So what chance does the lone, usually inexperienced self-builder have? Actually, he or she has advantages denied to the professional. The first is that paying the keenest price is not always a priority. A developer will usually need to build and sell a new property as soon as possible - to reduce borrowing and maintain his business.
A self-builder, however, is likely to spend several years in the house they build, allowing them to spread the cost of the plot over a long period. Not all plots are going to appeal to developers. They may be too small to generate sufficient short-term profit or they may have potential problems - a steep slope or an awkward shape. Remember, no plot is going to be perfect. Oft en solving a local problem can inspire you or your designer to think in new and imaginative directions that might never have occurred to you otherwise.