Case Studies...
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A Self Build With a Thatched Roof
A home with a thatch roof immediately makes one think of country cottages, roses round the door and chocolate box images of the perfect home in the country. It may be a dream for some people but for o...
A Semi Detached Self Build
When considering self building your home why not think about building two houses? There may not be room on site for two detached homes but by building two semi detached houses you will be able to live...
An Eco-Friendly Self Build
By carefully planning your build to be as Eco-friendly as possible your home could become carbon neutral and benefit the environment as well as becoming a beautiful home to live in....
Be Professional Throughout Your Build Project
When building your own home there are several points to be taken into account while remaining professional throughout the build....
Budgeting your self build
When planning to self build your home it is important that you have every aspect of the build accounted for correctly. You must then see that you stick to the budgeting during the build otherwise you ...
Build Your Own Retirement Home
As we reach middle age some thought must be given to where we will live once we retire. Many eventually move into retirement homes where they can be looked after but what about the self-builder?...
Build Your Own Summerhouse
These days the garden is thought of more as an extension of the home. With play areas, barbecues, landscaped gardens and patios it is definitely a part of your home that is often in use. Have you thou...
Building a Boarding Kennels With a House
A boarding kennel like any other solid structure has to be designed correctly and be fit for its function....
Building a Granny Annex
Adding a granny annex to your home can be beneficial for both the home owner and also the member of family who is going to live in the house extension....
Building a Timber Framed Home
Timber framed homes are becoming more popular both for the speed of erection and the reliability of the companies that design and manufacture them....
Building an Outside Workshop
A workshop in the grounds of your self-built house can be a boon even to the hobbyist. If you work from home keeping your work separate from the home will be beneficial and will help to keep the home ...
Building by Water
Having a sea or river view is always an added bonus when purchasing a property. When the chance to self build a house near water becomes a possibility there are certain considerations to take into acc...
Building in Someone's Garden
Building plots for self-build homes can be expensive and hard to find especially if you wish to build your home in the suburbs. When starting a search for the ideal building plot why not consider buil...
Building on Land With an Agricultural Tie
Trying To build a home on land that has an agricultural tie can be costly and time consuming for anyone not working in an agricultural business....
Building Your Home: The Planning Department
The planning department of your local council will be very much part of your self-build. Without their seal of approval you cannot dig a footing or lay one brick. This department has the power to enfo...
Building Your Own Home - Are You Up for the Challenge?
There seems to be a romantic image that surrounds the words, ‘build your own house.’ A mock Tudor set in the countryside, an ultra modern town house built of glass, perhaps an Eco-friendly barn type b...
Buying a Kit House
Timber framed homes are ideal for the self-builder as he has the support of the manufacturer, the speed of the build and a beautiful home to look forward to....
Buying an Old Property to Demolish: A Good Way to Buy a Plot?
Building plots are in great demand. A search for the ideal plot can be harder still if it needs to be in a specific place. A way round this is to buy a house and demolish it, using the ground to start...
Buying at Trade Prices for Your Self Build
Once you decided to self build your own house you must start to think as a builder and not someone attempting do it yourself. As a builder you would be running a business and as such would purchase yo...
Can You Build a Home Yourself?
For some people building their own home means that they will oversee the whole project and possibly help out with some of the more labour intense work. With a little forward planning and research it i...
Can You Work a 40 Hour Week and Build Your Home?
It is not always possible to take a break from work to be able to build a house. A work-build balance needs to be observed....
Checking Whether Land is Ready to Build on
Getting your plot ready for the build is an important part of the self-build process. With a little thought and careful planning this will smooth the way to a stress free build....
Claiming Back VAT on a Self Build Property
A bonus for self-builders is that they are able to claim back the value added tax (VAT) at the end of the build. At a time when money will be tight after spending so much on the build it is a treat to...
Clearing the Site Before Building
Once the site is cleared and secured you are ready to start the real work – building your dream home....
Considerations When Building a Detached Garage
A garage will definitely add value to your home whether it be integral attached or detached. When planning a detached garage there are considerations to make the garage more user friendly for the whol...
Constructing a Garden Shed
Most homes have a garden shed. They come in all shapes and sizes and also many prices. When building your own home a shed will be high on your list of priorities as it will be used to store tools and ...
Designing Your Home: What to Do Before Hiring an Architect
Planning exactly what the family requires from their first self build home can save time and money when first meeting an architect. Here's what to consider in your initial list....
Eco-Friendly Options For Finishes in Your Home
Whilst building your home you may have decided to follow the eco friendly route and produced a home that has used not only materials that are good for the environment but installed products to further...
Employing a Builder for Your Self Build Project
Your chosen builder should be someone you feel comfortable with and by the end of the build would be someone you would invite to your housewarming party and recommend to friends....
Enforcement Order for Having No Plans: A Case Study
Building your own home should be an exciting project and one that is remembered with happiness. For Michael and Sue James they have only unhappiness and disappointment to remember....
Ensuite Bathrooms: Are They Worth It?
These days it is becoming popular to have as many bathrooms in the home as there are bedrooms - more in some instances. We look at the ensuite, where and when you should instal one and whether it will...
