Building your own home can seem like a monumental task with an endless to-do list. So, where does one start?

The best way to tackle the process of a self-build is to have a clear idea of what you want, including a vision of what the end product will look like. To help get you started, we have pulled together a few practical tips that will help you get started:

1. Assemble the Team:

Let’s be honest here…we weren’t all made to create something out of nothing, so assemble a team of those who can! Be sure to appoint your project team early on in the process; their knowledge, skill and expert advice will be just as useful, if not more so, during the planning phase as during the build. Your project team will be able to identify opportunities and potential problems early on, potentially saving you a lot of money.

2. Engage with your New Neighbours:

Building work can be very disruptive and noisy work and will be going on for at least a couple of months. Extending the hand of friendship and giving the local residents a bit of a courtesy ‘head’s up’ could prove beneficial in the long-run.

Engage with your new neighbours early on in the process and establish good neighbourly relations. They are more likely to be supportive of your plans and the build if you show yourself to be thoughtful and considerate.

3. Location and Orientation of the House on the Plot:

Location and orientation of the house on the plot are important considerations and you should consult with your project team (probably more than once!) on the pros and cons of the different locations and orientations around the plot to make the most of the space.

Location and orientation could affect different parts of the building process, including the type of building material used, location and size of the windows, and changes within the house across the seasons.

4. Be Smart about Your Windows:

Have you considered double glazed windows for your new home? Although not yet a popular choice, there is a rising demand as the costs come down and the numerous benefits become more common knowledge.

Double glazing is not just suitable for colder climes. In fact, double glazed windows can effectively regulate the temperature in the home, no matter what the weather is like outside as they have very good thermal and insulating properties. Additional benefits of double glazed windows include:

• They are much stronger than single glazed windows, keeping your home more secure;
• They reduce outside noise, making your home a quieter place; and
• They are energy-efficient, reducing your carbon footprint.

There are so many factors to consider when building your new home, but you can start crossing off some big-ticket items when you surround yourself with the right project team who are best-placed to guide and advise you. And, don’t forget to be a team player yourself!