EXPERT ADVICE
Self-building your own home is an adventure of a lifetime. Here’s why it could be the right journey for you…
The idea of self-building your own home can sound daunting. Finding the right (affordable) plot, sticking to a budget, economic uncertainty and the planning process can all test the patience and stamina of the would-be self-builder. But there are many reasons that spur people on to take up the challenge, and being daunted by the prospect and possible bumps along the way don’t tend to dissuade them.
The chance to build and live in a welldesigned, energy-efficient home, focused on your needs that has function, flair and form in equal measure is often what captures the imagination of many who self-build.
And it’s not just a path those with a large budget can take, so don’t rule yourself out of this route if you’ve a more modest one. The same goes for experience. If you can bring tenacity, flexibility, patience, passion and vision to the project then you’ll be on your way. Entrusting and surrounding yourself with a fantastic team is also key to success.
It’s what the self-builders who grace the pages of HB&R all share in common. After all, there’s no denying that taking on a self-build will demand much of your time, money and energy so resilience is key! But it’s worth it, and here’s why it could be the right route for you in 2023…
1 Build bespoke
‘We had been looking for ages,’; ‘We just couldn’t find what we wanted,’ — these are very familiar sentiments from self-builders who have shared their stories with HB&R over the years. When you look to move it tends to be because the home you currently live in no longer suits you or your family’s lifestyle, is too small (or too big), or is no longer in a location you want or need it to be in.
The houses you’re seeing at the top of your budget may need work, which would stretch your costs too far, or there’s just nothing built in your ideal spot that suits. And these reasons can be the catalyst to change tack. In fact, there are many self-builders who didn’t even think about building their own home until what they wanted just didn’t exist — or exist within budget!
Building your own home will give you the scope to design your vision. You might want all the bedrooms downstairs with living areas upstairs to take in a view. You can choose to orientate the house so it’s south-facing to take advantage of solar gain; to introduce sculptural shapes — the choice, to a degree, is yours. It will be designed and built for you.
2 Your budget will work harder
Many self-build homes aren’t cheap — there’s the plot
