Building a home in Ely – the dos, don’ts and considerations

While 53% of people in the UK would consider building their own property if they had the opportunity, just 1 in 10 new homes are self-builds. If you’re part of this few, and are looking to self-build a home in Ely, Cambridgeshire, you’ll want to read these dos, don’ts and considerations first!

Don’t lose the plot with planning

When self-building in Ely or the rest of the UK, securing the plot is the first and most important step. Without it, you can’t even think about the house! Naturally, buying a plot that already has planning permission is lower risk, while purchasing brownfield land is also likely to gain approval. Buying unconsented land is often a risk worth taking for some as Homebuilding & Renovating details:

“Acquiring planning permission for unconsented land offers self-builders the ultimate creative freedom. Clients can create their dream homes without the constraints of any pre-existing permissions or designs. It can also save costs. Unconsented land often comes at a more affordable price than plots with pre-granted consent…”

Buying without consent doesn’t come without its challenges however, with the possibility of committing financially and not obtaining the planning permission you need a very real prospect. Seek advice from an experienced, preferably locally based planning consultant when selecting your plot for the best outcome.

Do understand your unique location

Ely may be beautiful, but its position in the low-lying Fens can be cause for concern and an area of major consideration. The position of your plot, and the outcome of flood risk assessments, could directly (and often negatively) influence planning approval, insurance and build costs.

It will also have an impact on the design of you new build property, with drainage needing to be carefully considered. Understanding the pros and cons of your location is vital from an early stage, and will make or break your build.

Don’t forget to register locally

Self-builders in Ely have an added advantage when sourcing suitable plots for the construction of their dream home. Ely’s location within East Cambridgeshire means you can sign up to the council’s self-build register. This register helps the council to track demand for self-building and allocate appropriate plots.

By being on this local register, you’ll have better access – and a higher chance of securing – land for your self-build.

Do budget realistically – and then some

A healthy budget (and buffer) is essential when building a home of your own in Ely. Don’t forget to include the hidden extras that many overlook when self-building, such as the connection of utilities and fees for architects, engineers and other professionals who help along the way. Most also recommend a contingency fund of at least 10 to 20%.

Don’t overdo it during the design stage

While a self-build is a great way to let your creativity run wild, it is important to understand that added complexity often incurs higher costs. Building up rather than out can also be more cost efficient in the grand scheme of things, so consider the design of your Ely-based build carefully.

Do explore your mortgage options

Did you know you can mortgage your self-build? In fact, it can be a straightforward route to funding your self-build in Ely, and should be explored before you even start your search for a plot! Discover more about your self-build mortgage options with us by contacting our team for advice.