If you have been fortunate enough to purchase some land, with planning permission – which is more common these days. You might be wondering if it might be time to take a crack at building your own home. It might, on the face of it, sounds really complicated and a bit of a project. But really it is the best kind of investment. When you put your money into brick and mortar, you are creating an asset that will forever hold value. The land that it is one becomes exponentially worth more too.

But how do you get started?

Site

The house site is going to play the most significant part in making sure the rest of the house is safe enough to live in. Not many people are qualified to undertake everything that is required to build a home personally. But you will be able to act as your own contractor should you wish to. You can hire subcontractors when they are needed. Most of the labor you can perform yourself – which is a huge money saving venture. But don’t undertake that too lightly. It is a significant time investment – it isn’t just about the money here.

The site will need to be cleared of anything that would make the foundations challenging to lay. You’ll also need to clear up to 25 feet around the planned house perimeter. Call in a crew for this one. The surveyor will stake out the lot and adhere tightly to your the boundaries and any technical drawings.

You’ll need to provide simple things like toilets and a place for the staff to eat. As well as temporary power generators. An electrician can help you hook this up.

Foundations

This is much about chemical compound as it is bravery. There will be a trench dug that will make the space for the foundations, and a foundation specialist can help you do this correctly. There will also be multiple structures built for footing, and the foundations will need to be waterproof because they will be bare for a short period and of course they need to hold the house up!

Plumbing and Electrics

You might be able to tackle these yourself, many people can do it themselves if they have the time to put in. Bear in mind that the pipes that are laid will be covered in concrete, so if you are unsure call in someone to do it for you. The electrical lines will also run through the concrete and metal conduits.

Concrete

A house slab will now be laid. A contractor will install slab foam board insulation, and then a 4-inch minimum gravel base will be applied on top. A plastic vapor barrier will be placed atop the gravel. Next, the wire mesh reinforcement. And finally, the concrete slab layer will be poured over the top.

Now everything is laid, it is time to build the rest of your house.

Framing, Roofing, and Siding

It will begin to look like a house now. All of the bare bones will start to go up. This work happens pretty quickly, more so if you are using a contractor – as they will have multiple crews working at once to make this happen in your timeframe. The frame will need a lot of lumber, nails (many, many nails), felt or house wrap, and plenty of adhesives. During this phase, the windows and doors will also take shape. It is ideally done in good weather, though. So it might be worth only planning this for the summer months. Within a few weeks, the shell of the house can be completed.

Electrics & Plumbing – Round Two

It is time for the inside jobs to start taking place. If you want a chimney, it will also be built now. It is easier for them to do this just before the walls are completed. Once they are finished with their rough-in, it’s time for bricks. When it comes to getting your brickwork to the highest standard you are going to need the highest quality grout injection packers possible. Inspection time for the work that has been done up to now. Changes may need to be made, but in general, contractors very rarely get it wrong.

Drywall

This bit you can do by yourself to save money. Your interior will start to look like a home now. There are simple step by step guides that you can follow, but if you want to work done quickly and efficiently then call in a team. Everything will also begin to be primed for the final touches.

Interior

The cabinets, light fittings, sockets, and any extras that you have decided you would like will now be placed inside. These can take longer than expected, but they are always worth the wait. It is worth remembering that the ceiling and the drywall might need a few days to settle before you start adding all the trimmings.

Finishing

Unless you are an excellent painter, then it is highly recommended that you bring in a decorating team. They will usually have at least one person in every room so that it is finished quickly. Countertops will now be installed in your kitchen and bathroom – and your utility room if you are also having one of those.

The plumber and electrician will usually make a final appearance here to connect everything up.

Flooring

Laying the flooring now there is less footfall will mean you are protecting your floor investment. This is particularly important if you have chosen carpeting or tiles. Now is the time to order a large dumpster and start getting rid of the debris that is still left from all the previous work.

Garden

Your last investment will be in your garden. Great landscaping isn’t cheap, but if you are building this home to sell it, then it is a cost that you will have to pay.

When you are building your own home, you can take advantage of the creative freedom you have to design something perfect for you. Or if you intend to sell it at a later date, something stunning in anyone opinion.