can i learn to self build?

ovalu

I've just recieved planning and am hoping to build by hiring direct labour, I dont know much about building at this stage but I've plenty time on my hands and not in any major rush, I work 4 days a week and no kids. Is it possible that I could read a few building books over the next few months and learn enough to manage the project? or am I being stupid. Money isn't really the issue, I just think it would be interesting

Supercell

Interesting question ovalu, often wondered how most of these self build people got started.
Definately something I'd be interested in myself too.

Carpenter

Brave man read read read there are a lot of rip off people out there and a lot people who think they are trades people

muffler

Ideally you should have some basic knowledge in construction methodology and building regulations before even contemplating such a course of action. I would guess that you should have at least 2 - 3 years construction related experience under your belt before you would even consider this.

My advice would be to engage a professional to look after the building works but if you are hell bent on it then get yourself a copy of the Homebond house building manual.

biggus

ovalu if you have time on your hands , go to a local constuction site similar to your planning permission and offer your services as a labourer/helper at discounted/zero rates( even just offering to collect supplies) and see how much you learn in a month. The least you will learn is how difficult or easy this could be and you'll definetrly meet some good or bad subcontractors. Try at least two sites run by different people.You can then decide for yourself. Best of luck. IMO a good builder is someone who is a good organiser of labour/contractors and good value materials.

Leadership

I wanted to do the same but I have had some construction experience in the past so I would know what I am looking for. In the end I found a builder who could do the bulk of the work for cheaper than I could on direct labour. He just had a lot more buying power and the contacts.

I have visit a direct labour build recently and to be honest the they were in an amount of trouble and running badly behind. Some of the mistakes cannot be rectified and they will have to live it.

You could do it but I would use the services of some kind of professional to visit the site regularly to advise you.

dan_d

You could learn the building side. The management will be the tricky part.Programming electricians/plumbers etc at the right times and most importantly staying under budget, will be the really tricky part.Money not being a problem is nearly worse, as you will probably be less inclined to keep a tight hold on the purse strings.Maybe do some of the work yourself but try and get in an expericenced person to work alongside, as they will have all necessary tools and contacts in the business.The actual construction will be the least of your worries.

If you have the time and the ability to learn, seek & take advice and willing to get your hands dirty. Then go for it, as said above, you really need to have had some exposure to the building trade, so you are aware of what's involved.

Look at my website to see how I did it! It can be done, just be prepared for a long haul.

charliecon

I done it and I is a girl ,just keep on asking questions of everyone you know who is in anyway connected to the building trades .It also much easier if you can get tradesmen who you already know or who come recommended. You're right - it is really interesting and I would do it all again no problem!

RKQ

Great advice above.... give it a go.
Try and help friends etc who may be building.
Ask local "self-builders" if you can give them a hand.
In my experience alot of self builders tend to dig & pour foundations, ground floors etc at weekends, with the help of family & friends. An extra pair of hands is always welcome.

Study the Homebond manual and follow all the building / development programmes on tv.
Surf the net, read manufactures details - blocks, insulation, tiles, slate, windows etc.

The BER Assessor will recommend insulation details - ask for photos showing how works should look when correctly done.

If you have detailed working drawings and a comprehensive specification, then you will be simply following "instructions" and should be ok. The design and spec should be fully compliant with the Building Regulations.

Retain the services of a good Architectural Technician, Architect or Engineer to guide you thru all the stages...

Ask lots of questions, it could be a steep learning curve but its not impossible.
Retain sub-contractors based on reputation & quality rather than price. Good trades people are proud of their work and aren't going to be interested in cheating you.

QS THIS

Look,
just get a professional to do it, i have a massive residential job at the min, and the client is way too involved, its a nightmare, amke your descisions early on.

