Self-building can be a complicated business. The dream of your ideal home designed to your specifications can be derailed very quickly. Progress can be slow, whereas money moves too quickly. How do you guarantee that you won’t run into any issues?
The answer is, you can’t. But by preparing as much as you can before you break the ground on your vision, you are increasing your chances of success. Take a look at these four things you need to figure out before you begin your self-build journey.
Before you even begin your project, plan your budget carefully. Don’t rely on guesses or rough estimates and get quotes for as much of the work as possible. That way you can keep a closer eye on finances as the build progresses.
Remember, the budget can easily get out of control when building your own home. Hidden costs can suddenly appear, from surveyor fees to extra labour costs if there are any delivery delays. Holding tightly to the purse strings isn’t as foolproof as you may think. Having a healthy contingency of 10-20% will ensure that you don’t get stung by unexpected costs.
If you really want to ensure you are being cost-effective, consider getting expert advice from an architect. Consulting an experienced professional on budget can help you stay realistic and keep your project affordable.
How long does it take to build a new home? This is one of the most important questions when someone wants to build a house. But it is also the most difficult to answer as it depends on a multitude of factors.
That said, an average can be estimated, depending on the size of the house. A realistic time frame is around 24 months, from conception to completion. Keep in mind this is just a ballpark estimate and there are factors that you need to take into account:
Having an architect to help you with your self-build can be invaluable. They can keep you on the right track with your budget and support you in sticking to deadlines.
Before you begin your build, it’s important to recognise how many different parties are involved. You will need an electrician, a plumber, kitchen and bathroom fitters, brick layers and a plasterer – to name a few.
A big factor in the success of your project is how you find, select and manage these contractors. If your budget allows and you would prefer to be less hands on, you can employ a project manager to oversee the site schedule.
Around 40% of self-builders manage their house build, the rest preferring instead to employ an experienced builder or company to take care of it for them. There is a lot of coordination involved when employing different tradespeople with various companies. Your project manager will happily take this task on to save you the hassle.
Architects offer invaluable expertise and support when you are self-building. You may want an architect to be involved throughout or hire one only for the design stage. Either way, they have excellent industry knowledge and can advise you on a myriad of areas, including:
The team at CODA Bespoke has over 40 years of experience in designing unique self-build homes. Our RIBA-accredited architects will work to understand your vision and bring your dream home to life. Contact our friendly team today to begin your self-build journey.
