Timber frame super energy efficient homes are popular in many countries throughout the world, except, it would seem, the UK. However all that seems to be changing thanks to the new government directive to go green. With northern European countries already building code 5 or code 6 sustainable homes in kit form the UK is fast catching on to this growing trend.
1. Plots of land are for sale every day however most Estate Agents deal directly with commercial builders when land comes up for sale as they also receive a commission for what ends up being built on the land. Use a service like Plotbrowser or Plotsearch to keep up to date with what is available and in the meantime write to as many local builders as you can asking if they have any land for sale for a self build project and get them to quote for the build itself.
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2. Search for bungalows built in the 1960′s that are beyond renovation. The great thing about bungalows is that they are usually in a nice sized plot of land and there will be plenty of scope to knock the building down and replace it with an energy efficient self-build home. Even if there are restrictions on extending the original footprint of the bungalow you can always go out and then up for maximum space.
3. Seek professional advice on what finance is available from the National Self Build Centre in Swindon. You will be amazed at the new ways in which you can finance your land and self-build project with a mortgage. There are stage payment type mortgages or an innovative project money upfront type of insured mortgage that will allow you to finance the whole project in one go. Pick up that phone and give the experts a call!
4. Energy Efficiency for life. If you had a time machine and could go back to when you bought your current house what would you change? Perhaps you have added double glazing, cavity wall insulation and loft insulation and you might be thinking about Solar Power to reduce rising energy costs. If you had the choice today between a home that costs £200-£300 a year to run or £200-£300 a month to run which would you invest in knowing what you know now?
5. Designing your own floor plan. If you have ever bought a new home with that lovely expectation that you can design the whole thing yourself you will love the idea of self-building BUT there will always be compromises unless budget is no problem of course. Decide on a style of house within your overall and then re-work the floor plan to suit your needs working backwards. Expect to make a choice of one or two gizmos and gadgets such a steam oven and a built in sound system and then focus on the overall interior design scheme.
6. Stop renovating for a few years and watch your bank balance grow. If you have added a new kitchen, bathroom or an extension to your existing home in the last few years you will probably have parted with a good £15,000 - £50,000 already. The best aspect of investing in a high quality energy efficient home is that once the initial expense is over you can start saving the money you would have spent renovating for a few years and relax!
7. Fighting the losing energy saving battle. Energy costs are rising faster than ever before and in most cases nowadays both energy and food are not part of the chancellors famous inflation "shopping basket calculation which means that they are likely to rise and rise and rise. If you knew you would be spending an extra £150 a month on food and energy bills just to live in the same house for the next ten years would you do it? £150 a month x 12 = £ 1800 over 10 years that would be £18,000 ( almost half the cost of that 3 bedroomed house kit).
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