Property development accountants and tax advisers helping developers structure projects, manage tax, control costs and improve development profitability.
Property development is a capital-intensive business, with financial and tax considerations influencing every stage of a project. Decisions made before land is acquired can affect funding, profitability and future tax liabilities, while effective financial management throughout the build is essential to keep projects on track and support successful delivery.
At Price Bailey, our specialist sector property development experts work with residential, commercial and mixed-use developers, from owner-managed businesses delivering individual schemes to established development companies operating across multiple projects. We provide joined-up advice covering tax, accounting and commercial decision-making, helping clients mitigate risk, improve financial visibility and maximise project profitability.
Unlike our property investment and construction services, our support is tailored specifically to developers, focusing on the unique financial, tax and commercial challenges involved in acquiring land, delivering developments and planning successful exits.
Successful developments rely on more than technical expertise on site. Effective financial management, robust reporting and proactive tax planning are all essential to delivering projects on time and protecting profitability.
Our multidisciplinary team supports developers with:
Development projects rarely follow a straightforward path. Rising construction costs, planning delays, changing market conditions and increasing borrowing costs can all affect project viability and place pressure on margins. At the same time, developers must meet the expectations of lenders, investors and HMRC, while maintaining sufficient cash flow to keep projects moving.
Having timely financial information and proactive advice enables developers to respond quickly to changing circumstances, identify potential issues early and make informed commercial decisions throughout the project.
Common challenges include:
Selecting the right structure before acquiring land can significantly influence the success of a development. The most appropriate approach will depend on the size of the project, funding arrangements, investor requirements, risk profile and long-term business objectives.
Many developers choose to ring-fence individual developments within Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), while others operate through group structures, joint ventures or partnerships. The right structure can simplify funding, improve governance, isolate commercial risk and support future growth.
The decisions made before contracts are exchanged can have a lasting impact on the profitability of a development. Reviewing the proposed ownership structure, funding arrangements and tax position early helps developers avoid unnecessary costs and provides greater certainty before construction begins.
We advise on acquisition structuring, SDLT planning, VAT considerations, the Option to Tax, tax due diligence and funding structures, as well as the potential availability of reliefs such as Land Remediation Relief. We also help clients assess the implications of purchasing assets directly compared with acquiring a company that already owns the development site.
Planning a new development? Speak to our property development specialists before completing your acquisition.
Property development is subject to some of the most complex tax rules in the UK. Understanding how VAT, SDLT and the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) apply throughout a project is essential to managing costs, maintaining compliance and avoiding unexpected liabilities.
Our specialists advise on the VAT treatment of residential and commercial developments, the implications of opting to tax, partial exemption, SDLT on land acquisitions and ongoing CIS obligations. We also help developers manage domestic reverse charge VAT, subcontractor payments and wider HMRC compliance requirements, ensuring tax considerations are addressed alongside commercial decisions rather than after the event.
Successful developments depend on accurate, timely financial information. Project-level reporting enables developers to monitor costs, track profitability and identify potential issues before they affect delivery or funding.
Our project accounting services provide clear visibility across every stage of a development, helping clients understand how individual projects are performing against budgets and forecasts. By providing meaningful financial information throughout the project lifecycle, we help developers make informed decisions, maintain control over costs and meet the expectations of lenders and investors.
Our support includes:
Securing appropriate funding is often one of the most important factors in delivering a successful development. Whether you’re raising finance for a new project or refinancing an existing scheme, lenders and investors increasingly expect detailed financial information and robust forecasts.
We support developers by preparing financial models, assessing project viability and producing the information required by banks, private investors and other funding providers. Our team also advises on development finance, senior debt, mezzanine funding, joint ventures and refinancing, helping clients present their projects with confidence and secure funding that supports long-term growth.
Different development models bring different commercial objectives, accounting treatments and tax implications. Understanding these differences is important when planning new projects and considering long-term investment strategies.
We advise developers delivering build-to-sell, build-to-rent, commercial and mixed-use schemes, as well as those retaining completed units as investment assets. Where properties are retained, we help clients understand the accounting and tax implications of moving from trading stock to investment property and ensure the ownership structure remains appropriate for long-term objectives.
Looking to retain completed properties as long-term investments? Visit our Property Investment page to learn more about our specialist support for property investors.
The end of a development project presents opportunities to maximise value, but also important tax and commercial decisions. Whether units are sold individually, a completed development is refinanced or an entire company is sold, careful planning can help improve outcomes and avoid unexpected tax liabilities.
Our advisers work with developers to review disposal strategies, assess the implications of asset sales versus share sales and plan efficient profit extraction. We also support clients considering refinancing completed schemes, retaining assets for investment or restructuring ownership to support future developments.
Property development demands more than year-end compliance. Our clients value practical advice that helps them manage projects successfully, respond to changing market conditions and make confident commercial decisions throughout the development lifecycle.
Clients choose Price Bailey because we offer:
We aim to build long-term relationships with our clients, providing accessible advice whenever it’s needed and helping developers make informed decisions with confidence.
The most appropriate structure depends on the size of the project, funding arrangements, investor requirements and long-term objectives. Taking advice before acquiring land can help avoid costly restructuring later.
Developers should consider SDLT, VAT, acquisition structures, funding arrangements, available reliefs and the long-term tax implications of the proposed development before completing a purchase.
Many developers have obligations under the Construction Industry Scheme, particularly where subcontractors are engaged. Understanding your responsibilities early can help avoid compliance issues and penalties.
The VAT treatment depends on the type of development, the intended use of the property and whether commercial property is involved. Taking advice before work begins can help avoid unexpected costs.
Lenders and investors typically require regular management accounts, cash flow forecasts, project performance reporting and financial information demonstrating the viability and progress of developments.
Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you
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