What is the most important advice you can give anyone who wants to build their own home?

If you have a crisp design, a clear budget with timelines and qualified contractors, and you stick to the regulations, you can halve your stress. Avoid building underground – basements almost always present nasty, damp surprises. Also, find a good contractor or project manager, and insist that a very experienced foreman is on site all day. They are the unsung heroes of a well-functioning site. If you are self-building, being on site yourself every day is essential. So many questions and issues can arise, and being able to make the necessary calls or order supplies before they run out will save you time and money.

If you’re going to all the trouble of building a house, build the best house possible. Every time I’ve built, I’ve handed the architect my exact floor plan and design requirements – much to their horror. But there is no question that they took the design to another level, especially with roof detailing and proportions. Also, the more detailed and accurate the drawings, the easier the build. If you can afford it, get the architect to oversee the build – even if your budget is small, you can find a good architect who is willing to consult for a smaller fee.