Can you build your own house? Yes, it is possible. Self build houses are gaining popularity all around the country. Around 12,000 self build homes are built every year. Building your own house is one of the best approaches for obtaining your forever home, especially if you wish to customise it as per your specific preferences. However, undertaking a self build project will require a great deal of skill and know-how if you wish to attempt it completely alone. It is highly advisable to enlist the help of experts, who can assist you with the process and make it a far more fruitful and rewarding experience.
Can you really build a house on your own?
If you have a certain set of skills – for example, extensive experience in the construction industry – it is feasible to construct a home entirely on your own, but this is not encouraged. For legal and safety reasons, there are certain elements that you will want to leave to the professionals. These include electrics, plumbing, and any structural work that needs to be done. However, there will still be many jobs to be done that you can get stuck into. For example, groundworks, landscaping, tiling, and plastering can all be completed to a good standard if you have done your research.
The most pressing concern is ensuring that you have adhered to building regulations. You may be forced to demolish the building or pay someone else to rectify the issue if components of the building are not up to standard. If you don’t know what you are doing, working with the plumbing and electrics is highly inadvisable. By attempting some elements of home construction without the proper know-how and experience, you may think that you are saving time and money. But you will likely end up spending vast amounts trying to rectify your mistakes, so it is worth working with a reputable contractor from the very beginning.
What is the most cost-effective way to build your own house?
Everyone seems to have an opinion on the most cost-effective approach to construct a house. The majority of it boils down to planning; examining each step and determining the most cost-effective choice.
The construction system you choose will have a large impact on the overall cost of the house. For instance, using concrete blockwork or timber frame are among the most cost-effective construction systems. Oak frame buildings, structural insulated panels (SIPs) and insulated concrete formwork (ICF) tend to be more expensive, but they have added benefits such as quicker build speed and superior airtightness.
What is the cost to build your own house?
If you are going to build your own house, you need to ensure that you properly analyse your finances beforehand. By ensuring you have enough money for the build, plus an extra 10-15% as a contingency, your self build project will be a success even if there are minor setbacks and pitfalls. In addition, you will need to find a good self build contractor to assist you with the parts of the build that you cannot carry out yourself. You need to get in touch with the contractor(s) and inquire about the cost of their services, then ensure you have included this within your budget.
Conclusion
With proper research, planning and careful execution, anybody can build their own house. Ensure that you are prepared before you begin the process. Overall, building your own house can have very rewarding and worthwhile results.
Here at Astrum Construction, self builds are one of our specialties. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, we are confident we can build you the house of your dreams. We offer a full turnkey service and can assist you with every step of the process, from concept to completion. Get in touch today to find out more.