Self build homes have been designed and built to meet the individual needs and tastes of those who live in them and, as such, they come in all manner of shapes, sizes and specifications.
With this variety comes a broad variance in build costs which can make it difficult to prospective self builders to get a handle on what kind of home they could build on their budget.
To help demonstrate that great design and a home that meets your needs is achievable whatever your budget, take a look at this list of great self build homes that have been organised by build cost.
As a disclaimer, these are build costs only and do not include land costs. Land costs vary so wildly across the UK and so make for an unfair comparison (additionally some of the self builders listed below already owned their plot).
(MORE: Estimate your build costs with our free Build Cost Calculator)
Self Build Homes Built for £100,000 and Under
Straw Bale Home: £67,000
Justin and Linda Tyers self built a two-bed straw bale home for just £67k under Exmoor National Park’s affordable housing policy.
The couple kept costs low by taking on much of the design and building work themselves.
- Build cost: £67,000
- Build time: 11 months
- Location: Somerset
(MORE: How much does it cost to build a house?)
Log Cabin Self Build: £60,000
Jude Hesselgrave and Roger Page built a log cabin, which they subsequently extended and transformed over the years to create a characterful home — for just £60,000.
- Build cost: £60,000
- Location: East Sussex
(MORE: How to build a house for under £150k)
A Starter Home on a Budget: £80,000
Phil Coe transformed an old agricultural building into a modern home using skills he learned in college and tutorials on the internet.
- Build cost: £80,000 (£615/m²)
- Build time: 2 years
- Location: Yorkshire
Contemporary Barn-Style Self Build: £80,000
Taking inspiration from the local vernacular, Niall and Helen Maxwell built their own sustainable home fit for modern living using local materials and labour to keep costs down.
- Build cost: £80,000 (£1,066/m²)
- Build time: 3 years 10 months
- Location: North Carmarthenshire
(MORE: 15 ways to make sure you stay on budget)
A Handcrafted Home on a Tricky Plot: £100,000
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Insulated concrete formwork (ICF) was used to build this home over a stream on a restricted plot. The homeowner, Robin, took inspiration from the internet to teach himself different skills and built the majority of the house himself.
- Build cost: £100,000 (£690/m2)
- Build time: 1 year 8 months
- Location: Argyll & Bute
Self Build Homes Built for £100,001 to £199,999
Timber-Clad Scottish Cabin: £125,000
This contemporary cabin-style self build home was built inspired by Scandinavian architecture and interiors and includes extra insulation and solar panels to compete with the harsh northern climate.
- Build cost: £125,000 (£1,315/m²)
- Build time: 4 years 1 month
- Location: Isle of Skye
A Home for Life: £130,000
David Snell and wife Linda have completed their fourteenth (!) self build home on the edge of the Forest of Dean.
- Build Cost: £129,121
- Build Time: 18 months
- Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
A Coastal Live/Work Self-build: £130,000
Insulated concrete formwork (ICF) and the good will of friends, neighbours and skilled local workers was used to construct this modern home on a sloping site.
Spanning five years, this self build journey provides Ian Grant a place to run his architecture business and his wife Marcella an opportunity for an alternative source of income through a self-catered apartment in the future.
- Build cost: £130,000
- Build time: 5 years
- Location: Isle of Skye
A Stylish Contemporary House: £170,000
A clever cantilevered design means this self build home makes the most of a tight plot and near-by neighbours, while vaulted ceilings on the first floor mean that the space feels open and light.
- Build cost: £170,000 (£1,416/m²)
- Build time: 1 year
- Location: Nottingham
Zero Carbon Mountain Home: £175,000
Pioneering the idea that a low-energy home can be built using ordinary building materials, these homeowners made sure to include renewables in this house design.
- Build cost: £175,000 (£1,129/m²)
- Build time: 6 years 11 months
- Location: Monmouthshire
A Characterful Home Built in 15 Weeks: £175,000
Proving that a speedy and beautiful build on a tight plot is possible, Samantha Parr constructed her oak frame home in the centre of a South Staffordshire town with the help of her tenacious spirit and the skill of local workers.
- Build cost: £175,000
- Build time: 15 weeks
- Location: South Staffordshire
Self Build Homes Built for £200,000 to £299,999
A Passivhaus Kit House: £220,000
Paula Harte chose to build using Caber House's Type C kit house, a timber frame Passivhaus pre-designed by Architeco.
