PhD Dissertation Survey - Understanding Challenges and Opportunities in the Self-build Industry

[CemCet]

Hi All,

 

I’m a PhD student at the University of Nottingham researching self-build processes in the UK and would greatly appreciate your input through a quick survey (7-12 mins).

 

Your responses will remain anonymous, and you can withdraw at any time.

 

As a thank you, there’s an optional £50 Amazon gift card draw for participants.

 

Self-Build Research Study Survey

 

Thank you for your time and valuable insights!

 

[Conor]

Done. Quick feedback.

 

The question regarding how much extra you'd be willing to spend on eco features could be broken down into sub categories, e.g heating, insulation, glazing. Also response based on a % value rather than absolute. You can then derive the value from the previous response on the building project value range.

[CemCet]

Thanks very much for completing the survey and sharing your feedback!

Breaking down the eco feature question and using percentages instead of absolute values is a solid suggestion. I’ll definitely keep that in mind for the next steps.

Really appreciate your input!

Cheers

[Alan Ambrose]

This is specific, but the '20 questions' nature of planning (and now BC), is ridiculous. LPAs get more revenue that way, but it slows the process enormously.

 

Will this work ... many months delay ... no. OK, will this work then ... many months delay ... no. etc

 

Some LPAs and case officers are more sensible, but this is the default state.

Edited January 17 by Alan Ambrose

[CemCet]

Thank you for your feedback! Were you able to find questions in the survey that allowed you to express the issues you faced? I want to make sure the survey provides an opportunity for you to share your experiences fully.

[Dunc]

Done. +1 with @Conor - very difficult to be specific about the "extra" value of eco features. Compared to what? Building regs? Some desicions may be influenced by other factors but end up being "more eco". Perhaps selecting a timberframe kit over brick& block for speed coincidentally changes the embodied carbon of the project, for example.

[CemCet]

Thank you for your feedback—it’s very helpful! I completely understand your point, and I’ll speak with my supervisor to see if I can adjust the part about eco-features, as you and Conor mentioned. I’m working on making that question clearer and more specific.

 

I’d also love for more people to participate and share their opinions—it’s invaluable to hear different perspectives and make the survey as effective as possible. So if you have any suggestions on where I could reach out to engage more self-builders or enthusiasts, I’d love to hear them!

 

Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts—it’s much appreciated!  

[Post and beam]

Done, hope it helps

[Canski]

Done and I agree with other comments about eco features.

[Bramco]

Done - we're very local @CemCet, so if you want a more detailed discussion, hop on the number 1 bus and call in.

DM me if you are interested.

 

Simon

[CemCet]

On 23/01/2025 at 20:13, Post and beam said:

Done, hope it helps

Thank you very much!

[CemCet]

On 24/01/2025 at 18:19, Canski said:

Done and I agree with other comments about eco features.

Thank you very much! I hope I will get permission from the university to revise that question  

[G and J]

Done.

 

@CemCet  Once completed, it would be nice if you share your report/thesis/thingy with us.

[G and J]

Of course after the event one thinks of the things one should have put.

 

To make self building easier:  allow suppliers to zero rate vat for supplies, not just when it’s supply and fit.  That would help our cash flow a lot and I suspect we aren’t the only ones.