Self build or custom build?
Everyone aspires to create the perfect home, but we all have different ideas of what it might look like. For some, an open-plan social living space is a must, while others will prioritise a utility room or home office. That’s why Graven Hill has pioneered a choice of models and options to suit every need and budget.
Whether you’re keen to self build your own design from scratch or would prefer to add a touch of personality to a tailored new property, Graven Hill will be there to help make the process as simple, affordable and accessible as possible.
Building from the ground up
Realising a home building project can feel like an impossible dream, but it could be easier than you think. Choosing to self build at Graven Hill gives buyers total control over every aspect of their project while taking away some of the stress that is often associated with the process.
Although common in other European countries, self building still makes up a relative minority (about 10%) of the housing market in the UK. As a result, it often feels like a challenging option. Common stumbling blocks include finding a suitable and affordable plot, gaining planning consent and organising the construction process. Serviced plots, such as those available at Graven Hill, aim to take these hurdles out of the process, allowing self builders to focus solely on the design and delivery of their project.
A customised solution
Overseeing the entire construction of a home is a very rewarding project, but it isn’t right for everyone. For those who want the convenience of a move-in-ready new-build property, but still want to put their stamp on their home, custom build homes are the perfect compromise.
“Custom Build is a really exciting new concept in the housing market,” says Karen Curtin. “If self build isn’t the right path, this gives you the chance to design a home that is still individual to you.” A relatively new concept in the UK, this route allows buyers to create a bespoke home without the need to don a hard hat. The earlier in the planning and building process the plot is reserved, the more choices available when it comes to personalisation, so you’ll want to get on board as early as possible.
According to Graven Hill’s research, 50% of people identify customisation as the main advantage of designing their own home. However, whether due to finances or the amount of time it takes, self building is not always a viable option for everyone. This is where custom build homes come in, offering buyers an alternative that provides the personal touches they desire without the responsibility of taking on a construction project.
What is custom building?
Custom building is not yet a well-known option in the UK. This could be down to the country’s desperate need for houses, with speed often being prioritised over personality and design as a result. However, Graven Hill believes that this approach has left people feeling uninspired by the housing market, and that involving the buyer in the process leads to a longerlasting love between a person and their home.
By giving people the opportunity to tailor the internal layout and finish of their home, buyers can be certain that it will fit their needs long into the future. Custom build homes can even be made more accessible with touches such as wider door frames, lower light switches and downstairs bathrooms, future-proofing them for later years.
How does the process work?
Unlike a self build project, the external and internal structure of a custom home is completed by a team of professionals. Depending on when in the building process the house has been purchased, buyers can review elements of the property, including the floorplans, fixtures and fittings, and alter them to suit their wishes. Simply put, the sooner the home is purchased, the more choice the buyer has.
Why choose custom building?
Those who decide to take the custom build route will get to enjoy all the advantages of a high-quality, move-in-ready new home that fits their needs and personality perfectly. So, whether the buyer is a growing family in need of an extra room or a couple looking for an open-plan space to entertain, custom building is the ideal choice.
Providing both a simple and creative way into the world of housebuilding, custom building means compromise does not have to be a part of the property market any longer. As these homes are classed as new builds, buyers can also access the government’s Help to Buy finance scheme.
In addition, every home at Graven Hill comes with a 10-year structural warranty, allowing buyers to rest easy knowing that they are protected against any damage or defects in the design or construction of their property.
Building a home is no mean feat, but it is also incredibly rewarding. Traditionally, projects have been isolated to single plots, leaving people entirely to their own devices. However, in order to make the process accessible to all, Graven Hill has made self building as hassle-free as possible, with the provision of serviced plots and support available throughout the build.
Introducing the Golden Brick
“Laying the foundations can be one of the riskiest elements of a self build project as you never know what you will find until you start digging,” says Karen Curtin, managing director of Graven Hill. “Buying a self build serviced plot from us takes away that worry immediately.”
One common problems for self builders is finding a site that is viable for development. At Graven Hill, each self build plot is shovel ready, with utilities including electricity, gas, water, high-speed broadband and drainage already in place.
When you buy a self build serviced plot at Graven Hill it is provided on a Golden Brick basis. This means you pay for the land, which includes utilities (to the boundary of your plot) and drainage, in addition to the cost of your foundations, which will be designed and priced up to suit your house design and layout. It also means that the sale will have a zero VAT rating – unlike the 20% you would typically pay if you were buying serviced land without the Golden Brick.
Choosing your self build plot
Useful questions to consider when selecting the right serviced plot to suit your project goals include:
How much space is needed?
How many bedrooms and bathrooms would be ideal? Would a rural setting or an urban area be more suitable? How will the build be financed and how much money do you have available to spend?
Once you have the answers to these questions, you can start to narrow down which opportunities will best suit you.