Self Build Planner: Schedule Your Project

Stay on time and on budget with our week-by-week schedule of build works for your project

12th April 2018

While every project is unique, the sequence of a typical self build will follow broadly the same pattern, regardless of where and when it is taking place.

There are a number of scheduling programmes out there, many of which cost a fair bit of money and are primarily aimed at developers who will benefit from the investment in software spread over a number of schemes.

But for a one-off project, most self builders and renovators manage to track their finances and block out a basic timetable on a spreadsheet, in conjunction with their contractor.

I’ve pulled together a simple schedule based on the average construction time for a large detached house. The calendar spans 30 weeks, offering an idea of what happens and when during a typical build.

The programme shadows both a masonry and conventional timber frame home, each with standard trench foundations. I’ve restricted the plan to these systems because trying to apply a universal timetable to other build routes simply won’t work.

More resources: Get a cost breakdown for your project with Build It’s Estimating Service

For instance, some flat pack structures that come ready with insulation, doors and windows already installed can be erected in a matter of days, so your schedule of works will be advised by the supplier and their construction team.

Be aware that this sequence of events is indicative only – some activities may take more or less time for your particular project (depending on the size and complexity). It’s up to you to agree a precise itinerary and appropriate programme to work to with your contractors.

Always be prepared to amend the timetable on the advice of your tradesmen and the reality of the situation at the time. For example, you can’t slavishly stick to a schedule if you’ve just had a week’s delay because of heavy snowfall.

Before you start

The 30-week plan begins when construction work starts on site, but before any of this can go ahead, you’ll need to ensure the following is completed:

The plot has been acquired
Designs have been drawn
Planning permission has been granted
Building Regulations plans and SAP assessment have been submitted and approved
Invitations to tender have been issued
Main contractor (or trades, if you are project managing yourself) has been selected
Services have been arranged through the relevant electricity and water suppliers
Suitable site insurances and structural warranty have been purchased
Lead-in times for products and materials have been established (to ensure they’re ordered correctly)

Key:

(M.O): Masonry only

(T.O): Timber frame only

Weeks 1-2 : Before building work starts

Notify building control (BC) of commencement (48 hours before work begins)
Create site access
Clear plot and strip topsoil for later reuse in landscaping
Set up land in accordance with the site plan
Arrange temporary services (electricity & water)
Form secure storage on site
Install site office, portaloo and temporary fencing
Mark out foundations (using a surveyor if necessary)

Read more: Project Preliminaries & Costs

Weeks 2-3 : Foundations, footings & oversite

Excavate foundation trenches and wait for BC inspection
Fit foundation reinforcement and pour concrete (inspection may be required)
Build foundation blockwork to damp proof course (DPC, inspection may be required)
Backfill foundation cavities to ground level
Pour concrete slab oversite to form the ground floor structure/install beam and block oversite to specification
Fit at least 100mm insulation above or below slab
Make sure the foundations are accurate enough for the timber frame’s tolerances (T.O)

Week 4 : External works

Excavate service/drainage trenches (inspection may be required) and install ducting and drawstrings
Connect to mains sewer
Install off-mains solution (treatment plant etc) if required
Position rainwater harvesting tank (if specified)

Endeavouring to make their farmhouse self-build as energy-efficient as possible, Mark and Sonia Boulton opted for a rainwater harvesting system

The rain from their barn roof feeds a 5,000L underground storage unit, which supplies all the toilets and the washing machine. Click image to read the full story

Week 5 : Scaffolding & structural system

Construct outer leaf walls to DPC (M.O)
Install foot scaffolding as required (M.O)
Lay drainage pipes in pea shingle
Check falls and connections
Erect scaffolding framework (T.O)

Week 6-9 : First floor construction

Construct lower storey walls from DPC upwards (M.O)
Install cavity insulation (M.O)
Place meter boxes (M.O)
Build in structural openings and lintels (M.O)
Raise scaffolding as required (M.O)
Position first floor joists or beam and block intermediate floor
Erect timber frame — including roof structure (T.O)
Apply breathable membrane to the outside of the frame (T.O)

Weeks 10-12 : Superstructure construction

Construct upper storey walls (M.O)
Build in structural openings and lintels (M.O)
Install cavity trays (M.O)
Position cavity closers (M.O)
Bed wall plate (M.O)
Build up gables (M.O)
Form chimneys (M.O)
Place lead soakers (M.O)
Fix windows and external doors (T.O)
Internally, begin first fix electrics, joinery and plumbing/ducting (see week 18) (T.O)
Fit insulation (T.O)
Tape joints (T.O)
Install vapour barrier (T.O)

