How many people here have self-built?

[Muncher]

We have been looking for our first home for over a year now and have not been able to find anything suitable, or have found what we wanted but have been thwarted by bent estate agents taking back handers.

We want somewhere which has a lot of potential, where the hard work would pay off and allow us to add significant value over a couple of years. We are both pretty capable in DIY terms and have the benefit of a lot of contacts within the family and friends who would allow us to achieve a lot, for not very much money at all.

Given that the pool of suitable houses is very slim, and that on out last attempted purchase we had pretty thoroughly estimated we were looking to build a 160sqm extension plus triple garage, we have started to consider whether it might in fact be easier to start from scratch with either a new plot or replacing a small dwelling in poor condition which comes with a decent plot.

Now obviously suitable purchases will also be scarce, but it does increase our potential options. We would not be looking to do anything too "grand designs" and stick with tried and trusted materials and processes.

Does this sound feasible? I am aware that the planning laws are changing to make such projects more easy supposedly.