Hello

[SJF27]

Hi

 

I am new to the site and new to the whole self build process. 
 

We have been looking to buy a 5-bed house for some time now (based on Hampshire/Surrey border). We have found it really difficult to find what we are looking for and then a couple of weeks ago we saw some self-build plots that really interest us.

 

We are in the process of trying to work out whether we can actually afford to buy/build. The land had outline planning permission and as it is being sold as a self-build plot it has a plot passport that states the maximum build size is 2700sqft. We know nothing about building and are not able to do any of the work ourselves, which I think leaves us no option other than to use a main contractor. Based on what I have read so far on here, it would seem that in order to build a 2700sqft house of a decent quality of the maybe looking at something in the region of £500,000. Does this sound about right?
 

Unfortunately as the land is also really expensive, I don’t think we would be able to stretch to £500,000 so keen to hear if anyone thinks there is a way we might be able to get what we want for less?

[ProDave]

2700 sqft is (al bar some rounding errors) 270 square metres.

 

Does it need to be that big?  Our last house was 5 bedroom 4 bathroom in 180 square metres,  they were not large rooms but adequate, with kitchen utility and 2 reception rooms downstairs.

 

One way to get the cost down and probably the easiest for a first time self builder, is pay a builder to build a complete shell and then do some of the internal work yourself.  But it is unlikely you will get the cost below £1500 per square metre.

 

Other cost saving measures are cheap doors, cheap kitchen etc all of which can be upgraded later when you have the money to make it more posh.

 

Is there a house design that would let you build a smaller livable house o a limited budget and then build an extension to make it into the house you really want later?

[Thorfun]

simple rectangular design will bring the price down and, as Dave says, put in inexpensive things to start with and then upgrade as the years go by. and, again as Dave said, just get someone to build the shell and then project manage yourselves and get subbies in to do the rest. could save 10% - 20% that way.

 

in fact, I think simply +1 to what @ProDave said!

[Russell griffiths]

Depends how much the houses are you are looking at. £5-6-7-8-900,000

House will cost you £400,000plus. 

land will be £300,000 plus. 

so your going to spend £7-800,000 but you will have a better house, so it could be a way of getting another step up the ladder. 

[SteamyTea]

Get some quotes for 250m² timber frame houses. Make sure you have all the important stuff already done i.e services, road access, contamination/bat/newt/ect surveys done.

Then keep it simple.