If you are going to manage your self-build project, you are very brave. The thing everyone should know about this undertaking is that you don’t need to know anything about building, you just need to have exceptional organisation skills.
Firstly you must buy some land on which to build your new home. Many people buy old properties with a view to demolishing them and rebuilding from scratch. It is often the only way to acquire a place for your new home in desirable areas.
Here are some tips to help you build your own home without any fuss.
The Plans
Draw some sketches of how you envisage the way the building will look. The floor plan is vital because it will give the architect a good idea of how you would like the finished layout to be. Take your sketches along to the consultation and discuss your needs. Your architect will then perform calculations, look at materials, and produce a set of detailed plans for you to follow.
You should develop a good relationship with the designer because they will offer help and advice throughout the project.
Planning Permission
You must seek planning permission before you can start the construction. The plans may need to be altered to meet the planner’s demands.
Utilities
Make sure that you can get water, gas, and electricity to your home. Talk to the utility companies before buying the land to be certain. If you intend to demolish an existing property, the supplies will already exist, so they are not a problem.
Deliveries
You must plan deliveries to arrive when you need them. That is one of the most complicated parts of the job, especially where you have ordered bespoke features.
The Building Process
Obviously, the build must proceed from the foundations upwards. There are things to consider with two storey homes, such as the depth and strength of the footings. The measurements are all in the plans, and the local building inspector may want to measure the trenches before any concrete is poured to make sure they are correct. Here is a quick guide to the build.
- Foundations
- Walls
- Roof
- Windows & Doors
- First Fix Plumbing, Wiring and Gas
- Plastering
- Second Fix
- Flooring
If only it were as simple in real life as that list suggests.
Contractors
Most of your time will be taken up managing contractors and making sure they are available when you need them. You organisation skills will come in very handy.
Draw a timeline and, with the help of your architect, mark on it when each contractor should turn up to do their part. Everything is subject to change because delays happen, but it gives you a fundamental plan to follow, so you can ask the contractors to pencil you in for those dates. Here are the tradesmen that you will need.
- Bricklayers
- Roofers
- Carpenters
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Gas Engineers
- Plasterers
- Floor Layers
There are others that you will identify when you draw your timeline.
Ask for advice from the professionals whenever you are unsure. They have done it all before, and it is unlikely you will raise an issue that they have not dealt with previously. You will go through some stressful times, but it is all worth it in the end, so focus on the outcome and keep moving forward. Before you know it, you will be looking back and wondering what all the fuss was about.
Image: pnwra
