I have just bought a plot of land, anyone done a self build?
Discussion
Now the fun starts. I have just bought a serviced plot of land with planning permission to build a 3274 square foot house. The plot has detailed planning but I don't really like the house so was looking for something else. Who's done a self build? Any good advice to share? I was hopeing to get a kit house but don't see much that I like. Also can anyone recomend a good online forum for house builders.
I've always said if I won a big sum of money i'd buy a plot and have this chap erect me a nice period gaff.
http://www.suffolkreclamation.co.uk/oak-framed-bui...
http://www.suffolkreclamation.co.uk/oak-framed-bui...
dirty boy said:
'BENACRE BARN (c. 1700) 58ft 9" x 19ft 4" £23,000'Bloody hell, have I just gone back in time to 1970?!
Good luck. We're nearly at the end of our self-build and have a house we love.
To change the building requires 'fresh' planning permission - which may or may not be easy. Find an architect who you like and who has good experience with your planning department and bang in some plans. Remember to talk to everyone (neighbours, parish council, environment agency etc.) so that the revised plans don't come as a surprise - no-one likes surprises. Also talk to the planners to get some idea of what they would be happy to see. Nothing they say in an informal query can be taken as gospel, but it'll save you the hassle if there's going to be something they really don't want.
Don't forget that the existing planning permission has an expiry date (three years from approval I think), so if you take too long trying to get new permission, you can loose the old. If you start building, then you can't loose planning - usually that's regarded as starting groundworks, but it's worth checking.
It is very, very hard work, and you will blow your budget, but the end reward is well worth it.
Oh... please use sqm - everything's pretty much in metric these days! And buy the House Builders Bible.
To change the building requires 'fresh' planning permission - which may or may not be easy. Find an architect who you like and who has good experience with your planning department and bang in some plans. Remember to talk to everyone (neighbours, parish council, environment agency etc.) so that the revised plans don't come as a surprise - no-one likes surprises. Also talk to the planners to get some idea of what they would be happy to see. Nothing they say in an informal query can be taken as gospel, but it'll save you the hassle if there's going to be something they really don't want.
Don't forget that the existing planning permission has an expiry date (three years from approval I think), so if you take too long trying to get new permission, you can loose the old. If you start building, then you can't loose planning - usually that's regarded as starting groundworks, but it's worth checking.
It is very, very hard work, and you will blow your budget, but the end reward is well worth it.
Oh... please use sqm - everything's pretty much in metric these days! And buy the House Builders Bible.
Edited by Tuna on Monday 1st March 17:16
Will be starting our build on 22nd March. Well the demolition anyway. Have a planned move in date of Aug 2nd 
.
Chose a German company for the structure of the building. They are planning 4-5 days from arriving to leaving site with a watertight house.
Will post up progress as it occurrs.
.Chose a German company for the structure of the building. They are planning 4-5 days from arriving to leaving site with a watertight house.
Will post up progress as it occurrs.
Good Luck - I've been in our new build home for about 15 months now and we're loving it. I'd happily do another, if I could find a plot of land that is any better than where we are now (bit unlikely!).
Similar post on self builds here
One useful idea is if you are building a separate garage, build it first. This way you end up with a lockable store and somewhere dry (and warm?!) to sit and eat your butties / drink coffee!
Ensure you choose your builders carefully - chase up on references BEFORE you pick them so that they will build the house to the quality you are looking for, not what they can 'get away with' - after all, you'll be living in it long after they are gone. I ended up working on site every day - generally labouring, moving materials around, tidying up, making the troops coffee and ensuring I was there to answer any and all questions (of which there will be many!). This helps to keep things on track and is a great learning experience. The one week I went on holiday, early on in the 7 month build, a couple of the trades had 'emergency' jobs elsewhere and didn't turn up - which didn't help.
If you have a couple of recommended builders but are missing a trade ask your guys who they would recommend (helps if your workers get on with each other on site)…
Hire a porta-loo and make sure your tradesmen always use it - even when your bathrooms are complete and working ;-)
Buy yourself a cement mixer and a decent set of ladders - will ultimately end up cheaper than hiring them for weeks on end.
Go and talk with your local builders merchants before you start and let them know what you're about to undertake - you should mange to get some good discounts on materials and setting up trade accounts with them will help to smooth your cash flow. Likewise get a trade card at B&Q - you'll earn cashback on materials and basics like cement are often cheaper (as loss-leaders) than your builder's merchant will be able to offer.
Talk with your chosen builders and get an idea of timescales for the jobs you want them to do. Check out the project planning templates in books such as The Homebuilders Bible or The Sunday Times Housebuilding guide and use this to help plan your project. As with all builds you will inevitably hit delays and problems but try and ask 'how do we solve this issue?' rather than 'what is the problem?' - that way you'll hopefully end up with solutions than discussing how big a hole you are in!
Befriend your local Building control officer - they are handy people to know. After all, they will have seen the self-build process many times before and can offer help and advice to keep you on the right lines - and they are the folks that will ultimately grant you your completion certificate and let you move in!!!
Remember with a new build you'll be able to avoid VAT on most good and services - check out the HMRC site for information before you start building / purchasing materials.
Good Luck - let us know how you get on, post up some piccies of your plans / plot / progress.
Best wishes!
Similar post on self builds here
One useful idea is if you are building a separate garage, build it first. This way you end up with a lockable store and somewhere dry (and warm?!) to sit and eat your butties / drink coffee!
Ensure you choose your builders carefully - chase up on references BEFORE you pick them so that they will build the house to the quality you are looking for, not what they can 'get away with' - after all, you'll be living in it long after they are gone. I ended up working on site every day - generally labouring, moving materials around, tidying up, making the troops coffee and ensuring I was there to answer any and all questions (of which there will be many!). This helps to keep things on track and is a great learning experience. The one week I went on holiday, early on in the 7 month build, a couple of the trades had 'emergency' jobs elsewhere and didn't turn up - which didn't help.
