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
June 5, 2026
One of the biggest advantages of a self-build project is the opportunity to create a home that works not only for your current needs, but also for the years ahead. When people think about future-proofing, they often picture specialist adaptations or significant additional expense. In reality, many of the most(...)
Read MoreMay 29, 2026
One of the advantages of working with self-builders over many years is that certain patterns begin to emerge. Every project is different, but many of the challenges we see tend to arise from a relatively small number of recurring mistakes. The good news is that most of them are entirely(...)
Read MoreMay 22, 2026
One of the earliest questions in a self-build project is also one of the hardest to answer: How big should the house actually be? For many people, the natural instinct is to maximise space wherever possible. But in practice, the “right” self build house size is rarely about building the(...)
Read MoreMay 15, 2026
One of the most common early questions we receive from prospective self-builders is whether it is worth seeking pre-application advice from the local planning authority before submitting a formal application. In theory, pre-application advice offers an opportunity to identify planning issues early and reduce uncertainty before committing to a full(...)
Read MoreMay 2, 2026
One of the most important — and often underestimated — parts of a self-build project is creating a clear design brief. Whether you are commissioning a fully bespoke design or adapting an existing house plan, the quality of the brief will have a direct impact on how smoothly the project(...)
Read MoreApril 24, 2026
When people first start exploring a self-build project, the focus is often on headline construction costs. While these figures are important, they rarely tell the full story. In practice, many of the pressures on a self-build budget come not from the main build cost itself, but from a series of(...)
Read MoreApril 17, 2026
Finding the right plot is often the most challenging part of a self-build project. Opportunities can feel limited, competition can be strong, and there is often pressure to make a decision quickly. But the reality is that the plot you choose will have a greater influence on the success of(...)
Read MoreApril 10, 2026
One of the most common points of confusion for people starting a self-build project is understanding exactly what drawings are required — and when. Terms like planning drawings, building regulations, and construction details are often used interchangeably, which can make the process feel more complicated than it needs to be(...)
Read MoreApril 2, 2026
One of the most frustrating parts of the planning process is that applications which seem perfectly reasonable can still be refused. From a client’s perspective, the proposal may feel modest, well considered and in keeping with the surrounding area. Yet the outcome does not always reflect that. Over time, we’ve(...)
Read MoreMarch 27, 2026
We’ve recently had a number of enquiries from clients who have been advised by their local planning authority to aim for Secured by Design — in some cases, specifically to meet Gold Standard. For many self-builders, this can feel like an unfamiliar and slightly opaque requirement. What exactly is Secured(...)
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!
