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...

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

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Project management

Controlling Build Quality, every step of the way. Content supplied by Troy Associates

A brand new professional illustrated checklist has been created to help project managers and self-builders assure quality completion at every key stage of construction.

Project Manager: "Don't Forget the Grey Areas"

David Snell takes a look at the jobs no one has responsibility for

A look at the jobs on site that no one specific person has responsibility for including keeping the site tidy, leadwork, snagging, window cleaning and internal and external mastic.

Project Manager: Landscaping

If you’re running a building project, you need to know what each stage entails. David Snell looks at the variety of tasks that need to be undertaken for both the hard and soft landscaping surrounding a self-build

A look at how to project manage landscaping including a look at the jobs involved, the tools and materials neccessary and what it costs.

Project Manager: Decorating & Tiling

If you’re running a building project, you need to know what each stage entails. David Snell looks at the variety of tasks decorators and tilers undertake at the finishing stages of a building project

Project Manager: Plastering

If you’re running a building project, you need to know what each stage entails. David Snell looks at the variety of tasks plasterers undertake when finishing off the walls, ceilings and floors

Project Manager: Brickwork

If you’re running a building project, you need to know what each stage entails. David Snell looks at the variety of tasks bricklayers – and stonemasons – undertake on a building project

Project Manager: 1st Fix Carpentry

If you’re running a building project, you need to know what each stage entails. David Snell looks at what first fix carpenters do, plus how to find one and what to pay.

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.

Getting Started: Building Regulations

The Building Regulations are a complex set of documents to grasp — so let H&R explain how they will affect your project.

How to Make Your Site Safe

While health and safety on large building sites is stringently regulated, self-builders have been known to take things less seriously — at their peril. Mark Brinkley lists the key issues.

How to Find a Great Builder

There aren’t any guarantees when it comes to builders — but you need to give yourself the best chance of ending up with the kind of builder you should be finding. By Jason Orme.

Case Studies: Stress-free Projects

Despite what you might think from watching self-build TV programmes, building projects don't have to be dramas. Here are two examples of self-build projects that were completed on time and on budget with the minimum of stress.

6 Key Stages to a Stress Free Project

Despite what you might think from watching self-build TV programmes, building projects don’t have to be dramas. Jason Orme explains how to bring yours in on time, on budget.

Who Should Project Manage?

If you’re deliberating whether to be your own project manager or entrust someone else, H&R can help you make the right choice by pointing out all the things you need to consider.

20 Essential Rules for a Successful Self-build: Part Two

You’ll get lots of well-meaning advice when you start your project.
But here’s our collection of the little gems that really will make things easier. Part two includes advice on DIY, design, structure, VAT savings and more.

20 Essential Rules for Self-build Success: Part One

You’ll get lots of well-meaning advice when you start your project. But here’s our collection of the little gems that really will make things easier. Part one looks at budget, plots, finding tradesmen, sourcing materials and more.

How Fast Can You Build a House?

Do German builders simply have a better work ethic than ours, or is there something more valuable we can learn from their famous efficiency? Mark Brinkley reports.

Save £1,000s 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 Negotiate - Expert Advice

The level of discount you can expect from any supplier will depend largely on their mark-up on the product, but there is almost always room for negotiation. Here are our tips:

Building Contracts: When Things Go Wrong

Can a contract help ensure your building project is completed on time and on budget? Jason Orme investigates and asks whether a formal contract can help avoid disputes too.

Building Contracts: Advice from the Expert

H&R Talks to contracts and dispute-resolution expert Jane Hughes of Collyer Bristow Solicitors about how the JCT contract works in practice and what to do if things go wrong.

How to spot a top tradesman

A short video of top tips from trading standards agency TrustMark on how to avoid being taken for a ride by rogue tradesmen.

How to Build to a (Relatively) Small Budget: Part 1

It’s all too easy to think that you have to be rich to build your own home. Jason Orme explains how people of all incomes can do it, and finds some great examples of the art of building to a small budget. Part one looks at how to minimise your design fees.

H&R Editor Jason Orme (author of this article) achieved a £900/m² build cost on his self-build project

How to Build to a (Relatively) Small Budget: Part 2

Nicky and Robin van der Bij managed to build their new low-energy self-built home for just £115,000

Architect or Designer: Which is Better for Your Self Build?

Do the titles that we used to see as a badge of quality have any relevance to today’s self-build army of amateur house designers? And, if not, what should we look for instead? Jason Orme investigates.

Architect or Designer? - Advice From the Experts

Do the titles that we used to see as a badge of quality have any relevance to today’s self-build army of amateur house designers? Three design professionals weigh in with their opinion on what's in a name. Plus three tips that might help you decide.

An award winning period style property designed by Stephen Mattick

Building Regulations

All new building work – including significant alterations and improvements to existing homes – must comply with the Building Regulations. The Building Regulations set down minimum standards for quality of work to ensure that homes are safe, accessible, healthy, reliable and, increasingly, energy-efficient. It has nothing to do with planning permission and, in certain rare instances, the directions given by the two departments can conflict.

Your Homebuilding & Renovating Project Planner

Fancy taking on the role of project manager on site, or just curious to know what to expect on a building project, and when? Our Project Planner will give you all the information you need.

The Homebuilding & Renovating Project Planner

Building a House for Under £150,000: Case Studies

H&R looks at some of the people who've managed to build their homes for a build cost below £150,000, including traditional and contemporary style homes in both timber frame and brick and block.

From the publishers of Homebuilding & Renovating...

Real Homes

Period Living

Project management

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