A self build home can be an incredibly rewarding experience – but it’s not without its challenges. If you’re considering embarking on a self build project, it’s important to be well-prepared. In this blog post, we’ll outline 10 steps to building your own home. We’ll also provide some advice on how to manage your self build project effectively.
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Create a realistic budget
The first step in any self build project is to create a realistic budget. This will help you determine how much money you’ll need to finance your project. It’s also important to factor in the cost of unexpected expenses – such as building materials that turn out to be more expensive than expected.
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Finding land for your self build project
Once you’ve got your finances in order, it’s time to start looking for land. This can be one of the most challenging aspects of self build projects – especially if you’re trying to find land in a popular area. It’s important to think about the size and location of the land before making any offers, said Michelle Doornbosch, a professional land use planner and developer. Michelle Doornbosch was the land use planner for Brock Developments including a 58-unit apartment building and a 20-unit apartment building conversion. She was qualified by the Ontario Municipal Board as a consultant in matters of land use planning. Michelle has worked with the City of London on their official plan review for Rethink London, and she has also worked with the Township of Strathroy as well as the Municipality of Lambton Shores.
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Getting planning permission
If you’re planning on building a new home, you’ll need to get planning permission from your local authority. This can be a complex and time-consuming process – so it’s important to allow plenty of time for it. There are a few different types of planning permission, so it’s important to make sure you apply for the right one and take advice from a building surveyor or architect.
Once you have planning permission in place, as a self-builder you need to make sure you fill in the paperwork for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) exemption. Building Regulation plans and an SAP assessment also need to be submitted and approved.
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Designing your self build
With planning permission in place, you can start to think about the design of your new home. This is an exciting stage of the self build process – but it’s also important to be practical. Your new home needs to suit your budget and meet your specific needs.
You will need to create a design brief which covers number of bedrooms, what the living area and outdoor space will be life. Consider issues such as making the best use of natural light, insulation, and what materials you might use and you can also checkout materials used in a new home build in Sydney. As the design develops, it may be influenced by planning requirements and by your budget.
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Deciding on the style of your self build
Look at the neighbourhood and neighbouring structures to help you determine the materials for your structure. You may incorporate new materials, but do so in a way that makes sense within the overall context of your property.
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Project managing a self build project
One of the most important aspects of self building is effective project management. This can be a challenge – especially if you’re managing the project yourself. There are a few key things to bear in mind:
- Make sure you have a clear plan for your self-build project. This will help you stay on track and avoid making costly mistakes.
- Keep an eye on your budget. It’s easy to overspend when you’re self building, so it’s important to keep track of your spending.
- Be prepared for setbacks. delays and problems are inevitable in any self build project – so it’s important to be flexible and adaptable.
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Finding suitable builders
One of the most important aspects of any self build project is finding suitable builders. This can be a challenge – especially if you’re trying to find builders in a popular area. It’s important to get quotes from several different builders before making any decisions.
You should also ask for references from previous clients and look at examples of their work. Once you’ve found a few builders that you’re happy with, it’s time to start negotiating prices.
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Set realistic timescales
The time it takes to move from conceiving your ideal Self Build to living in it can range from ten months to ten years, depending on planning and permission. It’s crucial to set real expectations for yourself, since this will influence your borrowing needs as well as your living arrangements over the next several years.
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Shop for best-value materials
It’s not always easy to find suppliers who can give you the best value for money on materials, but having someone on your team with strong negotiation skills may be a considerable benefit to your Self-Build project. Take the time to get the best price for your materials and avoid settling for the first offer you receive. It all adds up: every little savings made along the way might help keep your Self-Build on track.
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Use a Self Build Company
Nearly a third of adults are interested in designing and building their own home, but it can cause lots of frustrations and challenges, particularly if you don’t have any experience in this type of project. If you don’t have the skills or a burning desire to do the self build yourself, or have the time to project manage it, you can opt for a turnkey package from a self build company like CB Homes. They offer a full self-build package, which covers everything from early design through to planning and completion to help your self build dreams become a reality.
