If you would like to book a consultation with me you can do so here - www.reallifearchitecture.co.uk/online-services Please read the terms and conditions before you book.
I would agree with much of your advice, even though I've mostly ignored it in the past and been successful anyway. I do intend to self build eventually, though I'm likely to contract for a "shell" then manage my own trades to get the finish I want. Renovation is probably safer, and I would not underestimate the savings you can make by providing your own labour. A huge amount of renovation is removing old tiles, flooring, kitchens bathrooms etc. I did it all myself and along with doing my own landscaping, French drains and soakaways saved a fortune. Doing refurbs has also taught me how to work with a structural engineer, architect and building control. For anyone with no experience I would say start doing small refurbs to learn what you are doing and build your confidence and knowledge before taking on a larger job.
I'm of the same opinion as you @johngalt6708. I have bitten the bullet and started my own self build project which is entering the final stages before we can finally move in. I had the shell built, paid for someone to do the electrics, install heat pump and some of the joinery, but done all plumbing, flooring, underfloor heating decorating, bathrooms, kitchen myself. It can be done but you do need the confidence to have a go an be prepared to learn alot on the journey!
My greatest concern is how to recover from all these economic and global troubles and stay afloat especially with the political power tussle going on in US.
Yes, tesla, transportation, e-commerce among other sectors are expected to experience growth, but who knows, the market has been a basket of surprises.
it's hilarious how people underestimate this sort of thing. similarly my mum has been pressuring my brother into buying a 1920s ex council house that needs literally everything replaced except the shell, back to brick reno. "buy the worst house in the area and you can fix it up yourself and youll make a fortune" she says to my brother who has no skills whatsoever, knows nothing about building or diy, never used a drill, never held a hammer or shovel, hasn't done 5 mins of manual labour his whole life and i don't think u could even count doing the dishes towards that. but sure dive into putting your life savings into an old house, what could go wrong.
My own route is: sit down and sketch out what i want (i’m pretty good in this department); pass on final artwork to a qualified architect with a proven record in sustainables & alternative energy sources (need to include geo/solar/wind); sit back & oversee events. I expect the architect will have their own preferred tradespeople so wouldn’t interfere here. [Nb: everything will be financed from the sale of our UK home currently valued at around £800,000. Expected build not to exceed £300,000 (2 bedroom detached, 17 hectare plot). Not after a mansion, just something aesthetically pleasant, utility bill free (off grid as much as possible) & environmentally neutral.
In NZ you gotta apply for a owner-builders-exemption at the building consent (permit) stage, only unpaid friends and families can help you or you must hire someone appropriately licensed and they will have to provide records of work, you are not allowed to do plumbing drainage gas and electrical yourself, all building works are to be inspected just the same doesn't matter who did it, and if you do pull it off you get the owner-builder slapped onto your land title which might affect your resale. But at least you might've saved money lol.
30 years ago when I had a lot more energy than I have now I would have been chomping at the bit. Now I'd be happy with a house I don't havevto do anything to
If you would like to book a consultation with me you can do so here - www.reallifearchitecture.co.uk/online-services
Please read the terms and conditions before you book.
I would agree with much of your advice, even though I've mostly ignored it in the past and been successful anyway. I do intend to self build eventually, though I'm likely to contract for a "shell" then manage my own trades to get the finish I want. Renovation is probably safer, and I would not underestimate the savings you can make by providing your own labour. A huge amount of renovation is removing old tiles, flooring, kitchens bathrooms etc. I did it all myself and along with doing my own landscaping, French drains and soakaways saved a fortune. Doing refurbs has also taught me how to work with a structural engineer, architect and building control. For anyone with no experience I would say start doing small refurbs to learn what you are doing and build your confidence and knowledge before taking on a larger job.
I'm of the same opinion as you @johngalt6708. I have bitten the bullet and started my own self build project which is entering the final stages before we can finally move in. I had the shell built, paid for someone to do the electrics, install heat pump and some of the joinery, but done all plumbing, flooring, underfloor heating decorating, bathrooms, kitchen myself. It can be done but you do need the confidence to have a go an be prepared to learn alot on the journey!
My greatest concern is how to recover from all these economic and global troubles and stay afloat especially with the political power tussle going on in US.
Yes, tesla, transportation, e-commerce among other sectors are expected to experience growth, but who knows, the market has been a basket of surprises.
it's hilarious how people underestimate this sort of thing. similarly my mum has been pressuring my brother into buying a 1920s ex council house that needs literally everything replaced except the shell, back to brick reno. "buy the worst house in the area and you can fix it up yourself and youll make a fortune" she says to my brother who has no skills whatsoever, knows nothing about building or diy, never used a drill, never held a hammer or shovel, hasn't done 5 mins of manual labour his whole life and i don't think u could even count doing the dishes towards that. but sure dive into putting your life savings into an old house, what could go wrong.
I meet people like this all the time. I spend far too much of my professional life talking people out of things.
My own route is: sit down and sketch out what i want (i’m pretty good in this department); pass on final artwork to a qualified architect with a proven record in sustainables & alternative energy sources (need to include geo/solar/wind); sit back & oversee events. I expect the architect will have their own preferred tradespeople so wouldn’t interfere here.
[Nb: everything will be financed from the sale of our UK home currently valued at around £800,000. Expected build not to exceed £300,000 (2 bedroom detached, 17 hectare plot).
Not after a mansion, just something aesthetically pleasant, utility bill free (off grid as much as possible) & environmentally neutral.
Ty - good advice that even as an industry insider has given me food for thought 👍🏿
I’ve been working as an architect almost two decades, I wouldn’t want to self build my home.
In NZ you gotta apply for a owner-builders-exemption at the building consent (permit) stage, only unpaid friends and families can help you or you must hire someone appropriately licensed and they will have to provide records of work, you are not allowed to do plumbing drainage gas and electrical yourself, all building works are to be inspected just the same doesn't matter who did it, and if you do pull it off you get the owner-builder slapped onto your land title which might affect your resale. But at least you might've saved money lol.
Thank you for sharing, I love getting insight on construction from other parts of the world
Seems almost the same in US.
30 years ago when I had a lot more energy than I have now I would have been chomping at the bit. Now I'd be happy with a house I don't havevto do anything to
thank you!
by the way, when are we gonna see you on "your home made perfect"?
I severely dislike property programs
@@RealLifeArchitecture lol thought so