Quality Assurance and Building Your Own Home

Quality

It is a well-known fact that a self-built home is better value for money and a much better build house than any standard built home. The care taken by the self-builder in every aspect of the build from planning the layout of the house down to what materials to use always ensures that the end result is a house of quality.

Time

Keep strictly to the time plans that you calculated at the beginning of the build. Quality is one thing but the house must still be built to schedule.

Terms

Make you money work for you. Keep it in the bank as long as possible and settle bills at the last moment. By opening accounts with suppliers you can really make you money work for you.

Contractors

Ensure that the quality of the build includes the contractors that you use. By all means use general labourers but make sure that you only use qualified people on the specialised work. Ask to see trade qualifications and memberships. Check out work they have done previously. If in doubt then do not use the contractor.

Shop around

Shop around for the best quality materials but at the same time haggle for the best prices. Some people will give a discount just for taking a few photographs of your home to promote their products.

Tell suppliers that your build will be featured in a self-build publication and that you will mention their name. You will also get a fee for writing the article and this will be an added bonus when you come to sell the house.

Photographs

Take photographs of every aspect of the build. Not only will this give a lasting memory of the self-build but also it will come in handy should you wish to write about your experience.

Blogs

If you are handy with a computer and know your way around the Internet then set up a blog and at the end of each day write down your experiences. This is rather like writing a diary but will be available for other people to read. Many blogs are picked up by publishers and turned into books so who knows you may end up building a best seller!

Bespoke

Hand build kitchens and bedrooms will add value to the house and will also ensure that the quality is more than above average for homes of the same size. Using a craftsman to produce a unique kitchen will ensure it lasts for years and makes the room individual to your family's tastes.

En-suite

Fit ensuite bathrooms to as many bedrooms as possible as this above all else adds value to the home.

Study

With more people than ever working from home these days think about finding room in the design of your house for a study. It is yet another feature if you ever consider selling the house.

Final touches

The final touches to the home such as landscaping, security alarms and outside lighting enhances the house.

Perimeter

A well designed wall; electric security gates and manicured lawns will show that the quality of the home includes every aspect of the build.