Many people are now looking at different ways to get on the property ladder. One increasingly popular method that you may be thinking about is a self-build home. This type of project not only allows you to build the house you want, where you want but also gives a real sense of achievement when completed.
If you are interested in building your own home, you must also accept the challenges it can throw up. You must be prepared to commit to the whole experience and for any issues that could arise.
To give you a head-start, we have rounded up some top tips when building your own home:
1. Set A Budget
As with any kind of big project, setting a realistic budget to adhere to is essential. Sit down and think about what liquid assets you may have and then combine this with the amount you may be able to borrow to get your total budget. Remember to leave a contingency of around 10% for any unforeseen costs or problems.
2. Find Land To Build On
Once you have a rough idea of your budget, you can then set about finding a plot of land to build on. It is worth having a general idea of how your self-build home will look here so you can find a plot of land to match. Vacant land can be found in a number of ways, from online sites like Plotfinder through to contacting estate agents in the area you wish to build in. You can even place 'Land Wanted' adverts in local publications.
3. Work Out Your Detailed Architectural Design
Once you have the plot of land to build on, you need to work out the detailed design of your new self-build home itself. This should only be done after buying land, as then you know what will fit into the plot itself. Unless you are an experienced professional, you should find a professional architect and structural engineer who can do this for you.
4. Think About Timescale
One key thing to factor in when self-building is a realistic timescale. This will be different for every project as it can rely on a myriad of individual elements. Doing this will help you to have a deadline to work to and also help motivate the contractors you use to finish on-time. It will also help you to plan out your budget and living arrangements for the period of the build.
5. Consider How To Find Contractors
Of course, as well as your core team of a structural engineer and an architect, you will probably need to employ further help. This could be contractors from a variety of areas including builders and electricians. Try to get recommendations of firms to use from friends or family so you know they are reliable. If this is not possible, check out reviews from previous customers online before contacting anyone to employ.
6. Plan For Potential Problems
The process of building your own home can be a real roller-coaster of emotions, mainly due to the problems that will inevitably crop up at times. From unexpected issues on your land which cause more work to the build going over budget, you need to be prepared to face any issues that could arise.
As you can see, there are lots of great tips for self-build projects to think about. By taking our advice on-board, you will not only be ready for the challenges it may bring, but you'll also enjoy the whole process as well.
