Common problems with self-build projects and how to avoid them

David Banks
Authored by David Banks
Posted: Thursday, November 28, 2019 - 06:23

Self-build projects are all the rage in 2019, but they’re not as easy to achieve as your favourite YouTuber might make them out to be. If not done correctly, a self-build project can encounter tons of problems that could have easily been avoided if you had either hired professional help or researched your project a little more thoroughly beforehand. To help you avoid any self-build mishaps, read this list of common problems with self-build projects and how you can avoid them.

Under-Estimating Your Budget

If you’re new to the world of self-building, it can be really shocking just how much raw materials can actually cost you. For example, if you’re planning on building a new garden shed, you might think that you can get it done for around £200 if you build it yourself, but the reality is a much costlier project of around £500. Whilst you can cut down on the cost of a handyman by doing it yourself, the amount of time and effort that goes into these projects must be worth the sacrifice. The best way to avoid under-estimating how much you need to spend is by researching how much the raw materials will cost and comparing where the best places to buy these are.

Not Planning in Advance

One of the most detrimental mistakes that a self-builder can possibly make is to think that you can create a successful build whilst making things up as you go along. If you start a DIY project without a clear plan of what you actually want to build, you increase the risk of not only wasting money on materials that weren’t actually needed but also building something completely incorrect. If you don’t build according to plan, then the build can be incredibly unstable and potentially dangerous. The best way to avoid this scenario is to sit down and spend time deciding what you want to build, when you want to do it and how you want to do it before you start building anything.

Expecting Perfection

It’s only natural to want your self-build to turn out amazing and to be able to move into your newly built home immediately, but that is rarely the case. If this is your first ever time completing a self-build project, it is highly likely that the result won’t be what you’re expecting as no one is perfect at something that they have never done before. One of the best ways to avoid being let down by your build is to try and let go of the dreamlike image that you are holding in your head as this will not only increase the disappointment if something does not go to plan during the build, but it can also place immense pressure upon you and negatively affect your mental health. Be proud of what you’ve built even if it’s not exactly how you wanted it.

If you’re finding that your self-build project is much harder than you initially believed it would be, try enlisting the help of an amazing London construction company. Not only will you receive an amazing result for an unbelievable price, but you will save yourself time and effort only to get sub-par result.
Have you done a self-build project? Tell us how it went.