What is self build

In line with national guidance, self and custom build housing can be defined as follows:

Self Build

This is when someone identifies a plot, then designs, finances, project manages and constructs their own home. Specialists might be employed to carry out parts of the process.

Custom Build

This is where you commission the construction of your home from a developer/enabler, builder/contractor or package company. You don’t normally do any of the physical construction work but you do still make the key design decisions.

Group Projects

This is when a group of people set themselves up as an organisation to procure the construction of a number of homes as a collective. There are many ways this can be done – for example, by creating a development company, or by setting up as a housing co-operative, a co-housing organisation or as a housing association.

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