An architect’s top 10 tips to your self-build success
A self-build home is a huge project and is not something you should rush into. There are a number of things to research and prepare before construction begins and to help you we’ve put together an architect’s top 10 tips to your self-build success.
1| Do your research
Taking on a house building project is a big task and it’s one that requires a lot of research before moving forward. There are many resources available, so read up online (blogs and YouTube in particular). Visit tradeshows to learn from industry leaders and remain eager to absorb as much information as possible. Undertaking this scale of project causes you to learn about housebuilding, new trades, people management and more.
2| Arrange your finances
Solid funding will be crucial to the success of your self-build home. Long-term it is a fantastic investment but it is also an expensive one. If you are using a bank there may be specialist mortgage products for self-build projects that are available to you. When putting together your budget ensure that you include both the cost of the plot and the build (including consultancy fees etc.).
3| Set a budget
Careful management of your budget will be needed once the project begins, and it’s a good idea to have a contingency budget of at least 10% put away to cover any unexpected costs. Good planning will help you get the most out of your money, so pay attention to the details and be realistic about how much everything will cost.
4| Find your plot
This can prove to be one of the most difficult phases of your self-build project. There is no shortage of online resources to use and it’s also a good idea to attend land auctions. Try to speak with locals living in your target area as word of mouth can go a long way. As you would when moving to any new property, also look at local amenities, as well as transport links and schools etc.
5| Streamline your project brief
The research done during the first phase can be used to put together a design brief that will detail your vision for the property. It will help the architect to identify the style and materials and how the space will be used once the project is complete. The document will continue to evolve during the design phase as the full scope of the project is finalised while consulting with the architect.
6| Build a strong team around you
No good self-build home can be completed without a good team to support you. As a starting point you’ll need an architect (who can act as your self build consultant) and later a structural engineer, however you may also need additional surveyors and planning consultants. Your architect should be able to advise if any additional consultants are needed and can usually offer recommendations.
7| Be realistic with your timescales
Before starting a self-build project it’s important to know that it can take some time to complete. Planning your project and gaining the right permissions are typically the main cause for delays. Although, issues with the site once ground has been broken can also create unexpected setbacks. Ensure you set realistic timescales to manage your expectations, control your finances and short-term living arrangements.
8| Create an itemised project list
Once you get to the detailed design phase of the project (or before) you should put together a near-finalised list of items needed for the build. This will detail all the building materials/fixtures/fittings required to start and finish the build. During this stage the architect’s designs will be detailed and finalised for building regulations approval (and later construction) so this will help you get an accurate grasp on your costs.
9| Physically map out the build plot
Before you decide on the final design of your home a good exercise to do on your plot is to map out the full scale dimensions of the property. You can do this using sticks and string, cardboard, planks of wood etc. It will also be the first time you get an ‘insitu’ understanding of the size of the house and how it sits on your plot of land.
10| Take action and be proactive
It’s important to remain involved in the entire process right through to the end. While you are hiring professionals to use their expertise to build your new home, ultimately this is your project. You are investing a lot of money into this development so you should remain engaged during the construction phase and keep an eye out for anything you are concerned about. This is your home after all, so don’t be afraid to speak up wherever needed.
How to start your self-build journey
Do you need a local Cambridge self build consultant? Do you need a local architect in Cambridgeshire to design your self-build home? Get in touch to book a free consultation to discuss your project in more detail and put together a plan for the next steps. Call us today on 07984 760 920, send us a message here, or email us at info@tereynarchitects.com and let us know all about your project.
