SELF-BUILD JOURNEY
01 — Researching
This is where every self-build journey begins. Explore ideas, understand the process and learn what decisions matter most before moving forward.
→ 01 Researching
02 Looking for land
03 Design & planning
04 Construction
Start your journey by getting clear about what you can afford
There are lots of fun parts to building a home but the first step is to anchor your dreams in financial reality!
Honestly assess your assets and borrowing capacity.
Consult with mortgage specialists such as Ecology Building Society, BuildStore to crunch the numbers; knowing your true budget early on prevents heartache later.
Remember, funds don’t tend to appear magically.
Invest time in learning
Next, begin your background learning immediately.
Subscribe to a dedicated self-build magazine like Homebuilding & Renovating or Build It, and read The Housebuilder’s Bible by Mark Brinkley.
Attend events at the NSBRC and take advantage of the Passivhaus Open Day events.
There is no better way to learn than having a nose around and asking questions.
Consider how you’d like to live
Start work on a “brief” for your future home.
Reflect on how you currently live, what you wish to change, and your non-negotiables for sustainability and quality.
This document is an essential reference point throughout the process.
By securing your finances, educating yourself, and refining a brief, you have taken the first few steps to creating your dream home.
Where to begin your self-build journey
Where to begin your self-build journey
Everything you need to start your self-build with confidence.
Start here →
Learn the fundamentals of building a sustainable home
A free e-course introducing the key principles of sustainable home design.
