Self-building a home is a journey with many ups and downs. Though some challenges are inevitable through the process, forewarned is forearmed. Being prepared for mishaps will put you in a better position to keep on track. Here are four common self-build mishaps to steer clear of.
The first step to developing your dream home is finding the right plot to build it on. You should make sure the plot is suitable for planning permission and can be connected to electricity and the water mains. You should also check the ground conditions to plan for the type of foundation you’ll need.
To avoid initial complications, make sure you take these issues into account before purchasing any land – for example, by hiring an engineer to check the conditions and stability of the ground at your plot.
Many professionals make up a self-build team. That can include architects, builders, surveyors, interior designers and project managers, among others. Hiring the wrong tradespeople to carry out the work on your self-build project can have disastrous results – from shoddy workmanship to seemingly endless delays and results that just aren’t what you wanted.
Always give yourself plenty of time to research tradespeople before you hire. Don’t just choose the first one you see. Make sure you get quotes and references from multiple candidates – and see if you can even visit one of their current building sites or finished projects.
Self-building can sometimes cause upset for neighbours. They might object to an aspect of your plans, or noise pollution from the building site could be disrupting their peace. The best strategy for avoiding mishaps with your neighbours is to keep the lines of communication open wherever possible.
Once neighbours get to know you and your plans, and have their concerns heard, they’re more likely to be receptive to your self-build project. Discuss the project with them personally before the planners get in touch – or hire a project manager to handle all the communications.
This might seem easy to avoid, but self-building comes with unexpected costs. If there’s an issue later down the line with your self-build, you could find yourself tipping way over budget – especially with rising material costs.
The best way to avoid this mishap is to plan carefully. It’s impossible to plan for every eventuality when building a home, but having a clear outline of what you can afford will help to avoid issues later on. Make sure any architects, designers and project managers working on your home are made aware of your budget well in advance. Ensuring you have a suitable contingency budget is also vital.
Architects are integral to the development of your dream home. One of the biggest mishaps that self-builders can make is hiring the wrong one. On the other hand, hiring the right one can truly bring your vision to life.
As award-winning architects, CODA Bespoke has over 40 years of collective experience creating striking self-build homes, so you know your dream is in expert hands. If you’d like to learn more about our services, get in touch with our helpful team today.
Looking to self-build a multi-generational home? Here are a few factors you’ll need to consider when it comes to the design process...
One of the best benefits of multi-generational homes is that they provide the space to bring your family together where it counts. Keeping communal areas, such as the kitchen and main living area, open plan can help everyone to feel connected. Incorporate different levels, add countertops to the kitchen, and use room dividers to break up the space.
Multi-generational homes shouldn’t mean you’re living on top of one another. As well as providing rooms to spend time together, you’ll need spaces for privacy. Along with bedrooms, it can help to have additional “retreat rooms” for family members to enjoy their own company. This could include separate living spaces for different generations, as well as a playroom for children.
If you’re living with or caring for elderly relatives, multi-generational homes need to be made accessible for all. Ensuring there is a larger-size, ground-floor bathroom with a walk-in shower and grab-rail for elderly family members to use is an absolute must. Go for extra-wide doorways and staircases, with room for stairlifts, if needed.
Bedrooms for elderly relatives should also be on the ground floor. This not only makes the rooms more accessible, but also more distant from the noise of children's bedrooms and playrooms on other floors.
When you’re living with multiple generations of your family, it’s only natural that a little bit of compromise will be required. For one thing, you’ll need to be flexible about how you make use of space. Different generations will have different needs, and to avoid going over-budget, it can help to create multi-purpose rooms within the home. That might mean your reading room also doubles up as Grandma’s crafting space, for example.
Every family member will naturally have different ideas about what they’re looking for in a multi-generational home. That’s why it’s important to stay in close communication with your architects, so you can work together to finalise a design that suits everyone.
Don’t lose sight of the potential of your outdoor spaces too. Garden rooms and offices can provide extra opportunities for space and privacy in a multi-generational home. If you can obtain planning permission, you could even build an additional dwelling in your back garden for relatives to live in.
Extending your communal space outdoors also makes your indoor living space feel more open, especially when you link the two via large windows and bi-folding doors.
Ready to self-build your own home for multi-generational living? First, you’ll need architects who understand how to create show-stopping homes that every generation will love.
That’s where CODA Bespoke comes in. As award-winning, RIBA-accredited architects, our Sheffield team are best-placed to create the home you’ve always dreamed of. To embark on your self-build journey, contact our expert team today.
