Self build home. Advice needed.
- Thread starter Dr S
- Start date
highlandsflyer
Retro Wizard
- Feedback
- View
Totally depends on your size and spec.
I am lucky having architects and builders in the family, but I have got my hands pretty dirty in the past.
A small wooden framed bungalow can cost as little as £20,000 in materials alone.
I am lucky having architects and builders in the family, but I have got my hands pretty dirty in the past.
A small wooden framed bungalow can cost as little as £20,000 in materials alone.
rosstheboss
Retrobike Rider
What sort of style building are you thinking? If you go down the green route, planning permission is generally not too much of a problem depending on where and what you're planning to build. If you're building a property yourself it's a great opportunity to use renewable/sustainable materials - a little more expense in building but with some of the newer technologies in solar/pv and other ways of generating power you may well find yourself getting cheques from the government for the power you've created, very satisfying!
We've worked on a few self build houses and generally as long as you keep everyone sweet and you budget realistically it shouldn't be too painful. Speak to friends about what you want to do and get recommendations for builders who have done similar things, at the moment people are crying out for work, especially in the NE, which will also work to your advantage!
As far as oak frames go, personally I think they're awesome - they work, they look great and they're sustainable. If people question their viability, mention that the vast majority of North American homes are timber frames, it's a proven technology.
Good luck Dr. S, building my own home is still a pipe dream for me unfortunately, you lucky bugger!
We've worked on a few self build houses and generally as long as you keep everyone sweet and you budget realistically it shouldn't be too painful. Speak to friends about what you want to do and get recommendations for builders who have done similar things, at the moment people are crying out for work, especially in the NE, which will also work to your advantage!
As far as oak frames go, personally I think they're awesome - they work, they look great and they're sustainable. If people question their viability, mention that the vast majority of North American homes are timber frames, it's a proven technology.
Good luck Dr. S, building my own home is still a pipe dream for me unfortunately, you lucky bugger!
velomaniac
MacRetro Rider
The vast majority of American homes are timber because of the large and powerful timber industry and associated trades not because they are better otherwise everybody would do it. As we see in the news US homes are frequently reduced to matchwood by hurricanes, earthquakes, forest fires and termites.
As for grants due to energy self sufficiency and contributions to the grid they are earmarked for reduction or removal by the current administration as they're not cost effective to the state.
Myths aside building a hoose from wood would be very satisfying, its a pleasing material to work with. My grandfather was a master joiner and he was never happier when working wood.
If you go for it, keep us informed of the whole process, I know I'd be facinated.
As for grants due to energy self sufficiency and contributions to the grid they are earmarked for reduction or removal by the current administration as they're not cost effective to the state.
Myths aside building a hoose from wood would be very satisfying, its a pleasing material to work with. My grandfather was a master joiner and he was never happier when working wood.
If you go for it, keep us informed of the whole process, I know I'd be facinated.
Sorry i cant offer any advice other than to say best of luck.
~I googled it and plenty of builders out there specialize in building,why not give a couple a call and try to get the lay of the land from them on cost etc :?
Expect the sound of rushing air through teeth
~I googled it and plenty of builders out there specialize in building,why not give a couple a call and try to get the lay of the land from them on cost etc :?
Expect the sound of rushing air through teeth
:shock: ooer missus...
1duck
Senior Retro Guru
velomaniac":1c7tkmjz said:
we don't suffer from any of those things, thats why i've never understood britains sticking to stone and brick. I understand its illegal in london to build timber frame after the great fire of london, but materials have moved on you can treat wood with chemicals that make it pretty fireproof...
anyway i personally think wood framed houses are the future for britain, cheap, quick to put up, renewable...etc etc.
Cost would depend on the specification you want, ie how luxurious its going to get, as a rough guide, say £2000 per sq metre.
Now it depends if you are going to get one of these timber framing companies to do the deisgn work for the actual oak frame, but if not, factor in architects fees, structural engineer fees, M&E design fees, planning and building control fees, any costs associated with electrical, gas, water, sewage and BT connections to a new build.
Depending on the deisgn, and any planning requirements, you may be paying more for things like handmade clay roof tiles or reclaimed bricks.
That sounds very pessimistic, but plan for the worst and you'll not be left with an unfinished house.
If you need an architect and are near to North Yorks....ahem...
Now it depends if you are going to get one of these timber framing companies to do the deisgn work for the actual oak frame, but if not, factor in architects fees, structural engineer fees, M&E design fees, planning and building control fees, any costs associated with electrical, gas, water, sewage and BT connections to a new build.
Depending on the deisgn, and any planning requirements, you may be paying more for things like handmade clay roof tiles or reclaimed bricks.
That sounds very pessimistic, but plan for the worst and you'll not be left with an unfinished house.
If you need an architect and are near to North Yorks....ahem...
If you are seeking a genuinely environmental-aware approach rather than the blah blah blah 'greenwash' notion that all wood is great, I'd suggest considering glulam over solid, freshly harvested oak.
Cost-wise, it's a complete exercise in figure-plucking without having any knowledge of your intentions design-wise, but GL is all made off site, is very controllable / spacially flexible, and shouldn't be much more than a more 'conventional' construction method - the key is to find an engineer with experience in the field who won't massively over-engineer / over-specify everything.
There are very specific requirements when using timber as primary structure in terms of dew points / condensation / thermal bridging / fire protection etc. which need thought to achieve a considered design rather than a dogs dinner.
Not sure why it's thought by people that an 'eco' (yuck word) house will get through planning more readily than a conventional - it won't, and anyone with experience will confirm that. Utter myth, thrown about (generally) by those with no direct-knowledge.
As ever, I would advise a good Architect. They are there to protect you as much as anything else, and will have knowledge and understanding of the whole process that, simply put, a do-it-all-builder won't.
I'm sure you're aware already, but you will require very specific loans / certification / insurance etc. if going the self-build route - that's presuming you're not selling the FAT collection t fund it of course...
BB
Cost-wise, it's a complete exercise in figure-plucking without having any knowledge of your intentions design-wise, but GL is all made off site, is very controllable / spacially flexible, and shouldn't be much more than a more 'conventional' construction method - the key is to find an engineer with experience in the field who won't massively over-engineer / over-specify everything.
There are very specific requirements when using timber as primary structure in terms of dew points / condensation / thermal bridging / fire protection etc. which need thought to achieve a considered design rather than a dogs dinner.
Not sure why it's thought by people that an 'eco' (yuck word) house will get through planning more readily than a conventional - it won't, and anyone with experience will confirm that. Utter myth, thrown about (generally) by those with no direct-knowledge.
As ever, I would advise a good Architect. They are there to protect you as much as anything else, and will have knowledge and understanding of the whole process that, simply put, a do-it-all-builder won't.
I'm sure you're aware already, but you will require very specific loans / certification / insurance etc. if going the self-build route - that's presuming you're not selling the FAT collection t fund it of course...
BB
