What is Self-build?
A general guide to self-build for those wondering what it’s all about

Daily Telegraph Homebuilding & Renovating Awards 2011

Why Self-build?
Design and cost savings are key reasons why people self-build...

My Building Project Estimating Service

FAQs for Beginners
What is life like as a self-builder, and what are the practicalities?

How to make open spaces work

Finance

Current Self-build Mortgage 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

A look at the different self-build mortgage rates currently on offer from a wide range of building societies including details of the max LTV on land, the stage required for first payment, the max LTV during construction and the final LTV land and building.

The Borrowers by Sainsburys Finance

The credit crunch has given many of us good cause to examine our spending habits and take control of our debts. In an ideal world, no one should have to borrow or take out loans. The reality, however, is that sometimes it makes sense to take out credit.

The credit crunch has given many of us good cause to examine our spending habits and take control of our debts.

How to Buy at an Auction

More and more properties are coming up for sale at auction in the hope of a quick sale. Here David Snell explains the tactics of the auction room as well as what to do if you’re successful. To read David’s introduction to auctions and how to prepare for them click here

An auction house can be an intimidating place to the inexperienced, with many buyers using little twitches and signals to bid without attracting other buyers' attention.

How to Prepare for an Auction

More and more properties are coming up for sale at auction in the hope of a quick sale. Here David Snell explains how auctions work and how to prepare for one. To read David’s guide to buying at an auction click here

A busy auction room such as this can be an intimidating place and so it is essential to do your homwork before hand by working our your limit price and checking the legal documents of the plot you intend to buy.

New FIT Rates

An update on the new FIT Rates from Editor-In-Chief Michael Holmes following the recent government announcement

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) feed-in tariff rates have recently been reduced by the government.

Making Money from Renewables: A User's Guide

A raft of Government schemes are beginning to make people consider how much money their home could – literally – generate using renewable energy. Tim Pullen provides a guide to assessing which route, and technology, is best for you

A look at how to make money from renewable energy, including the schemes (Green Deal, Renewable Heat Incentive, RHI Premium Payment and Feed-in-Tariffs) and the technologies (solar PV, solar thermal, heat pumps (air and ground source), biomass, wind turbines, hydro, combined heat and power and PVT).

What Does the Future Hold for Self-build? Exclusive Interview with Housing Minister Grant Shapps

Jason Orme takes a look at the future for self-builders and asks Housing Minister Grant Shapps to explain more about the Government’s plans

A look at the future of self-build in the UK including an exclusive interview with the Housing Minister Grant Shapps who talks about the Government's plans for the self-build community.

Self-build Warranties: Your Questions Answered

A warranty may seem like a superfluous expense, but if something goes wrong or you plan to sell up, you’ll be lost without one. Mark Brinkley explains all

An explanation of self-build warranties including what they are, who provides them, what they cover and how much they cost.

Self-build Finance: The State of the Market

Lenders keep telling us money is available, and self-builders keep telling us they are struggling to raise the cash. David Snell investigates

self-build mortgage

Three Steps to Kickstart Your Self-build Dream

If you’d love to build your own home but find the process baffling, then our beginner’s guide will make those pivotal first steps a piece of cake. Melanie Griffiths walks you through

3 steps to self-build

PassivHaus: Analysis

Tim Pullen's analysis of Passivhaus - he asks 'is it all worth it?'

Stopppassivhaus

The 10 Experts Every Project Needs: Part 3

Every single new house requires the skills of a whole team of experts. Melanie Griffiths lists the top ten people a building project can't do without, plus how to find them and what to pay. In part 3, Melanie covers planning consultants, quantity surveyors and plumbers.

10 Experts

The 10 Experts Every Project Needs: Part 2

Every single new house requires the skills of a whole team of experts. Melanie Griffiths lists the top ten people a building project can't do without, plus how to find them and what to pay. In part 2, Melanie covers solicitors, designers and structural engineers.

10 experts

The 10 Experts Every Project Needs: Part 1

Every single new house requires the skills of a whole team of experts. Melanie Griffiths lists the top ten people a building project can't do without, plus how to find them and what to pay. In part 1, Melanie covers builders, project managers and electricians.

