Self-build - any experience?

[Frettchen]

I'm looking to buy a house and just can't find anywhere remotely right and within my price range. (am possible setting my standards too high for the area, but that's a different conversation!)

However, someone I know is annexing a plot of land they own, and mentioned they're looking to get an architect in, and get all the planning permission and then look to sell it as a house ready for the building. They know I'm searching and wondered if I would be interested.

I sort of am interested, but I haven't a clue about self-builds. However I don't want to immediately say 'no thanks' without giving it some proper thought. Could anyone point me to some good info online? Or, better still, if anyone's done it, how was it?

Whereabouts are you op? could you make it to Birmingham this weekend?
self build show

Or otherwise google nsbrc, it's a kind of permanent advice centre for self builders, its in Swindon. There are loads of magazines you could read - Homebuilding & Renovating and BuildIt are the 2 that first spring to mind.

You can take one of 2 main routes... get in various companies and tradesmen and organise the whole thing through the various stages (or get a project manager to do this); or use a company such as Potton, Framewise, Lowfield etc. (google timber frame package build).

The NSBRC used to run Self Build courses to help you work out budgeting, the processes, costs, etc

I'm near Reading. Birmingham this weekend is a no go; starting to move stuff out of my house (almost sold), but will definitely have a look into nsbrc.

Is there a vast difference in price between a typical brick build, and a timber frame house? (I'll do some googling this evening, but am at work at the moment, so MN is all I have!)

I don't think there's a huge price difference, what you might lose in materials cost of one, you save in time (and therefore rental accommodation, contractor wages etc) so it pretty much equals out in the end. There's a huge range of pricing even within the package companies... for a timber frame house you can build in green oak (£££) or you can get a cheaper pine frame. Bear in mind building your own house is a great chance to include loads of insulation and make it cheaper to run, SIPs, ICF etc are all things you should consider, as well as various eco technologies for heating and hot water.

I used to work at the NSBRC so my info is all a few years old and I'm sure there are new things around I don't know about but the experts there will help you, all free of charge.

I'm excited for you!

No experience yet....but we're in the process of buying a plot with DPP. V excited! We're going timber frame for speed and insulation. Learning so so so many new things right now, it's all a bit mind boggling! Even having paid a small fortune for the land we should still come out with way more house for our money than we could buy already built. Go for it!

We used to use the basic equation that of the final value of the finished house; 1/3 of that would be the land cost, 1/3 the build cost, the final 3rd pure profit. Roughly.

Quids in!

The NSBRC (National Self Build & Renovation Centre) is just off Junc 16 M4 and is open 6 days a week. It's a fantastic free drop-in resource, open Tues-Sunday. It's the only permanent visitor centre in the UK for those considering self-build, renovation & home improvement and there are experts on hand to answer any questions. Really useful place to find out what you can build for your budget, materials and fixtures & fittings. They also run selfbuild courses and shows, check out their website www.nsbrc.co.uk

Agree with the 1/3rds scenario, it is definitely worth it as far as cost and individual specification. There are several mortgages for self build, work in the same way as traditional mortgages re APR and costs, they just release the money in stages.

The critical thing though is the time you can spend on it- ideally you should be able to afford to get someone else to do it completely, or the opposite - be able to give up work to do it completely yourself.

Failing that, you need the time and energy to devote to it (outside working hours). No doubt though, its a fantastic opportunity.

Well, it's not for everyone - but I'd self build again in a flash. Very very definitely worth it.

We did it while both working full time and with DCs. House was block and brick, three storeys high, 6 beds, 3 baths and a work space across the top floor. We didn't have a contractor, so saved their profit. We had trade accounts at all the suppliers and I did all the ordering and managing trades, so it can be done you just need to be super organized, prepare in advance and be very realistic about timeframe and budgets.

We did it in one calender year although it wasn't finished when we moved in.

So, you what are your top tips for someone starting on this exciting journey? How did you manage the tender process with builders? Just met with the architect and seems we gave quite a lot of leeway without going back to planning which is great. Anything that you wish you had included/thought about before you started? So so so many questions...

Shanghaismog I can only give you a brief idea from years ago and we didn't have a main contractor so my tips are for people who go it alone.

We had to go for full planning again as we wanted to vary the design and it was a Conservation Area, but this wasn't a problem as we kept it realistic.
We did have the benefit of advice from someone with experience and contacts and they put us on to a company for specialist foundations and some brickies. The brickies were a team of two with a labourer, old skool and they were brilliant. They suggested a carpenter and he was so good he more or less acted as a foreman for us and kept us in the know about what was going on on the site. Word of mouth also found us a roofer. We paid for all materials and then for labour separately and I kept a spreadsheet of every little thing with receipts - very important for the VAT claim.
Inbetween that I planned out the bathrooms and utility room, the kitchen we got a specialist company to plan out with all the plumbing requirements checked. I also did the electrical spec just by starting at the front door and imagining coming in the front door and thinking where would we need light switches and sockets, TVs etc. Because we were the ones using the space we also got the right cupboards and storage where it was really needed e.g. for the ironing board, vacuum cleaner, mop etc. To be honest that worked out a hell of a lot better than any other house we've ever lived in.

Top tips are always having materials on site when the trade needs them so that you don't pay for time wasted. Keep a massively eagle eye on the budget. Shop around for discounts and bargains and barter, but don't skimp on anything you have to pay someone else to fit.

Check everyone and check again. Don't be a PITA but don't be fobbed off or go against your gut instincts. Apply for services early. Get receipts for absolutely everything and get trades to sign your own receipt for payments handed over even if you pay by cheque or bank transfer, that way you can keep everything in chronological order in one place.

Investigate for a building guarantee insurance policy. We got a 15 years one, which when we sold added a little bit extra to what was on offer.

There must be loads more but there's your starter.

Don't know whether of interest, but NSBRC just launched competition to win free place on their July 3-day self build course worth £375.00! Details are up on their Facebook page.