LindaP

Brilliant; thank you. Yes - concrete does have its benefits and there are some fascinating innovations with new concrete technologies including 'self-healing' and super-strong formulas although these are more likely for commercial applications. Thanks again for completing survey.

Thanks Saveasteading for your considered reply - you're right - the questions on sustainability were tricky to put together since they can be viewed in different ways. E.g. I am really interested in using ICF - however, concrete is v much frowned upon from a sustainability/eco-friendly perspective. But what if it means your building stands for 500 years rather than say 100-200 if you use timber frame or a more eco-friendly but less enduring build technology? The survey was also put together using previous responses from an NSBRC (National Self Build and Renovation Centre) survey, so I just included all the items that had been previously highlighted as either sustainable or energy efficient. So far, from the replies I have received (but not taking into account any of today's reply from Buildhub as I have not processed them), unsurprisingly, the top three ranked construction elements are (i) insulation, (ii) MVHR and (iii) construction method. So as you say quite rightly, it's basically fabric first approach that will deliver energy efficiency and longterm performance. Thanks again for your comments... all welcome.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED THE SURVEY! As per Twice Round the Block - Exactly - Usually a combination of finances, time availability and risk appetite. There's a reason most of my respondents are in 55-60 age bracket - life experience (know what they want and have some means to achieve it) but also may have more time as perhaps no longer actively raising family or on early career trajectory (given that projects are generally years long in conception and execution). But only c.6% of UK land buildable for resi (c.6% for commercial/infrastructure/everything else), and in South East, it is hugely competitive with commercial developers...

Thanks ProDave for completing and Garry Martin for tech advice! Here is URL added to my post: https://surreyfahs.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Q0AQK2oW2enwii

I have been interested in self-build for many years and will start my own project in the near future. In the meantime, I recently embarked on a MSc in Environmental Psychology at Surrey University looking at many aspects of human behaviour and experience in the built and natural environment. For my dissertation project, I am looking at - you've guessed it - self-build; in particular, underlying psychological motivations for a build and how this translates practically to design choices, especially aspects relating to sustainability and energy efficiency. Please complete my short, anonymous survey (10 mins) and share your experiences. As you will be aware, the UK self-build market plays a small but important role in the supply of new housing stock and leads the way in improving quality and sustainability standards. The Richard Bacon (MP) review from 2021 has raised the profile of the important role of self-builders, the right to build register and numerous other aspects, although not much has changed on the ground from what I can see. Nevertheless, self-builders are still managing to get projects started and completed and I would be extremely grateful if any of you who have either completed or commenced your own self/custom build would spend a few moments completing my survey by clicking on the QR code below. Or use the URL direct. https://surreyfahs.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Q0AQK2oW2enwii Many thanks and I look forward to mining the vast resources on this site. Linda P