Most new builds are not eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in England and Wales. Some self-builds can be, depending on the circumstances, so check eligibility before relying on a grant in your budget. In Scotland, ask Home Energy Scotland about new homes; Northern Ireland has no dedicated homeowner heat pump grant at present.
For barn conversions and replacement dwellings near Argyll and Bute, the design starts from the specification of the new walls, floors and glazing. Small developments near Argyll and Bute can be designed plot by plot, with heat loss worked out from each house type's drawings. Builders working across Argyll and Bute can coordinate first and second fix with an installer covering Argyll and Bute.
Who it suits
- Architects and builders who want a heat loss design from the drawings
- Homes designed with underfloor heating on one or more floors
- Small builders and developers working on one-off homes or small groups
- Self-builders planning heating alongside the structure
Grants and rules for heat pumps in Scotland
In Scotland, heat pump funding comes through Home Energy Scotland rather than the Boiler Upgrade Scheme: a grant of up to £7,500 (up to £1,500 extra for eligible rural and island homes) and an optional interest-free loan of up to £7,500. For a home in Argyll and Bute, apply and receive the written offer before the installation date is fixed.
There is no VAT on installing a heat pump anywhere in the UK, Scotland included, until 31 March 2027. Scottish permitted development rules and building standards apply, and the surveyor checks the unit position and any listed or conservation-area constraints.
New-build and self-build heat pumps prices in Argyll and Bute
The ranges below are typical installed prices for homes in Argyll and Bute, including VAT. A survey sets the exact figure, because two similar-looking houses in Argyll and Bute can need quite different radiators and pipework.
| Home | Typical size | Installed guide price |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bedroom flat or small terrace | 4–5 kW | £10,250–£13,500 |
| 2–3 bedroom terrace or semi | 5–7 kW | £11,350–£14,600 |
| 3 bedroom semi or small detached | 6–9 kW | £12,950–£16,750 |
| 4 bedroom detached | 8–12 kW | £15,100–£19,450 |
| 5+ bedroom or larger older house | 11–16 kW | £17,800–£24,300 |
Installed, inc VAT: unit, cylinder, controls, minor pipework and commissioning. Most new builds are not eligible for grant funding, so no deduction is shown.
Towns we cover in Argyll and Bute
We cover 6 towns in Argyll and Bute for new-build and self-build heat pumps. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for Scotland.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campbeltown | PA28 | Girvan | 7 h 04 min |
| Dunoon | PA23 | Gourock | 6 h 57 min |
| Helensburgh | G84 | Greenock | 6 h 57 min |
| Lochgilphead | PA31 | Dunoon | 6 h 56 min |
| Oban | PA34 | Lochgilphead | 6 h 51 min |
| Rothesay | PA20 | – | 6 h 59 min |
New-build and self-build heat pumps questions
Can a self-build get the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant?
In some cases. In England and Wales the scheme is aimed at existing homes and most new builds are not eligible, but some self-builds can qualify depending on circumstances, so check eligibility before including a grant in your budget. If the scheme can apply, the MCS-certified installer named in your quote handles the application. Scotland and Northern Ireland are outside the scheme.
Where should the outdoor unit go on a new build?
Somewhere with free airflow, a solid base and drainage, away from bedroom windows and boundaries where possible, and positioned to pass the MCS noise assessment. On a new build this can be planned into the landscaping, such as a side return or screened area near the plant room, which keeps pipe runs short. Planning rules differ by nation, so we check the position at design stage.
When do you need to be involved in a new build?
Ideally before the drawings are finalised, so the plant space, outdoor unit position and emitters are agreed with your architect. At the latest, the design should be done before first fix, when pipework goes in under floors and inside walls. Late involvement usually means compromises, such as a cylinder in an awkward space or pipe runs boxed in afterwards.
How long does a new-build heat pump installation take?
It is split across the build. First fix typically takes a few days once the structure is up, and second fix with commissioning takes a few more days near completion. Underfloor heating in screed then follows a gradual drying-out schedule. Exact timing depends on your build programme, which we agree with your builder so trades are not left waiting on each other.