The NaCSBA Custom and Self Build Report 2023/24 reveals that custom and self build homes have a higher positive local impact compared to mainstream housing.
The report reveals that custom and self build homes are not only more sustainable with lower energy consumption and less CO2 emissions, but also provide greater local economic impact in terms of expenditure on materials and labour.
The report also highlights that self build demand is significantly underestimated in the UK and seeks to encourage those with an interest to sign up for their local Right to Build Register. We reveal the full findings in the report below.
Self builders contribute twice as much to local economies compared to mainstream builders
The report, conducted across five areas, delved into the economic impact of custom and self build housing, focusing on the local impact of labour and materials.
It revealed that in regions such as Breckland Council, Durham Council, Folkestone and Hythe District Council, Herefordshire Council, and South Gloucestershire Council, custom and self build homes approximately doubled the economic footprint of mainstream housebuilding.
This was attributed to self builders' tendency to purchase more materials locally and engage small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) trades for their projects.
The study found that self builders allocate nearly double the expenditure on local materials and labour compared to mainstream housebuilders, with £45 out of every £100 spent locally, contrasting with the £22 spent by mainstream builders.
Self build homes have up to 42% lower energy consumption
A study examining Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) of self built homes across five regions compared their energy usage with that of new builds in the same areas.
Two key metrics were analysed: average energy consumption and average CO2 emissions. The findings revealed that custom and self built homes had significantly lower energy consumption, ranging from 8% to 42% lower, and lower CO2 emissions, ranging from 7% to 43% lower, compared to the average new build.
These results contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting custom and self build housing as a more environmentally friendly option. Additionally, a survey highlighted that over 50% of self built homes incorporate renewable energy sources as their primary heating systems.
The report attributed these findings to self builders' propensity to invest more in energy-efficient homes designed for long-term occupancy, whereas speculative builders prioritise profitability over sustainability.
Demand for self builds is 64% below reported estimates
Recent findings suggest that the demand for custom and self build housing, as reflected in the Right to Build registers, is significantly underestimated by at least two-thirds.
An analysis comparing postcode data of interested individuals against registered numbers revealed that nearly two-thirds of potential builders were not on the registers, indicating a minimum of 64% underestimation of demand.
NaCSBA emphasises that while the registers are valuable, they should not be the sole measure of demand, in line with National Planning Guidance.
The NaCSBA report highlights the registers' crucial role in shaping policies and encouraging more building sites, with the NaCSBA encouraging all those with an interest in self building to register with their local authority.