Financing Your Self Build
Apart from the knowledge to self- build your home finance is the most important aspect of the build. Without sufficient money the whole project will become fraught with stress and tension as you juggl...
Find a Self Build Plot
When buying a house the first place to look is in an estate agents window so why not start there in the quest to find that ideal building plot for a dream home....
Finding Information on Building Your Own Home
By being friendly to other builders, reading publications and chatting online you will soon gain experience and information about self-building your dream home....
Fitting Out a Self Built Home on a Tight Budget
Building a house can be costly. Without question the house must be built with the best materials both for quality of build and for the house to last the test of time. When it comes to fitting out the ...
Form Your Own Building Cooperative
Working as part of a building cooperative to build homes seems the ideal project for those wishing to have a home but are hindered by the usual demands for self builders. Working together to build eac...
Health and Safety when Building Your Own Home
With a little thought and organisation your self-build site should be a safe place to work....
Home Build: Flooring
When planning your self-build home the flooring has to be decided upon when the house designs are being drawn up. Consider whether you require under floor heating, as this will have to be integrated i...
How I Shared Costs With a Self Build Partner: Case Study
Rob Johnson realised the only way to build his own home would be share the cost with another person, but where would he find that special someone?...
How to Be in Control of Your Home Build at all Times
Building your own house can be a daunting experience. Whether you oversee the project or do it all yourself you need to be in control and let others know that you are the boss....
I Bought My Dream Plot But Village Protested: Case Study
Debbie Ryan was very excited when along with her partner Joe she put down the deposit on a plot of land where they planned to build their very first permanent home together....
I Built a Home and Made it a Business: A Case Study
Linda Oxby and her husband David built their own home in 2003. David had a busy job that took him away from home for weeks on end so Linda undertook the job of site supervisor and managed the day to d...
I Built a Home When I Retired: Case Study
Some people look upon retirement as a time to put their feet up and take things easy. Not Bob Davies who had other ideas. His plans to build his own home in another part of the country changed his lif...
I Built a House to be Near School: A Case Study
Sara Smith expected her son David to be accepted for Lakeside school, after all his elder brother and sister already attended and were enjoying their education. When she heard that David may well have...
I Built My Own Home at 65 and Female: Case Study
Building your own home in later years can be a struggle. With the help of a company who will oversee the project from start to finish it is possible for anybody to have a self built home...
I Had to Knock Down Part of My Self Build: A Case Study
Brian Alsopp built his own home in 2006 along with his wife Marian. They moved into their new house and settled down to enjoy their new home and become part of village life when the letters started to...
I Self Built a Home After My Partner Left: Case Study
Christine Delaney had a plan to build a home together with her partner, John. Sadly they broke up and Christine was left to follow her dream alone....
I Undertook a Double Build on a Large Plot: Case Study
Fred Jarvis had found a lovely building plot, the only problem was that it was far too big for the bungalow he wished to build. That was until someone suggested a very clever idea....
Insuring a Self Build Project
With insurance in place and tailored to your requirements you can carry out your build in the confidence that if anything unfortunate should occur you will be safely covered....
Interior Designing Your Own Home
The interior design of your self-build home should not left until after the house has been built. Everyone has their own ideas of what they require within their home and if this is not conveyed to the...
Is There a Profit in Self Build
When the self-builder comes to sell his home it shouldn’t take long to find a buyer as the house is a ‘one off’ designed by an architect and built to a high specification. It has also only had one car...
Keeping Records and VAT on Your Self Build
By keeping records of all transactions and occurrences from day one your cash flow and finances should be under control....
Land Without Planning Permission: is it Viable?
If you want to buy a plot of land to build on you'll need to consider whether having planning permission at the outset is a problem....
Log Burning Stoves: Do You Need Planning Permission?
Traditional pot bellied stoves, black leaded, glass fronted stoves set in inglenook fireplaces through to large works of art situated in the middle of the room. The choice of which log burning stove t...
Make Your Own Search for a Building Plot
With a little planning and legwork you will be surprised how many potential building plots there are in the area you wish to live....
Managing Your Self Build
Managing a self-build efficiently will not only save money but will allay any frustration and ensure that the house is built on time....
Money Ran Out During My Self Build: Case Study
Graham Draycott's plan to self build his first house was going splendidly until he lost his job and the finance halfway through the build....
My Neighbour Tried to Stop My Self Build: A Case Study
Ellen Jones thought that when she and partner James found a suitable building plot they would soon be living in the home of their dreams. They didn’t bank on their nosy and belligerent neighbour makin...
My Self Build Was Too Far from Where I Was Living: Case Study
When considering where to self build a house the location is very important. For Barrie Smith his self build project in the South West of England became a problem and threatened the whole project....
My Son Lives in Our Garden: Case Study
Rosemary Jenkins was fed up with her son living at home and under her feet so she sent him into the garden to build his own home....
Neighbour Said 'No' to My Self Build: A Case Study
George Bartlam and wife Judith had planned with precision for their self build project. What they did not expect was a troublesome neighbour intent on stopping the build at all costs....
