A-Z of Self Build Guides The Legalities Of Self Build

Date Published:

02/06/2008

Insuring the Site

As soon as you've bought the plot, you're responsible for the safety of anyone who comes onto the land, so you or the company you have contracted to carry out the build must have insurance that covers any eventuality. As well as public liability insurance, you will need site insurance and cover against any damage to surrounding buildings or land. See our feature on self-build insurance for more information.

Contracts with Builders

The next stage is normally a contract between you and your builder. This must set out a detailed description of the work to be carried out, specification of materials, costs and labour rates, time scales, the payment system and as many other details as possible.

For example, will the builder be responsible for clearing the site at the end of the build? You can download a sample from www.findabuilder.co.uk. Most of the major problems on site can be sorted out by having a comprehensive contract in place. Don't take the chance of not having one in place.

Insuring your Building Work

Just because you're building your own home, doesn't mean it shouldn't be covered by an extended insurance policy just like most other new homes. Buyers of new or nearly new properties expect a standard 10-year warranty, providing an insurance policy against faulty workmanship or materials. For the self-builder, especially those thinking of the project as a short to medium term investment, the National House-Building Council (www.nhbc.co.uk) offers a policy that's especially tailored.

Solo is a flexible contract that still allows you to sub-contract work and even take on some of the construction yourself. It offers a 10-year insurance policy. To qualify, an NHBC representative checks the various building stages. There are no skill qualifications and trade memberships to worry about - as long as the work meets the standard required by the inspector, you would be covered by the policy. You can project manage the build yourself, but the NHBC recommend using a surveyor, architect or professional project manger to supervise the policy checking stages.

Finishing Off

When the building work is finished, the project manager or your architect should apply for a Certificate of Completion within five days of the end of building work. The Building Control Inspector who has seen and approved all the stages of the work so far issues this Certificate to show the building has met all the current Building Regulation standards.

It's not a measure of the workmanship. The Certificate is usually issued within five days of the inspection and this document will be needed to start off the process of reclaiming any VAT. Keep it safe, solicitors will ask for the Certificate as part of the conveyancing if you come to sell.