Whether you plan to take on the mantle yourself or hand the reins over to a professional to deliver your home, Rebecca Foster explains the various routes to running your scheme, and the key pros and cons of each
This traditional timber frame house was delivered by Fleming Homes (www.
fleminghomes.co.uk). The company provides various levels of service, which allows self builders to be as involved as much (or as little) as they’d like
Self manage
If you have the skills and are keen to get stuck in as much as possible, taking on the role of project manager yourself can be enormously satisfying. While it may seem like a daunting task, plenty of self builders do it successfully, especially if they already have some experience of running a scheme, whether that be a previous self build, a renovation or extension.
Once your design has been approved by planning and building control, there’s a lot you’ll need to look after: budget, materials procurement and coordinating trades, to name a few. Taking on these responsibilities isn’t something to be entered into lightly – the buck stops with you for everything. Plus, it’s important not to underestimate the hours it’ll take out of your free time, which is something to bear in mind if you’re project managing alongside a full-time job. Having said that, doing things yourself can be a great way to save money instead of forking out for a professional.
Building Regulations is one of the key areas you don’t want to trip up on. “Changes in the regs can catch people out, as the approved documents are regularly reviewed and revised, so it pays to keep on top of these,” says Ben Embrey, senior associate at Base Architecture & Design. “Always make sure inspections are carried out at the correct times – building control will usually help in letting you know when they next need to visit, so it doesn’t cause delays, which can impact on the schedule overall.”