- Build cost: £220,000
- Build time: 18 months
- Location: Elgin, Scotland
Angular Eco Home: £221,200
Simeon Rich and Sara Farquharson have made the most of a small plot with their eco self build home with build costs of just £825/m².
- Build cost: £221,200
- Build time: 10 months
- Location: Devon
Contemporary Woodland House: £237,000
This modern cedar-clad home situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has the wow-factor and luxury of a hotel on a sloping plot in the woods.
- Build cost: £237,000 (£825/m²)
- Build time: 7 months
- Location: Devon
Passivhaus Self Build in London: £250,000
Elizabeth Sharp has self built a 110m² Passivhaus on the site of her former home’s garage and rear garden, and now has heating bills of around £300 per year.
- Build cost: £250,000
- Build time: 16 months
- Location: London
A DIY Oak Frame Home: £250,000
Welsh Oak Frame supplied this oak frame structure to weathertight stage before Billie and Mark Holden moved into the incomplete home and worked to finish it themselves, maximising their build cost potential and leaving themselves mortgage free in the process.
(MORE: DIY: What to Leave to the Professionals)
- Build cost: £250,000
- Location: Cheshire
Oak Frame Family Home: £265,000
Homeowners Wendy and Steve worked with Border Oak to build their dream 185m² oak frame home in Herefordshire.
- Build cost: £265,000 (£1,432/m²)
- Build time: 1 year
- Location: Herefordshire
Barn-Style Stone Home: £296,000
This self build home is a great example of when great design and well thought-out specification meet to create a truly unique property. The use of traditional materials and form means that this new build looks like it has stood for centuries.
- Build cost: £296,000 (£1,458/m²)
- Build time: 11 months
- Location: Monmouthshire
Self Build Homes Built for £300,000 to £399,999
Modern Home on an Awkward Plot: £300,000
The clever design of many features combats potential plot problems in this self build — working with the curve of the road, the house is split into three ‘sections’ and angled windows reduce overlooking.
- Build cost: £300,000 (2,238/m²)
- Build time: 2 years
- Location: Bristol
Beautiful Passivhaus in the Woods: £308,000
Built using a steel frame, this contemporary treehouse embraces its surroundings like no other. Imaginative budget solutions combined with beautiful Passivhaus design mean this house is like no other.
- Build cost: £308,000 (£1,540/m²)
- Build time: 4 years
- Location: Dursley, Gloucestershire
A Seaside Self-build: £348,000
Semi-built into the restored sea-wall this timber frame home was built to withstand the harsh Scottish coastal climate.
- Build cost: £348,000
- Build time: 17 months
- Location: Musselburgh, near Edinburgh
Colonial Pavilion-Style Home: £360,000
Built in a flood zone on the edge of the Thames, this self build is inspired by the architectural influences of the homeowner and architect, Jon Wallsgrove. Exotic materials are also incorporated into the home, including Brazilian slate and interior railings from France.
- Build cost: £360,000 (£1,028/m²)
- Build time: 5 years 9 months
- Location: Surrey
Self Build Homes Built for £400,000 to £499,999
Swiss Chalet in Yorkshire: £415,000
An incredible total of five balconies adorn this self build home which, inspired by Swiss design, is finished in a mix of house render, stone and timber with beautiful pine cladding throughout the interior.
(MORE: Cladding a House)
- Build cost: £415,000 (£1,775/m²)
- Build time: 1 year 1 month
- Location: Yorkshire
New Oak Frame Home on a Greenbelt Plot: £449,000
Shelagh Krasno’s new self build home in Hampshire was built using an oak frame and features dormer windows and weatherboarding and an L-shaped design.
- Build Cost: £449,000
- Build Time: 12 months
- Location: Hampshire
Oak Frame Passivhaus: £450,000
Phil and Yvonne Garnett’s self build home is the first oak-frame home to achieve Passivhaus certification in the UK.
- Build cost: £450,000
- Build time: 13 months
- Location: Yorkshire
Oak Frame Self Build Home: £464,000
Jo and Dave Reeves have combined modern methods of construction and energy efficiency with traditional green oak framing and building materials for their first self build.
- Build cost: £464,000
- Location: Surrey/Hampshire border
Light-Filled Contemporary Family Self Build Home in Scotland: £470,000
These homeowners have designed an upside down house to make the most of the location’s spectacular views. The result is a contemporary home, flooded with natural light.
