What to think about when setting up your self-build site
When you’re finally ready to set up your site ready to begin your self-build or renovation project, it can be easy to become overwhelmed by a long list of things you need to do. So here’s the top 6 things to think about when setting up your self-build for success.
Advise Neighbours
Give your new neighbours warning of your intention to start work and apologise in advance for any noise or disturbance that this may entail. It won't always mollify them but it could bring a significant number on side to act as your eyes and ears in security over the coming months.
In any event, give them your contact details so that they can advise you of any damage that may occur. It's also a good idea to take photographs of the site and the surrounding properties to use as a record of existing conditions before commencement of work.
Site Insurance
Ensure your site insurance policy is in place. Some self-builders believe they don't need a self-build site insurance policy, relying on either luck or the fact that their builders have their own policies. Nothing could be more foolish, and after a severe storm or a break-in, those who have neglected to put a policy in place have real cause for regret.
A self-build site insurance policy will cover for Contractors All Risk, Employers Liability and Public Liability. Even if your builder has their own insurance policy in place, this will not cover materials purchased by the self-builder. It is also advisable to ensure that the self-builder has a personal accident policy in place that will step in and cover the costs of completing the project in the event of death or accident.
Mayflower Mortgage support with getting you the right site insurance in place. Find out more and get a site insurance quote today: https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/site-insurance
Structural Warranty
Advise the warranty providers of your intention to commence work. Most warranty providers will require at least one week's notice of intention to begin work on site. If bad ground is suspected or trees are present in the company of clay then this period may be extended to a minimum of three weeks. If foundation design and site inspection reports are required, they must be carried out before the notice of commencement and the details submitted to the warranty providers. Although some warranty providers will liaise with the local authority building inspectors this cannot be relied upon.
Structural warranty is another thing Mayflower Mortgage support with. Find out more about structural warranty and get an instant online quote from ourselves: https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/structural-warranty-insurance
Clear the Site
Clear the site of vegetation and strip topsoil. Many self-builders will feel that they are making an important contribution to the building process by spending their weekends before work commences, clearing the vegetation. In fact, although it may be quite satisfying, all their hard work will probably only amount to a few minutes' work with a digger.
Nevertheless, it must be done to establish the boundaries and to set the new house out on site to profiles that should be set back from the building by 5m, wherever possible. All vegetable topsoil should be removed at least 1m wider than the actual oversite position and stored in a heap, where it will be out of the way for the build process yet accessible for use in the landscaping at the end of the project.
Think very carefully before sending soil away - it is expensive to dispose of and even more costly to buy back.
Access
Prepare the site access. This may be the eventual access or driveway, but in some cases, it may have to be a temporary arrangement that will need to be sealed off after the works have finished. Huge lorries will need to be able to access the site, unload, and leave. In many cases, this may mean warning all suppliers of restricted access and requiring them to send only small lorries.
Pay particular attention to culverts and drains, which may need reinforcement with metal plates. Photograph adjoining driveways and fences to make sure that you aren't faced with spurious claims by neighbours and as proof of wrongdoing if lorries delivering to your site are indeed responsible for any damage.
Facilities
Construction welfare facilities are a legal requirement from day one. So this is something that simply has to be thought about. To start you off, make sure you have a plan for:
Toilets
Handwashing facilities with warm water
Drinking water
A rest area where workers can sit and heat food
Waste management
Portable toilets alone are often not enough if better facilities are reasonably practicable. And from our experience, the more you can do to set your site up well for your workers, the more motivated and happy they will be to ensure it’s a job well done.
Remember that this is also a place where you’re likely planning to live for a very long time, so it’s definitely not the place to be cutting corners with things like waste management. You definitely don’t want to be on the wrong side of your new council. So each load leaving site should be documented using waste transfer notes, and hazardous materials require additional documentation.
There’s of course many more than 6 things to think about. So we recommend getting an expert onboard early on in your project. Mayflower Mortgage clients get a dedicated adviser that will be with you throughout your project to answer any questions and support you with your build. You can book in for a FREE call with our expert team today to learn more about how we can help you.
