Deciding to go ahead and self-build your own Liverpool property is a big step that brings with it mingled excitement, anxiety, and anticipation.
While there’s no denying the magnitude of the undertaking, once the project is completed, you will be left with the family home you have always dreamed of. Best of all, it will be customised to your unique tastes and requirements.
However, before you get there, there are some important steps for you to follow to make sure that everything goes as smoothly as possible – and that you end up with the property you really want. Let’s find out what they are and get you started on your journey toward your dream family home.
Track Down The Perfect Plot
We all know how important it is to find the right location for your home. However, locating and securing an idyllic plot can be easier said than done. The best way to proceed is to set a maximum budget and then search for well-priced plots, located in or very close to the part of Liverpool that you would prefer to live in.
Currently, there are a variety of parcels of land available in Merseyside which range very widely in price, from around £50,000 to well over £800,000. When you arrange viewings for these plots, you will need to take into consideration the amount of space you will need to build your family home.
For instance, if you are hoping to construct a spacious four-bedroom property, you will need approximately half an acre of land, and this is likely to be more pricey. However, one positive aspect of spending more money on a plot is that sometimes they come with planning permission, which means one less hurdle for you to jump through.
Get Your Financing Sorted
If you have heard horror stories of people who decided to self-build and ended up throwing away substantial sums of money on a nightmare building project, try not to let those stories dissuade you. The truth is that many people successfully self-build without suffering any catastrophic financial impacts. The key is to get your financing sorted out early, and set a realistic budget for what you can achieve.
To ensure you have enough cash for your family home, self-build mortgages are now available through many brokers. This type of mortgage is slightly different to the more traditional one you take out when buying a new home, as the money is released to you in stages to help with each part of the construction process.
There are two main kinds of self-build mortgages for you to choose from: advance mortgages and arrears mortgages. It’s important to do your homework, so you know which option is best for you and that you know exactly what is required when you apply for a self-build mortgage in the first place.
Choosing The Right Architect
There’s no doubt about it – finding the right architect is crucial when it comes to self-building the perfect family home. Ideally, you should be able to work with someone who has a sound understanding of what you want to achieve, and who can tailor your unique tastes and needs to suit your budget.
Not sure how to go about finding the perfect architect for your Liverpool home-building project? The good news is that there are many talented and experienced architects in Liverpool. But, with so many to choose from, how do you find the person who will help you create the home you have always dreamed of?
When it comes to the process of hiring an architect for your self-build, you should look for someone who has plenty of experience in designing the kind of home that you want to construct. Ask to view samples of their previous projects. If you’re still not sure, check out testimonials and reviews from previous clients. This will give you a clear idea of what that architect is like to work with.
Seek Pre-Application Advice
We all know what a headache it can be to get planning permission. To give your family home the best chance of being built, it’s a good idea to see if you can obtain pre-application advice from your local planning officer. Bear in mind that you may have to pay for this service, but it could be well worth the investment as you will be told exactly what will be permitted and what won’t.
With this inside information to hand, you can then confer with your architect and work on a design that will fit in with local planning requirements, including any particular stipulations on what materials or size of property are acceptable.
Once you do submit your application, bear in mind that it can take a number of weeks for it to be approved, so factor this into your construction plans.
Get Insured
You may not have realised this, but when you decide to go ahead with a self-build project, you will need to obtain specialised insurance.
This is vital if you want to ensure that your significant investment will be safeguarded from any problems that may occur once construction begins. While your building contractor will have insurance, you shouldn’t hesitate to get a policy of your own, so you have adequate coverage.
Of course, it is to be hoped that you won’t need to make any claims, but in this case, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Last But Not Least – Start Building!
Once you have ticked all of the boxes to help get your family self-build underway, the final and most thrilling part of the process can begin – the actual construction.
Building a home requires the completion of several essential stages, including preparing the plot, laying the foundations (which need to be approved by Building Control), erecting the superstructure, working on the walls and roof, and installing both the exterior and interior fittings. There are also ‘first fix’ and ‘second fix’ stages, which need to be successfully completed before the exciting work of decorating can begin.
By this point, your Liverpool family home will have taken solid shape, and you are just one step away from making your self-build property dreams come true.
All that’s left to do now is to break out the paint tins and brushes, make sure all of the fixtures and fittings work properly, and then you can start moving in. Job done! Congratulations on your new self-built family home.
