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Replacement dwellings in Cornwall and Devon

Replacement dwellings in Cornwall and Devon

Explore the potential to replace an existing property with a home designed around you.

You don’t always need an empty plot to build your own home. If you’re struggling to find suitable land, an older property in the right location may offer another opportunity. Equally, you may already own a house whose layout, condition or energy performance no longer meets your needs.

At Metters & Wellby, we help you explore whether replacement is the right approach. Our small, Bude-based team brings together over forty years of experience in design and planning across Cornwall and Devon, with personal support from the first conversation through to construction.

Exploring the possibilities for your property

Renovate or replace?

Deciding whether to improve an existing house or start again is an important first step. We consider its condition, layout and potential alongside your priorities and budget, helping you understand the opportunities and limitations of each approach.

Where an existing building is difficult to adapt, replacement may provide greater freedom to create a comfortable, practical and energy-efficient home.

Understanding the planning potential

An established residential property can provide a starting point for a proposal to build a new home. However, the existing house, its location and any planning constraints will influence what may be achievable.

Whether you already own the property or are considering a purchase, we can assess the planning context, explore an appropriate approach and lead the design and planning application process.

Designing your new home

We take time to understand how you live, what you would like to change and what matters most to you. The design develops around those conversations, alongside the character of the site, its views, orientation and relationship with neighbouring properties.

From compact homes to multi-million-pound houses, every project receives the same care and attention. We work collaboratively, bringing together our design, planning, energy, technical and interior expertise, with trusted external specialists involved where needed.

Making the most of a fresh start

Replacing a property creates an opportunity to consider the whole home together: its layout, construction, energy performance and interior spaces.

We consider insulation, airtightness, glazing and heating from the early design stages, with in-house energy assessments helping inform decisions as the proposals develop. Our aim is to create a home that feels comfortable, makes thoughtful use of its setting and meets your needs for years to come.

Throughout the process, we help you balance your ambitions with your budget, explaining the options so you can make informed decisions.

What we do

  • Advice on renovation and replacement options
  • Site appraisals and planning feasibility
  • Concept and detailed design
  • CGI visualisations to help you picture your new home
  • Planning applications and coordination
  • Building Regulations drawings and technical detailing
  • In-house energy assessment and Passivhaus design advice
  • Interior and landscape design
  • Coordination with specialist consultants
  • Construction-stage support

Replacement dwellings we have delivered

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Frequently asked questions

Can I buy an older house and replace it with a new home?

An older property in the right location may offer an alternative to buying an empty plot. Before you purchase, we can help you explore its potential, review the planning context and identify any constraints that could affect your plans.

Is it better to renovate or replace my existing house?

This depends on the building’s condition, how much you want to change and your budget. We can help you compare the options, considering the potential to adapt the existing house alongside the opportunities and costs of starting again.

Does having an existing house guarantee permission for a replacement?

No. An existing home provides a starting point, but each proposal needs to be considered against the site’s circumstances and relevant planning policies. Our feasibility appraisal can help you understand the opportunities and likely challenges before committing to a full design.

Could my replacement home be larger or positioned differently?

There may be scope to explore a different size, layout or position, depending on the site and planning context. We consider the surrounding landscape, neighbouring properties, access and other constraints when developing the proposals.

How much does a replacement dwelling project cost?

Costs vary according to the size and specification of the new home, the site conditions and the work involved in demolition and construction. We discuss your budget from the outset and help identify allowances for surveys, consultants, applications and other project costs.

Can you guide us through the whole project?

Yes. We can lead the design and planning process, then provide technical drawings, energy assessments, interior design and construction-stage support. Our team works collaboratively, bringing in trusted external specialists where needed, with our involvement tailored to your project.