Designing and building our own home is what many of us dream of. Somewhere we can retreat to after a hard day’s work; knowing that every last inch is exactly how we want it – somewhere that’s tailored to our own personal taste and needs.
With extensions and renovations both costly and timely, people are opting to build their own dream home from scratch. With self-building typically saving around 30 per cent on the market value, and the ability to create something that’s bigger than the average build, desinging and building your home yourself also allows you to create something bespoke. Whether it’s creating a fantastic piece of architecture that looks out onto rolling hills, or adding the latest technology in every room – whatever you decide, on average it’s said that you can expect to enjoy around 25 per cent profit on your investment.
Building your own home requires a lot of time, money and patience. All of which, can of course be overwhelming. To help you, we’ve listed five things to consider when taking on your own build.
Get the experts on board
When recruiting your contractors look for those who have previously built luxury custom homes. From your architect to your builders, look through their work and ensure you all have the same vision. Architects often advise considering not just the aesthetics but also the functionality of the design. Discussing your lifestyle needs and preferences with them can lead to a home that not only looks stunning but also suits your practical requirements. Remember, achieving the “wow factor” is important, but it should not come at the expense of functionality or budget, according to MP Chartered Architects in Essex.
Location, location, location
It goes without saying that land and labour cost vary depending on where you are in the country. On average, you’re looking at spending between £1000 – £3000 per square metre on the build, so think of this when you’re sizing up your plot.
When looking for land, it’s important to think about criteria. Do you want to be remote, and just see greenery from your bedroom window, or are you a young family and need to have the convenience of amenities and schools nearby?
And lastly, although it may seem a long way off, think about when it comes to selling it and consider other people’s needs.
Superior specifications
When viewing properties, you can automatically see those that have been built to a high-specification and having a blank canvas allows you to do this. Whilst sonos speakers and all the mod-cons are certainly aspirational do think about practicality first. Build something that’s sustainable and affordable to heat – spend money where necessary on good windows and insulation; ultimately it will save you money in the long run.
Using the right materials
Structure and materials is one of the main things to consider when building a property from scratch. You naturally want it to have that ‘kerb appeal’ whilst being durable. Murray Steel Buildings, for example, supply and erect steel garage buildings all across the UK. When building on your own plot you have the luxury of garages not having to be attached to your home. It can instead be in a separate location. Murray Steel Building’s bespoke design software enables you to create a cost-effective metal garage that doesn’t require a large plant and can be placed in smaller locations. Taking just 2-4 days to build, it’s a god send to have a place to store supplies during the build process and thereafter.
Including the right rooms
When building your own home, you have the luxury of thinking about your daily life and how the rooms will best suit your needs. For instance, do you work from home and need an office away from your children’s playroom? Do you want to have an adult area, where you can your partner can relax in the evening, where you can’t see a toy in sight?
Getting the size and the amount of rooms can be tricky. Especially with more of us looking for open-plan that suits families. When adapting your plans to room sizes be sure to think about the activities that take place in each room, where it connects to, what furniture is needed, and what electrical items you’ll need. It will help with the flow of your home once it’s complete and in turn the other workman like plumbers (for major plumbing repair and installation, PlumbingForce are certainly worth contacting) and electricians fitting the fixtures.
Building your own home will be one of the most rewarding things in your life – seeing your vision made! So now it’s time to get searching for that perfect plot.
