can you save money on a timber framed self build?

[flatyre]

Just left the van in this morning to get some graphics on it so no work today. I should be using the laptop to do some work related stuff but got sidetracked. I always wanted to build my own Scandinavian style home and hopefully if business takes off, in a few years time I'd like to be in a position to buy a bit of land, something big enough to build a mid sized house on as well as have enough ground for a small yard and shed for the business. The house will be a shalet type bungalow with a inset balcony at one end, three bedrooms, kitchen/lounge, living room, small office, couple of bathrooms. I spent years in the building and landscape industry and i'd like to use those skills to create a home for the family. I served my time as a brickie and have a bit of experience building in stone. I'm a fairly competent joiner as far as first fix goes, though would leave the second fix to qualified friends. I can also call in friends in the spark and plumbing trades. I'd be able to do all groundworks myself as I have driven diggers, dumpers etc. fairly regularly for years. The main problem is finance, as a self employed self builder I doubt the bank will give me much of a mortgage, and most of what I can borrow will buy a plot and leave very little for materials. Question is what would be cheaper for me, a timber framed house with a stone outer shell, or block inner with a stone skin? It may never happen but on wet windy days like today its nice to dream.

[donnk]

Hi

 

You can get self build mortgages pretty easily. If you already own the plot outright you will get a deal no problem. Have a few years books and show personal bank account is healthy the last 6 months and you will be fine.

 

They normally release funds in arrears at stages, you pay each time the surveyor comes out to check off a stage. normally

 

groundworks to damp

watertight shell

first fix

second fix

 

as the groundworks is normally a big chunk, if you do this yourself you will have a good saving. Also dont forget you will get all the vat back on the mats at the end of the build.

 

 

Find a good indie broker, your accountant should be able to point you in the right direction as they swim in the same circles.

[BTS]

I have just finished building exactly what you have described I went timber frame using a company called roe timber in kent very cheap and spec I wanted, had to get a self build mortgage but Darlington do then and at good rates. With your skill set I would think you would find it quite easy plumbing is all speed fit now and I was lucky brother is electrician.

[flatyre]

thanks guys, BTS you'll have to post up a few pics of the house just to make me jealous!

[drinksloe]

If ur a bricky to trade i would imagine ur cheaper doing a double skin block house as u could do all the work urself.

 

While making kits is not rocket science it is still probably a wee bit more than hobby joinery. Just making sure u have the right timber in right places to be load bearing etc

If u go down the kit route, U would probably be cheaper making the kit on site and helping a joiner mate to do it, not too bad to do

 

I'm moving into the caravan this wknd about to start a self renovation job, not really ready for it as my house sold after 4 days which is quite unusual in this area.

The stonework is already there but needs a new roof and a few thousand ton of soil/rock shifted from behind it before i can start

 

My bro has randomly also just bought a site too and is looking at building a polysterene house (ICF, nudura blocks) which does seem quite an impressive system and pretty easy for diyers. Quite cheap too and saves on ur external/vapour proof plaster board at 27 quid a sheet