Self-build home: Acquire the plot
Once a delivery strategy has been developed, a solicitor should be appointed to purchase the selected plot.
It is sensible to appoint a solicitor experienced in land transactions as this should make the process faster and reduce the risk that the plot will be lost to another buyer. The solicitor should be provided with any relevant information that was accumulated during the site assessments.
If it has not already been done, the solicitor will check that the land title, carry out searches, prepare or check legal documentation and process the transaction itself.
Sometimes an option can be agreed by which a deposit of, say 10%, secures the right for the self-builder to buy the plot at a certain price once planning permission has been obtained by the purchaser. The deposit is retained by the seller in the event of failure within an agreed timeframe.
The seller on the other hand might negotiate overage in the form of extra payment if more units or square footage of building are put on the site than was assumed in an outline planning consent. See Overage for more information.
Clear freehold title is recommended as leasehold arrangements will affect the residual value of the property.
Ensure vacant possession and site clearance prior to completion of the purchase contract.
Next stage:
Featured articles and news
What they are, how they work and why they are popular in many countries.
Plastic, recycling and its symbol
Student competition winning, M.C.Esher inspired Möbius strip design symbolising continuity within a finite entity.
Do you take the lead in a circular construction economy?
Help us develop and expand this wiki as a resource for academia and industry alike.
Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce
Risks of undermining UK’s energy transition due to lack of electrotechnical industry representation, says ECA.
Cost Optimal Domestic Electrification CODE
Modelling retrofits only on costs that directly impact the consumer: upfront cost of equipment, energy costs and maintenance costs.
The Warm Homes Plan details released
What's new and what is not, with industry reactions.
Could AI and VR cause an increase the value of heritage?
The Orange book: 2026 Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018
ECA welcomes IET and BSI content sign off.
How neural technologies could transform the design future
Enhancing legacy parametric engines, offering novel ways to explore solutions and generate geometry.
Key AI related terms to be aware of
With explanations from the UK government and other bodies.
From QS to further education teacher
Applying real world skills with the next generation.
A guide on how children can use LEGO to mirror real engineering processes.
Data infrastructure for next-generation materials science
Research Data Express to automate data processing and create AI-ready datasets for materials research.
Wired for the Future with ECA; powering skills and progress
ECA South Wales Business Day 2025, a day to remember.
AI for the conservation professional
A level of sophistication previously reserved for science fiction.
Biomass harvested in cycles of less than ten years.
An interview with the new CIAT President
Usman Yaqub BSc (Hons) PCIAT MFPWS.
Cost benefit model report of building safety regime in Wales
Proposed policy option costs for design and construction stage of the new building safety regime in Wales.
Do you receive our free biweekly newsletter?
If not you can sign up to receive it in your mailbox here.