Self Building
 

Hi, what are the bets sites for people wanting to build their own
homes? I'm new to this and want a lot of info. Steve.

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
wrote:

Hi, what are the best sites for people wanting to build their own
homes? I'm new to this and want a lot of info. Steve.


Well, you need a plot of land in the general area where you want to live,
which has been designated for housing, and which - hopefully - isn't on a
flood plain. Beyond that, the proximity of your site to main roads, shops,
schools, etc. is a matter of personal preference.
--
Cheers,
Set Square
______
Please reply to newsgroup. Reply address is invalid.

Take a look at the UK Selfbuild group on Yahoo. Lots of information and
advice, freely and amicably given by people with genuine experience.

Bert
http://www.bertcoules.co.uk

"Set Square" wrote in message


Well, you need a plot of land in the general area where you want to live

No. It has to be right where you want to live. (Unless you have a diy
open cast mining outfit.)

Like a previous poster said, it aught to have a nice view as these are
the most difficult to install. Also the proximity of shops is a
qualification that should not be ignored. Try to pick shops near a dole
office to save building time.


--
Posted via Mailgate.ORG Server - http://www.Mailgate.ORG

On 26 Dec 2004 08:06:40 -0800, "
wrote:

Hi, what are the bets sites for people wanting to build their own
homes? I'm new to this and want a lot of info. Steve.

Watch "Grand Designs" and look at all the stupid stuff people do, and
all the good stuff people do, and then work out which ones to follow.

For example, selling the family house, and living in a caravan, and
then running the build 3 years over schedule was not for me. My "self
build" is seperate from the family house (I got lucky in the Y2K
thing)

Do your homework, on your plot, visit the council, speak face to face
with the planning boss (off the record) and find out what you can do
officially, and the inspection policy, for what you are likley to be
able to sneek in. Find the gas/water/lecie/sewage/access on the
ground.

My selfbuild is me actually doing the work, which save on labor, but I
have to thorw stuff away that I get wrong. I also have a 5 year
project, and am ahead of schedule.

The place I am self building is a barn on the back of a small house,
the house is still livable, so I can live on the site. At some point
I'll knock the two together, and the caravan will arrive so I can live
on-site when working.

Summer days are 14 hours, whiter 6, so do a proper (inside) job in the
winter, and work on the project in the summer.

Don't skimp too much off the price, you won't be happy with what you
end up with. Make sure this if the money situation goes tits up, you
can sell and get all your money back.

My design "evolves" so we work out the walls, now we are visting all
sorts of places looking at roofs and windws, so we can get the style
right. Some styles require you start early, like exposed beams, or
niches in walls, or fancy brickwork. But you need to keep en eye on
the end. Fo example, all the pipes in the walls go in as you build,
especially if you have 800mm thick walls like we do.

Get a good architect, you can work with, one on the same level as you,
how many grand designs go wrong, cause the architect is spending way
too much cash ?

Most of all, enjoy it. After my kids, this house project is the best
thing I have done with my life.

Rick

Thanks for the advice. Steve
Rick Dipper wrote:
On 26 Dec 2004 08:06:40 -0800, "
wrote:

Hi, what are the bets sites for people wanting to build their own
homes? I'm new to this and want a lot of info. Steve.

Watch "Grand Designs" and look at all the stupid stuff people do, and
all the good stuff people do, and then work out which ones to follow.

For example, selling the family house, and living in a caravan, and
then running the build 3 years over schedule was not for me. My "self
build" is seperate from the family house (I got lucky in the Y2K
thing)

Do your homework, on your plot, visit the council, speak face to face
with the planning boss (off the record) and find out what you can do
officially, and the inspection policy, for what you are likley to be
able to sneek in. Find the gas/water/lecie/sewage/access on the
ground.

My selfbuild is me actually doing the work, which save on labor, but
I
have to thorw stuff away that I get wrong. I also have a 5 year
project, and am ahead of schedule.

The place I am self building is a barn on the back of a small house,
the house is still livable, so I can live on the site. At some point
I'll knock the two together, and the caravan will arrive so I can
live
on-site when working.

Summer days are 14 hours, whiter 6, so do a proper (inside) job in
the
winter, and work on the project in the summer.

Don't skimp too much off the price, you won't be happy with what you
end up with. Make sure this if the money situation goes tits up, you
can sell and get all your money back.

My design "evolves" so we work out the walls, now we are visting all
sorts of places looking at roofs and windws, so we can get the style
right. Some styles require you start early, like exposed beams, or
niches in walls, or fancy brickwork. But you need to keep en eye on
the end. Fo example, all the pipes in the walls go in as you build,
especially if you have 800mm thick walls like we do.

Get a good architect, you can work with, one on the same level as
you,
how many grand designs go wrong, cause the architect is spending way
too much cash ?

Most of all, enjoy it. After my kids, this house project is the best
thing I have done with my life.

Rick