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What To Know Before You Self-Build

What To Know Before You Self-Build

If you are seriously thinking about building your own home, you probably aren’t about to do it on a whim. It’s more likely that you’ve already put a lot of time into researching the options and processes that are involved in a lot of detail so you can feel confident that the progress will be made as smoothly as possible. After all, building your own home instead of buying an older one is probably the biggest investment you will ever make.  

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To help you get it right, here are some of the most important things to think about before you start to work on your house project. 

Understand What It Involves

There are lots of resources out there that can really help you if you aren’t yet very familiar with the construction process, and learn about what you will need to do. Make as much use of these resources as you can, so you can learn about important things like tool safety, the right Air compressor types, and the best way to protect your site from the elements. Read websites, go to shows, and watch shows about building to get you started. 

Get Finance In Place

Don’t set out on your self-build project with an unrealistic budget. Unless you’re in the rare position of not needing a mortgage, you need to speak to experts who can give you specialist finance. 

High street banks and building societies are not usually helpful and can be uninformed about self-build projects. Instead, talk about your project with a specialist, who will understand the process and the realities of what is involved, and will have the right contacts with lenders who can help you. 

Work Out What Is Possible

It’s key to understand what you need and can afford to build, not just what you’d like. Just opting for the biggest house that you can fit on the plot is not a good idea, so hire a good architect or a skilled designer early in the process. They can help you to see what you can achieve with planning restrictions, budget, and the land available.

Recognize Your Motivation

Why do you want to do a self-build? Maybe you’re trying to get your foot on the property ladder, want to design your forever home, or are downsizing after retirement. 

Maybe you want a more energy-efficient home or a creating something to sell on for a profit. Whatever the reason for deciding to take on this project, each option has a different approach. If you’re building a home to live in for years, you might be justified in having more budget. 

Eco-homes can quickly get expensive, as they don’t encourage economy in the terms of the quality of materials or using the latest technology. This could make it harder to make back your investment if you decide to sell it. If you’re building a starter home to sell, you need to think like a developer and focus on adding value with minimal outlay.

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