Plans

Self Build Advice Self Build Questions And Answers

Email this page

Contents:

Date Published:
05/02/2009

Your Self Build Questions Answered

The 4Homes team answer some more questions from budding and experienced self builders.

A Person looking at a plot of land

I've found a plot that's triangular. I want to build a two storey house on it that's energy efficient. My budget is £200,000 to £250,000. Do you think I'm too ambitious?

You should be able to have a very energy-efficient spacious building for your budget. Take a look at some of the case studies on the Potton website to compare the costings with the size of building you have in mind.

Remember that odd-shaped plots and adventurous design will add to the costs.

A project manager with experience of self build and the latest renewable/energy-saving technologies would be essential for success. Your budget probably wouldn't stretch to an architect as well so it may be worth going to some of the self build kit manufacturers who can adapt standard designs to fit your triangular plot.

GreenSpec is a good place to do some more research on the environmental aspects of the build.

Need Expert Help?

Find a trusted house builder in your area using MyBuilder.

Your Comments

Post your comment

Please note: In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in to Channel 4:

Sign In Here or Register Here

Comments closed

Comments are closed at the present time

Your comments

Post your comment
By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our Comments Policy.
Mandatory Fields are marked with *
Your Comment (Maximum characters: 4000) *
You have

Comments

Thank you for your comment!

Your message will be reviewed and the best ones will be published below.

If you intended to make an official comment to Channel 4 please contact us.

Comments

  1. please can help me at home as I'm a disabled person who as a lot lot of things but never get the time at home to but (mum) give to clean up at home but with all the tables of pills that in the day to day, 24/7 in day or wkly puills but live alone.
    Posted by richard on 14/11/2009 11:51:34
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  2. I agree, watch out for the land on offer without planning permission. This could be costly in the long run.
    Posted by blinds on 13/11/2009 12:23:51
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  3. We have twice done self build using traditional materials some ten years ago. We would love to build our own house once again, but this time we are keen to use timber frame. Could you recommend a timber frame company that provide more traditional looking homes as we live in a small villoage and it would need to sit comfortably within these surroundings. We would be aiming to build a house of some 1800 sq.ft.
    Posted by Mrs Lynn Kelly on 26/09/2009 23:07:55
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  4. Hi, If you buy a land with something to demolish and replace, do you still need to apply for planning permission? and would it be likely or can it be equally refused? Can yu please shed some light or thoughts on this area? is this any easier/faster/more chances of getting approved than applying for pp for a blank plot? Many thanks Rgds D Connery
    Posted by D on 23/08/2009 20:52:37
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  5. I am looking to buy my first house and have found a property going to auction that needs near complete renovation. Will geting a mortgage possible as a first time buyer? Any website for ideas as its an old fishermans cottage?
    Posted by Matty Bartlett on 22/08/2009 11:20:41
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  6. Hi Does anyone know whether there are companies around Berkshire who would be interested in ex-show house furniture and paintings / artwork? We're purchasing a brand new house that has been furnished as show house. The items are of excellent quality but not quite our style. Wouldn't want to sell them on ebay as wouldn't fetch a good price for them. Thanks, CP
    Posted by CP on 10/08/2009 20:04:39
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  7. I'm trying to get an indication of new build cost per sq ft and refurb cost per sq ft in S/SE. Am sure I heard it in Property Ladder recently but can't remember the figures.
    Posted by Jane B on 04/08/2009 09:38:56
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  8. I am exploring the possibilty of a self build. Due to minimal experience i am trying to gather information on everything i need. Is there a checklist available that i could refer to that would tell me what i need/need to do? I have looked at kits from Scandia Hus and seen some i really like. Obvioulsy i need a plot, but what else do i need to consider? Also, in todays market is it still worth self building, from a financial standpoint? I am based in Aberdeen, Scotland.
    Posted by J4MRU on 07/07/2009 21:49:52
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  9. Hi, I am thinking of building a timber timber frame house. Can you tell me what would be the total cost of build, for example, if I spend approx. ?40,000 for the kit. I know that it would depend on the quality of the fixtures and fittings. I would like a rough estimate, including base, drainage ect. to give me a guide to what budget I would need. Thanks Dave
    Posted by Sarbay on 22/03/2009 15:33:37
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  10. Hi we live in a bungalow and would like to extend upwards and make the top floor completely open plan lounge/dining room/kitchen and leave the bedrooms downstairs. Where do I go to get quotes and would it be possible to do this by adding a few course of bricks, changing the joists in what is now the ceiling and jacking the old roof up so it can be used without rebuilding it. Thanks Rosemary
    Posted by Rosi on 17/03/2009 13:55:01
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  11. weve have an extentionon on side of house with a flat roof, we would like to lift the brick work up 6 course and put a pitch roof on, so we can make it into a room, do we need planning permission or building regs.
    Posted by andrew lawrence on 15/02/2009 08:40:20
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment

Advertisement

More on 4Homes

4Homes Property Search

Over 300,000 properties to search, interactive maps, neighbourhood reports and more...

 

e.g. Notting Hill, SW3, Glasgow

Powered by: Nestoria

Find A Builder

Win A Home Visit From Sarah Beeny

B&Q's DIY Tips & Tricks

Advice On Building Extensions

Step-By-Step DIY Help

Fun and Games

Advertisement


4Homes

Skip Channel4 main Navigation
Explore Channel4
Food
Homes
Film
4Car
News
See All

Channel 4 © 2009. Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of external websites.