In September it was announced by Housing Minster, Brandon Lewis, that 11 areas across the country are to benefit from the latest government-backed opportunity: Right to Build, a way of helping aspiring self builders’ dreams become a reality.
The chosen areas will establish and maintain a register of prospective custom and self-builders in the area and identify shovel-ready sites. The councils will then be required to offer suitable serviced plots at market value to those on the register.
With housebuilding at the heart of the government’s long-term economic plan, Right to Build is one of the measures designed to get Britain building.
If you’re one of many homeowners or first time buyers that dreams of building your own home, here are a few handy hints to help you get started:
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Budget – make sure you set a realistic budget and work out how you’re going to fund your self-build project, whether it’s through a combination of savings or future loans.
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Find a building plot – you can find plots of land in estate agents, auctions or even online resources.
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Design your house – find an architect or a house designer that can envision your ideas and put them onto paper, but make sure their creative input fits in with your budget.
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Planning – once your dream home has been designed, contact your local authority’s planning department for planning permission. In fact, it is advisable to contact them right at the beginning of the design process, as they can sometimes offer pre-application advice (please be aware that you still need to go through planning permission even under Right to Build).
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Build it – find a contractor to turn the plans into reality, ask your designer or architect, as they may be able to recommend some trusted companies.
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Don’t forget the materials – remember to always source your building materials from a reputable merchant (Jewson of course!)
Support and Consultation
Remember a self build project is a big challenge so if you’re in need of extra support, contact Jewson’s Self Build Consultation Service. We can provide expert advice and knowledgeable support. Book yourself a free consultation by filling out this form:
http://www.jewson.co.uk/working-with-you/for-self-builders/preliminary-planning/free-consultation/ alternatively you can contact the Self Build team on 0800 032 8968 / [email protected]