Webbs Meadow residents Simon and Karen Jones built their custom home in collaboration with Oakwrights. They wanted a contemporary interpretation with a slightly different exterior design than outlined in the approved plans, so made a new application that met their needs and the site’s design code
MARK WATTS
Custom build is a route to creating your own bespoke home, but with some of the work already taken care of. Where self build projects involve sourcing a plot, applying for the relevant permissions to develop it and arranging services and access, the custom build process usually involves multi-plot sites bought and prepared by an enabling company or developer. They key benefit is the enabler secures planning, installs key infrastructure and utilities, and, in some cases, prepares the site with foundations or your bespoke home’s structural shell.
Drawing a clear line between custom and self build can be difficult. Typically, a custom build scheme will follow either a serviced plot approach (utilities, access and planning in place, with foundations to suit your final design included in the sale) or a customisable home model (where you tailor a pre-designed house).
When it comes to self build, one of the biggest challenges is finding a plot that will be straightforward to develop. In comparison, custom build sites aim to remove this hurdle by providing a development-ready plot – but you may find there are differing levels of design control available over the finished property.
Why choose custom build?
Custom build is designed to make the whole self build journey easier and more accessible, whilst de-risking the process of creating a house. “Working with a custom build company can provide a more streamlined route than a pure self build,” says Joe Higginson, director of Hugr Homes. “It’s arguably an easier route to achieving a self-commissioned home. The company you choose to work with should bring the benefit of experience in construction and development, and they take on board a lot of the work in bringing the dream to reality.”