Building your own home can be incredibly rewarding, and there are many chances for you to get involved in the process. However, you will need some expert assistance to ensure the scheme is completed to a high standard and meets the required regulations.
If you are considering going down the self-build route, here are a few of the tradesmen you’ll need to hire during the construction phase.
Architect
Before you can even think about starting construction, you need detailed plans that have been approved by your local authority. Drawing up the blueprint for a house is not an easy task – especially if you have specific design features you’d like to incorporate in the finished property, such as a spiral staircase.
What’s more, there are certain building regulations you need to adhere to and a qualified architect will know what these are and be able to advise you on whether any of your ideas are unsuitable or impractical.
Take your time when searching for an architect, as you’ll want to find someone who understands the vision of the home you aim to create. Before you hire this kind of professional, spend some time talking to them about what you envisage your property will look like and ask to see examples of their previous work.
Builder
Of course, once the plans are down on paper, you’ll need someone who can turn them into a reality, which is where your builder will come in. If you’d prefer not to have much involvement with the construction process, you can hire a builder to act as a project manager for you.
A well-trained builder is invaluable for this kind of project, as not only will they be well-versed in all the relevant buildings regulations and health and safety laws you need to abide by onsite, but they will also have an extensive range of contacts for other essential tradesmen.
In addition to having all the experience required to construct the basic shell of your property, a builder can also coordinate the work on the interior of the house.
Carpenter
A carpenter is an important tradesman to hire once you start work on the inside of your property. These professionals can carry out a wide range of jobs, from fitting window and door frames to building staircases and creating bespoke kitchen units.
If you want to add a really personal touch to your new house, consider asking your carpenter to make you some pieces of furniture. You can consult them about the design and type of wood they use, allowing you to perfectly match things like tables and chairs to your decor.
Plumber
Another vital part of a building team is the plumber, as they will be responsible for all the waterworks in your house. This will involve everything from laying the pipes that connect your bathroom and kitchen to the mains to plumbing in appliances like washing machines and dishwashers towards the end of the project.
Your plumber will also install all the waste pipes that will take water and sewage away from your home. If you choose a plumber who is well-versed in heating systems, they can fit your boiler and central heating too. No matter who you choose to install the heating in your home, make sure you check that they are on the Gas Safe Register, as this means they have undergone rigorous training to ensure they can fit gas appliances safely.
Electrician
Working with electrics in your home can be dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing, so calling in an electrician is a must. These professionals will completely wire your property and then connect it up to the main grid.
It is worth spending some time with your electrician to discuss the optimum position for light fittings and plug sockets before they get started, so you won’t have to do more work to move fixtures and sockets around at a later date.
If you are eco-conscious, you can also speak to your electrician about attaching solar panels to your roof to supply some or all of your power, with anything you don’t use going back into the national grid. Although it can be expensive to install the panels initially, you may find that the cost savings over time can justify the price.
Before you make a decision, you should work out how long it will take for the solar panels to pay for themselves and get quotes from several installation firms as costs can vary between companies.
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