Top Tips for Self-Builders

Below are our top tips for self-builders to consider when embarking on a new house build project.

1. Planning Tips

-Arrange an informal meeting with planning to find out if there are restrictions on what you can and can’t build.
-Look at the local vernacular. Your design will likely need to reflect the materials and/or design in some way.
-Engage your neighbours as soon as you can and talk through your design ideas. It’s better to address feedback now than during the application process.
-Size, bulk and roof height in the design are often sticking points with planning.
-Give evidence in your application to demonstrate how your design will meet the planning criteria and fit in with the surrounding area.
-Tricky sites will benefit from the expertise of a planning consultant who knows the local planning guidelines.

2. Budgeting Tips

-Use an online calculator at Build It to start getting an idea of costs.
-Don’t forget to include associated costs. External works (fences, paving, patio, landscaping, plants). Surveys (trees, environmental, soil samples). Fees (planning consultant, planning application, architect, structural engineer, project manager). Living costs (removals/storage, rent/caravan purchase). Structural warranty and site insurance.
-Add in a contingency of 10-15% of the total cost.
-Create a detailed cost estimate based on your final design. Your architect or a quantity surveyor can do this. Or try an estimating software like Build It’s estimating service. Use this baseline information to compare quotes from builders.
-Consider buying your own materials. A local builder’s merchant can price against plans for a fee and often there are discounts if you set-up an account.
-Put in a budget for items you want to choose yourself such as the kitchen, bathrooms, flooring etc. Update the spreadsheet with actual costs when the purchases have been made.
-Labour could be around a third of your total cost. Which parts of the build can you (safely) and realistically do yourself? Even basic jobs like keeping the site tidy can save money.
-Save receipts and log them in a spreadsheet to make your VAT claim quick and easy when you finish.

3. Tips for Self-Build Mortgages

-Check your builder, trades and suppliers can work within the payment terms of your lender. Advanced stage payment mortgages mean funds are released before key phases of the build begin to help cashflow. An arrears stage payment mortgage issues payments afterwards.
-A cost-based mortgage is more certain than a valued-based mortgage and available for both of the above. The former guarantees the amount paid out rather than the sum being dependent on the results of an onsite survey. BuildStore offers the widest selection of lenders and every month Build It magazine publishes a list of the latest mortgage products.
-Check the small print. Some lenders may ask you to use a building contractor, buy a certain insurance and/or want the house finished within a set time frame.

4. Tips for Preparing the Site

-Utility companies can work slowly so book as early as possible if you need a new connection on site.
-Action paperwork for a road closure in good time and make sure access to site is suitable for all vehicles and machinery before you begin.
-Plan where you’re going to store materials. If you’re doing the buying, liaise with your builder to make sure deliveries arrive before they’re needed.
-Make sure all insurances and warranties are in place.