Your expert guide to custom & self build

Custom and self build both involve creating a home for the person who will live in it, but the level of involvement can differ. A self build home is typically a project where the individual takes a more active role in finding a plot, commissioning the design and managing the build. Despite the name, self builders don’t necessarily carry out the construction work themselves; many employ architects, builders, project managers and specialist contractors.

Custom build generally offers a more supported route. A developer, landowner or custom build company may provide a serviced plot, infrastructure or a package of design and construction services, while the customer retains meaningful input into the design and layout of their home. Government guidance recognises that self and custom housebuilding can range from individuals managing a project from start to finish, to commissioning a professionally built, turnkey home, provided the person who will live in the property has primary input into its final design and layout.

The Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 was introduced to help increase opportunities for people who want to build or commission their own home in England. The Act placed a duty on relevant local authorities to keep a Self Build Register of individuals and groups interested in acquiring land for a self-build or custom build project. The legislation was subsequently amended by the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

The legislation also introduced duties designed to help local authorities respond to demand for self-build and custom build housing. Relevant authorities must give suitable development permission for enough suitable serviced plots to meet the demand shown through their registers.

The Act does not make a legal distinction between self build and custom housebuilding. Instead, it defines both as homes built or completed by individuals, groups of individuals, or people working for them, where the homes are intended to be occupied by those individuals.

Self build can be more cost-effective than buying an equivalent new home, but it is not automatically cheaper. One of the potential financial benefits of self build is that you are commissioning your own home rather than buying from a developer, which gives you greater control over the budget, specification and where money is spent.

However, the final cost of a self build project will depend on many factors, including: the cost of the land, planning and professional fees , ground conditions and site preparation, construction costs, the size and specification of the home, and contingency and unexpected expenses.

Self build can also allow homeowners to prioritise the features that matter most to them, rather than paying for a standard specification chosen by a developer. The key is careful planning and realistic budgeting. Anyone considering building their own home should carry out thorough research and seek professional advice before committing to a project.

Yes. You can build or commission your own home in the UK, provided you have the necessary land, planning permission and approvals for your project. Building your own home does not mean you have to physically construct it yourself.

Many self builders employ architects, designers, builders, specialist trades and project managers to deliver their home. Depending on the project, the process may involve: finding a suitable building plot, securing planning permission, designing the home, arranging finance, meeting Building Regulations requirements, appointing contractors and consultants and managing the construction process.

There are also different routes to creating your own home. You might buy a plot and manage a traditional self build project, commission a custom-built home, purchase a serviced plot on a multi-plot development or work with a specialist custom build company. Government policy and legislation also recognise self-build and custom housebuilding as an important part of housing delivery in England.

For the purposes of Government guidance and the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015, a self-build or custom build home is one that is built or completed for the people who intend to live in it. The person commissioning the home should have primary input into its final design and layout.

A self build project can take many forms. For example, you may: find and purchase your own building plot, commission an architect or designer, employ a builder to construct the home, manage some or all of the construction process yourself, work with a specialist custom build company or buy a serviced plot and commission a home to your requirements.

Simply buying a new home off-plan does not normally qualify as self build or custom build if the buyer has no meaningful input into the design or layout of the property. The legal definition covers a broad spectrum of owner-commissioned housing, which is why self build does not necessarily mean physically building the home yourself.