Renewable Energy - Britons self-building more houses - kitchen sinks and all

03/03/2008

More Britons are building their own houses in order to make a profit, although they don't have to lay every brick or tile the bathrooms themselves.

A poll by market research company Ama shows that ten per cent of new houses were self-built, while there are signs that the government will encourage more, reports the Sunday Times.

Taking a do-it-yourself route can help turn a profit even when the market is in a downturn as the design of the house can be tailored to maximise the profit.

Features such as underfloor heating, saunas and whirlpool baths can be incorporated to add value to the property.

The paper outlines three ways to self build. Firstly, the owner can take a hands-on approach and get involved with the actual constructing of the house.

One other option is to manage the project themselves and oversee the progress and order supplies, but contract professionals to do the work.

Alternatively, someone can be hired to supervise the building and all it entails, although they will normally charge at least ten per cent of the budget.

The Association of Environment Conscious Builders also recommends new housing is built with climate change in mind. It highlights methods such as proper insulation, use of solar heating and an efficient boiler, which will save everyday costs and add value to the house.