Self-Builders

Crafting a comprehensive plan is the first step in your self-build journey, encompassing everything from the vision of your dream home to the practicalities of budget and timescale. Start with broad research into the timber frame home market, then refine your vision into concrete needs, wants, and desires, factoring in your family’s current and future requirements. Translate this into a step-by-step action plan, incorporating milestones such as choosing designers, obtaining permissions, arranging utilities and finalising decor. Consider whether you have the skills or time to project manage the build, or if hiring a professional might be more time-effective and cost-efficient.

Constructing your financial plan begins with key questions: How much can you invest, including the sale of your current home and the liquidity of other assets like pension plans, savings, or shares? Understanding your borrowing capacity is essential, achieved through discussions with lenders; remember, self-build mortgages differ from regular ones as lenders typically release money at various project stages. Lastly, ensure you account for hidden costs like temporary accommodation, furniture storage, and professional fees.

Selecting the right plot is crucial for the enjoyment of your home and involves considering factors like location, cost, size, and planning permission. The process entails identifying potential plots, getting them surveyed and valued, purchasing the plot, and obtaining planning permission. Knowing the desired size of your plot, considering the type of house you want, and the location plays a vital role. Lastly, understanding the plot’s planning status, which could be Outline Planning Permission (OPP), Detailed Planning Permission (DPP), or without any permission (which is risky), is crucial before proceeding.

Calculating the overall cost of a self-build is pivotal and depends on factors like the plot size, design, and your involvement level in managing the build or hiring professionals. The budget should account for five main areas: purchasing the plot, site development and servicing, design and planning, construction costs, and living expenses. Remember to consider potential hidden issues and changes to plans that might impact your budget. It’s essential to ensure all costs are transparent, whether dealing with contractors or timber frame package providers, to avoid surprises.

Turning a self-build dream into reality often necessitates professional guidance, such as an architect, a house designer, or a timber frame kit company like Deeside Timberframe. Key steps include choosing a designer and builder, creating your design, and preparing detailed drawings. It’s important to ensure your house design is future-proof, affordable to build and maintain, and considers environmental factors.

Selecting the right builder for your self-build project is crucial and can start with referrals from family, friends, or a trusted local source. Explore our testimonials and case studies for first-hand experiences of working with us. Obtain estimates from multiple companies, supplying the same specifications to each for easy comparison, and scrutinise each quote thoroughly. Once you’ve chosen a supplier, ensure the details of the work, pricing, and other necessary arrangements are outlined in a written contract. Verify their credentials and insurance certificates for your peace of mind. Be cautious about undertaking a self-build project on a DIY basis if you lack industry experience; professional guidance can be invaluable for budgeting and time management.

Securing planning permission is an essential step when building your own home in the UK, with the local authority’s planning department being your key resource for information and policy guidance. The process typically involves submission of a detailed application, a period of public consultation, and examination of your application against local planning policy requirements. Hiring a professional for the drafting of home plans and the navigation of the planning process can be beneficial. Being flexible, open to suggested changes, and familiar with local planning preferences can streamline the process and potentially save on abortive design fees.

Building projects in the UK must comply with Building Standards to ensure safety, energy conservation, and accessibility. Individuals or their representatives must apply for a building warrant from their Local Authority, and can only begin work after obtaining Building Control Approval, a process taking about 6-8 weeks. Following completion, a certificate must be submitted to the verifier, and the building or extension can only be occupied after approval by the Local Authority. If managing the project personally, awareness of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations is required for health and safety considerations.