The 12 Steps of Self Build: Your Route

You have the site. You have the promise of finance in place. You have a design. The next big hurdle is to decide how to turn these ideas into reality. How will the project be managed?

The Seven Ways to Self Build

Self-building encompasses a variety of routes

Level 7: Custom homebuilding

Also known as a turnkey build (because you don’t have to do anything other than turn the key in the front door upon completion), custom homebuilding is common in other countries, but remains unusual in the UK. Where you do see it, it tends to be seen as a very upmarket option, either delivered by an architect with builders working under contract, or by a kit home supplier, often German or Swedish in origin.

Level 6: Turnkey project with active client

Here a self-builder hires a builder to undertake the whole process, either under a fixed price contract with extras, or on a labour and materials basis.

Level 5: Watertight shell with self-managed finishes

A builder is contracted to erect the house to watertight shell stage, at which point the project is handed over to the selfbuilder who manages the finish trades directly with subcontractors.

Level 4: Kit home with self-managed trades

In many ways similar to Level 5, this is the route chosen by most people who purchase a timber frame kit from a UK supplier. The kit home supplier is usually responsible for managing the design issues, supplying and erecting the superstructure and providing some level of project management, but the self-builder is responsible for organising the finish trades and the groundworks.

Level 3: Self-managed with subcontractors

In many ways similar to Levels 4 and 5, but without a superstructure contractor. Essentially, the self-builder has to arrange all the trades throughout the job.

Level 2: Self-managed with own labour and subcontractors

Here the self-builder is undertaking aspects of the work in a DIY fashion, interspersing this with hiring and managing subcontractors.

Level 1: Entirely DIY

Read more about these options:

• Build Route Options: Part One
• Build Route Options: Part Two
• Tips & Advice for Those Running a Site

The 12 Steps of Self Build:

• Step One: Starting Out
• Step Two: Your Route
• Step Three: Construction Systems
• Step Four: Groundworks & Foundations
• Step Five: Roofs
• Step Six: Windows & Doors
• Step Seven: External Appearance
• Step Eight: Heating & Plumbing
• Step Nine: Electrics
• Step Ten: Kitchens & Bathrooms
• Step Eleven: Internal Finishes
• Step Twelve: Outside Spaces