Tips When Considering Building Your Own Home
Figure out your budget
When you start building your own home the costs involved can quickly spiral to the point it’s uncontrollable. You must be realistic from the outset. That said, keep the following in mind:
- Find out about the likely architect fees, the cost of the land, builder’s fees, cost of materials, fixtures, and fittings, and all other things you’ll require when you build your property from scratch.
- Consider your current finances. Are you able to deal with a financial commitment that’s going to be this large?
- Think about the ongoing costs. You might have to continue to pay a mortgage or rent while building your own home.
Take out a self-build mortgage
For those that wish to build their own home, a self-build mortgage is designed in such a way to fit that requirement.
Unlike the traditional mortgage, self-build mortgages will typically release money at various stages. This means you can pay for things as the building progresses.
Find the ideal location
Finding an area of land for your home can be the most crucial decision.
Finding a plot of land for your new home is the first and often the most crucial decision you need to make.
The land you choose will be confined to your budget as well as what’s available. This means you’ll likely need to search far and wide.
Speak with local estate agents. Check property websites. Assess land auctions.
Find out if local farmers, land developers, or utility companies possess land that’s undeveloped within the area you prefer. If yes, get in touch since they may be open to an offer.
You may also wish to contact your local council. They too could have some land available for sale.
Get the right area
You’ll likely know which area you prefer to live, but you should still carry out some investigation prior to getting specific about particular plots.
Investigate levels of crime by visiting a site such as Police.UK.
Think about how you’re going to get to and from work. If you rely on public transport find out the best-served areas for buses and/ or rail.
For those that have a young family check the catchment areas of local schools.
Consider accessibility
If you’re unable to access it there’s little point in owning a large plot of land.
Before you part with your money be sure there’s access to public roads so you and the build traffic are able to drive onto the site devoid of any need to pay for the right to access on somebody else’s land.
Other things to check
- Is the plot part of a flood plain?
- Is the land below a flight path?
- Is the land near to a large-sized road or a railway line?
- How about public rights of way. Are there any across the land?
- Planned developments. Are there any close by, such as industrial, property, or something else?
- Is your home going to be overlooked by homes nearby?
Planning permission
You need planning permission otherwise, with no legal right you cannot begin construction.
Make rigorous checks of planning permission and don’t be tempted to buy any land before you have planning permission.
Purchase the plot
Once you’ve found a plot that’s suitable it’s time to put an offer in.
Don’t shy away from offering a low price to start with. You can make a second offer should the first be unacceptable.
Plan thoroughly
To keep costs down you’ll want to be very specific in terms of your requirements. But you must also be flexible.
Find an architect
You have to get a good architect or you may not realise your idea of the ideal home.
Meet with a variety of architects and discuss your ideas, your requirements, and your plans with each one in turn.
Check examples of each architect’s past work. If you can, get testimonials from prior clients.
Full planning permission
If you only have outline planning permission, or if changes have been made to the currently granted planning, before work commences, you’ll need full/ detailed planning permission.
Select the team
You must choose your team with care. Each time you need to hire someone with the required skills you’ll likely be paying a premium to avail of their expertise.
Having reliable, quality tradesmen to work on your home will help in ensuring that the property is built well and that the project remains on track.
Find builders
Seek the recommendations of others that have recently used construction workers. Either this or visit review websites where you can find contractors that are well regarded in the vicinity.
You can also search for builders and check their details and qualifications on the Federation of Master Builders website.
Get a price for the entire job. Ask for the estimated date of completion. Find out how many workers will be required (any additional workers must be priced as extra).
Don’t pay your builder the complete amount upfront. Agree instead to pay instalments. This will provide you with protection against craftsmanship that is poor.
Get the build started
Once your team is in place it’s time to start the construction of your new home.
Even though the precise duration and the various obstacles that will no doubt cause a slow down in progress will more than likely be unique to your property because you’ve put in all the necessary groundwork prior to the commencement of construction the chances are that you’ll enjoy a happy outcome with minimal stress along the way.
Click here http://www.thomasstudio.co.uk/self-build-project-planning-pack/ for a Free Self Build Project Planning Pack –
