Self-build home: project plan

This is a free-to-use, open-access plan for the organisation, design and construction of self-build homes.

If you have ideas for things to add to the plan, you can either edit the plan and add them yourself, or submit a comment and we will add them for you.

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There are a number of delivery routes for self-build homes:

• Purchase a kit house.
• Appoint a design and build contractor to design and build the home.
• Appoint consultants to design the home then get a contractor to build it.
• Appoint consultants to design the home then manage the construction yourself.

It may not be clear which route should be followed until initial assessments have been carried out, a plot located and a brief prepared. See: Develop a delivery strategy for more information.

It is also possible to work with other organisations such as social landlords, developers, or community groups to develop a self-build home, however, these projects are likely to follow a plan imposed by the lead organisation and so they are not covered here, although many of the project stages will be similar. Working with a developer is sometimes called ‘custom build’ rather than ‘self build’.

See Custom-build home for more information.

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An outline project plan is presented below. It describes activities step-by-step from the first moment it becomes apparent a self-build home could be a possibility right through to occupation of the completed building. Most of the stages are common to all four self-build routes, but the appointment stages vary.

Clicking on any of the stages will take you to a detailed description of the tasks that need to be carried out.

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Stage 1: Justify the project.

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Stage 2: Prepare a brief.

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Stage 3: Find a plot.

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Stage 4: Develop a delivery strategy.

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Stage 5: Raise finance.

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Stage 6: Acquire the plot.

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Stage 7: Appoint designers.

• Appoint consultants to design the home, or;
• Appoint a contractor to design the home, or;
• Appoint a supplier to design a kit house.

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Stage 8: Prepare a concept design.

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Stage 9: Submit a planning application.

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Stage 10: Prepare a detailed design.

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Stage 11: Submit a building regulations application.

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Stage 12: Prepare production information.

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Stage 13: Appoint contractors.

• Appoint a contractor to construct the home, or;
• Appoint a range of contractors and suppliers to construct the home, or;
• Confirm appointment of the design and build contractor to construct the home, or;
• Confirm appointment of the supplier to fabricate and install the kit house.

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Stage 14: Prepare for construction.

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Stage 16: Construction.

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Stage 17: Occupy the home and rectify any defects.

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