5 Benefits of the Design & Build Homes Route

Designing and building a new property from scratch gives you the chance to create something that’s uniquely tailored to your needs – but if you’ve never been involved in a major project before, it can seem a little daunting.

So when you set out on the journey, it’s worth remembering that most self-builders are in the same boat: 13,000 people complete a project every year, and very few of those possess bona fide construction experience.

So how do they do it? For many, it comes down to relying on the skills and knowledge of others by commissioning out some or all of the work.

One of the best options is to engage the services of a package house specialist to take on some (or even all) of the design and build work.

These firms can guide you through everything from the design and planning stages through to construction choices, materials specifications and – should you wish – can even take on all of the building work on your behalf, right up to handing over the keys.

Here are five of the main benefits of working with a design and build package home supplier:

1. You control the design

The beauty of self-building is that it gives you the opportunity to specify every detail that goes into your project.

You might think that using a package provider takes some of that control away – but in fact you’re still commissioning something that’s totally tailored to your needs.

The vast majority of design and build companies now offer a fully bespoke service via their in-house or recommended architectural teams. So choosing the right company usually boils down to whether they’re able to come up with a design you like.

Most firms are also happy to work in conjunction with your own architect or designer; rationalising the house plans you provide into a buildable structure.

That said, many still offer a standard range of house plans, in addition to the tailor-made route. If you do see something off-the-shelf that inspires you, or perhaps a design in the company’s back catalogue, you can opt to tweak this to better suit your lifestyle or planning requirements.

2. You can be as involved as you want to be

The control doesn’t stop with the design stages. Most package home companies offer a comprehensive suite of services, and you can normally pick and choose which ones best fit your project and circumstances.

A typical starter package involves the supply and (usually) erection on site of the shell of your bespoke home to weathertight stage, ready to be finished inside and out by your own contractors.

A whole host of bolt-ons can be added to this basic format. If you’ve chosen to use an in-house design team, they may well take care of planning and Building Regulations applications for you, for instance.

Many firms can also offer project management services throughout the construction phase – either delivering a select few areas of your scheme or completing the entire project on your behalf as part of a turnkey build.

3. It gives you cost certainty

Exactly what you pay for your build will depend on a variety of factors, including the size, style and specification of your home – not to mention how you choose to run the project.

If you’ve got the skills to get it right, the cheapest option will be to buy all the materials and literally construct the house yourself. But few of us can do this to a high standard, and fewer still have the time to devote to doing it, so in practice we all rely on expert help from a variety of sources.

One of the big advantages of working with a package supplier is that you can access all the support you need from a single source – and, importantly, at an agreed fixed price.

The more services you ask the package company to provide, the greater the cost certainty – and, as you’d expect, the greater the premium you’ll pay for the privilege of this versus taking a DIY approach.

But whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced self-builder, you’ll soon appreciate the value of that support for your scheme.

4. It will benefit your scheduling

Engaging a single, experienced supplier to deliver a significant chunk of your self-build project on a fixed price eliminates a lot of the hassle of co-ordinating a project, putting you in a strong position to get your scheme built on time and on budget.

As part of the process, your package supplier may well prepare detailed plans for both costings and the construction programme (for the part of the build they’re involved with). This kind of professionally-prepared document will be a huge boon to your project, as it gives you clarity on crucial elements such as which materials and trades need to be on site when.

The more elements you hand over to your package firm to source and deliver on your behalf, the lower the risk that your own lack of knowledge might result in a few balls being dropped in the course of the self-build juggling act.

5. You’ll be working with the experts

Most design and build package companies will appoint a single point of contact to be your partner on the project. These are people who’ve been there, done it and seen pretty much everything that can happen on a building site – and they’ll hold your hand over through the elements of the project for which they’re contracted.

They may also be willing to act as a sounding board for advice, support and second opinions on other parts of your self-build. After all, it’s in their interests that you enjoy a smooth and successful project. As with any trade or supplier worth their salt, they’ll know that their next happy customer is their next good recommendation.

Some firms can also offer a range of supplementary services, such as conducting land and budget appraisals, submitting planning applications and selecting the best heating system for your new home.

Main image: White Birch is a stunningly modern home design from Stommel Haus, which specialises in delivering fully-fitted, custom-designed homes – but can also work on a shell-build basis