32 Ways to Start Your Self-Build Project in 2018

Is self-build for me?

Self-builders come from pretty much every walk of life – from families keen to build an affordable home that can adapt over time, through to empty nesters looking to downsize to a high-spec house with minimal running costs. If you’re at the early stages of looking into this route to a bespoke home, here are six essentials to bear in mind:

“Self-building doesn’t have to be hands-on. In fact, very few projects involve much in the way of DIY. Unless you’ve got genuine construction skills, you’re probably better off commissioning professional designers and contractors to deliver your tailor-made home.” – Emily Smith, Build It deputy editor

“Consider teaming up with a specialist package house supplier to take the stress out of some of the key elements of your scheme. The basic service starts with structural design and building of the shell on site, but can run right up to turnkey delivery of your new home, where the company holds your hand through the process from start to finish.” – Sofia Delgado, Build It assistant editor

“Self-building gives you the opportunity to get more bang for your buck: this is undoubtedly the best way to create a high-quality home that’s tailored to your family’s needs at a cost-effective price.”

– Chris Bates, Build It editor

“There’s no substitute for getting face-to-face with products and suppliers, so head to the Build It Live shows, where you’ll also be able to gain advice from seminars, workshops and even book free one-to-one consultations with our experts.” – Emily Smith

“This is probably going to be the most involved and emotional project you ever take on, so do as much research as possible. As well as browsing the Build It website, be sure to check out Build It magazine where you can find a huge treasure trove of advice and inspiration.” – Shona Jackson, Build It digital editorial assistant 

“Don’t worry if you haven’t got any experience of taking on a major project. Every year, over 13,000 people build their own home, and the vast majority of those have never done it before.” – Chris Bates

Plan it

The first barrier for most projects is finding a plot suitable for the kind of home you want to build – and then getting planning permission to do it. Here’s what you need to know:

“Get familiar with the type of house you’re keen to build by gathering pictures of finished homes and thinking about what it is you like about them. Would a single-storey home, chalet or two-storey house best suit you? What kind of external materials do you prefer? You shouldn’t pin your hopes on an exact design just yet – but if you’ve got a vague idea in mind, you’ll be better able to picture how a particular plot might work for you.” – Tim Doherty, chartered surveyor and Build It expert

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