Self Build - Anyway done or doing this?

crisp

I am thinking of purchasing a plot to self build our main family home.

Apart from having to rent for a year while its going on, I would like to hear from anyone that has or is going down this route.

I have seen a few plots on the usual portals but would like to know recommended sites for finding plots and the typical build costs as well as anything else you experienced.

Having experience of extending and refurbishing two properties but I have never taken on something like this before and it seems daunting but exciting.

Doozergirl

We’re self building this year. SIPs structure is in final design with the SIPs company.

Plotfinder is a subscription service. I paid about £30-40 years ago for a lifetime subscription at a Homebuilding & Renovating show. It is pretty good as it focuses on plots and renovation projects in a wider area.

We found our plot by just looking locally on Rightmove with a toothcomb. We were looking for a house with a potential plot. We did it the hard way and obtaining planning ourselves. That wasn’t much fun.

It is daunting even though it should be easier than renovating. I’ve designed the interior down to the last mm now in Sketchup. Kitchen, sofa sizes and positions, bathrooms, built in furniture etc before we break ground. That way I know that everything will fit.

I’m still in two minds over external finish. It’s so hard to decide.

ProDave

I am in my third year of the self build, taking so long because we are doing most of it ourselves.

If you really want to discuss this, take a look at https://www.buildhub.org.uk A self build forum where you will find many, including me, in various stages of building and a wealth of help and advice.

If your plot is big enough, do as we are and buy a static caravan to live on site rather than renting.

G_M

There are dozens of specialist self-build websites/forums.

Use Bing, Google, or DuckDuckgo.

Cakeguts

For self build you don't have to do it yourself. You can buy the plot and then pay someone to build a house on it for you.

ProDave

As to finding plots, anywhere and everywhere. We bought ours directly from the owner, it was not for sale. It took nearly 5 years of "I would like to buy your plot" every time I saw him before he eventually agreed to sell it to me.

Build cost, you will do very well indeed if you can build for less than £1000 per square metre.

Yes you can employ a builder to build the whole thing. A more common approach is get a builder to build the shell and then to all the inside work yourself, this is what we are doing.

If you can point me to another self build forum other than buildhub I would like to know. We only started that because the one I was using before, ebuild, decided to close down.

betsie

We finished ours last year. We bought a bungalow on a large plot and knocked it down and built a house. We lived in a caravan in the front garden while it was built (54 eps). We project managed it ourselves my oh did all the plumbing and I did all the painting. We had individual trades to do each part.
It is easier to live on site if possible for security, deliveries and always being there to answer questions. We got the caravan on buy back agreement. Get a good architect and structural engineer.

PokerPlayer111

how much do you save on average by self building? could somebody give a % figure ?

chucknorris

PokerPlayer111 wrote: »

how much do you save on average by self building? could somebody give a % figure ?

It depends in which area that you build, because geographically the land price varies much more than the build cost, so the ratio isn't constant. How much work the self builder does will also influence that ratio.

nubbins

PokerPlayer111 wrote: »

how much do you save on average by self building? could somebody give a % figure ?

It just depends, you could save 20% if you got a plot at decent price and you can do some of the work yourself or know people in various trades . The problem is you are competing against a lot of different groups, builders, developers and other selfbuilders.
If you do find a decent plot you maybe up against someone like yourself who is willing to bid say 50% of the GDV because they like the location and can configure the house to what they want rather than trying to make a profit or get a discounted priced house

Good luck

crisp

Living on site is a good idea. By self build I meant PM and painting it myself and use a builder and his team I know.

I have checked those dedicated sites and I will be spending a lot of time on there.

While there are many many variable, I was thinking £1000 per sq m but I have been reading £1600 upwards, which would make a serious difference. What have been other experience?

Do you need to get an architect and/or New build certificate/guarantee to make it saleable in future?