Self-build (PDF)

If you've ever dreamt of designing and building your own home, this book is for you.

Becoming a 'self-builder' doesn't necessarily mean learning to build a house physically from scratch. Anyone can be a self-builder - you can do so without ever having to lay a brick yourself. Self-built homes can also be more individual, better designed and more economical than buying from a developer.

This book is designed for homeowners and self-builders, whether aspiring or on the brink of starting a project. It provides a jargon-free, step-by-step guide to the process of designing and building your own home, distilling all of the practical information needed to make your dream house a reality.

Carefully crafted to offer friendly, easy-to-understand practical guidance and packed with watch points, hints and tips, it also highlights the potential pitfalls and suggests ways of avoiding them.

Including indications of costs and timescales, Self-build demystifies the process of budgeting, finding a site, gaining planning permission, designing your home and all of the surrounding issues to do with sustainability, planning, regulations, procurement and the use of building contracts. Beautifully illustrated with over 230-colour photos, diagrams and plans, it provides all the inspiration and ideas you need to bring your own project to life.

Featured houses include:

• Amphibious House by Baca Architects


• Corten Courtyard House by Barefoot Architects


• Haringey Brick House by Satish Jassal Architects


• Shawm House by Mawson Kerr Architects


• Sussex House by Wilkinson King Architects


• The Pocket House by Tikari Works Architects.