The four steps of a self-build journey

It’s hard not to feel inspired after watching an episode of Grand Designs, isn’t it? As Kevin McCloud strides towards the camera with his final thought, do you feel fired up?

You’ve probably already started exploring the possibilities of building your own home, but it’s good to know exactly what is involved – from start to finish.

It can typically take around two years to build a home, from finding the plot to decorating and moving in. It could take longer so you have to ask yourself whether self-build is really for you.

Planning

This is one of the most important stages of any self-build. It’s the period where you need to arm yourself with information on every aspect of the project. Visit construction shows for self-builders, use the internet to search for experts in this field – from architects to plasterers. Network as much as possible for those nuggets of wisdom.

Asking yourself questions is paramount from: ‘do I have time to project manage my build?’ and ‘what kind of home do I want to live in?’ to investigating the kind of materials you want to use and whether your home will be a timber frame or a steel frame construction, for example.

Leanna and her husband Richard completed their self-build in Northern Ireland, which involved a lot of research. Leanna advises: “Do lots of research! Design your kitchen and bathrooms early on in the process in case windows/doors/walls need to be moved.”

She adds: “Use cloud storage to store all your documents so that both of you can easily access and update notes whenever you need them.”

The planning stages of a self-build is the time to carefully look at your budget and even discover whether you can afford to do it this way. Finding land and sourcing planning permission are part of these early stages – these could make or break what follows next.

Design

Designing your self-build is one of the most exciting parts of your journey but it’s important to be realistic along the way. Before you or your architect put pen to paper, you must consider both your current and future lifestyle.

Sketching a rough outline of your dream home is a great starting point. Be sure to include the 'must-haves' that inspired you to begin your self-build journey in the first place.

The layout and materials of your house will be expected to compliment the surroundings. An unusual design could delay the process. Work with a designer to bring illustrations to life. This could help win over planning officers.

Now is the time to change your mind again and again. Making significant amends to your design could be costly further down the line so always pre-agree the extra costs and liaise with the relevant professional people before going ahead.

James Mason, a self-builder in North Yorkshire, says: “I didn’t want to live on a street where all the houses are the same. I liked the thought of designing my own bespoke home.”

Ultimately, investing in the right architect will save you money in the long run so it makes sense to weigh up these options.

Sourcing materials

One of the advantages of self-build is that it does give you a lot of flexibility over the construction method and the materials you wish to use.

Choosing the right materials for your home is a crucial part of your self-build journey, helping you to build a dream home that is sustainable in the long-run.

At this stage you may wish to leave these decisions in the hands of architects, specifiers and builders. Of course, the advice of experienced tradesmen is crucial as they can advise you around choosing and sourcing the best materials. However, if you truly want the house to be a reflection of you it’s important to be as involved as you possibly can in this stage of your self-build as the materials you choose will impact on costs, comfort, performance and the finished look of your home. It’s a good idea to look at the materials (at your local building merchant, for example) to get an accurate idea of how it will look in your new home.

The build

Often self-builders find a mixture of project managing, with the assistance of an architect, works for them. Some self-builders do it all, while some leave it all to one project manager/builder.

It’s up to you.

A contractor/builder can manage the process and can be a solid option if they’ve been recommended but it’s advisable to view their work before you commit. Your budget may or may not allow for the help of a project manager. Hiring a project manager is a more expensive route to take.

Make sure you have site insurance – there’s no guarantee your builder or contractor has this so it’s good to get this covered before works kick off.

You should also take out a structural warranty when your project begins, which will cover your home if anything goes wrong. The warranty provider will then inspect the build at regular intervals during construction.