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Beginners

New to building or renovating your own home? Start here! Easy-to-follow advice on what it's all about, finding land, finance and much more.

  • 1/5: How to Finance Your Self Build

    What is the difference between an ordinary mortgage and a self build mortgage? They’re just...

  • 2/5: A Guide to Plot Types

    ABOVE: With retirement impending, Jan and Mike Davies found their old home too high-maintenance and...

  • 3/5: Preparing for an Auction

    More and more properties are coming up for sale at auction in the hope of a quick sale. Here David...

  • 4/5: Custom Build Homes

    There has been much talk recently from the Government about the future of custom-build homes in the...

  • 5/5: Self Build

    Self Build: What Is It? Self building, of course, does not necessarily mean picking up bricks and...

Starting a project? Find the perfect plot
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Featured articles

  • Reclaiming VAT

    How do you claim your money — and maximise your savings? We explain the reclaiming process.

  • A Guide to Plot Types

    Land doesn't always come in a nicely advertised package - this article explains the different types of plots available and what to do once you've found your perfect plot.

  • Self Build Mortgages: Current Rates

    This regularly updated article features the current self build mortgage rates being offered by a wide range of building societies. All data is sourced from moneyfacts.co.uk

  • Preparing for an Auction

    More and more properties are coming up for sale at auction in the hope of a quick sale. We explain how auctions work and how to prepare for one.

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Advice

  • Are these extension costs too high?

    A friend of mine has just had a quote through for a small extension that comes in at around £3,000/m2 - it's a for a small utility room extension that can't be any bigger than 5m2 in new space. Builder initially quoted £14,000 but went...

    Answers: 6
    Views: 21,180

  • Cost of electricity connection to new build

    I have just recieved a quotation for an electricity connection to my new self build, the price seems a little high for what they actually have to do . (7,000 pounds)
    The connection will be a single phase supply off the main line which...

    Answers: 7
    Views: 18,945

  • What's the cheapest way to self-build?

    For a complete beginner with no skills, other than organising, what is the cheapest form of self-building? Blockwork, timber frame, hay bale, you name it — I’d be interested to know which construction route is the most cost-effective for me?

    Answers: 3
    Views: 17,390
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  • Planning permission for alterations to exterior - semi detached

    We want to re render our half of a pebbledash semi detached - do we need planning permission for this? Also do we need planning permission to change white PVC window frames to black aluminium ones?

    Many thanks.

    Answers: 1
    Views: 20

  • Is my potential plot big enough for a two bed eco home?

    Is 7m frontage by 28m depth at bottom of long garden in conservation area big enough for a 2 bed Eco friendly house?

    7m width plot onto Unadopted rd frontage and 28 m deep. There is a garage to one side with pitched roof and bungalow on...

    Answers: 0
    Views: 30

  • Young self builder

    Hi everyone,

    I am about to move out of university and into a good graduate job this weekend. Excited to start and as a new base I have sorted out a rental property for my girlfriend and I.

    For many years now I have wanted to build...

    Answers: 2
    Views: 45
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