About time to stop lurking - Hi!

[-rick-]

Hi All,

 

I'm really glad I found this site, it's a treasure trove of useful knowledge. I've been lurking here for about a year, without a plot or active project I've not felt I've had much to contribute but now I have a time sensitive question about finding plots so it's time to say hello.

 

I'm currently based in London, stuck in a flat affected by Grenfell related cladding issues. Thankfully that appears to be coming to an end for us soon (recent fire report showed limited changes need to be made) and once they are done the property should be more easily mortgageable and thus easier to sell. I'm relatively financially constrained but I have lots of free time so I'm looking for a largely DIY self build in an area commutable to London.

 

I have a technical / IT background so find the theoretical aspects of building relatively easy but I don't have much practical experience but that doesn't put me off. What is getting frustrating is finding a plot, but I feel we are all in the same boat or have been here.

 

If I'm not careful I could write an essay here so I think I'll stop now. Now I've introduced myself I hope to be able to contribute where I can, though probably limited until I find a plot.

[markc]

Hi and welcome. Finding plots is/can be a long and tiresome process. For what it’s worth I have been looking for around 5 years and still not found anything suitable - although I am looking for something particular and will continue to look until I drop on it. But there are those who drop on something pretty quickly.

[BotusBuild]

Unless, like markc, you are looking for something particular, be flexible in your search such as

- location

- size

- blank space vs demolish and rebuild vs renovate (in general order of flexibility in what you can build)

 

Keep in mind what you would like achieve with your new house, but don't necessarily be tied to achieving it exactly.

 

Work out how you propose to finance buying the plot, and then paying for the materials and any labour you may need to bring in.

(whatever you think this will cost add 20% contingency - some may say more (or less))

 

Good luck with your search.

[-rick-]

3 hours ago, markc said:

Hi and welcome. Finding plots is/can be a long and tiresome process. For what it’s worth I have been looking for around 5 years and still not found anything suitable - although I am looking for something particular and will continue to look until I drop on it. But there are those who drop on something pretty quickly.

 

Thanks.

 

I have three main requirements:

1. Warm house with low bills (easy with new build, trickier with modifying existing buildings)

2. Space for a workshop area outside of the main living space - garage/garden room/etc

3. Relatively close to my divorced parents, both of whom are getting to the age where being close matters

 

1 hour ago, BotusBuild said:

Unless, like markc, you are looking for something particular, be flexible in your search such as

- location

- size

- blank space vs demolish and rebuild vs renovate (in general order of flexibility in what you can build)

 

Keep in mind what you would like achieve with your new house, but don't necessarily be tied to achieving it exactly.

 

I'm trying my best to keep an open mind. Not keen on demolish and rebuild (at least not on a building that isn't already falling down) but definitely looking at the others along with buying a place to split off part of the garden or making offers to buy multiple bits of garden from different houses to make one plot.

 

1 hour ago, BotusBuild said:

Work out how you propose to finance buying the plot, and then paying for the materials and any labour you may need to bring in.

(whatever you think this will cost add 20% contingency - some may say more (or less))

 

My current flat is mortgage free and assuming the cladding issues are resolved should cover the build with contingency. But obviously can't sell it right now without taking a hit to value because the issues are not yet resolved. In the mean time I'm more focused on finding plots that I could afford to buy from savings (which are much more limited than the value of the flat) though these are both tricky and rare. I don't want to take on debt.

 

Ultimately I think I will have to wait until I can sell my flat before I can do anything but I'm keeping my eyes open now in case I get lucky and also to refine my knowledge so that when the time comes I can make quick decisions.

 

2 hours ago, BotusBuild said:

Good luck with your search.

Thanks

[Russdl]

48 minutes ago, -rick- said:

Not keen on demolish and rebuild (at least not on a building that isn't already falling down)

Don’t t discount that option, it brings many pluses. Not least being that the services will most likely be there. Getting services to a virgin plot can cost bucket loads. 

 

We were looking for a plot for decades and that’s finally what we found a bungalow that had reached it’s ‘best before, date. It wasn’t falling down but definitely had had its day and we got it for not much more than a virgin plot with planning permission would likely have cost. 
 

Good luck, it’s definitely worth the not inconsiderable effort. 

[TheMitchells]

https://www.houseplanninghelp.com/hph343-a-low-cost-eco-home-on-a-challenging-infill-plot-with-josh-wood/

 

house planning help website has lots of good ideas for plot finding.  I was looking for years, with a couple of plots we tried to get. I even went round local villages and put up cards asking for anyone with a large garden who may sell.  I made the point that we were locals, not a builder.  About a year later I received a call.  Someone was selling part of her garden and she had kept my details.  It was only 3 miles from current house.  Unfortunately, we'd just bought somewhere for my elderly parents who needed to be closer so didnt have the funds.  However, it was nice to know that it can work.  Try to think outside the box 😁 Good luck.

[-rick-]

15 hours ago, Russdl said:

Don’t t discount that option, it brings many pluses. Not least being that the services will most likely be there. Getting services to a virgin plot can cost bucket loads. 

 

We were looking for a plot for decades and that’s finally what we found a bungalow that had reached it’s ‘best before, date. It wasn’t falling down but definitely had had its day and we got it for not much more than a virgin plot with planning permission would likely have cost. 
 

Good luck, it’s definitely worth the not inconsiderable effort. 

 

Definitely not ruling anything out. Just haven't found much that fits into this category that seems to work price wise.

 

14 hours ago, TheMitchells said:

https://www.houseplanninghelp.com/hph343-a-low-cost-eco-home-on-a-challenging-infill-plot-with-josh-wood/

 

house planning help website has lots of good ideas for plot finding.  I was looking for years, with a couple of plots we tried to get. I even went round local villages and put up cards asking for anyone with a large garden who may sell.  I made the point that we were locals, not a builder.  About a year later I received a call.  Someone was selling part of her garden and she had kept my details.  It was only 3 miles from current house.  Unfortunately, we'd just bought somewhere for my elderly parents who needed to be closer so didnt have the funds.  However, it was nice to know that it can work.  Try to think outside the box 😁 Good luck.

 

Thanks. Because I live pretty close to zone 1 and need to move quite a bit further out I can't really pull the 'I'm local' card, as much as I'd like to, seems a relatively common success story.

 

Somehow I've not noticed that site before. Is it worth a membership?

 

I have read "How to find and buy a building plot" thanks to a recommendation on here. Any similar suggestions (that don't just duplicate whats in it) would be appreciated.

 

[TheMitchells]

On 15/11/2024 at 14:58, -rick- said:

Somehow I've not noticed that site before. Is it worth a membership?

 

there is a huge backlog of podcasts that I found very useful.  I am no longer a member of The Hub as it is too expensive for me.  That has exclusive video content and more.  but you can look at the podcasts for free.