Finance & tax

How to Stick to Your Budget
If you’re worried about keeping your project on budget, a quantity surveyor – or at the very least close attention to cost estimating – is essential, says Jason Orme. Plus four secrets to budget control and advice on quantity surveyors.

Save £1000s on Your Self-build by Negotiating
Negotiation is a powerful tool. Self-builders accustomed to it will pay a lot less on their project than those who don’t feel confident enough to try. Melanie Griffiths explains the process.

How to Reclaim VAT on a Self-build or Conversion Project
As you don’t have to pay VAT if you’re building a new house from a developer, HMRC have made allowances for self-builders and converters to enjoy the same VAT-free benefits.

Self-build Mortgages
The amount you can borrow for a self-build mortgage will depend on the same factors that decide how much you can borrow for a regular house mortgage. 

Pre-Start Essentials: Warranties
There are three unglamorous but essential things you will need to sort out before self-building or renovating. Jason Orme explains why you need a warranty

Pre-Start Essentials: Mortgages
There are three unglamorous but essential things you will need to sort out before self-building or renovating. Jason Orme examines mortgages

10 Things You Need to Know About Financing Your Project
Avoiding running out of money during a project requires smart planning from beginning to end. David Snell reveals his top ten tips

Pre-Start Essentials: Insurance
There are three unglamorous but essential things you will need to sort out before self-building or renovating. Jason Orme explains, starting with insurance

Financing a Timber Frame Self Build
The use of a timber frame - and in particular a timber frame from one of the multitude of package suppliers - has implications not just for the construction of the house but also for the financial arrangements of the self-builder

Starting Out: Where will I get the money?
We meet at lot of people who want to self-build but have little idea just how to go about it or what they can afford to do

Advice on Finance
Getting hold of the money – and making sure you take out adequate insurance – is a critical element of self-build success

Self-build Finance - Case Studies
There are many different ways in which to fund your self-build project, but how do you know which one is best for you? David Snell explains

Self Build Finance Made Easy - Mortgages
There are many different ways in which to fund your self-build project, but how do you know which one is best for you? David Snell explains

Self-build Finance Made Easy - How Much Can I Borrow?
There are many ways in which to fund your self-build project, but how do you know which one is best for you? David Snell explains.

Why we need warranties
There is a lot of confusion amongst self-builders surrounding the concept of warranties — Mark Brinkley explains all

House Price Crash: What Would it Mean for Self-builders?
David Snell looks at the implications of the current housing market for Self-builders