A Guide to Self-Building – Costs, Planning & More

Abel Hinchliffe
12/07/2022
A Guide to Self-Building – Costs, Planning & More

If you’ve ever dreamed of living in a truly bespoke property, then self-build homes are the answer. As you first embark on self-building your home, it’s natural to feel confused and overwhelmed by the myriad of steps that make up the process.

That’s why we created this guide to demystify self-build costs, planning and more...

What are the costs of a self-build home?

There are several factors to consider when outlining the cost of self-build homes...

Finding a plot

The first step is finding a plot of land to build on, as this can help you to plan your budget. There are many ways to find land for self-build homes, from plotfinding websites to property auctions. You should also make sure you’re on the self-build register with the local authorities.

Financing

Arranging the finance for your self-build house is crucial. You might decide to pay via a lump sum or by the sale of your current home. There’s also the option to apply for a self-build mortgage.

Budgeting

Before you start on the design phase, you’ll need to plot out a specific budget to adhere to. This will cover a variety of expenses, including everything from the initial site investigation and demolition to developing the substructures, walls, flooring, heating and insulation, among many other costs.

Make sure you factor in a contingency of around 10-20% of your overall budget. You should also factor in expenses such as the stamp duty tax, any legal fees, as well as the costs of setting up plumbing and electricity.

Self-build planning – what's involved?

Once you’ve factored in all your costs, it’s time to get to the nitty-gritty of self-building your home...

Secure permissions

Before you start building your property, you should ensure that you’ve been given proper planning permission. You’ll also need to meet the requirements for building control approval, as well as any other specialist permissions.

An architect can help you ensure your property fits within local authority guidelines, along with any other regulations you should follow. You should also make sure you have self-build insurance before developing your property.

Choose an architect

The right architect can turn your dream home into a reality. Don’t be tempted to settle for the first architect you come across, instead give yourself time to choose an architect who aligns with your vision.

Self-building your home

Once everything is in place, it’s time to hire builders and contractors to work on your project. You might decide to manage the self-build yourself, or hire a project manager to handle this time-consuming work.

The plot will need to be prepared for building, and you’ll need to choose a construction method – which could be anything from brick and block to structural insulated panels.

When the building’s complete, it’s time to check for any last issues through the ‘snagging’ process and make sure you get a completion certificate from building control. If your property is intended as your main residence, you could also claim back VAT.

Experienced architects for bespoke self-build homes

Self-building your home can be a complex task, which is why it’s important to have an experienced architect on hand to make the process run smoothly.

At CODA Bespoke, we have over 40 years of collective experience in creating show-stopping self-build homes. With RIBA accreditation and whole host of awards under our belt, we’re the perfect choice to bring your vision to life. Contact our helpful team today to get started on your self-build journey.

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Abel Hinchliffe

With a wealth of experience Abel heads up CODA Bespoke, specialising in luxury residential developments both large and small. Recently entrusted with the responsibility of also heading up Studio 4 which is currently delivering numerous office to residential developments. Connect with Abel Hinchliffe on LinkedIn >

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