If you built a house what are you top tips/ biggest mistakes with hindsight.

[2000lightyearsaway123]

Hi all,

I am planning to build a house in the next few years provided I can get planning permission. I already have a piece of land.

If you've built a house what would he your top tips or pitfalls to avoid using the hindsight you now have?

Every house I've been to that was designed and built by the owner has hallways that are too big (especially upstairs landing areas) I have no idea if this is a common problem but I've visited four in the last few years and several before that and all have more landing than needed .

@Iwanttobeapaperbackwriter that's interesting. Funnily enough I was talking to my dad and he said something quite similar.

Not done it myself but do know someone who never finishes the property until they want to sell it. If possible, don't let it drag on for years! Plans are bound to slip a bit though.

Are you planning to do the whole thing before moving in?

I'm planning to have it all built and atleast kitchen, living area,. One bedroom and one bathroom finished before I move in but I really don't want it to drag on and would like it finished up as quick as possible. The other bedrooms and second bathroom can sit empty for a while if needs be but preferably not for long.

Don't have a massive utility room, it becomes a dumping ground

Plan your storage in advance, otherwise you build a great looking house with nowhere to store vacuum/ironing board/suitcases/bedding/picnic bags/wrapping paper and the place doesn't function well.

@2000lightyearsaway123

I'm planning to have it all built and atleast kitchen, living area,. One bedroom and one bathroom finished before I move in but I really don't want it to drag on and would like it finished up as quick as possible. The other bedrooms and second bathroom can sit empty for a while if needs be but preferably not for long.

That sounds great, good luck with the build OP

My parents did a self build back in the 90s. My dad did the electrics. I always remember the bathroom light pull switch was behind the bathroom door so you had to go into the bathroom, close the door and then turn on the light . So I guess I would say attention to detail!

Agree in regards to storage. Build in a healthy contingency, something always costs more. Really think about where to spend a little more money. For example get quality tapwear and an expensive bench, it really does make a difference to the end look of the house.

Planning everything in advance and get firm quote. IE electrical plan, draw it all out, you can do it your self, work out exactly where you want switches and sockets, any hidden in cupboards etc. Use that for the pricing of the work so there are no "extras". Otherwise the electricians turn up and say, you should have an extra one here and here and you say oh alright and the bill goes up.

Also make sure you put any changes in writing to the main contractor. There will, even with all the above planning be changes, so after your meetings, send an email detailing everything you've discuss and state whether there is a cost implication and get it agreed to.

This about how you will live day to day. IE if you will park down the side of the house, put a door there to go in and out and spend less on the front door and hallway.

If you are going very open plan, make sure you have somewhere that is closed off. Open plan is noisy.

This hard about where to spend your budget. Permanent things like windows you should ensure are good quality as you are unlikely to redo them, however a utility room, you can save some cash on, no one really sees it and you could replace it at a later date.

Have a notebook. Watch yourself living over the next few weeks. Make dozens of notes.

Where do you spend time? Round the kicthen table? On a squishy sofa in front of TV? At a computer desk?

Do you have kids/plan on having kids, and how old, watch how you use space with them. Young kids play downstairs near you, as they get older things like playroom come into their owna nd then teens, a hang out space that isn't their rooms is amazing.

Things like - are you a cook and how do you use kitchen, where would you put prep area, sink, fridge etc.
How do you do washing? All tumble dried or do you like to hang it, where will you hang it, where do you need space?
I am a gardener, so I always want outside taps in right places, and this links to indoor taps.
I always like a proper sink in utility, for dirty stuff (pet bowls, paint brushes, muddy trainers)
Do you do craft? Do you need a storage/work area?
Do you iron? My Mum has spce for iron permamently up in utilty room, she irons things as she needs them.
Do you wfh? Where will you do that?

Chargers? phones? Computers? Where will they go?

Do you buy in bulk? Large larder/freezer? or eat all ready meals?

Do you socialise? Dinner round table? Party and dance space? Hot tub? or sofas and wine glasses on coffee table?

etc etc. Keep making notes, and watching yourself, to see how YOU use a house and what YOU need.

Depending on what type of house a downstairs bedroom with reasonably sized ensuite is a must. Good insulation, triple glazed windows, good heating system

You guys are amazing. Thank you! So much to think about but it's very exciting.

