tHree coastal self-builds for different budgets
How it works 1identify your build route from the four options Your level of involvement in the project will influence the build costs. For simplicity, the four most common build routes have been identified below: l build route a: diy + subbies
Building on a largely DIY basis, substituting around 30% of labour costs with DIY, and employing help with the rest of the building work. Materials purchased directly.
l build route b: subbies Building using tradespeople hired directly — you will be project managing, but there is minimal DIY involvement. Most or all materials purchased directly.
l build route c: builders/subbies
Building using a main contractor or package supplier to complete the structure to a weathertight stage, with the remaining work undertaken by subcontractors and most materials purchased by self-builder direct from suppliers.
l build route d: Main contractor
Building using a main contractor. Building in this way requires the least involvement from the self-builder.
2identify your expected level of specification The standard of specification
that you choose will have an enormous influence on your build cost. For estimating purposes, three general categories of quality have been identified: l standard: This represents a basic build quality equivalent to that offered by most speculative developers. A house may include standard softwood joinery, studwork partitions, a contract kitchen, basic sanitaryware and radiator central heating.
l good: This is equivalent to that offered by quality developers. Features may include high-end off-theshelf softwood joinery, blockwork partition walls, contract quality kitchen and sanitaryware and underfloor heating (UFH) downstairs.
l excellent: A very high standard. This house may include hardwood joinery, blockwork partition walls, a bespoke kitchen and quality sanitaryware, and UFH, for instance.
3Multiply the figure by your house size
We have used gross internal floor area as a measure (it’s the most common in the industry). It’s the area of a building measured to the internal face of each perimeter wall for each floor level. It includes areas occupied by internal walls and partitions.
build cost £160,000 size 98m² location Cornwall build time 11 months lesley and Paul dadson have transformed a challenging plot into the site of a new home that proves contemporary design can be interesting and affordable. The single-storey, flat-roofed home has been built out of a highly insulated timber frame and clad in Marley Eternit fibre cement boards, with a pared-back interior. Attention to detail and careful use of space gives the property a high-spec feel, which belies the eventual budget of just £160,000.
build cost £320,000 size 211m2 location East Sussex build time 11 months catherine and adas nicholson have replaced a dated beachfront bungalow with a contemporary family home that responds to its surroundings thanks to the gabion wall at ground level. Full-height glazing above offers uninterrupted sea views. Insulated concrete formwork (ICF) was used to construct the house, resulting in a quick and energy-efficient build.
build cost £2.5million size 618m2 location Cornwall build time Two years Marzouk al-bader has replaced a bungalow on the sand dunes overlooking a beach in Cornwall with an impressive family holiday home, complete with guest annexe for visitors. The six bedroom home has been clad using locally sourced materials including slate, stone and timber, with lots of glazing offering views of the coast and beach below.