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

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

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

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Planning advice

How to Build a Home on a Sloping Site

A sloping site is both a problem and a gift. The problem: it adds complexity and, therefore, cost to the project. The gift: when you’ve finished, you’ll have a much more interesting house. In this article we take you through the construction and cost implications for building on a slope. For design solutions for sloping sites click here

A spectacular contemporary self-build home built on stilts on a beautiful wooded site amongst the peaks of Perthshire. The four bedroomed timber frame detached home features larch cladding and a corrugated aluminium roof.

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.

Building in a Flood Zone

In an ideal world no one would build in a flood zone, but with such competition for land, it’s something we are going to have to learn to build with

A low-impact contemporary self-build home that has been built on stilts so as to escape any flood damage from the river Thames which bursts its bank every year.

New Impetus to Self-builders: Sally Tagg on New Planning Proposals

Our planning expert Sally Tagg assesses how the new planning proposals will affect self-builders

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.

20 Things You Can Do No Planning Required

Sally Tagg explains the many home improvement projects you can undertake within your home’s Permitted Development rights

Cold Bridging: A Hot Topic

The new Regs place more emphasis on eliminating cold bridging then ever before. So, what is it and how can we avoid it? Mark Brinkley explains

PassivHaus: The Green Standard?

More and more UK self-builders are setting out to meet a German standard for eco homes. But what does PassivHaus mean, what makes a PassivHaus so special and, frankly, why bother? Mark Brinkley and Tim Pullen investigate.

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.

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.

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.

Plots: When Nature Gets in the Way

While it is often the plot’s natural attributes that make it so appealing, they can create a lot of issues. David Snell tackles problematic trees and difficult ground conditions

Does Your Plot Have Access Issues?

It’s not a glamorous subject, but if you can’t sort out access to your potential plot, then it’s best to steer clear. David Snell offers his advice on what to look for when making sure that your plot has the correct access.

Planning Permission: Making an Application

Making a planning application can be a daunting task — especially as so much appears to have changed in recent times. Claire Lloyd answers your key questions, starting with how to go about making an application.

Planning Permission: Obligations

As part of our detailed look at planning permission, we examine the obligation you have to consider when applying for permission, including advice on Section 106 Agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

Planning Permission: Permitted Development

As part of our detailed look at planning permission, we look at some of your key questions about Permitted Development (PD) to help you figure out whether or not you need to apply for planning permission to extend or alter your home.

Planning Permission: The Party Wall Act

As part of our detailed guide to planning permission, we address the issue of the Party Wall Act and answer your questions about how it will affect your renovation plans. Inclusding advice on how to approach your neighbours.

New Planning Policies Announced

The Government have introduced a variety of changes to the planning system that will have an impact on the process for those hoping to build an individual home. Jason Orme explains the key changes.

How to Spot Your New Plot

Land doesn’t always come in a nicely advertised package with planning permission — so use some initiative and seek it out yourself. David Snell introduces the different types of plot, including infill, replacement, backland and brownfield.

What is planning permission?

Planning permission has the power to turn even the most unprepossessing scrap of muddy land into a valuable commodity. It is a legal prerequisite to building any new house in this country — and without it, there’s not a lot else you can do with your plot.

Replacing an Existing House

Often the very best plots play host to the most unworthy of houses. David Snell examines the practicalities, cost implications and politics of replacing an existing dwelling

Self-building in Designated Areas

There are a number of special designations which – though in place to protect sites – can throw a spanner in your self-build plans. Melanie Griffiths gives a quick guide, including a look at Conservation Areas, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs).

This timber frame self-build was built in the middle of a National Park in Scotland

The New (and Improved?) Building Regulations

Currently in ‘consultation’, changes to the Building Regulations will place a greater emphasis on CO2 emissions than ever before. But not in the way you might have thought. Tim Pullen reports.

Building in the Countryside: Planning Permission

Claire Lloyd explains how to go about getting the good life by building or renovating a home in the countryside. Replacements dwellings, conversions and Agricultural Occupancy could all provide a new countryside home.

This ‘exemplar’ design by Future Systems is sited within a Kent Conservation Area

A Guide to the New Permitted Development Rules

The rules on Permitted Development (PD) – what you can do to your house without needing planning approval – have recently changed. David Snell assesses whether it’s for better or worse.

Planning Permission: Do I have a chance?

Thinking of taking a punt on a plot but not sure of the planning angle? Sally Tagg looks at a variey of different planning issues and assesses whether it’s worth pursuing — or if you should just walk away.

The 12 Steps of Self Build: Roofs

More so than any other external feature, a roof will define a property’s style and character. Mark Brinkley takes a look at this key self-build step, the fundamentals of roof design and construction and also how to make the loft space habitable.

The Key Ingredients for Self-build Success

Successful self-building needs a mix of many qualities but are you cut out for the challenge ahead? Debbie Jeffery offers her advice on all the things you need to consdier when embarking on a self-build project, including finance, budgeting, scheduling and how your project will be managed.

Tips and advice for all sorts of projects

Building Clinic: Buying Materials

What's the best way to buy building materials? Carefully. Dont rush in. Plan ahead. You can save a lot of money if you a) know what you want and b) research where best to get it from. We can learn a lot from how professional builders manage their buying.

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