steve77r

I'm just starting out on my first self build project and about to start looking for an architect, what sort of price should I be expecting to pay for the drawing's for planning permission? Do they usually charge per hour or is it % based on the total project costs? Thanks

Simple design, 4 bed 3 story, red brick on the outside.

I'm hoping to complete my build for £1000/m2 but at the minute I am working out of the country so will be able to do very little of it myself. My build is in the north of England so labour will be cheaper. What tips can people give me to get the build costs withing budget? I'm in no rush to complete and can have the build completed in individual stages. What is the best system to use to keep costs down? ICF or Brick and block? I'm thinking ICF should be cheaper but depends if I can find a contractor which is experienced with it and at the right price. Thanks

Look like this would need timber frame as opposed to block work wall as there is no insulation?

I am looking to build a small 4 bedroom home and wanting to keep costs as low as possible. I have been looking at WonderWall cladding system for construction and wanted to know if anyone has used this or similar products and can offer any advice on its application to residential build. My main question is would such a system allow for the construction without the traditional double layered cavity wall? Would this system allow for a single layer concrete block work structure with the cladding and insulation on the outside? https://www.forterra.co.uk/walling-cladding-systems/wonderwall-brick-cladding-system/flexible-wall-cladding-system-wonderwall Thanks

Yes of cause many variables but ballparks still exist, 10% 30% 50% 80%. wasn't asking for exact figure just rough idea.

As a rough guide what % of overall build costs is to be attributed to completing water tight shell? Assuming brick and block construction. Thanks

Ground survey was included in the PP, Land not contaminated or in an area that has been mined, plot is flat, has services, its infill between two current houses. Only issue I'm aware of is a drain that need re routing around the house as currently it runs straight through where the house is planned to go.

Live in, I have no other residence in the UK, it will be my home but not the home I hope to have after a few years. But I feel with me not been resident in the UK currently I will need to be very carful with VAT reclaim, I need to get some advice on where I will stand with this as I'm not sure if it applies to non residents.

Hi This is exactly what I was planning, the area that the land is in is typical post war semis, ex council houses so anything beyond the basic developer quality build would be a waste of time. The plot itself is reasonable size at 400m2 but I'm even questioning if the size of the house at 100m2 makes sense or a smaller property and lower build cost would equate to more value, I don't see many people wanting to spend 180+k on a house in an area that's surrounded by houses in the 120k region. The house certainly wouldn't be a keeper for me but more an opportunity to build some equity and hopefully fund another build after a few years. As for the amount of work I can do myself, I have done most things when it comes to home renovation and some building work, my main issue is currently I'm working out of the country so it would have to be left to others. My plan would be main contractor for water tight shell and then when complete contract out the final internals fixtures and fittings. What % of overall cost would usually be attributed to watertight shell in a standard build? Thanks

Hello, I am new to the site and looking to do my first self build. I have been interested in doing a self build for over 10 years but until now never had the funds, I am now in a position where I can purchase a small plot of land and hopefully complete my own first build. That said I have been looking into the costs and from the estimates for the build of the house I am struggling to prove it to be cost effective for what I am hoping to build and the area etc. So as a basic rule of thumb I have always been lead to believe that if all goes to plan the final value of the house should be 35% land cost 35% build cost with about 30% savings at the end. I appreciate this is a very simplistic way of looking at it and there are many factors that will affect this but overall if everything goes to plan there should be a decent saving. I'm looking at a plot in the NW around Bolton, Asking price £40k, currently does not have PP but application has been submitted and looking at it I don't see why it wouldn't get approved. the idea of this build would be to build a family home that I could live in for a few years and build some equity then maybe do another build in a few years. The plans submitted are for a 2 story 50m2 footprint 3 bed detached so 100m2 overall. Going by the calculators and estimating on the lower quality, nothing too fancy about the design at £1400 per M2. That's coming out at a build cost of £140000, which seems very high for the value of the plot and also taking into consideration the area and the expected sale value upon completion. I also see other new builds in the area of a similar style, size and quality going for a lot less. Is there any members on this site building a similar size home that could share there anticipated build costs or anyone that has completed a similar project in the past? I know the best way would be to contact a few builders and get some valuations but before I waste their time I'd like to get a general idea about costing the builds. Thanks