Self-build home: Confirm appointment of the supplier to fabricate and install the kit house
As the kit house supplier has already been selected, this appointment should be a relatively straight-forward process of confirming the purchase and agreeing the programme for the works.
However, it is important to be certain what is included in the contract and what may need to be procured separately, such as:
- Providing appropriate services to the site (water, electricity, gas, telephone, drainage and so on).
- Providing a foundation slab.
- Fitting out the interior.
- Landscaping the site and providing access to the house (this might include; paths, drives, ramps, steps and so on).
Some of these works will be required before the kit house can be installed. Any works that remain outside the main contract will have to be carefully co-ordinated to ensure the programme is properly synchronised and there are no delays. See Appoint a range of contractors and suppliers to construct the home for more information about organising separate trade contractors and suppliers.
The supply contract for the kit house should include information about:
- Start and completion dates and key dates for works outside the contract.
- Stage payments.
- Professional indemnity insurance, public liability insurance and works insurance.
- Warranties. Both for the fabric of the building and any fixtures and fittings.
- Toolkits and operating and maintenance manuals.
- Spares.
- The fixtures and fittings included; such as lamps, blinds, white goods, cupboards, floor coverings, security systems and so on.
- Other specific inclusions and exclusions.
- Certificates.
NB Kit houses may qualify to reclaim the VAT paid on eligible building materials and services. See VAT refunds on self-build homes for more information.
NB Self-build clients are ‘domestic clients’ for the purposes of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (health and safety regulations generally referred to as the 'CDM Regulations'), and so the client's duties under the regulations will fall to the contractor on a project where there is only one contractor or to the principal contractor on a project where there is more than one contractor. However self-build clients can attract health and safety duties under Part 4 of the Regulations if they control the way in which construction work is carried out. See CDM for self-builders and domestic clients for more information.
Featured articles and news
A case study and a warning to would-be developers
Creating four dwellings for people to come home to... after half a century of doing this job, why, oh why, is it so difficult?
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”