Should I have a house built?

[Ritascornershop]

I am coming up to (early) retirement in a few years and will have to sell my house. What I can afford around here is a bit crap (I’m not in the UK, we have very little older housing stock which is my preference). I could afford a “townhouse” (small group of attached homes) but they are all built in the 1970’s-80’s which here means low quality, low ceilings, small windows, or a flat, and I want to keep a garden.

Alternately I could buy land in the country and have a small home built. I could afford that. But how much hassle is it? If you hire a reputable builder but want to have total say in finishings? I’d want to use reclaimed doors and floors, not sure how much I’d have to be onsite to make sure that sort of thing got done (we renovated part of our house years ago and it was a struggle to get the builders to agree to that sort of thing, they thought the little lady was being silly with her lady ideas).

I think I could end up with just the right place, but is the process worth it?

Self-building is hard work but the end result can be wonderful. I've done it once and would do it again in a heartbeat. But it was a very steep learning curve, and if you also have to struggle with patronising builders that might make it a bit harder.

One watch out - if you are planning this as your final home, how practical will being about out in the country be in the long term? Obviously some way off yet.

If you can afford it, do it. Use an architect, not a builder. You'll get a well-though out space designed for your needs.

Thanks both! I wouldn’t be very far out (I’m in Canada so remote can be very very remote). I’m thinking on the edge of a village or 15 minutes drive to shops kind of thing. In one of two areas where the countryside is preserved in law (so limits on builds meaning the view can’t be changed too much).

I am worried about patronizing builders, but am getting more firm by the year.

Sounds positive so far!