Six Steps to Starting Your Self-Build
Fed up with the property market, or just inspired by the go-getters on TV, taking their future into their own hands? Whatever your reasons for wanting to build your own home, the hardest part can be knowing where to start. Read on for the six key steps for getting the property of your dreams underway.
- Find a plot for your project
When it comes to a self-build, the first hurdle is often the biggest. Finding the perfect plot for your new home typically involves a bit of luck and a lot of patience, but there are ways in which you can speed up the search.
Firstly, sign up to a couple of online resources like Plotfinder. It’s an online property portal, not unlike Rightmove or Zoopla, but specialising in empty land or properties that are ready for demolition, conversion or renovation. Many (but not all) of the listings already have planning permission.
You should also put feelers out into the community by speaking to local estate agents, architects, solicitors and developer to see if they are aware of any upcoming sales of land.
This blog, featuring an interview with David Snell, is useful for anyone who isn’t sure what to look for in a plot, while this page offer food for thought if you’re plot-hunting on a budget.
- Arrange self-build finances
Just like a regular mortgage, there can be considerable to-ing and fro-ing when it comes to obtaining funding for a self-build. You will, however, need to have your planning consent (and therefore architect plans) in place before a productive conversation can be had.
The tricky part is that having finances ready to go can be the factor that cinches you a good deal on your plot of land… so you may find that this step becomes somewhat ongoing. It’s therefore a good idea to start talking to potential lenders as early as possible.
- Carefully plan your budget
As we all know from Grand Designs, self-build projects usually turn into huge money pits, where the smallest setback can blow the budget by hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Well, the good news is that, in real life, this isn’t often the case. The majority of self-builders put considerable effort into their financial planning, working with experts to determine realistic figures and including a 10% contingency in case of any unforeseeable problems.
Now is also a good time to think about the future of your investment. You will need to take out specialist self-build insurance even if your contractors have their own insurance policies, and you should look at warranties for protecting your project while it’s under construction and once it’s finished.
Depending on your future plans and hopes for profitability, you may want to consider a professional development appraisal too. An experienced surveyor will be able to assess the feasibility of your project, it’s approximate costs and the anticipated final value – all of which will be useful for securing finances.
- Find an architect or designer
Depending on your vision, you might be perfectly happy to find a package supplier that can take care of every element of design and construction for you. Alternatively, you might prefer to work with a particular architect and then hire a separate interior designer, project manager and contractors yourself.
Whichever route appeals to you the most, it’s essential that the team you pick are fully on board with your ideas and understand your budget, timescale and design requirements. They should be able to bring creative ideas to the table that respond to your brief appropriately.
- Get your planning permission in place
As we mentioned earlier, there is not a straightforward order in which you should contact lenders, designers and the local planning authority. That being said, it’s useful to get in touch with your local planners as soon as possible to get an idea of what will and will not be acceptable for your build.
It may be that your area discourages particular styles, materials or construction methods, so this information could (and should) inform your architect’s designs and possibly your costings. Many local authorities offer pre-application advice (sometimes for a fee) to help you ensure your plans are acceptable.
- Breaking ground
It might be weeks or months later, but once your plans are finalised, finances are in place and planning permission is approved, you can get to work on the property itself. Although clearing the site, levelling the plot and digging foundation trenches might not feel like thrilling work, it means that your project is finally underway – congratulations, you’ve successfully started your self-build!
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