The words ‘self-build’ and ‘Kevin McCloud’ go hand in hand thanks to his success presenting ‘Grand Designs’ and its spin off series ‘The Streets’. With self-build getting such high profile airtime it’s not surprising that interest is booming giving ongoing opportunities for mortgage brokers financing this sector.
In the latest series of The Streets, which returned to our screens in May, Kevin McCloud follows households as they embark on an ‘epic mission’ to construct their own homes, creating brand-new streets in Britain’s biggest self-build project. The programme makers are clearly evangelists for self-build but what makes self-build such a popular option?
Cost savings: Building your own home can often be more cost-effective compared to purchasing a pre-built property. By taking on the construction self-builders can cut out the expense of hiring a general contractor.
Customisation and personalisation: Self-building provides the opportunity to create a home personalised 100% to the self-builder’s needs.
Sustainability and energy efficiency: With growing environmental concerns, many people are opting for self-building as a way to create eco-friendly and energy-efficient homes.
Technological advancements: Online resources, 3D modelling software, and virtual reality tools enables self-builders to visualise their designs, plan construction, and overcome potential challenges helping to keep construction efficient.
And finally and perhaps most importantly, self-building creates a sense of achievement and pride. Building a home from scratch can be a highly rewarding experience as our customers often tell us.
Jean Errington is business development manager at Harpenden Building Society
