Self Build & Custom Build

What is self build?

Self Build is a section of the construction industry where ordinary people with or without construction experience are provided the ability to gain their own detailed planning permission on an outline approved plot. The detailed planning permission will be created in line with the “self builders” vision and desire. Commonly the detailed planning will be drawn in line with an outline plot passport and in some cases a design brief to ensure that the properties remain in keeping with their surrounding area. Below is an example of a plot passport.

Once the detailed consent has been drawn down the self builder will then put down their deposit from which the servicing will be created providing an entrance to their plot along with services connections to the boundary. It will then be up to the self builder to employee the different construction disciplines to carry out the approved detailed planning design. Alternatively self builders with experience may opt to do much of the work themselves. During the process there will be a designated project manager who will oversee the entirety of the scheme ensuring that all plots are built within the designated timeframe and assisting the self builders where they are struggling such as pointing them towards appropriate construction workers.

Custom Build?

Differing slightly from self build the sites promoter will have the shell of the building and external fittings constructed from which the custom builder will then work with the architect to design the interior of the shell. This enables the custom builder to save on the external constructer as the promoter will make savings due to bulk instruction. Although they will not have had as much say in the exterior it leaves them with the ability to move in much faster once the interior is completed.

Self & Custom Build process:

Self-build and Custom house building cover a wide spectrum of site types and procurement processes.

Self-build sites may consist of a single plot or multiple plots served off a common drive or road.

Self-build register

The first step for any aspiring Self-build or Custom builder is to register on the Self-build register. Your local planning authority has a responsibility to keep a self-build register and usually approved self-build plots are offered to people on the register first.

Planning

To be classed as a self-build site the planning should be in outline and allow for a self-builder to make a detailed application for the house type and design that they wish to live in. This is usually guided by a plot passport forming part of the outline consent and in sensitive locations by a detailed design brief.

Involvement

Self-build allows individuals to be involved in specifying materials, fixtures, and fittings, managing the construction of their home from beginning to end, either through letting individual trades or appointing a local builder.

Custom build schemes generally allow an individual to have some influence on the external appearance of the property and control over the internal layout. The Custom builder is provided with a watertight shell allowing them to specifying materials, fixtures, and fittings, and can either manage the fit out of their home from beginning to end, through appointing local craftsmen or a single builder.

Law

The Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 (as amended by the Housing and Planning Act 2016) provides a legal definition of self-build and custom housebuilding. The Act does not distinguish between self-build and custom housebuilding and provides that both are where an individual, an association of individuals, or persons working with or for individuals or associations of individuals, build or complete houses to be occupied as homes by those individuals.

Self-build or custom build helps to increase consumer choice. Self-build and custom housebuilders choose the design and layout of their home and can be innovative in both its design and construction.

Edward Ware Approach

We are looking for individual sites which lend themselves to self-build schemes of 5 to 30 dwellings, and also looking at how we can introduce self-build/custom build to larger sites already in our portfolio.

We work with the landowners to deliver an outline or hybrid planning approval and liaise with the local planning authorities self-build officer to keep potential self-builders informed of progress.

On smaller sites we will sell direct to the Self-builder or custom builder, on larger sites we will look for a delivery partner to construct the infrastructure required to service the plots.

Funding Self-build

Self-builder/Custom builder, may apply for a self-build mortgage; which differs from a standard mortgage as the funds are released in agreed stages throughout the build of the project and monitored at intervals by the lender.

You may also raise funds from savings and/or the sale of your current house. If using this route you should carefully consider where you will live during the project and make sure you can cover any additional living costs.

Our Current Self Build Schemes: