You may find the links at the bottom of this page useful for information and ideas.
The following are extracts from the homebuilding website.
The Things You Shouldn’t Compromise On
It’s all very well cutting costs but it’s important to realise where you can’t really compromise without resulting in a basic developer standard. The key to the success of any house is design. While it’s tempting to think that you could easily save the £3,000 – £10,000 you’re likely to be spending on design fees by doing it all yourself, this is almost always a false economy. You’ll end up with a house that in all likelihood won’t meet your requirements and, just as importantly, will look cheap from the outside.
7. Minimise Design Fees
Go to a recognised architect and you’ll expect to pay 10% of your build costs in design fees.Those looking to spend less shouldn’t forgo the design process but they should take a different approach.
Start the process off with a pretty good idea of the kind of house you’d like to build, work out a broad idea of the internal layout you’d like and draw up some simple ideas.
Take those formulated ideas to someone with design skills but without the ‘Architect’ title — perhaps an architectural technologist, who can then draw up workable Planning and Building Regulations drawings for you. This process will potentially save you £1,000s at the start of your project.
Some of the extra fees that may be relevant for your project: –
- Legal Fees: £500-1,000
- Stamp Duty and Land Tax: The tax is currently levied at 1% for plots valued from £175,001 to £250,000, 3% for plots valued from £250,001 to £500,000 and 4% over £500,000
- Topographical Site Survey: Typical cost £350-500
- Design Fees: Architects charge 7-15% of the total build cost for a service involving design and supervision. For planning drawings from other sources expect to pay from £2,500-3,500, plus a similar figure for Building Regulations drawings. (Highland Plans fees will come as a pleasant surprise.)
- Please note that we provide a design and drafting service and do not supervise the construction process. Building Control should make various site inspections and will sign a Completion Certificate to say that they are satisfied that the construction meets the Building Standards.
- Structural Engineers’ Fees: £400-500 (You should expect double this figure)
- Planning Application Fees: £335 (see Planning link for current fees)
- Building Regulations Fees: £500-1,000 (see Building Warrant link for current fees)
- Self-build Insurance: £500-800
- Services: Typically £3,500-6,000 total
- Demolition Costs: Typically £5,000-10,000
- External Works: Around 15% of total build cost
http://www.homebuilding.co.uk/
http://www.self-build.co.uk/
http://www.selfbuildit.co.uk/