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
April 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 MoreMarch 20, 2026
If you’ve submitted a planning application, there’s a good chance you may receive a request from the local authority asking you to agree to an extension of time. For many applicants, this can feel like a slightly unexpected question — particularly if you were hoping for a decision within the(...)
Read MoreMarch 13, 2026
One of the benefits of running a mailing list alongside our blog is that it often highlights the questions people are thinking about in real time. This article was prompted by an email from one of our readers, John, who is currently undertaking a self-build project and asked a very(...)
Read MoreMarch 6, 2026
If you spend long enough helping people design their own home, certain patterns start to emerge. Not trends or fashions, but something more consistent. The same questions appear.The same uncertainties arise.And the same moments of clarity eventually follow. After working with self-builders across the UK for the past eighteen years(...)
Read MoreFebruary 27, 2026
This is a question we’re asked surprisingly often: “Does it make sense to buy house plans before land, before we’ve even secured a plot?” At first glance, the answer seems obvious — surely you need land before you commit to a design. In practice, the relationship between land and design(...)
Read MoreFebruary 20, 2026
One of the most common questions we’re asked is: “How long will it take to build our house?” It’s a perfectly reasonable question — but the answer is rarely as simple as people hope. In practice, there is a significant difference between the construction period and the overall project timeline(...)
Read MoreFebruary 13, 2026
One of the most common questions we’re asked by prospective self-builders is simple on the surface: “What sort of house can we build for our budget?” The difficulty is that budgets don’t translate neatly into floor area or house type. A £350,000 self build budget can produce very different results(...)
Read MoreFebruary 6, 2026
One of the most common early-stage questions we’re asked by self-build clients is some variation of: “How big should the rooms be?” It’s an understandable concern. People want homes that feel generous, comfortable and future-proof — and most have spent months browsing floor plans online before speaking to a professional(...)
Read MoreJanuary 30, 2026
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is one of those aspects of the planning process that many self-builders only become aware of when it’s already caused a problem. In principle, self-build projects are often eligible for a full exemption from CIL. In practice, the exemption only applies if a very specific process(...)
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!
