Self build homes?

[shadytree]

Anyone got any knowledge of building your own home?

The pitfalls, the must do's and dont's?
Any recomendations etc?

just exploring all avenues (no pun intended)

[B17NNS]

Several good self build monthlys in your newsagent.

Think the key is research, research and more research.

www.homebuilding.co.uk

[simpo two]

Fellow PHer GetCarter is doing this: www.stevecarter.com/build/build.htm

[lord summerisle]

what are you considering?


traditional brick/stone...

or something a little 'different' - timber/log/strawbale

'sustainable' 'green' ? - recycling rainwater...

(i ask not for some higer purpose.. but going 'green' methods apart from the lentilist crap which means nowt... can be cheaper, and save money in the long run.)

[Tuna]

Read a lot and pay attention to the legal requirements. Planning permission and the associated issues (conservation, building regs., zoning and so on) are a major headache. By all accounts, getting builders is difficult and keeping them on site and to schedule also hard. Budget creep is almost certain. Changing your mind at any point is far more expensive than sticking to your original plans.

You can't get something for nothing these days - you will get a house that fits your exact requirements (if your architect is good) - but you won't get it for half the price of similar houses in the area. If you could, every small builder would be doing it and getting very rich.

You do (theoretically) save money, but you pay in time and discomfort.

We're currently nearly three years into a self build. Living in a caravan with a six month old child and still in negotiation with planning and the environment agency (that's what you get when you live near a river). We are doing things the complicated way, but that's the price we're chosing to pay for a unique place to live.

Oh - the best piece of advice I can offer is that Argos do electic blankets that you can leave on all night - caravans are very difficult to keep warm.

[shadytree]

You paint a rosie picture Tuna

[alfaman]

I know a couple of people who have done this ... the most difficult thing is acquiring a plot that you can build on without paying way over what is an econcomic price , as you are competing with developers ( for multiple dwellings )and a loads of other people who will almost pay "anything" for a self-build plot. Plots on the open market are usually over priced .

[Tuna]

shadytree said:

You paint a rosie picture Tuna

To be honest, we're loving it. There are no street lights out there, so we get the clearest night skies I've ever seen in the UK. We have everything from greenfinches to king fishers and a beautiful barn owl living locally (I know nothing about wildlife, but these are lovely birds). We've got broadband, wireless networking and sky tv in the caravan. The sheds can take five cars and it's been an excuse to buy the ugliest truck I could lay my hands on. I spent the weekend pollarding willows and I'm very pleased with the results. The village has Indian, Chinese, Thai and chipshop and we're about ten minutes from my current work place.

The serious point about self-build is that the actual building part can be the shortest bit of the whole project. Look at Steve's diary - they got the place in '98, and started planning the new build in '03. That ignores the time spent finding a suitable plot in the first place and it's still three years of their lives. Getting a plot in the south of england with suitable planning permission and a nice location for a sensible price is very, very difficult.

[viper_larry]

If you're looking at Timber frame homes, can recommend this company:

www.potton.co.uk/sb/potton/welcome.htm

[lord summerisle]

the other thing to consider is on the financial side...

in that the builders/architect want paying at certain points... but the bank's paymemts points might not tally - meaning you have to find the money first.

for example the architect will want a proportion of his fee when it gets to the planning/building reg stage... the builders may want a proportion of pay when laying the foundations.

different companies have different ways of working

[LRdriver II]

Get a good architect and try to maximise space. Even with relatively small square footage you can get some cool buildings by not wasting it on dead space like corridors and other useless areas. Research everything down to the smallest fitting as this is where builders cut corners

[Plotloss]

Its easy, other than finding the land in the right place.

We're going to do it as soon as we've located a decent plot.

Its been a dream for about 5 years now.

[lord summerisle]

LRdriver II said:

Get a good architect

*Ahem*





not saying i'm any good at it... or that i'm an architect... but i work as one.

[Eric Mc]

And you can reclaim the VAT back on the construction costs.

[FourWheelDrift]

viper_larry said:

If you're looking at Timber frame homes, can recommend this company: www.potton.co.uk/sb/potton/welcome.htm

Or a Huf House - www.huf-haus.de/en/index1_ds1205314195.html

[mrmaggit]

The Self-Build Show is on at the NEC March 2-5 inc. I'm on the Independant Merchants stand on the Sunday. Do drop by and say hello.

[Plotloss]

mrmaggit do you know if the tickets for the Smarthome Show will get you into the selfbuild show?

[stevieb]

Selfbuild are a pain if not managed to a high standard. If you appoint a project manager check his history on selfbuild and speak to his previous clients, to get there opinion of the build.

If you are going it alone keep an eye on your contractors and there are discount schemes avaliable to self builders at builders merchants to get you the same discounts that builders get.

I have so far managed 5 build in Cumbria/Lake district and there are a good deal of resources avaliable online about other poeples selfbuilds.

If you need any pointers i will be happy to help

Steve

[stevieb]

B17NNS said:

Several good self build monthlys in your newsagent. Think the key is research, research and more research. www.homebuilding.co.uk

But they do not give you a full picture of what is involved, speak to poeple first hand of how there build went what they come across, there are forums on some sites that offer help and advice plus track the progress of each person build.

Homebuilding and renovation Mag tends to cover the no expense spared end of the market where the arcitect and project manager have worked together for 5 to 10 years and not the self managed projects.
Steve

[scott64]

Good topic this, as I sold my last house but retained a large plot that I have now got full planning permission for a 4 bed house. But do I build or sell the plot, it is tempting to build but....