Would appreciate any advice on how to embark on a proposed new adventure.We have a time scale of approx 2 years, by which time we hope to have found a plot of land in the south,found a suitable company to oversee the whole project.And hopefully moved in.! Any advice on where to start first would be gratefully accepted ie:Land,Company,House or Finances
Land in the South! Is there any? Huge over-inflated prices for a small plot(£150k and upwards). Do what I did, took an existing property and completely renovated it.Darn site cheaper in the long run.
Finding land is not the problem, obtaining permission to build your dream is!
However, at least you are looking at the right timescale. Select areas that you like the look of and move out from there. If you require fast access to London your plot price will increase.
Now is a good time to look, prices are steady, you will pay the same price for a plot if it is a 'green field' or has a building on it, look at everything. Don't buy anything with 'potential', planning permission is key. Agents are useless unless you happen to fall over their board. Walk your chosen areas on a regular basis.
Don't look for that dream site, work up to it. Don't design your home until you find a site. Keep everything simple and it will only cost about 50% more than you can afford.
Building your own home is the most difficult thing you will ever do, but it is worth it, not only financially.
This is hardly to be classed as a self build, if you buy a plot and have pp for a property then get builders in you are not self building,
It will cost more than you think, go buy a wreck and learn how to refurb it as M'boy suggests and when youve done a few then decide if you have the skills and aptitude to develope a bare site, Mike
Originally posted by metalmicky: This is hardly to be classed as a self build, if you buy a plot and have pp for a property then get builders in you are not self building,
It will cost more than you think, go buy a wreck and learn how to refurb it as M'boy suggests and when youve done a few then decide if you have the skills and aptitude to develope a bare site, Mike
The key to a successful 'self build' is good management. It is not a requirement to actually carry out the work yourself. Most 'builders' who self build still sub work out to specialist trades.
Self builders build houses that are far superior in materials and workmanship than those available from developers.
Buying an old wreck and doing it up is fine if that is what you want to do. However, you will be living in a space that was designed for the way we lived in Victorian/Edwardian days and with levels of comfort to match.
