Self Building Projects
What is self-building?
You may feel the answer is obvious or perhaps rhetorical but self-building is actually a little more in depth and does not require, necessarily, to get out your trowel and being laying courses of bricks. It is estimated that less than 15% of all housing projects actually involve the homeowner being physically involved in the construction process.
The more commonly understood meaning of a self-builder is one that is more heavily involved in the management and creative side of the process such :
· Researching residential areas and housing yields
· Choosing a suitable plot or renovation opportunity
· Working alongside architects to design the house
· Choosing a builder or various tradesmen
· On site supervision and monitoring
· Interior design and furnishing
Self-building covers a wide scope of projects, including houses of many shapes, sizes and designs. Some are traditional houses in Victorian or Georgian styles with more rustic, homely feels to them with a roaring fire and solid oak kitchens; others follow a more modern and contemporary slant with clean, straight lines, open plan interiors and stainless steel and glazing throughout. The majority however, actually seem to infuse a mix of the two styles and features more suited to the tastes of the individual – creating one’s perfect abode.
DioMet have worked alongside self-builders, builders of self-builders, interior designers and individuals in order to assist in the creation of many beautiful homes both modern and traditional. The trend of modern designs, incorporating glass, stainless steel and clean lines often lead buyers down the route of glazed balustrades, door canopies and interior handrailing and staircases; traditionalists however opt for ornate railings to exterior patios, rustic garden features and just touches of modernisation such asglass spindle panels in oak framed balustrades.
Self-building considerations
Self-build land can often be difficult to seek out as many plots sell quickly under increasing demand. Involving estate agents, planning departments can often slow down the process of building as will the consideration for development of greenfield sites, brownfield land, green belts and access issues.
Applying to borrow money can always throw up difficulties, so in this respect the concept of trying to obtain a self-build mortgage is no different to applying for a normal mortgage, which is often the first stumbling block of many would-be developers.
Costs of course must be very high up the agenda. The cost of building your very own home can obviously vary significantly when considering factors such as :
· Where you building – Central London vs cheaper suburbs for example.
· What you are building – Grand palace or a modest apartment?
· Who is building – Physically building and ready to get your hands dirty, or not?
· Experience – know your supplier for that insulation board from a previous job? Or are you going down to the nearest overpriced one-stop-shop for all your building products?
Although counter-intuitive it may actually pay to use an experience builder, who has all the relevant contacts and can source competitively priced materials. So perhaps all the sweat and toil of physical self-building may not offer a worthwhile saving after all?
Further Reading :
Privacy screen glass balustrades
Modern balcony balustrade Oxfordshire
Balustrade fixing options and details
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