Beginner's Guide - Self-build Schedule

When you take on a self build or renovation, organisation is everything. Here's H&R's suggestions for a schedule:

• Arrange a mortgage in principle
• Find potential plots
• Assess development potential
• Plan budget
• Arrange valuation of the plot
• Arrange a site survey
• Purchase site
• Arrange site insurance
• Choose designer and builders
• Create your design
• Get planning permission
• Apply for water and electricity
• Prepare detailed drawings
• Obtain Building Regulations approval
• Put contract out to tender
• Select builder/tradesmen
• Arrange warranty and insurances
• Clear site/create access
• Set out and dig trenches
• Pour concrete/prepare oversite
• Build structure/timber frame erecting scaffold as required
• Build roof structure and tile
• Make weathertight
• Fix rainwater goods/external decoration, remove scaffold
• First fix carpentry, plumbing and electrics
• Plaster out walls and ceilings
• Lay hard floor finishes
• Connect house to mains services
• Second fix carpentry, plumbing and electrics
• Decoration and ceramic tiling
• Landscaping, driveway, paths etc
• Arrange for final inspection
• Completion/moving in
• Correcting any defects

Further reading:

• Beginner's Guide: Introduction
• Beginner's Guide: Step One
• Beginner's Guide: Step Two
• Beginner's Guide: Step Three
• Beginner's Guide: Tax
• Beginner's Guide: Finance