homebuilding.co.uk 7image: david barbour
CLAIRELLoyd
has been a
member of the
Homebuilding
& Renovating
team for over a
decade. She’s just
completed her
latest renovationEdItoR’S LEttER
I
t perhaps goes without saying, but
the partnership you will form with
your builder will be fundamental
tothe success of your building project.
Self-build expert David Snell puts it thus:
“Self-building is as much about building
relationships as it is building houses.”
Finding the right builder is often
nomean feat and, maintaining a good
relationship, not always easy. But, it’s
worth remembering that this partnership
is a two-way street, and for all the talk of
cowboy builders, we often forget there are
badclients too: those who are late with
payment, unreachable when key decisions
needto be made, and who frequently
change their minds but prove difficult
when settling up for the resulting extras
andare unable to appreciate why the build
schedule has slipped as a consequence.
Fortunately,bothcowboy builder and
badclientareinthe minority, but there are
a numberofwaysto ensure you get the
bestfromthispartnership — David Snell,Homebuilding
&renovating
who has built his own home 14 times over,
reveals his top tips on page 121.
Elsewhere in the issue, we disclose the
key ‘grey areas’ which fall between trades
and the implications for those who hope
to project manage (page 167); planning
consultant Ken Dijksman reveals how
to increase your chances of planning
permission success (page 155); and
Mark Stevenson shares his knowledge on
managing your build budget (page 147).
Plus, the story behind Alan and Lucy
Brown’s self-build (below and page 50).
The couple spotted an infill plot, with
views over Edinburgh’s Firth of Forth,
while walking their dog, and subsequently
secured it with a bid of£31,313.13 (their
lucky number is 13!).SubSCRIbE
fRomjuSt £1!Subscribeto
Homebuilding&
Renovatingmagazine
—fromjust£1forthree
issues.Turnto page 48 to
findoutmore.GREAtREASoNS
toSubSCRIbE...l Never miss an issue,
with free delivery direct
to your door.l Receive two free
tickets to all eight annual
Homebuilding & Renovating
Shows — worth £216.l All the independent expert
advice you need to ensure
your project is delivered on
time and to budget.l The latest design ideas
and inspiration for your
self-build, renovation or
extension project.Editor’s Letter
Self-building
is as much
about
building
relationships
as it is
building
houses