Building your own home is something many of us have probably considered at some stage or other. But it’s an idea we usually quickly dismiss as being far too expensive or complicated to actually make it happen. However, you might be surprised.
The process of building your own home isn’t really all that difficult. It’s just a case of breaking it down and working your way systematically through the steps. And with Cobbydale Construction on hand to help every step of the way, it could be a whole lot more straightforward than you ever imagined.
So, with that in mind, here’s our guide to some of the main things to consider when building your own home.
First, we’ll start off with a few of the main reasons WHY it’s such a good idea…
The Benefits
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Uniquely yours
Having the freedom to design your dream home from the ground-up is certainly appealing. You can create a living space that works perfectly with your lifestyle. From the layout of the rooms to the selection of materials and finishes, you have the power to create a space that truly reflects your style and needs. Finally, that cinema room is in reach!
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Energy Efficiency
Building your own home means you can easily incorporate the very latest energy efficient building materials and technology into your property. From solar panels to specialist lighting and appliances – you’ll be in total control of how energy efficient your new home is today, and long into the future.
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Cost Efficiency
Not only can you make your new home as energy efficient as possible to cut down on long -term running costs but because you’re in total control of the build you can tailor the project to suit your budget. Many people think building a new home is more expensive than buying an existing one, but that’s often up to you and how much you’re willing to spend. And, even if you do spend more by building your own home, you’ll usually get far more for your money.
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Location, Location, Location
Have you ever found a house you loved situated in the wrong location? Or a location you loved with a house you could never live in? That’s not an issue when it comes to building your own home! Choose the hustle and bustle of the city centre of somewhere out in the peace and quiet of the countryside – then build the home you really want in the place you really want to be. No compromises.
Get Your Hands on Some Land
So, you’ve decided you want to build your own home. Great decision. Now you just need somewhere to put it! Here’s all you need to know about acquiring some land.
Where to find land for sale?
Unsurprisingly, the internet should be your first port of call. There are many businesses and private owners selling land online and all it takes is a quick search to come up with numerous potential options. Local estate agents, architects and surveyors can also be a great resource for finding just the right plot of land for your new home.
Can anyone buy land?
Basically, yes. As long as you can afford it. But, to build a house on that land once you’ve purchased it, you’ll need to make sure you obtain the correct planning permission. More on that later.
There are four main types of land that you can buy: greenfield, brownfield, agricultural and backlands. They all have different advantages and disadvantages so knowing the difference is important.
Greenfield Land
This is land that has never been built on before. It can provide an excellent foundation for your new home but it’s worth finding out the reason why it’s never been built on in the past. Maybe it’s simply unsuitable for supporting a structure or the land is protected in some way. Many greenfield plots are located in green belt areas and while this can make it especially tricky to get planning permission, it’s not always impossible. Just make sure you do your research thoroughly.
Brownfield Land
This is land that has been previously developed. That could be anything from an industrial site to plots with existing housing. And the good news is that planning applications made on brownfield land are by far the easiest to get approved. This can really speed up the process, but you need to be aware that you may face a lot of competition from others, including big developers, and there may be additional costs to consider if there’s any demolition or clean-up required to prepare the site.
Agricultural Land
No surprises what this is, but it’s worth noting that while not impossible, it can be difficult to get planning permission to build on agricultural land. This is due to the measures that have been put in place to protect the UK’s farmable land and retain it for this purpose. But if you can get permission, this type of land can be a very affordable option for the location of your new home.
Backlands
This includes private gardens and other ‘empty’ spaces attached to buildings in urban areas. If you want to build your new home on backland you’ll need to prove the property will have road access, won’t impact negatively on any neighbours (affecting their privacy, blocking out light etc) and will have a reasonable ecological impact. Showing building plans that match the architectural style of existing near-by buildings is often a good way to improve your chances of a successful planning application.
Planning Permission
One of the most important elements of building your new home is getting the correct planning permission. You should never start building without this.
Many plots of land come with existing planning permission already in place – there are two main types:
Detailed Planning Permission
If your land comes with Detailed Planning Permission (DPP) – that’s great news, as you’re essentially buying a plot of land which already has full planning permission attached to it.
This is the quickest and easiest route to your self-build property becoming a reality – as it (almost) guarantees that your request for planning permission will be accepted. However, DPP land can be more expensive, and you could face stiff competition from other interested buyers.
Outline Planning Permission
Most land you see for sale will have Outline Planning Permission (OPP). This means that you have planning permission ‘in theory’ but will still need to apply for ‘full’ planning permission before you start to build. OPP land can be much more affordable that DPP land and comes with the peace of mind that planning permission shouldn’t be too hard to attain.
No Planning Permission
There are plots of land available to buy that come without any type of planning permission in place. These plots will need thorough research before purchase because if you buy the land and then find you can’t build on it, you’ll be the one out of pocket. But on the flip side, land without planning permission can be a real bargain. Just make sure you find out exactly where you stand before you submit an offer.
Get a Survey
You should never buy any plot of land without having a survey done first. Make sure you hire a specialist surveyor to take a look at your potential purchase before you hand any money over. They’ll be able to tell you in far greater detail about the lay of the land and any potential geographical or legal problems which may interfere with your plans. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!
Get it Paid For
If you’ve found your perfect location, your surveyor is happy with everything, and your solicitor has looked over all the paperwork to make sure you’re getting exactly what you’re promised – it’s time to pay for your land through personal savings, a bank loan or a mortgage.
And that’s it. Congratulations! You’re now a landowner. And that means it’s…
Time to Get Building
The land is ready and waiting. The final plans are back from the architect. Now you just need someone to build your dream home. Fortunately, that’s the simplest part of all. At Cobbydale Construction we can take care of every aspect of your build. Our years of experience, range of expert skills and trusted reputation makes us the ideal choice for the construction of your new home – from the first foundations to the final finishing touches.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this brief guide has shown that building your own home doesn’t just have to be a dream. When you break it down into smaller stages the whole project becomes much more manageable. And before you know it, you’ll have a perfect new home that’s just right for you.
So, what’s stopping you now?
If you’re ready to discuss your home build project – get in touch with Cobbydale Construction today – we can’t wait to start working with you.