Self Build Advice UK | Guides, Tips & Planning Help

UK Self-Build Guides & Expert Insights

Learn from successful UK self-builders, watch expert tutorials, and get planning advice from industry professionals.

Is self build cheaper than buying?

The quiet truth is that self-build’s best ROI isn’t in a spreadsheet. It’s the compounding of small right decisions—where the morning sun lands on the table, how footsteps sound on the stair, a window that frames the oak you kept. Those dividends arrive slowly and keep arriving. If that matters to you, the challenge is part of the reward. If it doesn’t, the challenge is just cost.

8/19/2025

Tomas Millar

Ingoldisthorpe - An Award-Winning Self-Build Case Study

Ten self-build homes and two affordable houses are arranged around a new village green, creating a place that feels authentic, well-loved, and rooted in its surroundings. Each home is different, yet they sit together comfortably thanks to a simple design code - giving self-builders creative freedom while keeping the streetscape cohesive.

8/14/2025

Tomas Millar

Growing Places, Gently

Some of the most enduring places have grown not through grand plans, but through quiet, careful additions made over generations. This article looks at how small, well-designed developments can strengthen a settlement’s character, letting it evolve organically while remaining unmistakably itself.

8/8/2025

Tomas Millar

Nubia Way: a story of black-led self building in Lewisham

Built in the 90s, Nubia Way is a black community who spent 2.5 years building their houses against the odds in a National Front area of Lewisham. The houses used the Segal timber frame methodology, adapted by Architype to improve performance. They weren't just building houses, they built community, pride and resilience.

7/31/2025

May Fisher

Piers Taylor chats with May about the Future of Housing and the Joys of Self Build

Piers Taylor of Invisible Studios shares his can-do attitude to self building his own houses. He is passionate about using materials that are immediately available; reframing the concept of sustainable vernacular; and the importance of the wider context and community in making a good place to live. They also touch upon how the rules in the UK can make self-build much harder than in other countries.

6/17/2025

May Fisher

Wikihouse Community Build Pavilion with Architecture Unknown

New open source technologies like Wikihouse by Open Systems Lab make self building accessible to everyone, including children! Architecture Unknown work with clients to design bespoke buildings using flat packed CNC cut plywood sections. Here, the community build their own Pavilion in the park. Repeatable, simple, bespoke and sustainable - what's not to love?

6/17/2025

May Fisher

Is My Land Suitable for Development? Get a Free Online Planning Assessment in Minutes

Ever wondered if you could build on a piece of land? Our free online planning assessment tool gives you an instant answer — no jargon, no payment, and no pressure. Just enter your site details and get a clear overview of its potential, including any policy constraints.

6/5/2025

Tomas Millar

A Comprehensive Guide to Permission in Principle (PiP) and Self-Build Projects

Permission in Principle (PiP) offers a faster, lower-cost route to planning for small self-build projects. This guide explains how it works, key rules, common scenarios, and how to secure consent. Includes appeal examples and practical advice for landowners.

6/5/2025

Tomas Millar

Building for the Future: Marrying Tradition with Modern Innovation

May is inspired by Weronika Brzozowska’s vision of blending traditional, locally-sourced building techniques with modern innovations to create sustainable and community-focused homes. Image credit: Sangamam, Anupama Kundoo, 2003

2/18/2025

May Fisher

Women in Self-Build - Anna's Story

Anna shares some of her wisdom in her growing mastery of self-building.

1/31/2025

Tomas Millar

The History of Custom Build and Self Build Around The World

LIVEDIN director Tom Howard explores the history of custom and self-build around the world and compares self-build in the UK now compared to Europe.

1/28/2025

Tomas Millar

Studio Bark - No Building as Usual

In 2021 Studio Bark launched 'No Building As Usual' - a build programme aimed at students from diverse and often under-represented backgrounds.

1/28/2025

Tomas Millar

Renovating a 1960's Bungalow - The Hide

The project was to transform a 1960’s bungalow into a contemporary, lodge-style, eco-conscious building. The owners had a beautiful spot, but the view was mostly obscured. They didn’t want to completely rebuild, as reusing and repurposing were important to them.

1/27/2025

Tomas Millar

How to Downsize Your Home - With The Howards

Tom Howard from architects Millar Howard Workshop and his parents share their experience of downsizing, from design to emotional practicalities. This uplifting story will help many with this daunting process and find joy in a new chapter and new beginnings.

1/27/2025

Tomas Millar

Dursley Treehouse, A Self-built Home In The Trees

The plot had been rejected for planning multiple times as it had 27 listed trees and a variety of conservation orders. Learn about Jon and Noreen's self build story.

1/27/2025

Tomas Millar

Self-Build in a Traditional English Village

Cotswold Self-builder Kevin Hammond shares his experience of building in a traditional English village.

1/26/2025

Tomas Millar

The Diversity of Self-Build Design

LIVEDIN Director Charlie de Bono shares a story of the history of diversity in the buildings of the past and how we can use design codes to keep structure and freedom in the way we build.

1/26/2025

Tomas Millar

Molly & Milo Slow Self-Build in the City

A self-build in London reflects a deeply personal journey, prioritising home over house. By embracing a phased and evolving process, they allowed their vision to grow organically.

1/26/2025

Tomas Millar

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