Design & Build: Turn your self-build dreams into reality.
Written in collaboration with the National Self Build & Renovation Centre
31st January 2024
Did you know that over 10,000 people in the UK embark on a self-build journey each year?
Building your own home is a more feasible option than you might think. Whether you want to create a bespoke home or renovate an existing property to suit your lifestyle, self-building could be the ideal solution for a more sustainable and comfortable living space.
The National Self Build & Renovation Centre is the UK’s only permanent venue for independent homebuilding advice & support, and their mission is to help people build better, more sustainable homes. Established in 2007, and owned by employees since 2014, they have helped over a quarter of a million visitors in making their dream homes a reality.
Based in Swindon, the Centre is an educational hub filled with resources for all project types, featuring life-sized display homes and the ‘Trade Village’ which boasts over 200 specialist exhibitors, including Millworks Ltd. Newly updated, Millworks’ exhibition space showcases a wide range of carefully curated timber products and new, innovative cladding solutions manufactured with particular attention to performance and sustainability.
Undertaking a homebuilding project can be a daunting task for most so we’ve gathered some essential insights from the NSBRC to help you navigate each critical stage and sidestep common pitfalls, giving you the confidence to get started on creating your dream home:
Research: Thorough research is paramount to self-build success – understanding how the process works, your desired level of involvement, and the relevant legislation is crucial. While you may have a budget in mind, diligent research during this phase can unveil unexpected budget requirements.
NSBRC | Swindon | Educational Hub
NSBRC | Trade Village | 200 Specialist exhibitors including Millworks Ltd
Financing: The financial aspect often raises questions, and various options, including cash, property sale, and self-build mortgages, are available. Exploring government initiatives like the Help to Build scheme can simplify the financing process for building your dream home.
Finding Land: Securing land is a pivotal step, and the Right to Build legislation ensures that local authorities in England provide adequate land for self-builders. Registering on the Right to Build register early is recommended. Before searching for the perfect plot, carefully consider your preferences, location, budget, and space requirements.
Planning Permission: Planning permission is mandatory for new structures or significant changes. The more detail the planning authority has to go on, the quicker they can make a decision and the more clarity you’ll have on what you can and can’t do with your project.
Design & Specification: Involving an architect or designer not only brings your ideas to life but can also aid in obtaining planning permission. Their experience and expertise can be invaluable to the project, and it can also be very helpful to have someone handle a portion of the workload to save you time and stress. While hiring a professional designer or architect isn’t a make-or-break decision, we recommend doing it.
Building Control: Building control is essential for meeting regulations. Regular inspections by an approved building inspector ensure compliance, and a Completion Certificate is crucial for releasing funds and future property transactions.
Costs: Budgeting for your self-build is vital, considering potential surprises. The average total land purchase and build cost, as NSBRC’s research shows, is £479,578. It is recommended to think about a contingency plan to safeguard against unexpected costs, delays, or complications.
Begin Building: With meticulous planning and paperwork completed, the building phase begins and the excitement starts. Be prepared for unforeseen challenges, such as adverse weather or schedule interruptions, and remain adaptable to navigate through them smoothly. Make sure to keep your eyes on the prize and all the planning, hard work and sacrifices will pay off.
Fully preparing yourself for your self build project will pay dividends when it comes to the final build stage. Explore the National Self Build & Renovation Centre’s online guides here, or enhance your journey further with their comprehensive 3-day day ‘Guide to Managing your Self Build Project’. This invaluable course offers a complete overview for those new to the process by covering the major stages of a homebuilding project and serving as a roadmap for successfully creating your perfect home.
