Welcome.
Brock Hatherton is an end-to-end self-build consultancy.
This is the case for building your own.
The numbers, side by side.
PURCHASING AN EXISTING PROPERTY
BUILDING YOUR OWN
STAMP DUTY
100%
Stamp duty is paid on the full value of the property at the point of purchase.
~ 15%
Stamp duty is paid only on the land's value before building - a fraction of the finished home's worth, and taxed at lower marginal rates.
Self-build can reduce the stamp duty payable to roughly a sixth of that on an equivalent finished home.
EQUITY AT COMPLETION
NEGATIVE
Transaction costs of 5-7% mean most buyers begin in negative equity the day they move in.
+ 10%
A well-structured self-build typically produces a home worth at least 10% more than land and build costs combined.
You create value rather than absorb it.
FINANCING
10-25%
Deposit typically required for a standard residential mortgage.
From 5-10%
Specialist self-build lenders now lend up to 95% of land costs and up to 95% of build costs.
A route now open to anyone with income and savings - not just the cash-rich.
ANNUAL ENERGY BILLS
~ £2,000
Average annual running cost for older properties.
~ £1,000
Modern self-builds typically halve running costs. During the 2022-23 energy crisis, new-builds saved over £2,000 per year on average (Home Builders Federation, 2026).
A recurring saving that compounds - and grows during periods of energy market stress.
The smart investment is the one you build
Self-build is often presented as an emotional pursuit of the "dream home" - which it certainly is. But an equally strong case is the financial one; in today's property market, self-building offers homeowners a rare chance to both grow and preserve their wealth.
What we do
At Brock Hatherton, we believe anyone can build their own home with the right guidance.
Working with clients across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and the wider Thames Valley, and led by a practising solicitor with 14 years' experience as a property developer, we bring a developer's discipline to every stage - from land acquisition to completed scheme - helping clients to budget, prioritise and narrow their decision-making.
In short, we help you deliver your self-build as efficiently as a developer would themselves, reducing stress and schedule drift so your project finishes as a success.
"Most people don't realise that self-build is now a credible mainstream path for anyone willing to take the opportunity.
Brock Hatherton is here to guide that experience."
- Sebastian Brock, Founder
"Invaluable service that made our build much less stressful. Seb guided us at every stage and really helped us make the right decisions."
- Pam, Berkshire
"From day one, Seb brought not only an incredible depth of knowledge and experience, but also reassurance, patience, and a calm head when things felt overwhelming."
- Chris and Mel, Berkshire
Self-Build Projects
RIVERSIDE HOUSE
Berkshire (2023)
COUNTRY ESTATE
Oxfordshire (2022)
INFILL COTTAGE
Berkshire (2025)
VILLAGE HOME
Henley-on-Thames (2026)
FARMHOUSE
Oxfordshire (2021)
