This site is intended to provide advice to anyone who is looking to appoint a builder for a bespoke luxury house and adopts a case study approach which gives self-builders who are looking to build a luxury house lessons learned from someone who has “been and done it” as well as giving a review of Verus Construction.
Verus Construction review
Verus Construction are an award-winning home builder that has over the last 14 years graduated from small extensions to bespoke luxury houses. They are based in Pudsey with the majority of their work being in the Leeds area. In addition to residential developments they have also worked on a variety of commercial projects including Castleton Mill (https://www.castletonmill.com/) and Springwell Brewery (https://info.northbrewing.com/venue/springwell/) They have recently been awarded the Best Residential Property at the UK Property & Hotel Awards for their project at Sandmoor Avenue in North Leeds. Details of this project along with other builds they have done can be found on their website at www.verusconstruction.co.uk/projects/
Financially speaking they have good a good credit history with a risk score of 70 which places them in the middle to upper 25% of 60,000 companies sampled from the same industry. Their contract limit is £125k and credit limit is £84k. They typically pay invoices 10.4 days past the due date. Their credit score has been stable for the last 18 months though like many builders their credit score did suffer between 2020 and 2022 dropping to as low as 36 in July 2022. They currently have 4 employees and utilise a team of regular sub-contractors to support their own internal team.
Verus Construction Ltd (www.verusconstruction.co.uk) was incorporated in January 2009 with two Directors and joint Shareholders: Stephen Lawson and Damian Barker. Stephen left Verus in February 2011 and since then it has been wholly owned by Damian Barker who is the CEO & sole director and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the business. Damian started his career as a joiner and built his first house at the age of 23 and has gone on to develop commercial interests in a variety of property related business subsequently. In addition to Verus Construction, Damian is also a Director and shareholder at a variety of businesses including Verus Investments North Ltd, The Boat Company North Ltd, Elegant Homes Construction Limited, White Rose Canal Holidays Limited, Arista Homes Ltd, Green Lane Farm Management Company Limited, Resolute 2 (Leeds) Limited and Bentley Homes (UK) Ltd. Verus Construction Ltd work closely with Danny Schofield from Estimating and Procurement Solutions Ltd (http://www.eps-limited.co.uk/) who completes the tender information for potential jobs and also manages monthly accounts for active projects that Verus are working on.
The journey to creating a self-build often starts with looking for an architect. Here are some tips to finding the right architect for your self-build project:
1. Define Your Vision and Requirements
Be clear about your goals, style preferences (e.g., modern, classical, sustainable), and specific features you want in your home. Create a mood board or reference images to help architects understand your vision.
2. Research Local Architects
Look for architects with expertise in high-end bespoke homes by searching online directories like the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) directory and the ARB (Architects Registration Board). Check if they have experience in your region, as local architects often have better knowledge of planning permissions and regulations.
3. Check Portfolios
Review their past projects for design quality, innovation, and attention to detail. Focus on projects of a similar scale and style to what you are looking for in your home.
4. Read Client Reviews
Seek testimonials from previous clients to gauge the architect’s professionalism, communication, and ability to meet deadlines.
5. Visit Completed Projects
Ask if you can visit one or two of the architect’s completed luxury homes to assess their work firsthand. This can give you a sense of their design execution and attention to detail.
6. Verify Credentials
Ensure the architect is RIBA-accredited and registered with the ARB (both are legal requirements for practising architects in the UK). Look for awards or recognitions within the industry for luxury or bespoke projects.
7. Discuss Budget and Fees
Understand their fee structure—some charge a fixed fee, while others may charge a percentage of the project cost. Ensure their fees align with your budget and clarify what’s included (e.g., drawings, planning permissions, site visits).
8. Evaluate Communication Style
Choose an architect who listens carefully and is collaborative. Luxury bespoke homes require a strong working relationship over several months. Make sure they’re responsive and able to communicate technical ideas in a way you understand.
9. Ask About Specialist Experience
Luxury homes often incorporate unique features like smart home technology, eco-friendly solutions, or custom craftsmanship. Ensure the architect has experience integrating these elements. If your project involves listed buildings or sensitive locations, verify their expertise in working within such constraints.
10. Conduct a Trial Discussion
Arrange an initial consultation to discuss your project. Many architects offer a free or low-cost consultation to explore ideas and gauge compatibility. Use this meeting to assess whether they understand your vision and can bring creative solutions to the table.