How To Build Your Own House

There are so many options available that first you have to decide which route suits you, and how much involvement you want in the building process. The more you do, the cheaper, but more time-consuming, it is; the more you give to professionals, the more expensive, but quicker, it is.

 

Get advice. ‘Build It’ and ‘Homebuilding and Renovating’ magazines are excellent. There are also regular self-build shows across the country.

A popular route is the Segal Method. Walter Segal was a German emigre modernist architect who, in the 1960s, developed a simple, eco-friendly wood-framed house kit, by paring down the building process so that anyone could pop one up in their back garden, which is exactly what he did. It’s still the standard if you want folksy, modern, cheap design, and is a popular option if you’re in housing need or on a low income.

Budget

The rule of thumb is that you need to spend a third on land, and the rest on the build. The big costs are land, labor, building materials and professional services (architects, builders etc). But there are all sorts of minutiae to go into too (survey fees, planning permission fees etc). Build in a 10% contingency fund just in case.

Sort out financing: most people will need a specialist self-build mortgage (money is released in stages as you go along).

Find your land

Look at estate agents, auction houses, plot finding firms or private sales in self-build magazines/websites/shows. Or hunt around planning records at local councils. The land should have, at least, outline, up-to-date, planning permission, and be near utilities for cheap and easy connection. Also look at the geography: is it on a flood plain?

Planning

You could design the house yourself, but at the very least you’ll need a professional to draw up detailed plans for planning permission.

Or you could choose one of the hundreds of standardized self-build packages and designs from specialist companies (find them in magazines, websites and shows). Some will allow you to customize, and many will have the building work thrown in. You must pick between a timber-framed or a brick-and-block design. Each has its pros and cons: for example, timber-framed houses are quicker (from 12 weeks) and easier to assemble, but have poorer sound insulation.

You could at this point hire an architect or a building contractor to manage the project. Sadly, there is no easy way to find a good builder (personal recommendation, Yellow Pages, websites, etc). Just be cautious: make sure they are part of a good trade organization, and get references.

Or go down the DIY route, in which case you’re the boss.

Building

Sort out insurance. Although it is not compulsory, you would be foolish not to have it, in case there’s an accident on site.

You organize; you hire and fire the staff; you arrange for the delivery of materials; and you’re responsible for all the hidden stuff such as health and safety. You do everything. The buck stops with you.

You must plan your timetable so things are done in the right order – there is logic to it.

 

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