http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html The Self Build Blog keeps you up-to-date with all the latest information and additions to The Self Build Guide. Subscribe here. en-us self build Mon, 14 May 2012 20:02:36 GMT Mon, 14 May 2012 20:02:36 GMT the-self-build-guide.co.uk http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/the-self-build-portal.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/the-self-build-portal.html the self build portal Fri, 11 May 2012 16:09:37 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/new-electricity-connection.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/new-electricity-connection.html To organise a new electricity connection for your self build home you will need to contact a licensed distribution network operator. Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:37:20 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/national-planning-policy-framework-2012.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/national-planning-policy-framework-2012.html The National Planning Policy Framework 2012 was launched by the Government on 27th March. Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:42:45 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/site-map.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/site-map.html Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:00:52 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/utility-and-service-connections.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/utility-and-service-connections.html Utility and service connections often prove to be a bit of a headache for self builders, so it pays to familiarize yourself with what is involved and to plan well in advance. Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:51:21 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Two-Shows-Coming-Up http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Two-Shows-Coming-Up There are two shows coming up in the next week or so that might interest you. The Ideal Home Show starts on Saturday at Earls Court, London for two weeks and Ecobuild is on from 20th 22nd at London's ExCel. Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:13:11 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/events-calendar.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/events-calendar.html Our self build events calendar lists all the shows, exhibitions and events that you might like to visit. Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:11:31 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Scottish-Building-Society-Doubles-Self-Build-Lending http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Scottish-Building-Society-Doubles-Self-Build-Lending The Scottish Building Society has announced that after several years of increased growth in self build lending it has decided to double the amount of funding available for self build in order to boost the sector. Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:21:49 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/home-builder.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/home-builder.html Me and my wife made the decision to build our own house several years ago after we became disillusioned by inflated house prices and lack of availability Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:17:57 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Happy-New-Year-Self-Builders.-All-the-best-for-2012! http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Happy-New-Year-Self-Builders.-All-the-best-for-2012! Thank you for visiting The Self Build Guide in 2011 and I hope you will continue to find the site useful in the coming year whether you are planning your build, shivering in a caravan or nearly ready to move in! 2011 proved to be a significant year for self build with the Government realising the wider benefits and committing to promoting self build as an accessible, mainstream housing option. I was pleased to be involved with The Government / Industry Self Build Working Group which identified the main hurdles preventing more people from building their own homes and subsequently produced a series of recommendations. The wheels quickly began to turn as the Government met with mortgage lenders, encouraging them to embrace self build borrowing, they promised the release of public land, committed to a reduction in red tape and challenged the self build sector to produce a centralised information portal, akin to the planning portal, on which work is already underway. A significant step was the inclusion of a provision in the draft National Planning Policy Framework which could take account of self build in planning policy for the first time ever! In the private sector, new and improved products, techniques and services have come to market making homes and their construction more efficient and sustainable. Ingenious models have emerged as a way of delivering low cost and community self build schemes such as the Low Impact Living Affordable Community in Leeds, which is scheduled for completion in 2012. As our homes continue to evolve to meet our needs in the 21st century and the momentum of the 'self build revolution' grows in 2012, we hope more people have the opportunity to build better, greener homes and realise the financial, practical and personal benefits self build can offer. Whichever type of self build you are undertaking, The Self Build Guide wishes you all the best for your project in 2012 as well as the very best in health and happiness. Many thanks and kind regards, James Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:31:15 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-fund.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-fund.html Included in The Government's new housing strategy published on Monday was an allocation of a £30 million self build fund Thu, 24 Nov 2011 12:18:23 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/st-minver-community-land-trust.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/st-minver-community-land-trust.html St Minver Community Land Trust (CLT) was formed in 2008 to help residents of Rock to buy a home in their village. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:35:02 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/ashley-vale-action-group.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/ashley-vale-action-group.html The Ashley Vale Action Group is an excellent example of a community self build scheme. Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:14:28 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Grand-Designs-on-4oD http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Grand-Designs-on-4oD All previous series/episodes of Grand Designs are available to watch on 4oD so there's no need to buy the DVDs. Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:01:57 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/national-planning-policy-framework.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/national-planning-policy-framework.html The National Planning Policy Framework looks set to take account of self build for the first time ever. Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:45:47 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/buy-land.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/buy-land.html Don't just wait for a plot to come up in your local estate agent. Use every method at your disposal. Tue, 06 Sep 2011 13:01:54 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/construction-safety.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/construction-safety.html What are your obligations for construction safety? We'll have a look at the statutory requirements, enforcement and what you are required to do. Tue, 30 Aug 2011 10:47:19 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/cloud-nine-living.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/cloud-nine-living.html Cloud Nine Living produce simple, contemporary and eco-friendly timber frame kit homes. Tue, 23 Aug 2011 15:32:30 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/huf-haus.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/huf-haus.html Huf Haus is the brand that brought us a design classic, with iconic structures of timber and glass that are the epitome of exclusivity and luxury. Tue, 23 Aug 2011 13:11:32 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/trade-card.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/trade-card.html If you are self building or renovating, take advantage of the savings you can make using a trade card and trade accounts. Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:33:39 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/the-prism-house.