If you have a couple of recommended builders but are missing a trade ask your guys who they would recommend (helps if your workers get on with each other on site)…
Hire a porta-loo and make sure your tradesmen always use it - even when your bathrooms are complete and working ;-)
Buy yourself a cement mixer and a decent set of ladders - will ultimately end up cheaper than hiring them for weeks on end.
Go and talk with your local builders merchants before you start and let them know what you're about to undertake - you should mange to get some good discounts on materials and setting up trade accounts with them will help to smooth your cash flow. Likewise get a trade card at B&Q - you'll earn cashback on materials and basics like cement are often cheaper (as loss-leaders) than your builder's merchant will be able to offer.
Talk with your chosen builders and get an idea of timescales for the jobs you want them to do. Check out the project planning templates in books such as The Homebuilders Bible or The Sunday Times Housebuilding guide and use this to help plan your project. As with all builds you will inevitably hit delays and problems but try and ask 'how do we solve this issue?' rather than 'what is the problem?' - that way you'll hopefully end up with solutions than discussing how big a hole you are in!
Befriend your local Building control officer - they are handy people to know. After all, they will have seen the self-build process many times before and can offer help and advice to keep you on the right lines - and they are the folks that will ultimately grant you your completion certificate and let you move in!!!
Remember with a new build you'll be able to avoid VAT on most good and services - check out the HMRC site for information before you start building / purchasing materials.
Good Luck - let us know how you get on, post up some piccies of your plans / plot / progress.
Best wishes!
I believe it is customary at this point to link to getcarter's blog. It's a big old read, but worth it I think 
http://www.stevecarter.com/build/build.htm
http://www.stevecarter.com/build/build.htm
Good luck!
I hope to find a plot to do a self build in the next six months. We completely gutted and refurbished our current home about three years ago (the only things left were the fireplaces and ceilings in the living room) and it is undoubtedly bloody hard work. It really is like having to hold down two jobs.
My advice would be to make sure you have a very good contract with your builder, with agreed stage payments and making sure that you owe them a decent sum of money at the end.
One thing I would say is that when you put the job out to tender split the tender into various parts(mechanical and engineering, electrical, joinery etc) so you can see how they all arrive at the prices, it will show you where some are good value and other elements where they are trying to make a lot of money. Helps you negotiate on price and will help when the job is on site too as it gives you a good basis for agreeing how much money is due at any particular stage of the job.
I hope to find a plot to do a self build in the next six months. We completely gutted and refurbished our current home about three years ago (the only things left were the fireplaces and ceilings in the living room) and it is undoubtedly bloody hard work. It really is like having to hold down two jobs.
My advice would be to make sure you have a very good contract with your builder, with agreed stage payments and making sure that you owe them a decent sum of money at the end.
One thing I would say is that when you put the job out to tender split the tender into various parts(mechanical and engineering, electrical, joinery etc) so you can see how they all arrive at the prices, it will show you where some are good value and other elements where they are trying to make a lot of money. Helps you negotiate on price and will help when the job is on site too as it gives you a good basis for agreeing how much money is due at any particular stage of the job.
Simpo Two said:
dirty boy said:
'BENACRE BARN (c. 1700) 58ft 9" x 19ft 4" £23,000'Bloody hell, have I just gone back in time to 1970?!
Hi Plotless. I am off to Rob's when I get back from skiing to finalise my speakers and amps. Will need to get you back for the final desingn work and connections though.
Blogspot with a bit of info on the house and what is there now
http://marlowbottomecohouse.blogspot.com/
ETA blogspot link
Blogspot with a bit of info on the house and what is there now
http://marlowbottomecohouse.blogspot.com/
ETA blogspot link
Edited by rex on Tuesday 2nd March 10:35
rex said:
Will be starting our build on 22nd March. Well the demolition anyway. Have a planned move in date of Aug 2nd .
Chose a German company for the structure of the building. They are planning 4-5 days from arriving to leaving site with a watertight house.
Will post up progress as it occurrs.
Are you building a Huf-Haus??.Chose a German company for the structure of the building. They are planning 4-5 days from arriving to leaving site with a watertight house.
Will post up progress as it occurrs.
Streetrod said:
rex said:
Will be starting our build on 22nd March. Well the demolition anyway. Have a planned move in date of Aug 2nd .
Chose a German company for the structure of the building. They are planning 4-5 days from arriving to leaving site with a watertight house.
Will post up progress as it occurrs.
Are you building a Huf-Haus??.Chose a German company for the structure of the building. They are planning 4-5 days from arriving to leaving site with a watertight house.
Will post up progress as it occurrs.
rex said:
Company called Budenbender. I am not keen on the style of huf houses. There are loads of companies in Germany that produce SIP houses. I decided on Budenbender as it can support a solid first floor if required. I want as little noise transmission as possible.
Best for underfloor heating too!garyhun said:
rex said:
Company called Budenbender. I am not keen on the style of huf houses. There are loads of companies in Germany that produce SIP houses. I decided on Budenbender as it can support a solid first floor if required. I want as little noise transmission as possible.
Best for underfloor heating too!Tuna said:
garyhun said:
rex said:
Company called Budenbender. I am not keen on the style of huf houses. There are loads of companies in Germany that produce SIP houses. I decided on Budenbender as it can support a solid first floor if required. I want as little noise transmission as possible.
Best for underfloor heating too!
I'm only jealous as I've been looking for a plot for 20 months now!!!
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 2nd March 15:07
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