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Introduction for Self Builders
Introduction for Self Builders


The popularity of self build has never been stronger. To the uninitiated the
thought of building your own home may seem a daunting task, however there is an
increasingly sophisticated and well developed support to “would be” self builders
ranging from magazines, exhibitions and specialist self build companies.
Timber Frame has long been the favourite construction choice of self builders
and a number of package or kit manufacturers have evolved over the years providing
broad packages dedicated to making self build easier.
With services ranging from help with planning, design and erection, choosing
the timber frame package route really puts the self builder in control of the
process and less reliant on finding sometimes illusive tradesmen.
When considering a package company it is worth the options and comparing the
package content from each provider, it will vary. Some will work from their own
designs, others will provide a bespoke service from your architect’s plans.

One thing that is a must is to ensure that your chosen timber frame provider
is a member of the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA). A condition of membership
is that all companies attain the UKTFA Q Mark standard, which is an independently
audited quality scheme for engineering, manufacture and erection on site. This
quality scheme provides peace of mind, after all, your home is likely to be your
largest every single investment in your life.
Self building can be a rewarding experience, with self builders making around
30% on their home from the minute they move in, it is not hard to see why building
for investment ranks along side building a dream home as they number one reason
for self building.
Mortgage lends to self builders is running at hundreds of millions with a growth
of almost 20% over the last three years.
