To buy or to build?! Help please!

[Lollipop30]

So we’re stuck on what would be best; to buy or to build.

We own a building plot and can afford albeit tightly to build OR do we just find a house and buy. Less stress but we’d probably get quite a lot less for the money, although a lot more than current situation.

I’m so stuck and we’re currently renting a horrible poky little house with the kids all sharing, no garden barely a kitchen and I’m not sure what’s best for them, it’s outside space theyre missing out on most.

So WWYD??

I’d build in a heartbeat!
The only thing that would worry me is you said it would be tight money wise, these things have a habit of going over budget very easily (armchair experience of watching grand designs etc) could you do a small build with plans to extend it in a few years when you have more funds?
Buying would be less stressful but if you’re getting less for your money is it worth it?

I would build, but then my dream is to build an immaculate modern box in the middle of several acres of land in the country, surrounded by the forest...

As others have said, building on a tight budget is rarely a success. What part of the country are you in? What size house have you got permission for? What is your total budget?

@Lollipop30 I can completely sympathise as we are in quite a similar situation although a bit further along the building route. We have stuck with a less than ideal housing situation for much longer than planned so we can build, which is taking longer and is going to cost more than we hoped but we're going for it as it's going to be amazing (), although at the moment seems pretty stressful!

Have you got house plans? Worked with an architect? You need to be very honest with them about how much you can afford and they can design accordingly.

What sort of budget do you have? If you're looking for a quick build some kind of SIP build might be a good option?

If you haven't already done so, maybe start with writing down room by room what you want in your house, any ideas you have. it'll give you something more concrete to think about and discuss together and then forms the basis of an architects brief, unless you're further on than that...

It's amazing to be going through the process of thinking about what we'd want in our house now and in the next 10-20-30 years so trying to design for the future as well!

I didn't want to look back and think why didn't we just put up with it a bit longer. I've never had a burning desire to build my own house, DP has for a long time, but it wasn't something I desperately wanted to do, but I'm now sure it'll be worth it!

Happy to talk through anymore things if that'd help

BUILD! Your money will go so much further, and potentially you could end up with your dream home.

We have built in the past and I would advise you to take lots of time to think about layout, get professional advice if you have to. We rushed a few things (because of money issues) and they ended up being constant irritants.

Also don't forget about extra costs which could really add up. We had to pay thousands for CIL for a house we built. It was painful!

Good luck!

Traalaaa you shouldn't have to pay cil if it's a self build