Follow our 10-point checklist to get your building project off on the right footing

WORDS CHRIS BATES & MIKE HARDWICK

expert help

1 Get trained

Reading Build It magazine is a strong start, but there are a number of other useful resources out there. If you’re unfamiliar with the construction process, learning from experts who’ve been there and done it all before is a great platform for success. One unmissable opportunity is the Build It Live exhibitions, offering seminars, workshops, free consultations and 100s of specialists to discuss your project needs with. Visit www.builditlive.co.ukto find upcoming shows and book tickets. And a trip to Build It’s real-life Self Build Education House, in Oxfordshire, is a must (see www.buildit.co.uk/ourhouse). Here you can learn from editor Chris Bates’s own experiences in project managing the build, discover the product and specification choices we made, and explore the cost implications of the big decisions you’ll need to make.

It’s also worth heading to the National Self Build and Renovation Centre (NSBRC) in Swindon. It’s free to enter the main exhibition space, plus you can attend tailor-made courses for self builders and renovators that are run on a regular basis. Visit www.nsbrc.co.uk to find out more.

2 Investigate the

site Everything stems from the plot. For instance, the architecture must be contextual to the site; responding to where the views are, how the sun moves and planning considerations in the area. Bringing a designer along for a quick look before you buy can be an excellent move, as they can help you identify what opportunities and challenges the site might offer.