From self-build to self-development
Contents |
[edit] New ways to manage the housing crisis
In England, the availability of social housing is rapidly declining. Between 2012 and 2016, over 120,000 social rented homes were lost, with another 120,000 disappearing by 2020. This decline is due to inadequate replacement construction, fuelled by sales under Right to Buy and the transition of homes into rent brackets such as "affordable rent," encouraged by government funding for new units.
[edit] Traditional development procurement
The traditional development process has become more complex and fragmented due, amongst other things, to increasing levels of legislation. In addition, each part of the process requires specialists, each with their own cost base, risk profile, and profit incentive. The shift in risk ownership and specialisation often leads to transaction points, which accumulate and drive up development costs. This increased cost places additional pressure on housebuilders, who are reliant on market conditions, government initiatives (such as Help to Buy), and volume building to remain competitive. This reliance perpetuates cyclical market volatility, representing a false economy.
[edit] Alternative development procurement
However, it is possible to simplify the traditional development process by reducing development risk and profit margins. Streamlining transaction points decreases cost leakage. Facilitating direct transactions between custom-builders, landowners, and house providers can result in significant cost savings. These savings include lower transactional fees, reduced stamp duty fees, decreased professional fees, less developer profit, and lower finance costs.
[edit] Self-build and modular
Undertaking a self-build project using modular construction offers numerous advantages. With the increasing accessibility of self-build mortgages from high-street banks, now available at similar loan-to-value ratios as traditional mortgages, this approach is becoming more financially feasible. Cost assurance is achieved earlier with less risk of future escalations, as homes are created in a controlled environment, leading to quicker completion and fewer uncertainties compared to traditional builds.
Manufactured in state-of-the-art factories, modular homes boast improved build quality, thermal performance, and reduced construction waste, aligning with sustainability goals. On-site construction times are drastically reduced by up to 75% due to the pre-fabricated nature of the homes, minimising disruption to local residents and reducing vehicle pollution from lorry movements. Modular construction also allows for customised designs tailored to occupiers' needs, enhancing the personalisation of living spaces. These homes are not only sustainable and energy-efficient but also outperform traditionally built homes, making modular self-builds an attractive option for those seeking efficient, customisable, and environmentally friendly housing solutions.
For more information see:
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Affordable rented housing.
- British post-war mass housing.
- Build to rent.
- Buy to leave.
- Cohousing.
- Custom build home.
- Design for deconstruction.
- Factory-made housing.
- Flat pack.
- Kit house.
- Modern methods of construction.
- Help to buy.
- Intermediate affordable housing.
- Modular buildings.
- Modular housing and electrical circuitry.
- New homes bonus.
- Off-site construction.
- Off-site manufacturing.
- Open source architectural plans for modular buildings.
- Procurement route.
- Public private partnerships PPP.
- Rent to buy.
- Right to buy.
- Right to rent.
- Shared ownership.
- Social housing.
- Social housing v affordable housing.
- Social rented housing.
- Starter homes.
Featured articles and news
OpenUSD possibilities: Look before you leap
Being ready for the OpenUSD solutions set to transform architecture and design.
Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2025
Highlighting the continuing threat to trades persons.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Now available in Arabic and Chinese aswell as English.
The context, schemes, standards, roles and relevance of the Building Safety Act.
Retrofit 25 – What's Stopping Us?
Exhibition Opens at The Building Centre.
Types of work to existing buildings
A simple circular economy wiki breakdown with further links.
A threat to the creativity that makes London special.
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
The smart construction dashboard, as-built data and site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill
An outline of the bill with a mix of reactions on potential impacts from IHBC, CIEEM, CIC, ACE and EIC.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.