God is in the Details

Well, that describes me. We even have 2 cats in residence although their kittenhoods are long since gone. I'm not sure about the cannon, though.

1. is the land relevant, i.e. a portable building or if building on land that is leased or tenanted.

2. agree with this

3. but for how long

 

Yes, 3) is more a matter of intent than specific amount of time. If they're just going to live in it long enough for CIL/CGT/whatever purposes then is it really a self-build? It doesn't need to be a “forever” home to count, of course, but some notion that it's to be the home for a while matters.

 

Self-build of a holiday home would also count, I think. That sort of thing's more common in Scandinavia but still…

Surely if I built a house (even employing trades) its a self build even if I build it to sell on?

10 minutes ago, joe90 said:

Surely if I built a house (even employing trades) its a self build even if I build it to sell on?

That has been bigged upped to Property Development.

In the 1960s and 70s, a self builder was someone that could not afford to buy a proper house.

28 minutes ago, SteamyTea said:

That has been bigged upped to Property Development.

In the 1960s and 70s, a self builder was someone that could not afford to buy a proper house.

 

For some of us it kinda still is...

36 minutes ago, joe90 said:

Surely if I built a house (even employing trades) its a self build even if I build it to sell on?

 

Agree with @Ed Davies. Self-builders build intending to live in it themselves as a home (intent being more significant than duration).  If you build (through whatever method) to sell on, surely you're simply a house builder?

 

12 minutes ago, Roundtuit said:

 

Agree with @Ed Davies. Self-builders build intending to live in it themselves as a home (intent being more significant than duration).  If you build (through whatever method) to sell on, surely you're simply a house builder?

 

 

In sentiment I would agree, (as most of us here are self builders intending to stay, which is why we put in the extra effort to get it right!!!!)  I know two couples that have “self built” their homes, lived in them fir the minimum requirement then moved on to self build again. It has got them up the housing ladder, are they just “house builders?”

This may be controversial, but I also think there's a need to differentiate between a self-build, where the individuals who intend to occupy it have significant input into the design and build (method/specification) even if they're not particularly hands on in the actual construction, and what I'll term as 'custom build commissioners' who purchase a largely off the shelf design/turnkey build package (maybe choosing only the kitchen/bathroom finishes).

If they've built the 'family home' several times, then I'd say they're 'serial self-builders' rather than 'house builders' (and hats off to their stamina!).  

Going back to the OP,  at the risk of over-complicating things, how about a definition that includes the risk lying with the owner/occupier?  I.e you build it to live in, and benefit/suffer  from any profit or loss incurred?

@Ed Davies That is a really good point. Intent is definitely where the definition is aimed at. Also the holiday home point should also be included. Difficult to define self build succinctly and without so many caveats!

Thanks all ?.

How about if you do most of the work yourself, like @Ed Daviesis doing.

 

I think it’s more about ‘intention ‘

Self build means to me fighting everyone from planning to trades . Then doing majority of the work yourself ; otherwise you are just the ‘project manager ‘ . To live in it is the goal .

Nothing more primitive but rewarding than building your own cave .

On 05/12/2019 at 22:33, Roundtuit said:

 

Agree with @Ed Davies. Self-builders build intending to live in it themselves as a home (intent being more significant than duration).  If you build (through whatever method) to sell on, surely you're simply a house builder?

 

Not sure . I bought a house to do up and sell that was my intention. Recession pushed that to 10 years later . Then I had changed tactic and went for planning . So my intention changed ????