build your own house

"Impact on Your Life Aside from time, money and personal input there are other aspects to consider. Will you be moving to a new area? Where will you live while you build? With relatives, in a caravan on site, or a rental property. Do you have kids and how will they be affected? You may need a second caravan! These issues may seem obvious but it is important to brainstorm now and think about how it will affect your lives before jumping in at the deep end. Building as a Group or Community You might consider collaborating with friends or other individuals to build your new homes. If you can find the partners and the land, group self build can be a cost effective path to building your own home. If you are part of a group of people in need of housing you may want to consider a community self build scheme. New skills and confidence can be gained as well as a new home. There are many different models for carrying out a community scheme and in recent years there have been some fantastic projects which are a good source of inspiration: Ashley Vale Action Group, Bristol. St Minver Community Land Trust, Cornwall. Low Impact Living Affordable Community (LILAC), Leeds. Reality Check It is important to be aware that although Self Building can be a fantastic experience, it is hard work! Regardless of the build route you choose, there are lots of decisions to make from the outset and you need to be prepared, determined and decisive to keep the ball rolling. We've looked at a few initial issues but there will be others specific to your situation. Use this section as the start for your own planning brainstorming. "