Grand designs for beginners

Although inevitably a lengthy process, building your own home is certainly worth the wait. Creating a dream home with the space, views and location wrapped into one is something that can’t be rushed. Grand Designs demonstrates that it certainly is doable for the house-building novice.

Here are some tips to consider before diving into your own ‘Grand Designs’ project:

1 Preparation

Self-builds are time consuming, lengthy and often frustrating. Be prepared for highs and lows, sleepless nights and endless planning.

Self-builders need full planning permission for funding, detailed costings of the project and a trusty team behind them.

Local Authorities must now provide development permission to suitable plots of land to meet the demands of self-builders in order to support people wanting to build their own home.

Availability of land often becomes a problem. Acquiring planning permission and funding can become tricky because of the high specification of detached homes.

2 Money

Patience is key – applying for a mortgage as a self-builder takes time and a hefty deposit. You must also have money to cover any delays in payments.

More money is required upfront from self-builders than it is from homebuyers. Usually, building plots and planning permissions must be funded before loans can be accepted.

Kevin McCloud, presenter of Grand Designs, estimates that the typical cost of building your own home is between £1,500 and £2,000 per square metre – providing you don’t make significant changes in your original design.

3 Insurance

Make sure you’re covered by 1) A self-build insurance policy against workmanship, design and material deficiencies. 2) Insurance against storm damage, fire, theft & public liability.

This will give you peace of mind in case anything goes wrong in the building project.

4 Tax

Consider your stamp duty position – properties priced at £125,000+ must pay stamp duty. Those with land from families pay no stamp duty.

At BelowGround Ltd, we design and build domestic foundations for residential construction projects. Our extensive experience makes us the obvious choice for individuals planning a new house project.

Contact us today.