Can I Self Build?
So you want to build your own home?
This page outlines some of the personality traits you'll need in order to successfully complete your own self build land project.
The first is dedication to the task in hand. This means that you need to remain utterly committed to the process, which will almost certainly take longer than you wish or expect, when enthusiasm will wane and unnecessary compromises will start to be made. Dedication needs to be maintained throughout the entire project, particularly given that missing milestones and deadlines that you set will probably mean that the self build home will cost more than you expected or budgeted for.
It would therefore be advisable to make a specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-based project plan with your objectives in it. You could make a list of the three top reasons for why you are constructing a home on self build land, and regularly re-read it to keep you focused, especially when the going gets tough.
Make sure you keep good accounts too, so you are continually aware of your financial performance in relation to your budget, and what savings you are making by choosing to build on self build land. Hopefully, you will see that the quantity of money you are saving will be making your self build effort well worth it!
You will also need patience. The importance or quantity needed cannot be overstated! Delays will inevitably occur, such as force majeure events (those outside your control) - contractors might fall behind schedule, deliveries not arrive, unexpected construction complications arise or it might just rain a great deal so preventing construction work from progressing. Do not get disheartened - instead, there are plenty of other tasks your self build home needs completed. Be realistic too - delays will always occur, so factor them into your project plan, in terms of time and money. And do not forget to take time off from your home self build land - it will still be there when you get back.
You will also need the ability to negotiate with a wide variety of different kinds of people involved with your self build home. You need to be able to listen to what others are asking for and communicate your own needs so that they are understood by others. Knowing when and how to compromise, hopefully ensuring mutual gain by all parties involved is an important skill. You will also need to have alternative plans available in the event of being unable to resolve a dispute. Always try to look at situations in their full complexity - homes on self build land and self build land people have a myriad of issues surrounding them, so make decisions with a fully informed mind.
Finally, remember that you are undertaking this self build project at least in part, to get the home of your dreams. You need to be able to enthuse others so as to inspire them to work well and quickly for you. Having the right kind of attitude will fundamentally affect your self build land project in a positive way!
