Kev Wilson, Director of Kev Wilson Builders Limited and winner of the House Builder Award at the 2025 Northwest Master Builder Awards, shares what he learned moving from smaller projects into award-winning bespoke homes.
Alongside him is Gill McAteer, Director of Employment Law at Citation, who explains why people management, compliance and business structure become critical as businesses grow.
If you’re thinking about becoming a small housing developer or taking on larger new build projects, this episode gives a practical view of what it really takes.
The leap from building extensions to building houses
For many SME builders, housebuilding offers the chance to grow turnover, build a stronger pipeline and take on more ambitious projects.
But new build work changes the way a business operates.
Longer project timelines, contaminated land, utility infrastructure, financing pressures and larger teams all create challenges that many builders haven’t faced before. What works on extensions and renovations does not always work on housing developments.
As Kev Wilson puts it: ‘It’s a completely different ballpark’.
This episode explores the realities behind moving into housebuilding and why preparation matters long before work starts on site.
Watch the full episode to hear the lessons builders wish they’d known earlier.
Managing the risks of becoming a small-scale house developer
The discussion focuses on the risks that can quickly damage margins on small housing developments.
Kev reflects on lessons from his first plot purchase, including unexpected utility costs, poor ground conditions and remediation work that added significant expense to the build.
The panel also discusses:
- Brownfield site contamination and ground investigations
- Utility connection costs and delays
- Cashflow pressure on long-duration projects
- Maintaining a future pipeline while delivering larger jobs
- Managing larger teams and rising overheads
- The financial risk attached to development borrowing
In the podcast, David Gutierrez also shares experience from a complex 53-home development on a former gas works site, highlighting the realities of remediation, infrastructure and planning around live residential areas.
Rather than oversimplifying the move into housebuilding, the episode gives a realistic view of the operational and financial pressures involved.
Practical steps to win your first house development plot
The conversation focuses on the practical groundwork builders need before stepping into development projects, covering:
- Building relationships with architects
- Researching plots thoroughly before purchase
- Structuring land deals carefully
- Planning staffing and operational growth early
- Thinking beyond site delivery and day-to-day labour
- Building visibility through networking and marketing
Kev Wilson explains that architect relationships played a major role in helping his business secure new build opportunities.
‘Network constantly, from day one. I used to scoff at networking. Now I know: people need to know your name.’
The episode also explores how builders often underestimate the operational side of growth, particularly around compliance, forecasting and team management.
Watch the full episode for the full discussion and practical insight from builders scaling their businesses in real time.
Employment law and HR for growing building firms
Gill McAteer, Director of Employment Law at Citation, shares specialist insight into one of the biggest pressures facing growing construction businesses: managing people effectively.
The episode explores why informal systems can create risk as businesses scale beyond small teams, and we discuss:
- Employment contracts and policies
- Managing sickness absence and misconduct
- Retaining skilled workers
- Supporting apprentices and developing teams
- Delegating people management responsibilities
- Reducing operational and legal risk
The discussion stays rooted in the day-to-day reality of running a construction business, rather than offering generic HR advice.
Protecting your standards as a new developer
As businesses grow, systems around HR, compliance, communication and health and safety become essential to protecting margins and maintaining standards.
The episode also looks at how professionalism affects reputation and future opportunities, from managing relationships with neighbours on residential developments to building trust with architects and clients.
Apprenticeships, workforce development and long-term planning are also discussed as part of building sustainable SME construction businesses.
Access the guide – expert advice for budding house developers
If you’re thinking about moving into housebuilding, the FMB offers practical support to help you plan your next steps.
In the episode, the team highlights the FMB’s free guide sponsored by United Trust Bank and Openreach to becoming a small housing developer, alongside wider business support available to SME builders looking to grow sustainably.
As the voice of SME builders, we’re committed to helping construction businesses raise standards, manage risk and grow with confidence.
For more in-depth guidance, you can view a webinar recording on moving into housing development: fmb.org.uk/housingdevelopment
Watch the full episode
Stepping into housebuilding is about more than taking on bigger projects. It changes how you plan, manage people, control risk and run your business day to day.
This episode of The Buildup Podcast shares practical lessons from builders and specialists with direct experience of scaling construction firms and managing the pressures that come with growth.
Watch the full episode to see how to apply this to your business.
Subscribe and never miss an episode
Watch more in the series