- Build cost: £470,000
- Location: Fife coast, Edinburgh
A Barn-Style SIPs Home: £474,000
Using a fabric first approach by using SIPs, Colin Amor, built an energy-efficient home clad in hard-wearing Siberian larch.
- Build cost: £474,000 (£1,185/m²)
- Build time: 13 months
- Location: Stirling, Scotland
Traditional Highland Stone Home: £480,000
After demolishing a cottage and dilapidated barn that once sat on this site, architect Stuart Archer built a contemporary home on the old footprint using the stone from the old cottage, with a glazed link.
- Build Cost: Approx. £480,000 (£1,600/m²)
- Build Time: 1 year 1 month
- Location: Spey Valley, Scotland
Single Storey Oak Frame Home in Surrey: £491,000
Homeowners Sheila and Geoff McGaughey built an oak frame bungalow on their Conservation Area plot in Surrey. The couple worked with Border Oak to bring their vision to life.
- Build cost: £491,000
- Build time: 9 months
- Location: Surrey
Self Build Homes Built for £500,000 to £599,999
Charming Traditional Coach House: £500,000
It was quality first when building this house as high standards and a great home design created a traditional home that looks like it has stood for years.
- Build Cost: £500,000
- Build Time: 10 Years
- Location: Gloucestershire
Steel Frame and Stone Home: £500,000
This contemporary home sits comfortably in the countryside setting without becoming an imposing presence. Low energy living was embraced by the homeowners and the house boasts underfloor heating, high insulation and a mechanical heat ventilation system (MVHR).
- Build cost: £500,000 (£1,483/m²)
- Build time: 8 months
- Location: Argyll & Bute
A New Characterful Farmhouse: £555,000
This farmhouse was designed to unite modern living with traditional design. An oak frame and SIPs infill was used to construct the home, while open-plan living and contemporary essentials (swathes of bifold doors, ground source heat pump and underfloor heating) were included.
- Build cost: £550,000
- Build time: 14 months
- Location: Cheshire
Oak Frame Replacement Dwelling: £586,000
Not many people choose to prepare for their wedding day by building a house, but Amanda and Colin Sheppard built a stunning home on their Oxfordshire plot.
- Build cost: £586,000 (£1953.33/m²)
- Build time: 1 year 2 months
- Location: Oxfordshire
Self Build Homes Built for £600,000 to £699,999
Low Maintenance and Energy Efficient Timber Frame Home: £600,000
Melvin Starling and Sandy Garfield self built their own home in Surrey using timber frame. The property has a clean, uncluttered appearance and is low maintenance and energy efficient.
- Build cost: £600,000 (£2,000/m²)
- Build time: 10 months
- Location: Surrey
Modern Oak Frame House: £620,000
This traditional-style home was built using green oak but is filled with smart home technology such as automated windows, integrated lighting and entertainment systems and – less glamorously – a bio-digester sewage treatment plant.
- Build Cost: £620,000 (£2,583/m²)
- Build Time: 1 Year
- Location: Surrey
Accessible Contemporary Eco Home: £630,000
After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Mike Bray and his wife Linda self built a bespoke accessible home with the help of their son, Oliver.
- Build cost: £630,000 (£2,704/m2)
- Build time: 1 year 5 months
- Location: Hampshire
Traditional Wealden Barn House: £650,000
A Wealden-barn style design was chosen over a traditional barn-style home in order to achieve planning permission and optimum natural light throughout the building.
- Build Cost: £650,000 (£944/m²)
- Build Time: 2 Years 5 Months
- Location: Surrey
Contemporary Cotswolds Home: £692,000
The limestone and oak cladding decorating this build were sourced locally and the unconventional design of the house is complimented by the comforting interior finished with open fireplaces and bamboo and slate flooring.
- Build Cost: £692,000 (£1,457/m²)
- Build Time: 1 Year
- Location: Border of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire
Self Build Homes Built for £700,000 to £799,999
Sustainable Farmhouse with Tilted Roof: £700,000
This off-the-grid home was built using locally-sourced materials with a motivation for sustainable living. The design and the exterior finish means the house melts seamlessly into the landscape.
- Build Cost: £700,000 (£2,058/m²)
- Build Time: 1 year 5 months
- Location: Dumfries & Galloway
Oak Frame Lakehouse: £720,000
Sensitively built, this oak frame home is a masterclass in sustainable living as the design includes both passive and active eco features.
