New Build Detached Home — Rural Somerset, near Taunton
This project represents one of the most rewarding types of work we undertake — a private new build for a family who had secured a rural plot outside Taunton and wanted to build their own home exactly as they'd imagined it. Working from an architect's drawings, Taunton Construction was appointed as principal contractor for the full build, from groundworks through to final handover.
The site was a former agricultural paddock with good road access and full planning permission already in place for a four-bedroom detached house with a double garage. Our first task was to commission a structural engineer and ensure all building regulations submissions were in place before we broke ground.
Groundworks & Structure
The groundworks phase covered site clearance, setting out, trench excavation and a reinforced concrete strip foundation — designed to accommodate the variable ground conditions found on former agricultural land. A radon barrier was also incorporated at slab level, as required for this area of Somerset.
The superstructure was built in traditional cavity masonry — outer leaf in facing brick to complement the local vernacular, inner leaf in thermal block, with a fully insulated cavity and a warm roof structure with concrete plain tiles. The garage was constructed at the same time, tied into the main structure with a shared cavity wall.
Groundworks & Foundations
Site clearance, setting out, trench dig, concrete strip foundations and ground floor slab with radon barrier.
Superstructure
Full cavity masonry construction — facing brick outer leaf, thermal block inner leaf, fully filled cavity insulation.
Roof Structure
Engineered timber roof trusses, roof felt, batten and concrete plain tile covering. Velux rooflights to bedroom four.
Windows & Doors
White uPVC double-glazed windows and external doors throughout. Composite front door with multipoint locking.
Services Installation
Full electrical installation, gas central heating with underfloor heating to ground floor, MVHR ventilation system.
Interior Fit-Out
Plasterboard and skim throughout, bespoke kitchen, 2 bathrooms, en-suite and cloakroom. Full decoration and floor finishes.
Programme
The build ran over 48 weeks from groundworks start to handover — a standard programme for a house of this size and specification. The client was involved throughout and visited site weekly. We held a formal monthly progress meeting with our site manager, the client and, where necessary, the architect.
The most complex phase was the first fix services installation — co-ordinating the mechanical and electrical subcontractors with our own groundworks and carpentry teams to ensure the programme stayed on track. Our site manager's experience on similar projects meant this phase was navigated without delay.
Handover
The family moved into their new home on programme and within the fixed-price contract. Building regulations sign-off, NHBC Buildmark warranty and all commissioning certificates were provided at handover. The clients described the process as "exactly what we hoped for" — a high quality home, built to their specification, delivered on time and without surprises.
