Always analyse the characteristics of the plot you are considering, especially if it’s steep. Davi and Matt faced significant challenges with machinery access and foundation work due to the steep slope of their land, which increased time and costs.
I’m on a road of discovery to build my own house.
To find inspiration I review past builds and share my opinion, picking out the features of the buildings, materials and the process.
This is the largest and longest project I have ever undertaken and there will be many lessons along the way. I’ll be sharing them all and creating them as tips that you can use for your build.
Always analyse the characteristics of the plot you are considering, especially if it’s steep. Davi and Matt faced significant challenges with machinery access and foundation work due to the steep slope of their land, which increased time and costs.
Consider using reclaimed materials when possible. While more labour-intensive, they can add character and are often more sustainable.
It’s fine to dream big, but ensure that your ambitions are achievable within your timeline and budget. This helps avoid project fatigue and frustration.
Be prepared for unforeseen challenges—whether environmental (like severe weather) or logistical (like supply issues)—and maintain flexibility in your plans to navigate these obstacles.
Expect that not everything will go according to plan. Schedule adjustments may be needed, and it’s essential to remain adaptable to delays caused by planning permissions, weather, or material availability.
When rebuilding after a loss or redesigning, consider integrating modern techniques with traditional styles to enhance your home’s appeal and performance.
Design the home with the future in mind—not just for yourself but for your family as well. Consider how the layout and features will accommodate future children and their activities.
Expect to encounter challenges and be prepared to make changes to your plan as the build progresses. Adaptability can help you manage setbacks more effectively and keep the project moving forward without frustration.
When setting a budget, consider all eventualities, including unexpected repairs and the costs associated with working on older buildings. It’s prudent to set aside a contingency fund to cover surprises that may arise during the build, such as structural issues or rot in old materials.
Set a realistic timeline for your build, considering potential delays and challenges. Deadlines can often be optimistic, especially for complex renovations. Allow room for flexibility in your schedule.
For projects involving unconventional materials, ensure access to examples of similar completed works to satisfy stakeholders — as was done by visiting a finished steel-clad building to demonstrate the intended aesthetic.
Engage a good architect early in the process. Their expertise can turn an awkward space into a modern masterpiece with effective design that maximises functionality and aesthetics, as demonstrated by the Collaboration with Zac Munro.
Explore innovative technologies, such as high-performance glazing that also functions as a heating source. While these can be more expensive upfront, they can lead to significant savings in energy costs and improve overall living comfort.
Before breaking ground, spend ample time studying the building. Familiarise yourself with both its potential and its limitations to avoid wasting time and resources on inappropriate design choices.
Collaborate closely with architects and planning consultants early in the process. Their expertise can help navigate regulatory requirements and enhance your design, ensuring it aligns with local building norms and aesthetic considerations.
Foster open communication among all members of your building team. This can prevent misunderstandings and foster a team environment, which is crucial for problem-solving during the project.
Engaging family or friends in the build can foster happiness and teamwork, creating cherished memories. However, manage expectations about their availability and commitment.
Compromises may be necessary throughout the build; creatively integrating modern elements with the historic structure can lead to a unique and appealing outcome.
Jonathan and Deborah’s project went significantly over budget (from an initial £650,000 to around £900,000). Self-builders should plan for unexpected costs and include a contingency fund in their budget to cover surprises.
Consider how your building practices and material choices can contribute to sustainability. Research eco-friendly systems and materials that complement your building’s design.
Working on a building site can be dangerous. Prioritise safety measures to prevent accidents. If you are undertaking heavy lifting or risky tasks, consider hiring professionals or getting additional assistance.
After completion, evaluate what worked well and what didn’t not just for improving future projects but also to celebrate the successes achieved despite obstacles faced.
Keeping records of changes, decisions, and developments throughout the build process can provide insights for future projects or for others looking to self-build, showcasing common pitfalls and successes.
