If you’re planning on building your dream home, Grand Designs Live is the place to find ideas, source products and get advice on how to do so.
Find over 500 companies ranging from building suppliers and architects to kitchen specialists and interior designers, as well as free expert advice given in live talks, demonstrations and one-to-one consultations.
Hosted by Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud, the 9 nine day event is one not to be missed. Find out Kevin’s Top Tips for Building Your Dream Home to give you an insight into the do’s and don’ts of taking on your own project.
Planning and Budgeting
They say that the first step is always the most important, and it’s very true in terms of building a house. However, even the most careful planners can expect costs to overrun. Adding a discretionary 20% to your budget is a good way of covering unforeseen costs that almost always crop up. Spend three years planning your project and putting everything in place in advance, and chances are you’ll be on site for six months. Spend six months planning and chances are you’ll be on site for three years!
Hire an Architect
Expert help from talented individuals doesn’t need to be hugely expensive, and if you go to a good architect, your fees will pay for themselves. In terms of what you want, a good architect will be able to give your home a unique feel, but also be able to let you know what works in a home, and, often more importantly, what doesn’t.
Hire an Project Manager
I see this a lot, people who can put up a piece of flat-pack furniture think they can build a house, people who run their own business think they can run their construction project. An experienced project manager will know the ins and outs of building, for example, digging a trench for pipes and cabling will mean starting negotiations with utility companies at least a year in advance, while pipes and cables need to be ordered at least eight weeks in advance.
Get The Build Costed
Get the build costed by a professional Quantity Surveyor. NEVER rely on a costing produced by your builder or your architect; you will soon learn that the construction industry is occupied by idealists.
Professionals are Key
They do this for a living, so employ as you can afford, starting with a great project manager and builder, use recommendations, and always check references!
Go Green
The building stage of a house is the best time to start cutting your long-term costs – add insulation, incorporate solar panels, think about the sun in relation to your windows, where will you get the best light? Could adding that sky light cut your electricity bills? Adding a water butt could save on water bills… the possibilities are endless!
Don't Go For the Latest Trends
... or something you’ve seen in all the magazines – incorporate elements that you know will make you happy and add value to the life you’ll live in your new home, not just value to the asking price.
Don't Throw Away Your Old Furniture
Once you’re in your new home, don’t throw away all your old furniture to buy everything new. Our possessions are our autobiographies, and you’ll be surprised what a bit of varnish or a lick of paint can do to an ancient piece of furniture!
Consider The Outside of Your Home
Do remember that the outside of your home is part of other people’s lives. Your home will become part of a landscape or townscape, so give your architect, landscape designer and planner room for movement here. Your dream home may be someone else’s eyesore. The perfect quote for this instance comes from planner and building colourist Jean-Philippe Lenclos. “If you want to paint your front door, get your neighbour to choose the colour”.
Enjoy The Build
This is many people’s dream. You get to plan your home from the ground up and live your vision!
Keep up to date with your favourite artists, priority bookings and exclusive offers from See Tickets:
Comments are closed.