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.
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.
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.
Stage 1: Justify the project.
Stage 2: Prepare a brief.
Stage 3: Find a plot.
Stage 4: Develop a delivery strategy.
Stage 5: Raise finance.
Stage 6: Acquire the plot.
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.
Stage 8: Prepare a concept design.
Stage 9: Submit a planning application.
Stage 10: Prepare a detailed design.
Stage 11: Submit a building regulations application.
Stage 12: Prepare production information.
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.
Stage 14: Prepare for construction.
Stage 16: Construction.
Stage 17: Occupy the home and rectify any defects.
Featured articles and news
Editor's broadbrush view on forms of electrical heating in context.
The pace of heating change; BSRIA market intelligence
Electric Dreams, Boiler Realities.
New President of ECA announced
Ruth Devine MBE becomes the 112th President of the Electrical Contractors Association.
New CIAT Professional Standards Competency Framework
Supercedes the 2019 Professional Standards Framework from 1 May 2025.
Difficult Sites: Architecture Against the Odds
Free exhibition at the RIBA Architecture Gallery until 31 May.
PPN 021: Payment Spot Checks in Public Sub-Contracts
Published following consultation and influence from ECA.
Designing Buildings reaches 20,000 articles
We take a look back at some of the stranger contributions.
Lessons learned from other industries.
The Buildings of the Malting Industry. Book review.
Conserving places with climate resilience in mind.
Combating burnout.
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Comments
It seems that the handover information such as building manual, H&S files, and other operation and maintenance documents are not mentioned here.
Not surpised that most building owners do not know what is in their building.