Collaborating with a qualified architect and quantity surveyor early in the process can help in effectively managing the project’s scope and potential costs. Justin’s architect helped re-envision the project and provided valuable insights as it progressed.
When multiple family members are involved, ensure that everyone understands the vision and expectations surrounding the build. Jon’s relationship dynamics changed when he included his new partner in the project, which necessitated adjustments to their plans.
Given the potential for noise pollution in urban or busy areas, investing in quality insulation and soundproofing is essential to create a peaceful home environment.
Opting for a combination of modern and traditional materials can enhance both the aesthetic appeal and functionality of your home, but understand how they interact with each other in the construction process.
Regularly check in on the build process to stay on schedule and maintain control over the design choices being made. This proactive involvement ensures that your vision is being realised as planned.
Stick to your vision and resist the temptation to make changes during construction. Compromising your design halfway can lead to confusing results and additional complications.
If you plan to take on the project management role yourself, ensure you’re adequately prepared for the scale of management required. Without prior experience, this can quickly become overwhelming.
Unique architectural ideas, like an amphibious house, can be exciting but also lead to complex building challenges. Ensure that you and your team fully understand the design and the associated engineering before committing.
If considering using new or unconventional construction methods, ensure that the builders have experience with them. Verify their capability to handle specialised techniques that may be unfamiliar to them.
Be prepared for budget overruns and delays. Set a realistic budget with a contingency amount for unexpected costs during the build, such as delays with suppliers or changes in materials.
Involve family and friends in your self-build project. Ed and Vicky had considerable help from Ed’s father and other family members, making tasks more manageable and socially engaging.
Combining innovative building techniques with traditional materials can yield positive results. Explore modern insulation and energy efficiency options while maintaining the character of traditional methods.
Life can throw unexpected challenges your way, such as job loss or financial changes. Steph and Alex had to adapt when Alex was made redundant, which required them to change their mortgage application strategy.
Expect hurdles during the building process. Be adaptable and maintain open communication with your contractors. The ability to respond positively to delays or changes is vital.
Family involvement can be a great asset. Encourage each person to utilise their strengths—be it managing communications, logistical planning, or technical expertise—to create a supportive building environment.
Balancing a full-time job with a complex build can be overwhelming. If you find yourself overextended like Henry, consider hiring a project manager to maintain focus and streamline the construction process.
Frequent onsite meetings to assess progress, discuss concerns, and celebrate achievements can boost morale and keep the project on track.
As project manager, Jane needed to ensure that workers were effective and productive. Learning to balance management with appropriate delegation can keep the project running efficiently while maintaining quality.
It’s important to honour the historical nature of the original structure while integrating modern elements. Jane and Robert’s approach of using clear glass to separate the old and new allowed both elements to harmoniously coexist without compromising each other’s character.
Keep detailed records of all design changes and their justifications to maintain clarity about project evolution. This will aid in accountability and communication with contractors.
Community led building projects build a relationship with the neighbours before they become neighbours. It can strengthen bonds and improve the community spirit.
When wanting to retain historical details, assess each element carefully. It’s crucial to balance preservation with practicality to maintain the character of the building while ensuring it meets modern standards.
Build strong relationships with the people working on your project. Create a supportive and motivating environment to foster teamwork and improve morale, which is particularly important under stress.
Incorporate large windows and open spaces to enhance natural light, which can make large areas feel more welcoming and less imposing.
Understand the local regulations around renovating listed buildings, including necessary permissions. Familiarity with these can help avoid delays and ensure respect for the building’s heritage.
Be prepared for your tastes and needs to evolve during the building process. This project was a collective expression of Anne and Richard’s vision, which grew through experiences, discussions, and feedback from others.
The outside of the house during work is a muddy bog and planned pathways could be useful (they used old railway sleepers and shingle)
Festivals use corrugated aluminium sheets.
I also create frameworks to help deconstruct the process and provide tools that can help get over project sticking points.
