What Is a Self Build Project?

Do you want to build a house according to your specific tastes and preferences? Then you should think about going ahead with a self build. With careful budgeting, organisation, and planning, you can end up with impressive and cost-effective results. However, before you get started you should have a clear idea about what a self build project entails.

WHAT EXACTLY IS A SELF-BUILD PROJECT?

A self build project is where the future homeowner organises and oversees the construction process on their own. However, it is important to adhere to rules and regulations while building the house – so you will need to work together with experts in the field to ensure you are compliant. A self build project doesn’t mean that you have to work on all aspects of the construction on your own. It is possible for you to take on as little or as much as you want. Some people like to be very hands-on during the construction process, while others would rather take on a management role.

The concept of self building is becoming more popular in the UK as of now. According to recent statistics, around 12,000 self build houses are completed every year in the UK. Most of these people are building a house specifically to suit their lifestyles.

It can take around two years to complete a self build project. However, the time taken will depend on the overall complexity of your self build project.

HOW SHOULD YOU MANAGE YOUR SELF-BUILD PROJECT?

Some people decide to manage the entire self build project on your own. Before you jump into this, you need to understand that it is going to be a massive time commitment. If you are have a full time job, it might not be something that you can do on your own. You may not have the time to visit the site once a day, let alone more often.

If you are keen on a more hands-off approach for your self build project, you may want to think about hiring a turnkey construction company. Instead of going to the trouble of hiring separate contractors, project managers, architects and more, you can simply hire a company which offers all the services you need. This will make managing the project far easier – all you need to do is work with one company to ensure that the house is completed on time and on budget.

DON'T FORGET TO APPLY FOR PLANNING PERMISSION

Some self builders make the mistake of not applying for planning permission on time. To make sure that you don’t make this mistake, you will need to get in touch with the local council and apply for planning permission to construct the new house. This is the point where you need to submit detailed drawings of the building. Then you can get the building regulations approval.

Multiple factors can affect the planning approval you get. Local plans, surrounding architecture, and protected species living in the area hold a prominent place. To make sure that you are on the safe side, it is better to have a pre-application meeting along with the local council. Then you can create your plan according to their feedback, so that it will not be rejected.

CONCLUSION

Now you know the basics of what a self build project entails, it is time to decide on your approach. If you are confident that you have the time, knowledge and budget to handle the process alone, you may proceed. Alternatively, you can enlist the help of our specialist turnkey construction company. We can be on hand to assist you with every part of the process – from concept to completion. Contact us today to discuss building your dream home; we work on projects in Bedfordshire and surrounding areas.