House Build

[wcel]

I'm looking to build a house (in Scotland) but being new to this, it's a minefield out there and I feel a bit lost.

We've identified a plot we would love to live on, but am trying to work out a likely market value for a completed house on that plot, and then work back to a likely build budget however that doesn't mean anyone would lend me that amount of money.

I thought I'd approach a mortgage lender to get an idea of what they would lend against our income however they want detailed plans etc before processing the application.

If I approach a builder, they want to know what my build budget is before discussing further.

I feel like I'm stuck in a bit of a chicken and an egg moment

Anyone got any advice?

P.S I am a powerfully built guy, but I'm no company director and I'm not interested in hammering frozen sausages in anyones lawn (actually that's a lie but that's another story)

[wcel]

worsy said:

Have a chat with buildstore (https://www.buildstore.co.uk/) to see your mortgage options

I spoke to them previously, before I had the deposit side of things, but had totally forgotten about them, so thanks for reminding me.

The plot already has outline planning so should be relatively easy to get full planning (but won't be purchased till everything is in place). I've had a look at the market round about to gauge a ceiling price for commercial values of houses

The one thing I can't seem to find a guide figure on is for groundworks up to slab level. Anyone able to suggest likely costs per sqm for going from a grass field to concrete slab with trench fill foundations?

[wcel]

GetCarter said:

I built a house (with zero knowledge) in NW Highland Scotland 14 years ago.

I 'blogged' it >>> http://www.stevecarter.com/build/build.htm

Absolutely brilliant reading, and thank you for sharing it! Found myself snorting along at various bits, and having experienced similar issues with tradesmen whilst building my parents house, it's left me feeling that a turnkey package is the way to go nowadays

GetCarter said:

If I could have found a building firm to take my plans and turn them into a house without bothering me - if they could have been given a budget and stuck to it, and a timeframe that they would keep to and phoned me up two years later saying, 'Your house is ready Mr Carter' I would do it again at the drop of a hat

Thats exactly what I'm hoping to do, just need to get the price at a sensible level that allows them profit but doesn't leave me penniless for decades!

[wcel]

Almost 4 months from my original post, I have an update.

Missives have been concluded on the plot and the architect is now, hopefully, designing our dream house. The builder is lined up and its all coming together slowly

Exciting, stressful, and expensive times ahead

[wcel]

A year since this thread and I suddenly remembered about it and thought I'd have a look back and see what advice had been given.. It's quite entertaining reading how green I was about it all.

A year later, and I'm still very much green, but always learning.

The site is coming along nicely - foundations are in and the drains/structural floor slab are going in imminently. The timber frame kit should be on site this month too

We had originally planned to spend around £x on the build, but we're building bigger than we thought, and always seem to pick the more expensive of any options given, so budget has now risen to about £1.7x

The house was going to be a stop gap for up to 10 years, however I'm now planning this as a long term house

The only advice I'd give myself for next time, or anyone else planning it, is nail down the budgets from the start (if money is important/tight). Don't just go with the flow like I have (but thankfully am in a position to do so)

[wcel]

VEX said:

Congrats. Its stressful, but get it right it will be worth it!

Happy to help out with tech advice and remote consults etc if needed.

V.

Thanks Vex

Your name was on my contractor list from the outset, after a Sonos group buy from you via here in the past

Unfortunately as the build planning has progressed, we've had to drop the built in sonos idea due to costs