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/the-prism-house.html Richard Thurbon is the proud owner of an award winning 3000 sqft Huf Haus ART 5 which enjoys fabulous views over the Chiltern Hills. He is a founding Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:20:15 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/contract-administration-from-a-main-contractors-perspective.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/contract-administration-from-a-main-contractors-perspective.html As a project manager for a small main contractor, I have recently managed three residential (self build) projects with responsibility for ensuring that Wed, 27 Jul 2011 10:14:41 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/ecology-and-the-planning-system.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/ecology-and-the-planning-system.html What is ecology and why must I think about it? Ecology is the study of the relationship between organisms and their environment and how they interact. Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:23:05 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Grant-Shapps-Welcomes-Action-Plan http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Grant-Shapps-Welcomes-Action-Plan It's official! - Grant Shapps has welcomed the self build action plan and highlighted the significant steps the Government has already taken as part of its commitment to expanding the self build sector. Thu, 21 Jul 2011 10:47:33 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/potton.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/potton.html Potton offer flexible design options alongside their standard ranges as well as a selection of useful services for self builders. Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:33:39 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#BBC-News-Article---Self-build:-Should-people-build-their-own-homes? http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#BBC-News-Article---Self-build:-Should-people-build-their-own-homes? Ahead of Grant Shapps' official launch of the self build action plan later this week, BBC News writer Tom de Castella weighs opinion. Tue, 19 Jul 2011 07:35:15 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/japanese-knotweed-nightmare-and-expensive.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/japanese-knotweed-nightmare-and-expensive.html Just a quick message to all who are thinking about doing a self build and looking for a plot of land! Before you buy the land, make sure the surveyor Sat, 16 Jul 2011 09:15:41 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Bread,-Milk,-Eggs,-House? http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Bread,-Milk,-Eggs,-House? Could you soon be picking up a house as part of your weekly shop? Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:50:36 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-working-group.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-working-group.html The report by the Government-Industry Self Build Working Group on how to promote the growth of self build housing and make it an accessible housing option for more people has been made public today. Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:00:58 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Lenders-Encouraged-to-Embrace-Self-Build-Sector http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Lenders-Encouraged-to-Embrace-Self-Build-Sector Ahead of the eagerly awaited action plan from the Government's self build working group, lenders are being encouraged to embrace the market as part of the drive to increase the number of self built homes in the UK. Tue, 05 Jul 2011 10:53:51 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/dealing-with-contaminated-land-planning-conditions.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/dealing-with-contaminated-land-planning-conditions.html What is contaminated land? Contaminated land can be broadly defined as land that has substances present in, on or under the ground that have the potential Thu, 30 Jun 2011 07:06:40 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/the-party-wall-etc-act-1996.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/the-party-wall-etc-act-1996.html Contrary to what many people believe the scope of The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 goes much wider than work directly to shared walls – there are in fact 3 Fri, 10 Jun 2011 10:28:30 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Canadian-Kit-Home http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Canadian-Kit-Home This Telegraph article features a family who built a Canadian kit home on the site of a World War II searchlight station and a couple who erected a German post-and-beam kit home with a redundant underground reservoir as a basement! Both families have got the bug. They have their homes on the market and are looking for their next plots. Thu, 02 Jun 2011 18:57:00 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Design-Inspiration http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Design-Inspiration Design inspiration from the 2011 RIBA Awards. Thu, 19 May 2011 15:08:38 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/quantity-surveyor.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/quantity-surveyor.html If you have a complex house design or a large self build budget, a quantity surveyor could help you control your project finances and save you money. Wed, 04 May 2011 20:13:03 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#The-Government-Throws-Its-Weight-Behind-Self-Build. http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#The-Government-Throws-Its-Weight-Behind-Self-Build. As anticipated, Grant Shapps has announced today that the Government will cut red tap and make publicly owned land available for self builders in a drive to reduce the barriers that prevent people from self building their own homes. The announcement leads the way for further measures identified by the Government-Industry working group led by The National Self Build Association to make self build more accessible for everyone. Tue, 03 May 2011 13:58:16 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Announcement-Expected-Today-To-Make-Self-Build-More-Accessible-For-All. http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Announcement-Expected-Today-To-Make-Self-Build-More-Accessible-For-All. In a speech today at the Grand Designs Live in London, housing minister Grant Shapps is expected to announce a raft of measures to help make self build a mainstream housing choice and "an option for all". Recognising the benefits of self build for individuals and the market as a whole, he is expected to announce the first public sites to be made available exclusively for self builders under the Government's 'Build Now, Pay Later' Scheme. We'll keep you posted! Tue, 03 May 2011 07:47:50 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Grand-Designs-Live-Starts-Today. http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Grand-Designs-Live-Starts-Today. Grand Designs Live starts today at the Excel London. It runs for the next week and you can save money by booking tickets in advance on their website. Sat, 30 Apr 2011 09:21:28 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/planning-consultant.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/planning-consultant.html If you've got a tricky planning situation or had an application refusal, a planning consultant might have the expertise to help things progress. Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:14:01 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-information.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-information.html The Self Build Guide provides online self build information. This section highlights more books, magazines and other resources that can help with your house build. Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:09:30 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/construction-project-manager.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/construction-project-manager.html Enlisting the services of a professional construction project manager for your self build could prove to be money well spent. Wed, 13 Apr 2011 07:52:23 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Housing-Minister-to-Discuss-'Self-Build-Revolution'. http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-blog.html#Housing-Minister-to-Discuss-'Self-Build-Revolution'. The dream of a self build home may be a step closer for many as the housing minister Grant Shapps is set join a panel of leading figures in the self build sector to discuss the 'self-build revolution'. Mon, 04 Apr 2011 08:30:58 GMT http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-show.html http://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/self-build-show.html Visit a self build show and pick up inspiration, news about the latest products, tips from the experts and free pens Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:53:53 GMT