The ultimate guide to self build for beginners and beyond

contemporary self build
(Image credit: Fotohaus)

Self build homes are a popular path to homeownership in the UK, but many people are unaware of its benefits compared to in other parts of the world, including mainland Europe, where building your own home is far more common. 

There are so many plus points to self build. Not only does it give people the chance to tailor their house exactly to their needs, as well as usually enjoying a not insignificant profit if and when they come to sell, but you will also get more house for your money as well as the chance to live in a more sustainable home, providing you follow a few self build tips along the way. 

Michael Holmes
Michael Holmes

Michael is Homebuilding & Renovating's Director of Content, Vice Chair of the self build industry body, the National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA), presenter of multiple property TV shows and author of Renovating for Profit (Ebury). He also runs an architectural and interior design practice, offering design and project management services. He is one of the country's leading property experts and has undertaken over 30 building projects including two self-builds and the renovation of a Grade-II listed farmhouse. 

Michael is also a regular expert at the Homebuilding & Renovating Shows. He has written for leading British newspapers, including The Daily Telegraph, Sunday Times, Daily Express and The Independent and has appeared on news programmes such as BBC Breakfast.

Emma Lunn
Emma Lunn

Emma describes herself as having a "geeky interest in personal finance." She is an experienced journalist specialising in, amongst other things, the financial aspect of property. 

Sarah Handley

Sarah is a journalist, editor and the former Web Editor of homebuilding.co.uk. She began her career more than a decade ago, working on the editorial team of Public Sector Building magazine, before joining the wider Homebuilding & Renovating team as Social Media Editor in 2012. Since purchasing her first house in 2015, Sarah has been adding to the ever-increasing list of home improvements she needs to make; including extending over the garage, resurfacing the driveway, replacing existing flooring and revamping the kitchen. Fortunately, her time with Homebuilding means she is not short on design inspiration or top tips to tackle or project manage these tasks herself.

With contributions from