If you need to know how to build a house, then you’ve probably already decided to go ahead and do it. Usually, people build their own home because it is either cheaper than buying a property, or because it is the best way to get the house of their dreams. Whatever your reasons for building from scratch, knowing how to build a house or at least the basic processes involved will help your project on its way to success.

Why do I need to know how to build a house?

Are you planning an entire self-build? In this case, you can’t start until you know the basics of how to build a house. Failing to plan such a huge project in detail can result in various elements of the job being built in the wrong order, slowing the project down and increasing the budget. If you’ve never built a house before, it’s essential that you put as much detail into the planning as possible; from selecting and buying land to putting the finishing touches to your fantasy kitchen.

Even if you’ve decided to hire builders and other contractors to work on this project for you, knowing the rudiments of how to build a house will help you to manage the building work successfully. You will be able to follow the plans, understand the various phases of the build and communicate effectively with your contractors when you need to. You will have more confidence and your project is likely to run more smoothly.

Can I learn how to build a house?

Professional builders undertake periods of apprenticeship and study in order to understand the principles of construction and to obtain the skills needed to transfer ideas from a plan into a safe, stable building. You’re unlikely to be able to build to their standards without similar levels of training, and whilst you could find a part-time training programme to improve your skills, this would put your building project back by several months. Look for your local building college and talk to them about how they can help.

Are there “how to build a house” books?

There are some publications that take you through the process of building your own home. Browse online, or go to your local bookstore to find a book that suits you. Alternatively, get in touch with one of the professional building associations, who may be able to give you details of useful books and research material.

Is it legal for me to build my own house?

In the UK, you are perfectly entitled to build your own house. If you are intending to do this, however, there are some important things to remember:

-          All building work should have planning permission prior to the building work beginning.

-          The building will need to be inspected regularly by the local building inspectors to make sure it meets the relevant regulations.

-          All electrical work, inside and outside the property must be carried out by a qualified electrician and have a certificate to prove it.

-          If you are building yourself, it may be more difficult to get the required guarantees and warranties that any purchase will require with a new house.

If you are still in doubt, speak to your local planning office who can tell you what would be expected of you if you were to embark on your own project.

Learning how to build a house is not as straightforward as it first appears. It may be wiser for you to invest more of your budget in hiring professional contractors to do the work for you.

The first step in your project is to hire the right builder. Use www.findalocal-builder.co.uk to get a list of builders in your area, and then look at our other advice articles to see how to make sure you choose the best builder for you.