Finding a plot and being safe with your investment: Content supplied by Castle Cover

Many people have decided to forego the worries of an unstable property market by investing in their own build, creating the dream house for themselves and their family instead of playing with other buyers and sellers.

With this in mind, here are a few top tips for budding builders to pick the best situation for them, before they have to furnish their domain and consult with a UK home insurance provider like Castle Cover to keep them covered.

Firstly, when you're picking a plot, you need to keep an open mind. Carefully consider exactly what you really need, as well as what you don't really have to have. Individuals often fail to buy plots because they are unable to compromise, so this approach could inadvertently give you more than you bargained for - a better deal, ultimately.

Secondly, you must be sure to identify an area good enough to give you the best chance of a solid build in a nice place, yet also small enough to narrow down where you want your plot. The use of land-listing agencies that collect information from other estate agents is also a grand idea to boost this search, as they can identify agents who are looking to sell land in target areas. Furthermore, they will give you a better idea of what a good or bad deal is, as well as planning tips that could help you negotiate the red tape around building a house on the chosen plot.

Local council planning agencies work closely with governments and county councils, who in turn prepare maps of their area to identify the locations that are suitable for developments. These will also inform you as to what houses should look like, given the fabric of the area in question.

Finally, remember that builders hear about land before purchase it through subscriptions to data-collection companies, which in turn find information on planning applications and give a list of leads as they see fit. If people wish to get planning approval to build on pieces of land, applications need to be submitted and then it becomes a matter of public record. From here, you can pop into a planning department and ask for the local area's planning register and apply. Planning applications are also published online, so you can work from online resources too.