STARTING YOUR SELF BUILD

So you now have your planning permission for your self-build – great news! Before you get started, there are still several critical stages to complete before you give the builders the go-ahead. Read on to ensure a smooth running project and that your property is covered in its entirety.

Planning Conditions:

• Discharging Planning Conditions will require another application to the planning department and can take up to 12 weeks to discharge.

Finding the Right Contractor:

• Check references on their financial standing
• Visit current and previous projects
• Word of mouth referral is a good start
• Do not make large upfront payments

Building Regulation Drawings:

• You will need your architect to prepare drawings for building regulation submission and submit them to the local authority for approval.

Project Managing the Build:

• A project manager handles the planning conditions, building regulations and ensures the work is completed on budget, on time and that all planning permissions, site insurances and warranties are in place.
• If you take on this role yourself it can be very time-consuming and could cost you a lot more time and money.
• A Chartered Surveyor can manage the project for you and will avoid mistakes and overspending.

Building Warranty:

• You will need to put a 10-year structural warranty/latent defects insurance in place at the beginning of the construction process.
• Granite Building Warranties will provide a number of options for both self-builders or developers and provide a very professional service. These are the self build warranty and the commercial building warranty.

Building Control:

• Building regulations are minimum standards for design, construction and alterations and apply to every building project.
• You will need to engage the services of Building Control. This can be the local authority or an approved inspector and they will need to inspect at the key stages, which are: Foundations, DPC, Roof plate, Roof on, First & Second fix and Completion.
• Completions certificates are issued upon completion of the build and no sale can take place until they are issued.

Site Insurance:

• Site insurance is essential for all developments and can be arranged in conjunction with the warranty. Site insurance will cover you against theft of tools/plant, damage/fire to the building and third-party liability.

The Way Forward:

Granite Building Warranties Ltd can assist you with all insurance requirements for your build and will take the worry and hassle out of the project.

For further information please contact Ed, Kelly & Rob on Tel: 01284 365345 or email ed@granitebw.co.uk / kelly@granitebw.co.uk/ rob@granitebw.co.uk