10 experts

Home Insurance for Builders - Advertisement Feature

If you thought that it was only home owners who required insurance services then think again. Home builders will also need to take out the relevant cover. The construction of a house is a very serious business and there are many potential hazards to be aware of. Here are some of the more well-known types of home insurance for those in the property construction industry...

Home Insurance for Builders - Staveley Head Limited

Project Peace of Mind - Site Insurance and Structural Warranty : Advertisement Feature

When embarking on a major project like a self build or a major renovation, getting your planning and preparation right will lead to a much smoother project. However, no matter how well you plan, things can and do go wrong and it is essential that you have the appropriate insurance in place for your project. Here, BuildStore explains why insurance and warranties are a necessity, not a luxury.

BuildStore - Project Peace of Mind

Mortgage Borrowing : Advertisement Feature

If you need to borrow funds to finance your homebuilding project, you may be surprised at how much cautious lender’s criteria will affect your ability to borrow. Here, self build finance experts BuildStore explains how lenders will assess your ability and offer advice on how to ensure you secure the loan you need.

Mortgage Borrowing from BuildStore Financial Services Ltd (Mortgage Providers)

Choosing Insurance for a Self-Build, Renovation or Conversion project - Advertisement Feature

Clearly insurance is not exactly the most exciting product you might need to purchase for your self-build or renovation project - but it does have its purposes and for some people who have experienced a serious loss during their project it can be the most important product they ever purchased.

Choosing Insurance for a Self-Build, Renovation or Conversion project - Self-Build Zone

Arranging your finance - Advertisement feature

Building a home is a substantial investment, and obtaining the right type of finance to fund your project is essential. Self build finance experts BuildStore explains why it pays to get your finances in order, and how to do it.

Arranging your finance - BuildStore Advertisement feature

Make Sure Your Building Project is the Smoothest Ever : Advertisement Feature

Apart from actually buying a house, home improvements can be one of the biggest financial commitments that we take on. The work can be complicated and if the job isn't done properly, there can be serious consequences.

It was the smoothest building project ever… thanks to Which? Legal Service”

Building into Retirement : Advertisement Feature

Many people at retirement choose to down-size to a property that is often more economical to run and easier to maintain. However, if you wish to self-build this type of property in retirement it can be difficult to obtain mortgage finance. This advertisement feature from Buildstore looks at the considerations and risks involved.

Building into Retirement : Advertisement Feature

Self-Build Affordability: Advertisement Feature

If you want to live in your current home while you build your new one, it is possible to get a self build mortgage along side your existing mortgage, but with stricter lending criteria, affordability is key. In this advertisement feature, self build finance experts BuildStore provide some insight into how lenders assess affordability for self builders.

Buildstore: Self-Build Affordability

Cut Costs Not Quality - Part One

Whilst DIY can save you £1,000s, a canny self-builder will also look to reduce material costs, without making big compromises on quality. Melanie Griffiths reveals the best areas to target. Read Part Two

Cut Costs Not Quality

What's the cheapest way to self-build?

Expert advice from Homebuilding & Renovating Editor Jason Orme about which construction route is the cheapest and most cost-effective.

The cheapest way to self-build

Weather the Storm - Advertisement Feature

Having adequate home insurance is all the more important as bad weather can strike at any time of year. This advertisement feature from Sainsbury's Home Insurance explains why you need home insurance, and how to protect yourself against bad weather.

Advertisement feature from Sainsbury's Home Insurance

Finding Insurance for a Self-built Home - Advertisement Feature

This advertisement feature from Moneysupermarket.com advises on how to get the best - and cheapest - home insurance policy for your project.

Find affordable self-build home insurance with Moneysupermarket.com

Self-build Mortgages

Raising the finance for a self-build home, including advice on how to finance a self build, how much you can borrow, what type of mortgage to get and where to get it from.

Self-build mortgages

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. Here's some advice on what you can and can't reclaim.

VAT

A Guide to Reclaiming VAT: New Builds

Building your own home, converting a barn and some renovation projects are zero-rated for VAT purposes. So how do you claim your money — and maximise your savings? David Snell, who has carried out dozens of returns, explains.

How to reclaim VAT on your self-build, renovation or conversion project

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, including advice on money management, budgeting and the importance of accurately estimating the end value of your build.

This six bedroom family home was built for just £115,000 thanks to careful budgeting
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