Self-builds...

[kinboshi]

Anyone got any experience or expertise in self-building a house?

It's something we've been looking into and seriously thinking about doing. Getting the appropriate plot seems to be the most important and also the toughest part of the process, unless you know someone with land who is willing to sell a suitable plot.

Just wondering if anyone on here has gone through the process and also if anyone has any expertise in any areas (builders, chippies, sparkies, architects, etc.) as we'll need people like this for the build.

[leethefish]

The most important thing during any build is a good project manager ...
You don't want to piss off the tradesman by getting things in the wrong order or things not being ready etc

Oh yea and

www.ljwcarpenterandjoiner.co.uk

[leethefish]

Do you mean self build bricks n mortar or one of those designer houses that are pretty much pre-fabricated?

Got not experience, but there was an estate full of them just round the corner from me in Germany. Used to go past them on our walks - and they were all absolutely stunning.  I don't know if they offer the same service in the UK - but over there u can go totally crazy on the individualism....whole glass sided, crazy roofs, mad shapes the lot.

Would be awesome to own a home like that - do it, make a thread and post pics!!!

Grand designs done one the huf house ...just awesome !

http://www.huf-haus.com/en/home.html

[tikay]

Dan.

Speak to Thewy about this, either face to face at DTD, or via PM.

[EvilPie]

One thing i can tell you is that you can claim all your vat back on a new build so keep that in mind.

Look in to it carefully because it's not just the house it's everything in it that can't be taken away if the house was sold.

You can save fortunes.

[rex008]

I looked into this 3/4 years ago when we were selling our last house. Like you say, the plot is the most difficult bit, and one we never sorted. Even then, land seemed hideously expensive compared to rapidly falling house prices at the time.

If you can, get yourself to a self-build show - I went to one held at the NEC and it was an absolute goldmine of useful stuff. Lots of vendors, obviously, but some useful talks and presentations as well.

Just had a google, it was one of these : http://www.homebuildingshow.co.uk/

We didn't end up doing it, although we did end up buying a house that was self built by the previous owner. I've come to the conclusion that a good (and nicely unique) design is far far more important than all the funky bits you can stick in that a developer normally wouldn't.

How far have you got? I've got a few books still on my shelves that might be useful if you've not got research material yet.

If you're looking for an architect, the husband of our office admin is local, works for himself, is well regarded and a nice bloke. http://www.johnmorrisarchitects.co.uk/index.html

[kinboshi]

Cheers for the replies fellas. Will follow up soon.

 

[Graham C]

I've looked a bit into this myself, it's something I'd like to do one day but land is very expensive round here and I can't pursuade the Mrs to move.  I thought one of the blondes had built their own home not so long ago, was it Tractor? 

The National Self Build place is in Swindon if you don't want to wait for a show, it's open all the time I think - http://www.buildstore.co.uk/mykindofhome/index.html

Huf Haus look nice but you get zero privacy, you'd need a secluded plot, you certainly don't want to build one on a main road!