Self-build or a ready home?

[un355]

Hello all,

I’m in SE and wondering if it’s more affordable to self build a home rather than buying the properties on the market? Any guidance towards how much land costs are? I’d also really like to design my own home layout and take part in the design and build process. I’ve signed up on the right to build register and waiting for help to build applications to open but would really appreciate guidance on the entire process and everyone’s experience over this..

 

Thanks in advance!

[Gus Potter]

Welcome @un355

 

You'll find a lot of great info here.

 

If you have never built a house for yourself before then I used to say pre covid that with an Architect, some support, a good builder who will hold you hand a bit and a fair wind you could save some 10% - maybe 15% tops if you do a lot of the admin type of stuff yourself, research deeply and not pay too much for the plot.

 

Admin would include things like; sorting out the services, making the phone calls etc. Now, with the current fluctuations I would reduce that to say 5 - 10% to be on the safe side. That is based on building a like for like house you can buy off the shelf.

 

However, it depends on how you measure affordability. With a self build, even on a limited budget you can get a house that is "bespoke" just for you. Also, building your own home is something special.. it's your own castle and relatively few folk do this in the UK.

 

You get that quite satisfaction, sense of achievement from self building and that has value.

 

 

[Iceverge]

The only things that a self builder can offer over a volume builder are.

 

1. Self unpaid Labour

2. A site that may be unattractive to a developer. 

3. No builders profit to pay. 

 

 

Everything else you will pay more for.

 

 

What you get in return are.

 

1. A bespoke house. 

2. Often a high performance home unavailable to mass market. 

3. A tremendous learning and satisfying experience. 

4. Lots of work that could otherwise be dedicated to leisure or gainful employment. 

 

 

Have we saved any money overall considering our time and input. Absolutely not.

 

Would we do it again. Absolutely.