Home of the Haynes Self-Build Manual

Typical Selfbuild costs

Site

Plot purchase costFrom ¼ to ½ total budget
Site investigations – checking ground conditionsMay not be required
Acquisition costs:
  • Solicitors fees
  • Stamp duty
Professional measured site surveyUsually required except for simplest sites
Site clearance and security costsMay not be required, on only very minor work to make site safe
Public liability insuranceCover yourself in case of accidents before work starts

Finance

Mortgage fundingFunds for SB mortgage
Mortgage valuation and legal feesVary with lenders
Selling existing propertySell privately online, or allow 3% of sale price for agents fees

Professional fees

Architects feesDepends on extent of brief. % or hourly rate
Building Regs drawing package
TenderingSeveral hundred £
Engineer’s feesAgreed sum or hourly rate
Planning feesFrom £300 (VAT not charged)
Planning consultant / appeal feesNot normally required, but can be expensive
Building Regs LA app feesTypically around £250+VAT
Building Regs inspection feeAround £300+VAT
QS feesNot usually essential

Site Costs

Construction of house
(to include all kitchen & bathroom fittings)
Estimate £ per sq m
External works Driveway or possible new road access
Contingency sum Minimum 5% to 10% of build costs – usually spent
Accommodation during build Mobile home, rental, extra mortgage costs
Service connections – water, drainage, electricity, gas Varies depending on supplier and site – can cost many £’000 pounds
Project management

Certification:

  • NHBC / Zurich
  • Architects certificate

Insurance:

  • Employer’s liability
  • Contractor insurance
Only if you DIY manage it yourself, otherwise up to main contractor

Moving house

Removal costs
New home furniture
Agents’ sale fees
Conveyancing sale fees
Conveyancing fees on sale
Mortgage redemption fees