Successful self building requires a mixture of many different qualities, but are you ready for the challenge that lies ahead?

Below are three great tips to consider when designing your dream home.

Design - Get together some great self build design ideas from magazines and websites to kick start your project design, which can then be presented to your designer. Once you’ve found your plot try to pay close attention to the styles of homes within the surrounding area. This will help to ensure that your home will perfectly fit into its surroundings and complement other properties. Don’t forget to draw sketches of your dream home before you buy a plot since your plot will have unique features such as slope, trees and so on which may affect your sketched design.

Design within your means - Design your project with your budget means, if you can’t afford to build your home then it’s a non-starter. Don’t forget about cash flow, you need positive cash flow throughout the job, and you should budget for things such as VAT and problems that may arise during the project. Be prepared to compromise on the costs, everything won’t be 100% what you want. Adding a contingency to your budget may be a good idea. It probably won't get used up in one go, but almost certainly it will get used in the cost ‘creep’ throughout the project.

Time - Don't underestimate the amount of time building your self build may take. Many projects take up more time than initially planned, so ensuring you have put aside enough time for the project is crucial. Even if you have a project manager, you may still want to be involved in the key decisions, so ensure that you allocate enough of your own time to make sure you’re happy with the final result. Don’t forget, you’ll also need to allocate time to choosing fittings and fixtures.

Arc Design Services Ltd are a fully Accredited Planning Agent in the Trafford Council area, catering for all client aspirations. We work on all types of residential architectural design projects within the South Manchester and Cheshire area relating to residential design from domestic extensions, loft conversions, remodeled homes, alterations and refurbishments to one-off designed, bespoke new build homes.