1. How large a plot of land do I need to build an average 4 bedroom house?
2. What should I do when I see a plot?
3. Where do I find a plot of land?
4. I have found a plot of land but who owns it?
5. You often see OPP or DPP by land. What do these mean?
6. How do I know if I can afford a particular plot?
7. Can Custom Homes help with finance?
8. Can Custom Homes design any home?
9. Do one-off specials cost any more?
10. How can Custom Homes offer this service free when other companies charge a few thousand pounds?
11. I have heard about your comprehensive feasibility service. What does this offer?
12. Do you handle all planning and building regulation approval?
13. Are garages included in your price guide?
14. Once you have costed the project are there any further costs?
15. Does this happen very often?
16. I am not a builder, do I have to build my dream home myself?
17. Is this service available nationwide?
18. Does the project management service add dramatically to the cost?
19. Why do the majority of self builders use a timber frame construction?
20. Can I get the same energy efficiency by using brick and block?
21. How long will it take to build my dream home?

Listed on the plot size page is a plot size conversion table and the plot size examples page shows examples of an 1,800 sq ft, 4 bedroom house, shown in relation to a plot of land.

The average estate house is built on approximately 1/12th - 1/10th of an acre, about 38ft x 95ft (11.5m x 29m).

Check the exact position of the boundaries, double check the dimensions, check services are reasonably nearby, check the planning situation. Contact Custom Homes for guidance.

Most clients find land through the following routes:

As well as the useful contact list below you may wish to try some of the following ways of finding a plot of land:

• Advertise/advertisements in the local paper.
• Local authorities sometimes sell serviced plots.
• Whilst driving around you may find a potential development plot adjacent to somebody's property. The owner of this property may well never have considered selling a strip of his land.
• Visit the local planning authority and inspect the planning register. Contact plot owners on the register who have been granted outline or even detailed planning permission.

For details on the ownership of any piece of land contact: The Information Centre, HM Land Registry, 32 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PH Telephone: 0207 917 8888.

OPP = Outline planning permission
DPP = Detailed planning permission

A plot of land with either outline (OPP) or detailed (DPP) planning permission will obviously cost more than a plot without any planning permission. Custom Homes can advise you with land purchase and all details will need to be checked with your solicitor before final purchase.

A Custom Homes representative can advise you.

Yes, Custom Homes have special arrangements with leading mortgage providers and High Street banks to assist with both self builders and developers.

As the name implies, Custom Homes will custom design almost any home. Although we have hundreds of designs, we regard each design as a one-off, whether it be an adaptation of one of our own designs or a one-off special.

No. Custom Homes do not charge for their design service.

Unlike most companies, we believe in helping our customers from start to finish. It is therefore important that we devote time to each client free of charge after their initial commitment.

Our feasibility service ensures a property will fit on a client's site and our costings ensure it is within a client's budget.

Yes. If you commission a feasibility study we will then apply for planning permission and get building regulation approval. There is no charge for this service. You only pay the council's statutory fees.

Yes, if integral, otherwise add approximately £7,000 for a single garage and £12,000 for a double garage.

Once you have costed the project are there any further costs?

The Custom Homes package will only alter if your specification changes.

Does this happen very often?

No, because of our high specification most clients see a reduction in costs if they change their specification.

No. Custom Homes is the largest self build package company offering a full service from design to construction on site under the guidance of independent project managers.

Is this service available nationwide?

Yes. Custom Homes have more offices nationwide than any other selfbuild package company. These local offices will have detailed knowledge of each area including many planning requirements.

Does the project management service add dramatically to the cost?

No. The cost starts at £6,000.

Why do the majority of self builders use a timber frame construction?

Timber frame homes are naturally energy efficient. This means lower running costs. 70% of all new homes built worldwide use a timber frame construction. The majority of speculative housebuilders in the UK now use a timber frame construction and it is the preferred method of construction by the NHBC, the UK's biggest house insurers.

Can I get the same energy efficiency by using brick and block?

No, not unless you are prepared to spend a considerable amount more on construction.

You should be ready to move in 12 - 18 weeks after delivery of the timber frame depending upon the weather, size of property and clients' expertise.