For those of us lucky enough to get the chance to take the challenge on, you will no doubt understand that with the highs of the self-build dream come the perils of the design and build process. Problems lead to delays and delays to lead to spending more money trying to get the job done. This can be a logistical nightmare as budgets need to be strictly adhered to as well as juggling the role of project manager with normal, everyday life. Planning permission can also be a sticking point – there are rules to follow and you must adhere to them to make sure your project gets going.
We have helped countless self-builders over the years and know a thing or two about the issues and concerns that can arise. Here are a few tips to get you started on your journey:
How are you funding your project?
There are two methods to funding your self-built home. Fund the project yourself, or like 60% of self-builders, borrow from the bank.
But did you know that most banks or mortgage providers won’t release funds without a structural warranty in place? Premier Guarantee are accepted by all major mortgage lenders, meaning you will never have a funding problem with your home with Premier Guarantee cover.
Do you really know who you are working with?
There are builders and contractors who may not be as reputable as you would think! The last thing you need is to invest all your money into your new home only to realise that you haven’t got what you have paid for. It is a situation we have seen over the years and we don’t want it to happen to you!
Before you decide to employ a builder and/or contractor, you should look at the following actions to protect yourself against any dodgy dealers.
Check their professional credentials: Are they part of any professional trade bodies and/or do they have any accredited qualifications that you can check against?
Research online: Look into self-build forums and communities online that offer advice on mistakes to avoid and recommendations of trustworthy builders.
Many self-builders choose the additional protection of a self-build warranty to cover against any major defects in the first 10 years of building’s lifecycle. If your contractor has agreed to organise putting this in place, but you haven’t seen any evidence of this, you can contact the warranty provider in question and check further details of the cover to be provided.
Protecting your Dream Home
You want your dream home to be preciously that – a dream. But with any newly built property, structural problems can arise. You should get structural warranty cover in place for two reasons as well as giving you peace of mind:
Quality of build: Having the support of an experienced warranty surveyor who has worked with self-build projects can minimise the risk of problems occurring.
On-site surveyor inspections: It’s a common myth that warranty providers can use third party surveyor reports to approve builds and issue certificates. All Premier Guarantee inspections are undertaken and signed off by our own national surveyor network.
Timing is everything
So, if you need a warranty in place, when is the best time to sort it? Before you have even thought about getting your boots dirty and digging holes, you should speak to an ‘A’ rated, Lender-approved warranty provider like Premier Guarantee. The earlier you get us involved, the easier it will be to support you.
T 0800 107 8446
www.premierguarantee.co.uk