Timber frame self-build on a sloping plot

Assembling the superstructure was far from simple for the Locke family, whose woodland retreat is in an especially remote spot

With access to the plot tricky, a site-cut timber frame made sense as it wouldn’t require large lorries and cranes. Click the image to read the full story

Weeks 13-14 : Roof structure/tiling

Install roof trusses (M.O)
Affix wind bracing (M.O)
Build in gable ladders (M.O)
Construct dormers if required (M.O)
Batten out and fit undercloak (T.O)
Fit roof and ridge tiles (T.O)
Apply flashing (T.O)
Affix soffits, fascia and bargeboards (T.O)
Apply external cladding — brick, render etc (T.O)
Gutters and downpipes (T.O)
Take down scaffolding (T.O)

Note: The erection of a timber frame superstructure is generally much quicker than a masonry build, so you’re likely to get to watertight up to six weeks earlier. For the sake of simplicity, the next few weeks in this schedule allow for the remaining masonry elements, with timber continuing at weeks 18-19. Please allow for this in your timeframe.

Weeks 15-16 : Roof tiling

Lay sarking/breathable membrane (M.O)
Fit undercloak (M.O)
Set down battening at correct gauge (M.O)
Lay roof tiles (M.O)
Fit ridge tiles (M.O)
Apply mortar and bargeboards (M.O)
Put in flashings (M.O)

Weeks 17-18 : Works to watertight

Install windows and doors (M.O)
Affix soffits and fascias (M.O)
Apply external render if required (M.O)
Fit guttering and downpipes and connect to drainage (M.O)
Drop scaffolding (M.O)
Conduct airtightness testing once structure is wind and watertight and all potential air leakage points are sealed

Weeks 18-19 : First fix

Joinery:

Fit floor deck
Door linings
Install staircase (with protective cover)
Studwork for partition walls and plasterboard noggins
Loft hatch framework
Tank stands

Plumbing:

Position waste pipes
Lay hot/cold feeds for taps and outlets
Install heating pipework and gas meter
Fit underfloor heating pipework and manifolds
Run ducting for mechanical ventilation and heat recovery (MVHR) unit

Electrics:

Run carcass wiring for power, lighting, broadband etc
Insert back boxes for sockets and switches
External wiring for lighting and security features
Armoured cable to external areas such as garage, pond, patio areas as required

Read more: Lighting Planning & Cost Guide

Weeks 20-22 : Plastering/tacking

Lay floor screeds
Tack ceilings
Fit coving
Wet plaster or ‘dot and dab’ plasterboard (M.O)
Allow plaster to dry (M.O)
Dry lining (T.O)

Martin Sherring and Penny Edwards' Passivhaus self-build includes prefabricated panels and roof cassettes for optimum thermal efficiency

The structure's impressive insulation and airtightness means that the home remains consistently warm throughout the year. Click the image to read more

Weeks 23-24 : Internal fit out

Fit hard flooring
Install kitchen units
Put in bathrooms
Lay loft insulation

Weeks 25-26 : Second fix

Joinery:

Hang doors
Fit balustrades and hand rails
Apply skirting and architraves
Board out loft if required
Install wardrobes

Plumbing:

Fit cooker
Install woodburner (if specified)
Fix radiators/connect underfloor heating
Put in boiler or equivalent
Install and commission heating system
Fit MVHR unit

Electrics:

Affix faceplates for sockets and switches
Set in place consumer unit fuse board
Install internal and external light fittings
Fit alarm system
Arrange garage supply

Weeks 27-29 : Painting, decorating & landscaping

Sweep up
Internal decoration (only apply a mist coat to wet plaster while it’s still drying out)
Ceramic tiling
External decoration
Test drains and backfill trenches when BC are happy
Lay paths
Build retaining walls
Set down driveways
Establish patios and outdoor decking
Boundary treatments (fences, hedging, walls and gates)
Install turf/seed lawns

Weeks 30 : Completion & post contract work

Final building control inspection
Completion certification
VAT reclaim
Clean up
Snagging
Move in!

Download and print Build It’s project schedule here

Words

Mike Hardwick

Photography

Published

12th April 2018

One Comment

Eric Stewart says:

1st August 2020 at 12:06 pm

This is really helpful and useful. I wondered how different the plan would look if the self build was a SIPS kit home, have you done a similar plan for this type of build?

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