Useful articles for self-builders
A range of articles and tips to educate, inform and inspire self-builders
What makes a successful self-builder?
Research reveals that self-builders are not run of the mill folk. They tend to be rather unique; however, there are a number of traits that truly successful self-builders share. Here’s what you need to succeed. A curiosity that motivates investigation and study There’s no avoiding the fact that Self Build homes need to be hungry…
Three reasons a 10 Year Structural Warranty is critical to your self-build project
In this guest article, warranty specialist Russell Turner from Self-Build Zone highlights why a structural warranty is an essential budget item for your self-build project. First of all, it’s important to understand what it is. A Structural Warranty covers the home for a period of 10 years against damage arising from defective materials or workmanship…
Building your timber frame self-build budget for project success
Sitting down to create your first self-build budget can seem like a daunting process. Here we offer a few easy steps to get you from the back of an envelope calculation to an initial ballpark budget. Understand what you can afford to build from the off. While this sounds obvious, you’d be surprised how many…
Build your knowledge with our self-build timber frame demo day
Anyone who has ever started a self-build house project knows that there’s a steep learning curve. Most self-builders willingly throw themselves into information gathering during the feasibility stages and beyond. There are a number of great ways to do this. Homebuilding and Renovating magazine and BuildIt magazine both run a series of events around the…
Oak framing or timber frame? It doesn’t have to be either or!
Timber frame homes often conjure images of large exposed beams, posts and trusses formed in Oak. If you’ve set your heart on an oak frame, it’s not hard to understand why! Oak frame buildings have been constructed for centuries due to the strength, durability and beauty of this majestic hardwood. There are three main ways…
6 reasons a self build timber frame home might be right for you
Deciding to move is one of the most exciting decisions you can make. Yet when it comes to looking at new houses, the process can quickly become depressing. While a set of particulars may promise much, in reality, properties viewed often fail to live up to expectations. This can lead to a long and arduous…
Top Tips When Planning Your Build
Before buying a plot or even securing finance, the most important job for the self-builder is setting a budget. Unless money isn’t an object, spending your budget to its best effect will be central to the perceived success of your self-build home. When choosing timber frame here are five considerations that could significantly impact your…
How much does it cost to self-build your own home?
A multitude of factors influence the cost of a self-build home which stems from self-build’s USP; it’s all about the choices YOU make. The design decisions you take, the materials you select, and the build route you opt for will all impact the final cost of your project. As will whether your site is flat…
Is timber frame the same as a pre-fab?
What does Pre-Fabrication mean? The definition of pre-fabrication is to ‘manufacture sections of a building to enable quick assembly on site’. In this respect, yes, timber frame is pre-fabricated; however, depending on your age the word pre-fab can mean something different. Historic Pre-Fabrication As a child of the 70s, I immediately think of…
Everything You Need to Know about Self-build Home Insurance
Insuring your self-build project doesn’t need to be overly complicated, but it is important to get it right! In this guest blog, insurance specialist Alexandra Richards, from Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers lays out what you need, why it’s important and when to have it in place. When should I think about self-build home insurance?…
