A-Z of Self Build Guides Self Build Project Management

Date Published:

02/06/2008

Just like any other building project, if you decide to change something from the agreed design, it will almost always cost you money, time or goodwill. For example, a house built of pre-formed SIPs (structurally insulated panels) is made to fine tolerances and it may be impossible to change the room layout once the parts have been erected.

Minor changes, such as extra door and window openings, are a lot easier to alter in a brick or block construction home.

Even apparently minor changes like the positioning of the appliances and sinks in a kitchen will mean your electrician and plumber will need to change or add services, again costing you money. As the Americans say, it's worth 'sweating the detail' for a smooth running self build.

Employ a Project Manager?

A skilled project manager can save you money as well as stress. It may be you need 20 or more different specialist contractors on a big project and they all have to be on site at exactly the right time for their part of the build. Get a delivery or start date wrong and the timescales will slip, costing you money. An experienced project manager is used to this and it's their responsibility to get it right.

Another route is to hand the whole project over to a kit house supplier. They will often employ their own project managers to oversee a build.

Get it Architect-Managed?

If you're working on a particularly unusual design or using large amounts of specialist materials that will be unfamiliar to your builder, having an architect on hand to project manage is the best solution. However, for traditional brick block or even timber frame designs, you may think it unnecessary. Much of this decision lies with the level of experience of your builder - plus how up to scratch he is on rules, regs and new materials. You will need to make this decision as early as possible into the process, and the best person to help you with it is your architect.

Mixing and Matching

Many self builders end up somewhere in between the various options. Often, a kit house builder won't tackle the groundworks, so this is managed by a separate subcontractor. Then after the structure is finished, the self builder may take on the last stages such as tiling, fitting the kitchen, and adding second-fix joinery, such as skirtings and the decorating. Working this way can save a lot of money in labour costs, but you will have to have an eye for detail.

Average Timescales

Timber frame homes at exhibitions may go up, and down, in a week but the real life self build is more likely to last between a year and 18 months. For the five per cent or so who tackle all the work themselves, this can stretch to several years. As a general guide, this breaks down into the following timescales. Try to have the main building work finished in the summer so that the dry trades can move in and finish off over the autumn and winter.

Eight weeks: Design and costing
12 weeks: Planning permission
Eight to 12 weeks: Building the frame and roof to make the house weatherproof
Eight to 12 weeks: Plumbing, wiring, second fix

Useful Links

Potton
www.potton.co.uk
RIBA
www.architecture.com
RIAS
www.rias.org.uk
CIAT
www.ciat.org.uk
RICS
www.rics.org