The UK could do much more to address the problem if many more people were enabled to design and build their own homes. They would not only achieve the best quality, most innovative, most sustainable and most affordable houses. They would also enhance their own career prospects because they will have learned and can demonstrate the effectiveness of many new skills. These include construction methods, personnel management, financial planning and cost control, and project management, etc.
They can include office or workroom space, or a granny annexe. They can install acoustic insulation so that the teenagers upstairs or the noisy neighbours aren't an issue. Self building even one house provides up to 2 jobs and enhanced income into the local economy.
The government doen't like to see the UK at the bottom of the international table for self built homes, so they have been starting to take action. They have already instructed local councils to identify the demand for self building and address it. They are marketing government owned land as self build opportunities. Other countries demonstrate that self building works brilliantly.
The Build a Dream Self Build Association advises and supports self builders and relevant professionals, making it far easier for all to work together. Owners of land with housing potential could achieve their own unique communities, with loads of character and imagination.
