Welcome to the latest self build news, ideas and opinions from Houseplansdirect.
Looking for the latest self build news, or just interested in what we’ve been up to in the last week? Check out our round up below.
Browse by topic: Planning Permission & Strategy | Self-Build Costs | Design & Layout | Process & Planning | Expert Insights
August 28, 2026
Building control is involved in almost every new self-build home, but its role is often misunderstood. Some self-builders expect the building control officer to check every detail of the project, while others assume their involvement is limited to a handful of site visits. In practice, the role sits somewhere in(...)
Read MoreAugust 21, 2026
Receiving planning permission is a major milestone on a self-build project, but the decision notice is rarely the end of the planning process. Most permissions come with conditions attached, and some of those conditions may need to be dealt with before any work can lawfully begin. Understanding planning conditions for(...)
Read MoreAugust 7, 2026
Planning permission is often treated as the big milestone in a self-build project, but it is only one part of the approval process. Before a new home can be built, the design and construction will also need to satisfy the Building Regulations. Building Regulations approval for self-build is concerned with(...)
Read MoreJuly 31, 2026
A structural engineer can be one of the most important technical appointments on a self-build project. Their work helps establish how the building will safely transfer loads into the ground, and may cover foundations, floors, roofs, walls, beams, columns, retaining structures and other critical elements. Choosing a structural engineer for(...)
Read MoreJuly 24, 2026
A self-build planning application is much easier to manage when the work is done in the right order. The form itself is only one part of the submission. The local planning authority also needs enough accurate information to understand the site, assess the design and confirm that the application meets(...)
Read MoreJuly 17, 2026
One of the questions we’re asked most often is, “How long will it take before we can move in?” It’s an understandable question, but one that doesn’t have a simple answer. Every self build timeline is different, influenced by factors such as the complexity of the design, the planning process(...)
Read MoreJuly 10, 2026
One of the earliest decisions many self-builders face is whether to start with a stock house plan or commission a completely bespoke design. Both approaches can produce excellent homes, and there isn’t a single “correct” answer. The best choice depends on your plot, your budget, your priorities and how much(...)
Read MoreJuly 3, 2026
One of the most reassuring phrases a self-builder can hear is “fixed price building quote.” On the face of it, it sounds simple enough. Agree a price, sign the contract and know exactly what the project will cost. In reality, it’s not always quite that straightforward. A fixed price quotation(...)
Read MoreJune 26, 2026
If you’ve been researching self-build projects recently, you may have come across references to the Future Homes Standard. It’s one of the most significant changes to residential construction in recent years, yet many prospective self-builders remain unclear about what it actually means and how it could affect their project. The(...)
Read MoreJune 19, 2026
Artificial intelligence seems to be finding its way into almost every industry at the moment, and the planning system is no exception. The Government has recently announced plans to trial AI-powered tools designed to help local planning authorities process information more efficiently as part of its wider ambition to accelerate(...)
Read MoreAt Houseplansdirect, we are constantly involved in the latest developments in the self-build industry. We speak to local authorities, developers and suppliers on a daily basis. This gives us great insight into the challenges facing those wanting to build their own home.
This page collects all of our thoughts on what’s new in self-building. We look at the latest news to see how it might affect planning laws or funding. We’ll share opinions from industry leaders, and articles which may be of interest to anyone looking to build their own home. At the same time, we also keep you updated as to what’s been going on at our offices and any interesting or unusual projects we’ve been working on. There are also new designs constantly in the pipeline, so we introduce them here when they’re ready.
Not everyone is in a position to build their own home right now, of course. With this in mind, we also look at improving your current home, and how to go about it. Our team are happy to share tips and articles which may be of interest to our customers. We appreciate that the world of self build can be daunting but we hope we can make it easier to navigate!
Please let us know what you think of our news and blog posts. We are always interested in feedback from visitors. If there’s a subject you’d like us to look at, email admin@houseplansdirect.co.uk or send us a message via our Contact Us page. Thanks for reading this far down the page and we hope to hear from you soon!
