Architecture & Building, Building Work

How To Build Your Own Home

Nearly everyone dreams of building their perfect home, however it isn’t always the best option. However, building your own home can be quite affordable and it ensures you’ll get the home you’ve always dream of. Planning is important and failing to have a stable plan before you start could lead to financial problems occurring.

Top 3 Reason To Build Your Own Home

1. Most self builds, when managed correctly are actually quite affordable and will work out cheaper than buying a new build. If everything runs smoothly then you’ll end up with your dream home for a fraction of the price.
2. Building your own home gives you the freedom to include features and rooms that current homes on the market don’t have. Features such as solar panels or needing to add an extension can be quite costly so tackling it in the main build is more cost-effective.
3. Additional luxuries such as underfloor heading, can be added a fraction of the cost compared to what it would cost to install them in an existing building.

Is It Cheaper To Buy?

This is the most difficult question to answer when it comes to new builds. Working out the cost of a land, building work and materials as well as a contingency budget will help you to assess if it’s cheaper than buying an existing property.

The important things to remember about existing properties is they could have underlying problems that are missed even by surveyors. A good plan as well as secure contracts with builders will help to ensure that your new build runs smoothly and stay on budget; meaning it works out cheaper than buying a new build property.

Can I Get a Mortgage For Self Builds?

Yes! Some banks and building societies offer self-build mortgages that are specifically designed for people wanting to build their own properties. Unlike traditional mortgages the money will usually be released in stages, meaning you’ll pay for your building materials and contractors as and when the money is released. The amount of money you might be able to borrow typically varies to that of LTV mortgages. When it comes to self-build mortgages you might be offered around 75% of the cost of the land and 85% towards the build and labour costs.

Where Should I Build My Home?

Just like when you buy an existing property, location is everything. However, where you can build will depend on a number of factors such as if it’s green or brown belt land, and the options for land are more likely to be restrictive.

One of the easiest ways to achieve planning permission is to contact your local authority, so see if there’s any plots of land they have available for sale or places they are looking to start developing. Doing this makes it easier to achieve the planning permission you require for your new property.

Fire Safety and What To Consider

When building a property from scratch it’s important to consider fire safety, with a new build property you can add additional features such as sprinklers. Having a sprinkler system installed into your property can help to bring down insurance costs and will also help to protect your dream home should a fire happen. All new homes much meet current Fire Safety and Building Regulations meaning they need to:

• Provide escape routes from the home
• Measures to restrict or prevent the spread of fire to neighbours
• Restrict or prevent the spread of fire inside the property
• Provide suitable access for the fire brigade to attend

Finding The Right Builder

When it comes to building your dream home, you’ll need a professional construction company to undertake the building work for you. At Country Construction, we can work closely with you to discuss your plans and the best and most cost-effective building materials to choose.