- Build cost: £720,000 (£1,655/m²)
- Build time: 1 year 4 months
- Location: Gloucestershire
Striking Glazed Self Build: £740,000
Replacing a tired mid-1950s house, this modern love letter to wood and glass stands strong, taking full advantage of the views surrounding the plot.
- Build Cost: £740,000
- Build time: 1 year 1 month
- Region: Monmouthshire
Barn-Style Package Build: £746,000
A unique package-build experience gave way for the timber and steel clad home in the form of a contemporary-style barn.
- Build cost: £746,000 (£1,445/m²)
- Build time: 8 months
- Location: Gloucestershire
Low Maintenance Modern Home: £750,000
Suitable for retirement and completely future-proofed this cantilevered house is full of drama and wow-factor as much as it incorporates practical solutions.
- Build cost: £750,000 (£3,660/m²)
- Build time: 1 year 3 months
- Location: Dorset
Contemporary Home on a Riverside Plot: £750,000
Nigel and Alison Maddocks chose a stunning riverside location for their spectacular contemporary self build home in Worcestershire.
- Build cost: £750,000 (£2,863/m²)
- Build time: 21 months
- Location: Worcestershire
Self Build Homes Built for £800,000 to £999,999
Idyllic Eco Home for Retirement: £800,000
The homeowners journey for their home for retirement was stress-free thanks to the detailed planning and design process by Oakwrights.
- Build cost: £800,000 (£2,462/m²)
- Build time: 11 months
- Location: Isle of Wight
Curved Oak Frame Home: £848,466
A beautiful example of organic architecture, this contemporary home seems to grow from the rolling hills.
- Build cost: £848,466 (£2,203/m²)
- Build time: 1 year 1 month
- Region: Gloucestershire
Amazing Riverside Home: £850,000
The bold design and striking exterior of this home contrasts wonderfully with the white chalky cliffs on the brownfield plot.
- Build cost: £850,000
- Location: Lewes, East Sussex
Bespoke Traditional Home: £928,000
Full of character, this traditional oak-frame house was built by local craftspeople and sits firmly within the vernacular of the countryside setting.
- Build cost: £928,000 (£1,568/m²)
- Build time: 2 years 6 months
- Location: Kent
Stunning Brick and Oak Build: £989,000
Where most couples downsize as their children move out, Geoff and June Gaffney were determined to build enough space in their home to accommodate their ever-growing family.
- Build cost: £989,000 (£2,222/m²)
- Build time: 1 year 3 months
- Location: Buckinghamshire
Self Build Homes Built for £1,000,000 and over
Contemporary Cliff-top House: £1,000,000
A striking new build on the Cornish coast, this home is finished to a beautiful degree, making the most of the stunning views with an interior to match.
- Build cost: £1,000,000
- Build time: 11 months
- Location: Cornwall
Baronial-Style Eco Home: £1,000,000
This modern family home in the form of traditional Scottish mansion was the long-standing dream of the homeowners and it stands stoic against the beautiful landscape.
- Build cost: £1,000,000
- Build time: 1 year 9 months
- Location: Perthshire
Remarkable Oak Frame Forever Home: £1,200,000
Despite the sensitive, historic nature of their plot, as well as the fact that it was prone to flooding, Rachel and Darren Luke have overcome every challenge to build a stunning, oak frame ‘forever’ home.
- Build Cost: £1,200,000
- Build Time: 17 months
- Location: Worcestershire
Replacement Family Home: £1,300,000
In place of their former family bungalow, homeowners Mel and Pauline built a unique dwelling that boasts a dining hall atrium, swimming pool, huge cathedral-style windows and a wine-drinking retreat in the basement.
- Build Cost: £1,300,000
- Build Time: 1 Year 3 Months
- Location: Kent
Industrial Home on a Sloping Site: £1,710,000
Interlocking larch-clad boxes on top of a solid concrete base give this home a unique split-level flooring layout.
- Build cost: £1,710,000
- Build time: 2 years 7 months
- Location: North London
Modern Stately Home: £1,800,000
The square-nature of the Georgian-style houses – this one built with Hemcrete, a modern mix of lime and the inner core of the commercial hemp plant – was chosen for it’s energy-efficiency. The high-spec materials and fixtures used throughout the build make sure the finish is beautiful inside and out.
- Build cost: £1,800,000
- Build time: 1 year 7 months
- Location: North Yorkshire
