subject: Self Builds - Where To Start? [print this page] People self build for many different reasonsPeople self build for many different reasons. The majority of self build projects you will heard about are the large scale projects "" each person creating their vision of a dream home and their secret ambition to be their own property developer or simply as a way to make money.
Self builds are very personal to their owners. It is a case of carte blanche, within certain building perimeters of course, but nevertheless if the self build home is to be an art nouveau homage or a gothic chateau, then that's what it will be. Quality is the key selling point to self builds - they are nearly always well built.
Points to get you moving
Getting Organized - If you're going to be on site every day and take the role of project manager use a simple spreadsheet to chart the stages. Always write things down first and get specialist orders in early as certain things can take up to 8 weeks delivery. Get all the relevant insurances in place.
Obtain Planning Permission - The next stage is to gain planning permission for your design. This will probably mean some negotiation with your local planning authority, so many self-builders choose to use an architect, planning consultant or building engineer as the intermediary. Your planning application should be approved or refused within two months.
Building Regulations - Once you've gained planning approval, it's time to organize the visits of the Building Control officers to oversee and approve the stages of construction. You need to have submitted detailed drawings to the Building Control Department, along with your application form and you then will be issued an approval notice, basically, the go-ahead to start work.
Book The Builder - Good builders get booked up months in advance, bear this in mind when you start looking for one and always get as many quotes as you can from reliable firms.
A self build home is no small task and could take months to complete. It is important to be realistic "" your self build home may not go according to plan so careful planning and seeking professional help is a must.
