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Original poster

Self build - thoughts?

71 replies

sunja · 27/05/2022 17:27

Some advice from those who have self built before please or those in the process/planning to do so soon.

It’s mine and DH's dream to do a self build. We are hoping to start work in a couple of years time so starting all the research now.

We have signed up to Self Build and Design for the monthly magazine and also plan to start going to self build/Reno expo’s and shows.

So far we know that it is difficult to find land (we are hoping for a plot in a village close to a city) so may need to look at run down houses with good plots for a knock down project. We were also thinking to use the architect as the project manager.

With regards to mortgages, how did you find the process as I understand it can be more difficult to get a self build mortgage than a normal mortgage?

Any other advice you have would be great please! Wanting to research in depth and get an idea of all the steps required and hear others experiences.

Thanks!

OP posts:
JesusInTheCabbageVan · 27/05/2022 18:37

Placemarking and bumping as um interested too! We're hoping to do either a renovation or a self-build over a period of a few years.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 27/05/2022 20:24

It is very very hard to get a self build mortgage. They are a huge risk to lenders. Especially if it goes wrong.
Obviously with buying a knock down and build again planning permission is also a risk.
Essentially you want a lot of money to throw at it.

Original poster
sunja · 27/05/2022 20:41

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 27/05/2022 20:24

It is very very hard to get a self build mortgage. They are a huge risk to lenders. Especially if it goes wrong.
Obviously with buying a knock down and build again planning permission is also a risk.
Essentially you want a lot of money to throw at it.

So we were thinking of applying for planning permission on the plot before exchange. You can do that with the owners permission and if accepted then proceed.

In terms of it being very difficult to get a self build mortgage, are there certain characteristics that banks look for? Or anything we can do that will make us more appealing?

OP posts:
Sprig1 · 27/05/2022 20:46

Why do you want to self build? What do you hope to achieve? You sound v inexperienced. It us v likely to end up costing you a lot more than just buying the equivalent house that exists already (if you can even find a plot). Have you been to the National Self-build and Renovation Centre in Swindon? That would be worth a visit.

Original poster
sunja · 27/05/2022 20:50

Sprig1 · 27/05/2022 20:46

Why do you want to self build? What do you hope to achieve? You sound v inexperienced. It us v likely to end up costing you a lot more than just buying the equivalent house that exists already (if you can even find a plot). Have you been to the National Self-build and Renovation Centre in Swindon? That would be worth a visit.

Hi @Sprig1, I hope you're well. I am inexperienced as I've never done it before and have started researching and wanted to get some advice so popped onto the Property forum to see if anyone has done it before or planning to, to have a chat. I suppose we're all inexperienced until we've tried it.

Thanks for that - I'll have a look.

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HumphreysCorner · 27/05/2022 20:54

We did a self build in 1998 and finished in 2000. X

icedancerlenny · 27/05/2022 20:55

I have done two self builds and have just purchased my third. The first had a wooden New England style house/shack on it and was on a 6 acre very rural plot but was in an AONB and although there was already planning, i changed it slightly but wasn’t allowed anything too spectacular on the plot.

Second was a much better house. In a riverside village with direct train links to London and I could pretty much build what I wanted. There was a 1960s house with a large annex and detached double garage so plenty of scope to combine footprint and the house was amazing. I sold it recently and made a huge profit, which was luck really with the market as it is.

Now got my final (maybe!!) piece of land and I love it. The views are incredible and I feel like I have learnt so much that this house will be perfect. I wouldn’t change much from the last one, but I definitely know what I’m doing a lot more now. I wouldn’t have my first self build as my final house!

It’s a good idea to get to know local agents as you’re not the only person looking for a run down house to develop or a plot to build on!

I’m a single parent but make sure your marriage is strong before you start as I’ve seen a lot of marriages fail with the strain of it.

i personally haven’t used an architect to project manage it - it’s possible to do it yourself, which is what I do. You do need good trades though. I don’t get a builder either - I go direct. Buy the materials myself etc and it’s much cheaper.

You can claim your VAT back so make sure you keep very good records. It takes a long time though to get it back.

you need self build insurance and warranty. I use build zone.

I’m really lucky that I haven’t had to get a mortgage but I’m not sure you can get a mortgage on the land you buy. For example the land I have just bought has a derelict house on it so it’s not mortgageable. I might be wrong but I think the self build mortgage is just for the actual build.

hope that’s helpful

Original poster
sunja · 27/05/2022 20:55

HumphreysCorner · 27/05/2022 20:54

We did a self build in 1998 and finished in 2000. X

Hi, thanks for responding! How did you find the whole process? Did you have an architect guiding you through? X

OP posts:
HumphreysCorner · 27/05/2022 20:58

Apart from getting the bank to release the funds it worked well. We bought the land then got planning permission then did lots of work ourselves x

icedancerlenny · 27/05/2022 20:58

I have enjoyed mine and have made quite a bit from them but on the other side of it I have not only seen several marriages fail (as mentioned) but I know one family who have been in a caravan as long as I’ve known them (maybe 6 years) and another family who have been living with parents for 3 years now. I built mine in 12 months from demo but if you’re not totally on it every day, you can’t rely on anyone else to prioritise it. You need to be very sure you have the funds and knowledge or it could be very expensive and very stressful.

