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FINDING A BUILDING PLOT

May 04, 2022

FINDING A BUILDING PLOT

HOW TO GO ABOUT FINDING A BUILDING PLOT


We work with both developers and private clients, and one of the most common complaints we hear from both is how difficult it can be to find the right piece of land to build on. Be it for a one off bespoke home, or a multi-unit development, tracking down the right plot can be the trickiest part of the process.



Here are a few tips that we have heard over the years:


1.     Try to be as flexible as possible. It can be very tricky to find a plot if your search area is small and you are only looking for a particular style of build. If you aren’t flexible on location try to be flexible on design, or conversely if you are fixed on a particular style of building then considering a wider search area could be beneficial;


2.     As well as mainstream sites like Rightmove and OnTheMarket, check out specialist plot advertising sites such as www.PlotBrowser.com from Self Build and Design or www.Plotfinder.net from Homebuilding & Renovating. These are more specialist sites advertising building plots;


3.     Whenever the government are disposing of any assets (letting or sales) these are listed on their asset disposal website www.gov.uk/find-goverment-property . This can be searched by location and there are all sorts of interesting properties that may not make it to other sales sites;


4.     Likewise, take a look at the Brownfield register. Local governments are required to keep an up to date register of Brownfield sites (previously developed but now left unused) that local authorities consider as being appropriate for residential development, or sites granted permission in principle;


5.     If you find a plot that you are interested in that has planning permission for a property that you aren’t keen on, you do not necessarily need to be put off by this. It is not uncommon for a planning application to be submitted for the least controversial option in order to obtain planning permission in the first instance. In many circumstances a further application can be submitted in order to vary the original planning permission. It is worth noting that if you are looking at such a piece of land we advise getting professional advice on this before committing to any purchase;


6.     Make your intentions known in the area that you are looking to buy. Land is often sold away from the open market, so this approach can help put you in touch with the right people. This is also key with estate agents and can help put you in the forefront of their minds should a suitable plot become available; and


7.     It is possible to pick up a bargain at an auction, but on the flip side it is also possible for land to be sold for well over what it might achieve on the open market. If something seems too good to be true, there is often a very good reason.


Most importantly, make sure that you carry out all the necessary legal and planning checks before agreeing a purchase. If you are interested in this topic our next blog in the sequence,  ‘What to Consider When Buying a Building Plot’ will be out shortly.

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LIVING THROUGH YOUR RENOVATION

By Katy Esdon • 04 Aug, 2020
We bought our house in Salisbury in July 2015, about three months after we found out we were expecting our eldest son. The house was derelict, and although we are in the industry, actually living on a building site certainly came as a surprise. It has however put us in a great position to dish out advice on the subject. Here are a few of our top tips to living through your renovation: 1. Move out if you can. Not necessarily for the entirety of the build, but definitely for the most disruptive bits. Better still, go on holiday for a few weeks. Sound a bit defeatist? Maybe, but it is the easiest option by far. This is particularly key if your project will mean that you lose the use of your kitchen or bathroom for any time. Our own renovation has been done in stages, some of the time was have lived there, and some of the time we have lived elsewhere, and living away helps keep those stress levels down. Keep visiting site to check on progress of course, but live away if you can; 2. If living away isn’t an option, think about how you are going to cook, wash clothes and clean yourselves. In the depths of winter we had no back wall in our bathroom (or kitchen for that matter, see images below) which made for hideously chilly, and not very private toilet trips. Is it possible to relocate your kitchen or bathroom during the building work? We were able to temporarily relocate our old kitchen to the dining room, at minimal cost, whilst the kitchen was out of action. No such luck with the bathroom, but having a working kitchen at least made the house liveable; 3. Don’t try to do too much yourselves. We took out our own central heating system and re-ran the new pipes (closely supervised) in the interest of saving a few pounds. It was fun, but it took us a long time and without doubt slowed down the whole process. It would have been quicker to pay someone else to do it. Think of this piece of advice especially when it comes to decorating, doing your own painting may seem like an easy, cost efficient thing to do, but the finish you’ll get from a professional job will be worth its weight in gold; 4. In the same sentence, don’t have anything painted until all the building work is finished. Brick and plaster dust get everywhere! The temptation to paint any room as soon as it’s finished is strong, but try your hardest to resist. There is nothing worse than beautifully decorating your front room, only to have brick dust to ruin the whole thing. It will double the job as you’ll have to do it all again. The same also applies to laying new carpets. Trust us, here speaks the voice of experience. Finally (and perhaps most obviously); 5. Don’t bring home your brand new puppy at the same time you embark on a huge extension!! You would think this is a given, but some people (I’m looking only at ourselves on this one) need telling. House training a puppy whilst trying to keep her off of a building site is not easy. Stay away….

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR ARCHITECT

By Katy Esdon • 01 Jul, 2020
I THINK I NEED AN ARCHITECT. WHERE DO I START? Appointing an Architect isn’t an every day occurrence for most people, and it can feel like a bit of mystery as to how to even go about it. Do I go directly to an Architect? Should I approach a builder first? Here are a few of our most commonly asked questions that might help you get started; FIRST OFF, DO I REALLY NEED AN ARCHITECT? Unless your project is very straightforward, it will usually benefit from employing an Architect. Many Architects, ourselves included, offer free initial consultations to run through the services available and this will give you an idea as to what you will require. We offer a full service for projects with a starting budget of around £50,000. You can either approach an Architect directly, or go through a builder. Either route is fine. If you have approached a builder before contacting an Architect then they will be able to give you an idea as to whether you will need an Architect, and may even recommend someone that they have worked with before. WHAT SERVICES IS AN ARCHITECT GOING TO PROVIDE ME WITH? The answer to this question may vary between practices, but will largely follow this format; initial consultation and briefing, design development, planning (if required), detailed design and tender, construction and finally handover. Check out our other Blog posts to see how we work. I THINK I NEED PLANNING PERMISSION. HOW DO I FIND OUT? You will be able to check on the website www.planningportal.co.uk and your Architect will also be able to give you more information. RIGHT, I DO NEED AN ARCHITECT. NOW HOW DO I CHOOSE ONE ARCHITECT? As with so many things in life, a recommendation is worth its weight in gold and asking around friends is usually a great place to start. Couple this with carrying out your own research. Check out Architects websites that interest you and see which have experience similar to what you are looking for. You should also be able to find reviews online to get an idea of past client’s experiences. It is a rigorous process training to become an Architect, and all Architects must be registered with the ARB (Architects Registration Board). RIBA Chartered Practices must meet strict eligibility criteria, are committed to design excellence and customer service. Keep an eye out for these during your search. Once you have made a shortlist of Architects you would like to speak to, do just that, and get in touch. It is important that you have faith in the Architect that you appoint, their design and creative skills, and their ability to see the project through. Ask to see their portfolio of previous projects. It is important that you have a good working relationship with your Architect, and the success of your project will depend on it. HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO COST ME? Architects fees vary depending on the type of project you are carrying out, the location, and the level of service required from them. Fees are commonly calculated either based on a percentage of a total build cost, as a fixed amount, or based on a time charge. Make sure that the scope of work and cost of Architectural services are agreed in writing before your project commences. If there is anything else you'd like to know, then just give us a call.
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