No Access to Sewers and Drains: A Case Study
Samantha Wells was looking forward to her first self build project. Along with husband Alan she had planned and researched how to build a house and thought she was prepared for any eventuality until s...
Planning and Building an Underground House
Planning an underground house can have some very tricky elements and although underground homes are still rare, they are increasing in number, particularly for self-builds, because they can be built o...
Prefabricated Homes and Other Quick Build Homes
When we think of a self build, we usually think about bricks and mortar - but there are so many examples of ready to erect structures to consider both for the main home and for outbuildings....
Quality Assurance and Building Your Own Home
It is a well-known fact that a self-built home is better value for money and a much better build house than any standard built home....
Reclaimed Materials: Are They Best and Where to Source Them
By using reclaimed materials in a new build you can be assured you have built a home that is unique....
Recruiting and Managing Bricklayers and Tradesmen
When planning to build your dream home you need a reliable team of trades’ people to ensure the house is built on time, to plan and to the best possible quality....
Safety Concerns When Building a Children's Play Structure
When building a child’s play structure care should be taken that it is safe and the child cannot be harmed. With a little thought your child will have a play area that will fill many hours with fun an...
Self Building an Unusual Home
Dreaming of self building your home could be a very different prospect to actually building it. Perhaps your plans include a strange shaped house or a replica of an ancient building. The planning depa...
Selling Your Self Build Home
The majority of people planning to self build their home will live in the house once it is built. However there comes a time when one wants to move on and the decision is made to sell the property. Wi...
Should You Future Proof Your Home?
When building your home you should look to the future and plan for new innovations that may come along. By having the facility to be able to add to your home as technology increases your home will be ...
Should you Live on the Build Site?
Deciding where to live during the build should be part of the major plan when looking for a building plot...
Sourcing and Ordering Materials for Your Home Build
Planning ahead before you start your build will save time and frustration later....
Staircases: What Type? What Will Fit? Limited Space?
A single flight of stairs with wooden spindles is a common sight in a new home. As the designer of a self build house you have much more choice in how to climb from floor to floor in your new home....
Stuck With a Part Built Home: A Case Study
Buying a part finished self-built house seemed the ideal way for Dave Ericson to purchase his family a new home but little did he know that the problems he would encounter would almost bankrupt him....
Ten Things to Ask a Builder Before You Employ Him
How do you know that a particular builder is the right person to build your home? Here are ten questions to ask....
Ten Things to Consider When Buying a Plot
A self build project can be both exciting and very hard work. Buying the plot for your dream home is only the start of the journey and this alone needs careful consideration before parting with money....
Ten Ways to Save Money During a Self Build
How to save money during a self build....
The Architect's Role in a Self Build Project
Using an architect is entirely up to the individual builder and the way in which he wants to control the build....
The Garden and Drive on Your Self Built Property
The garden will be a part of the home that will be enjoyed for years to come, plan it well and it will be worth the added work....
The Roof on Your Self Build
The roof space in your home should be considered carefully at the design stage as it can add value to the home as an extra room....
The Solicitor's Role in a Self Build Project
Oversee all the work done by your solicitor as mistakes can happen. Use a solicitor who has knowledge of the self-build system....
Time Management and Your Self Build
With careful time management a build will complete on time and not be too stressful for the first time self-builder....
Triple Glazing: Is It Worth the Money?
Windows form part of the home where we can really improve energy performance. Ask yourself this, do we really need three panes instead of two and is it cost effective for the self builder?...
VAT: What You Can Claim Back When a Self Build is Complete
A self-builder is able to claim back the VAT on building costs at the end of the build. Here is an overview of the types of materials you can claim for and how to claim....
Where to Live While Your Self Build is in Progress
A self build can take a long time to complete. Where you live during this time can both reflect on your working day and your day to day living expenses....
Your Building Plot and the Neighbours
When someone starts to build their dream home there is never much thought to who the neighbours are and if they will become good acquaintances. For many builders they will become friends with those li...
Your Home Build - Snagging
Once you are happy that you have done the snagging in your home you will be free to move in and enjoy to a beautiful house that has been build completely with your own hands....
Your Home Build: Certificates for Mortgage
Research the self-build mortgage market carefully before you make your choice. Many banks and building societies now have a self-build mortgage and there is sure to be one to suit your circumstances s...
Your Home Build: Electrics
Never think of the electricity supply as access to power. It has its place in your self-build to bring style and individuality to your new home....
Your Home Build: Footing and Utilities
One of the first stages of the build id to complete the footings and arrange for utilities to be supplied to the site....
Your Home Build: Heating
Another choice that faces the self-builder is what type of heating to install into their new home. There are many types of home heating and the choice should be made knowledgeably as it will be in th...
Your Home Build: Plastering
Plastering the walls and ceiling of your self-build home will put the finishing touches to the home of your dreams...
Your Home Build: Plumbing and Heating
Once the water supply and central heating has been fitted into you self-build house it will feel like a home....
Your Home Build: Staircase and Windows
Self-builders may think of the staircase and windows as little more than an embellishment on their home but these items are as important as any other part of the build....