Original poster
sunja · 27/05/2022 20:59

@icedancerlenny thanks so much! That all sounds amazing and is really helpful. Good luck with your next build!

Do you mean a land enquiry agent, an estate agent or both?

From my research you can get a mortgage to also buy the land, however we hope to be able to buy the land and just need the mortgage for the build.

OP posts:
HumphreysCorner · 27/05/2022 20:59

The architect did the plans which the council finally approved then had no further contact x

IrisVersicolor · 27/05/2022 21:00

I’m super into this. Have you considered kit houses - they take away a lot of the stress.

https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/ideas/inspiring-kit-homes

confusedlots · 27/05/2022 21:03

We didn't have much difficulty getting a self build mortgage but there are only a few providers who offer them. You need to have a decent amount of cash available to get you started though (and to buy your plot) as the bank releases money in stages, and the first drawdown we got was when we had built to wall plate level.

icedancerlenny · 27/05/2022 21:04

I’ve always purchased through an estate agent. The last one actually remembered me and apparently had liked me and rang and asked if I was interested. I loved it so much I put my house on the market that day!

you might well be right - I don’t know.

you could look at SIPs.

Original poster
sunja · 27/05/2022 21:05

icedancerlenny · 27/05/2022 20:58

I have enjoyed mine and have made quite a bit from them but on the other side of it I have not only seen several marriages fail (as mentioned) but I know one family who have been in a caravan as long as I’ve known them (maybe 6 years) and another family who have been living with parents for 3 years now. I built mine in 12 months from demo but if you’re not totally on it every day, you can’t rely on anyone else to prioritise it. You need to be very sure you have the funds and knowledge or it could be very expensive and very stressful.

I think this is why I would want to have a project manager. Me and DH have busy jobs and we wouldn't be able to project manage it ourselves. A lot of the advice I've read advises having a project manager which I think would be beneficial for us.

OP posts:
TheFoxAndTheStar · 27/05/2022 21:05

There is a lot more information that would be helpful before you can get meaningful advice.

What are you hoping to get from it /why are you doing it?

e.g.


  • are you wanting to build something unique to you, to match specific requirements?

  • are you building for profit?

  • are you expecting to enjoy the process?

  • are you wanting something in a specific area that doesn’t already exist?

Also:

  • is this going to be your “forever home” or will you move on after a few years?

  • do you need to be in quickly or can you take your time?

  • whays your budget vs your target cost (e.g. you could afford £400k if you had to, but would prefer to spend £300k)

  • when you think “self build” what fo you want the “self” part to be e.g. the design, the project management, that actual build?

  • do you have pressing deadlines e.g. need to have moved within the next 3 years?

Original poster
sunja · 27/05/2022 21:05

HumphreysCorner · 27/05/2022 20:59

The architect did the plans which the council finally approved then had no further contact x

So you project managed yourselves? How did you find working with all the tradespeople etc? Was it stressful or you found it OK?

OP posts:
Original poster
sunja · 27/05/2022 21:06

IrisVersicolor · 27/05/2022 21:00

I’m super into this. Have you considered kit houses - they take away a lot of the stress.

https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/ideas/inspiring-kit-homes

Thanks, I've seen these and think they are great! However, we want a traditional looking brick house and haven't seen that they do those?

OP posts:
Original poster
sunja · 27/05/2022 21:08

confusedlots · 27/05/2022 21:03

We didn't have much difficulty getting a self build mortgage but there are only a few providers who offer them. You need to have a decent amount of cash available to get you started though (and to buy your plot) as the bank releases money in stages, and the first drawdown we got was when we had built to wall plate level.

Did you use a broker to help with finding a self build mortgage?

OP posts:
icedancerlenny · 27/05/2022 21:10

You can build a traditional house with SIPs. I’ve never done it that way though.

My architects have just done the design, planning etc. I’ve used someone else to do the working drawings each time, simply because it’s been quicker and easier. You can get a builder or a project manager but you cannot take your eye off the ball. If you can’t be there most days, I wouldn’t do it. At the end of the day, it’s your house.

Are you planning on doing things like ground source heat pumps?

IrisVersicolor · 27/05/2022 21:11

Potton do traditional brick homes:

https://www.potton.co.uk/our-show-homes

They also do self build workshops and training:

https://www.potton.co.uk/self-build-academy-en

IrisVersicolor · 27/05/2022 21:13

Potton can also design you a bespoke home.

confusedlots · 27/05/2022 21:13

@sunja yes we used a broker.

Original poster
sunja · 27/05/2022 21:14

@TheFoxAndTheStar thanks for your message.

I'll reply in turn:
• yes, we'd like to build so that we don't have to waste time looking for a house that is exactly what we want or having to do a massive reno and extension when we could just build.
• not really thinking about profit as we would like it to be our forever (or until old and downsizing) home. But I imagine in the long run it will of course make a profit if we stay that long
• not expecting to enjoy the process as o anticipate it will be stressful
• we would like to stay around where we live which is in Staffordshire. We would like to live in a village ideally
• we can take our time but ideally wouldn't be much longer than 18 months
• budget would be c. £850/900k but wouldn't really want to spend that much as from my research, building should be cheaper than if we were going to buy. Would like to not really spend more than £750k
• the self bit is the design
• not super pressing but don't want it to drag on with no end in sight

OP posts:
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