This guys budget is nearly up and i am spending full days fighting with the builder to claw money back, i'll do it but it will take time, but the aul client will see the saving and over spend again.


the builder i have on site is usless, appointed by the client, he cant organise a thing, i have is domestic subbies onto me everyday and the nominated ones aswell, just get a team together, organise yourself, pick your furniture, if needs me and let a team bring it home on time and under budget.

trust me you dont want the stress,

Its an interesting time dont get me wrong, my old man did if part-time for years looking after peoples self builds, while he was at work, and you can see the stress in the guy.

and im following in the footsteps, IM ALREADY OVER WEIGHT AND IM NOT EVEN 25

RKQ wrote: »

Great advice above.... give it a go.
Try and help friends etc who may be building.
Ask local "self-builders" if you can give them a hand.
In my experience alot of self builders tend to dig & pour foundations, ground floors etc at weekends, with the help of family & friends. An extra pair of hands is always welcome.

Study the Homebond manual and follow all the building / development programmes on tv.
Surf the net, read manufactures details - blocks, insulation, tiles, slate, windows etc.

The BER Assessor will recommend insulation details - ask for photos showing how works should look when correctly done.

If you have detailed working drawings and a comprehensive specification, then you will be simply following "instructions" and should be ok. The design and spec should be fully compliant with the Building Regulations.

Retain the services of a good Architectural Technician, Architect or Engineer to guide you thru all the stages...

Ask lots of questions, it could be a steep learning curve but its not impossible.
Retain sub-contractors based on reputation & quality rather than price. Good trades people are proud of their work and aren't going to be interested in cheating you.

ovalu

thanks for the responses both positive and negitive,
i live in a fairly rural area ( everybody knows everbody) so it should be easy enough to organise/ get reccomendations for tradesmen etc, i'm still tempted to give it a go at this stage

Calluna

Ovalu, I was in your shoes earlier on this year. Thought there would be great savings to be made by doing it myself - now by diy I just meant the project managing - I didn't intend to be digging out foundations, etc. Being from the area, we knew lots of tradesmen (this is not always an advantage, as you might feel 'obliged' to use your neighbour/cousin/neighbour's cousin, etc!)
For the crack we got a couple of local builders to quote for it and as the prices weren't exortionate we decided to go with one of them and save ourselves the heartache. BEST decision I ever made. Builder gets a better deal as he's not just a 'one off' builder like us. Obviously, you need to tie down your spec and budget from the start. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and let them know the kind of things you need to be consulted on, etc.
Both my husband and I work full time - I know you have an extra day off per week, but there'll be plenty to do on that day, even with a contractor. We meet our builder every second evening for about half an hour - or I'm available on phone. Lots of little decisions to be made and you can be researching/thinking about them on your time off. The time we will have saved by going the contractor route is one thing, the hassle, is another. So far I am delighted with our progress. We wouldn't have foundation poured yet if I was in charge and even though we started in July - he thinks we could be in by Christmas. My neighbours went over time and over budget doing it themselves. Maybe their budget was lower to start as they didn't intend to pay contractor, but they will end up same price in the end. Two years building as various subcontractors weren't lined up in time, took longer, etc. If you're very chilled out, go diy, otherwise go contractor. HTH

Tyrekicker

Depands on your motivation Ovalu;

I agree with the previous thread that you might not save as much as you might have done a few years ago going direct.

But it could be an enjoyable learning experience, seeing as you have some time / no kids etc... or it could be a nightmare; depends on your attitude.

I'm nearly there; having previously known nothing about construction.

Get a BER assessor
Get proper construiction drawings
Don't make changes
Have someone you can go to for advice (in additon to boards.ie)

the trickyiest bit are those little jobs that aren't really 'owned by anyone. You'll need to do these yourself or at least have a 'handyman' availabel to pcik them up.

I would say go for it....

lanod2407

Gotta disagree with QS_THIS - I've done self-build for my own house and have been involved with several others since, and loved every minute of it .... and that's with 5 kids and a job with a really demanding multi-national .......... if you've got the time, have some smarts upstairs, can get yourself well organised, and can push people and stick to a plan then I'd do it.