Useful articles for self-builders
A range of articles and tips to educate, inform and inspire self-builders
Boost Your Self-Build Knowledge
At Fleming Homes, it’s our mission to encourage more prospective new homeowners to consider self-building. There are an enormous number of benefits to self-building, not least that it provides a unique opportunity to design a home that precisely meets your needs; however, one of the first things to dampen enthusiasm is the fact that it…
Can a timber frame home stand the test of time?
One of the questions we are asked most frequently by self-builders is ‘do timber frame homes last?’ When you’re fulfilling a life-time’s ambition to build the home of your dreams it is understandable that you’d want it to stand the test of time and to be passed on to generations to come. The perception that…
Self-build mortgages: what you need to know
Guest blog by Bianca Singh at Mortgage Advice Bureau. Many of us dream of building our own home, but how will you fund it? When looking to finance the build most people look for a mortgage, however a standard mortgage is not accepted for a self-build, therefore you’ll need to apply for a specialist self-build…
Getting the most out of visiting self-build shows
Attending self-build shows and exhibitions can be exhilarating and inspiring. With thousands of products and services cheek by jowl and under one roof they are the perfect place for moving your research on, as well as knowledge gathering through the myriad of workshops and masterclasses on offer. But with so much to see and do,…
Self-build zero vat – the ‘cherry on top’
The ‘cherry on top’ of a self-build project is the zero VAT rating. This allows you to get ‘more bang for your buck’ from building your own property, and comes at the perfect time – just when you’re moving into your new home! Find out how your self-build project may qualify as zero VAT rated,…
Cut on-site costs with FIT pre-insulated panels
Using pre-insulated panels in your self-build can cut on-site costs dramatically, and let you choose exactly the right specification for your needs. Our FIT range of pre-insulated panels offers three insulation specifications – Premier, Premier Plus and Superior – to give you maximum flexibility. All panels are made in our factory and are backed by…
Bespoke self-build checklist
Imagine if you could go to one car dealer and develop your dream car from a blank sheet of paper! Colour, size, performance, specification, cost, efficiency would be directed by you and coordinated by the dealer, who would then manufacture your car to your specification. That’s what you do when you source a truly bespoke…
Custom build vs self-build
‘Custom build’ is a relatively recent term introduced under the UK government’s Housing Strategy for England in 2011. Until then, the process of building your own home was universally known as ‘self-building’. Confusingly, the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but they’re essentially two different routes to building a home to suit your individual needs. Here’s…
The three timber frame build routes
There are three main build routes for building your timber frame home. As a self-builder, you should thoroughly consider each one, before setting out on your project. Find out which one suits you best right here! Three Build Routes for Self-Build The three main routes to self-build are as follows: All work is managed…
A Scottish model for an English market
Timber frame self-build – mature Scottish model finds favour in England Scottish self-builders have timber frame in their blood, whereas in England, timber frame has been traditionally slower to catch on. But things are changing, and the timber frame quality standards set in Scotland are now paving the way for the rest of the UK…