• You need three times as many sockets as you think
• storage is really important
• you will over spend so make sure you have a solid contingency fund

@2000lightyearsaway123 I'm going to counter the hallway stairs landing argument. We've selfbuilt two properties and both had wider stairs with more going (depth) and a rooflight over. The extra light this lets into the house is incredible, it lets us move round the house without bumping into each, it creates a sense of space and calmness.

Other than that I would recommend you choose your build route carefully, attend lots of shows, etc.
You want the design to be right first time, making changes mid-build is expensive.

Don't get sucked into vanity project.

Please, please, please consider Passive standards and sustainability, you have a unique opportunity to future proof your home. As we move to net zero this will save you money and increase the value of your property; retro fitting will be more expensive than getting it right first time.

Re storage and utility. We have a downstairs utility with a shower for after sports 2.2 X 2.2 it's a little cramped. We have a walk-in airing cupboard 2.5L x 2.2W it has all our bed linen, towels, airing, spare duvets, blankets, upstairs hoover, ironing board etc. Fantastic.

If you have the space, an upstairs laundry. That would be my wish.

That's interesting @Kaftankween an upstairs laundry is my nightmare, I tend to multi-task when I'm down stairs and nip from room to room

If you are planning a lot of glass factor in the cost of blinds. They can be more expensive than the windows, particularly if they are inaccessible and need to be automated or for unusual shaped windows.

Each bedroom should have an en suite, lots of storage space- especially in the utility room. As others have said lots of electrical sockets and avoid sunken in the ceiling lights - they seem to blow every other day and a real pain to replace.

Design it for the life you actually lead not the one that is aspirational you don't need a whole boot room if you never go walkingin the mud on the other hand if people are coming and going all day from a farm path don't do cream carpets and keep kitchen etc floors washable
open plan is great when you have 3 year olds and need to keep an eye on them not so great with 15 year olds that want a space
do you work from home, or need an office
don''t design around guest if you have people stay over 1 night a year but if friends kids friends and relatives visiting 5+ times a year is normal then an en suite guest room big enough for them to have a kettle too would be great
life will go back to normal after or inspite of covid so don't just think about "new norm"
do you want to stay until you are 80+ do you need to at least be able to adapt to mobility issues; room for stair lift or lift, awalk in shower downstairs, loo not in a cupboard so big enough to move in.
do you only need 2 bedrooms but want a office and two reception rooms as you entertain a lot; be honest about stuff are you someone that needs storage for sentimental items collections etc or are you a minimalist? do you want to watch sunrise from bed or would full sunlight at 4am be the worst thing ever
know in advance if something goes wrong and costs more money what you will sacrifice or downscale to make up shortfall it is not grand designs you are unlikely to have a spare 50-80K in your back pocket

@TeacupDrama good tips, our kids rooms are 4.5 x 4m they each have a desk, small sofa, double bed, storage. They are like little teenage bedsits.

We have zero ensuites. We have a shower room for everyday, a shower downstairs for guests and apre sports, and bathroom with an insulated bath for long luxury soaks.

Very much agree you should be thinking about heat and power and ventilation.

Ground source heat pump
Passivhaus standards of heat efficiency
Whole house MHRV ventilation system
Excellent wall and roof insulation
How to keep the house cool if using lots of glass - brise soleil, awning, air con (last resort IMO)

Don’t go too open plan - you need quiet areas and walls to put storage/ furniture against, plus some cosy areas for winter

Rooflights or lanterns are wonderful but make sure they open so they don’t fill with flies and hot air

Agree about futureproofing eg make sure kids’ rooms can take a double in future, consider having a room that can be converted to downstairs bathroom/bedroom

Warm water outside tap with a pull out attachment to clean dogs and wellies if you are a dog and welly family
Outside sockets for Christmas lights and car hoovers
Boiling water tap in kitchen
Electric car chargers x2 - we will all be driving them soon

Don't get sucked into letting the architect think every bedroom has to have an ensuite. Imagine the cleaning of all those loos?! I paid for plans where were were going to do this with the specific remit of no ensuites other than main bedroom - he came back first drawing with FOUR. Too many = too much to clean and a lot of expense.