sensitive property plan

Establish the deadline, net funds and credible route to repayment.

Bridging · 01 / 03

Start with the property and the deadline.

Bring the address, purchase or refinance purpose, ownership and the actual completion deadline into the same brief.

Auction & time-sensitive purchases ↗
Bridging · 02 / 03

Separate the headline facility from usable funds.

Ask which fees, interest and costs are deducted or paid separately, and when the net funds would be available.

Understand bridging costs ↗
Bridging · 03 / 03

Evidence how the borrowing would end.

A proposed sale or refinance needs a realistic timetable, supporting evidence and a plan for delays.

Refinancing a bridge ↗
Refurbishment brief

Turn the scope of works into a clear brief

Connect the property today with the works, budget and intended use.

Refurbishment · 01 / 03

What changes, and what stays?

Separate repairs, structural works and a change of use. Bring the scope, planning position and contractor information.

Refurbishment finance ↗
Refurbishment · 02 / 03

Show how the work and cash flow connect.

Identify the order of works, payment schedule, available funds and what would happen if costs or dates change.

Property needing work ↗
Refurbishment · 03 / 03

Plan for the finished property.

Explain whether the plan is to let, sell or refinance, with the documents and completion conditions the next lender may need.

Long-term letting finance ↗
Commercial brief

The building and the business behind it

Start with the actual use, borrower and source of repayments.

Commercial · 01 / 03

Who occupies the property?

Distinguish owner-occupied business premises, an investment let and mixed residential-commercial use.

Mixed-use property ↗
Commercial · 02 / 03

Make the income and obligations clear.

The brief may need trading accounts, lease details, tenant information and the wider borrowing position.

Commercial investment ↗
Commercial · 03 / 03

Review the facility alongside the plan.

Discuss costs, security, repayment approach and the business or property timetable before committing.

Owner-occupied commercial ↗
Development brief

From site control to the final exit

Bring the planning, appraisal, build programme and exit into one view.

Development · 01 / 04

Establish the site and planning position.

Explain ownership or acquisition terms, the proposed scheme, permissions and the key conditions or deadlines.

Ground-up development ↗
Development · 02 / 04

Show the costs and equity timeline.

The appraisal should cover land, build costs, professional fees, finance costs, contingency and when funds are needed.

Prepare a development brief ↗
Development · 03 / 04

Match the programme to the cash requirement.

Understand monitoring, release conditions and costs due before a drawdown. Allow for work taking longer or costing more.

Development finance ↗
Development · 04 / 04

Connect completion with sale or refinance.

Bring sales evidence, completion assumptions, warranties and the proposed exit timetable into the initial conversation.

Development exit finance ↗
Turn the questions into a conversation

Discuss your property project.

Open a draft with your chosen project and stage. Review it and add your outline before pressing Send.

Prepare my WhatsApp brief ↗

Finance is subject to individual assessment. Some bridging, commercial and development finance is not regulated by the FCA; the position depends on the transaction. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments.

Call JackStart a conversation ↗