Finding your plot

One of the most common questions we are asked is, “How do I find my perfect self build plot?” The honest answer is that there is no magic solution.

When looking for a building plot for sale, the first thing you should consider is to look not just at available land but at a plot that has an existing property that could be demolished and replaced. This will give you more scope for finding your perfect location by opening up the possibility of building your dream oak frame home in a greenfield location where available plots of land can be scarce.

When starting your search for your perfect location, there are national land databases which, (for a fee), will give you access to a list of available plots. There are also free plot search databases such as Buildstore Plotsearch, the UK’s largest database of self-build opportunities that we would recommend you subscribing too.

However, in some cases good plots do not reach the open market so it is good to start getting to know the local area so that you can hear first-hand if there is land for sale. Determination and perseverance is paramount in this situation, so don’t be afraid to knock on someone’s door to ask whether they would consider selling part of their garden. Although this may sound daunting, it can lead to a positive outcome.

Local press, auctions and estate agents are all good sources of information, but in general estate agents prefer to deal with developers/land owners rather than individuals, so you will need to continually pester them. In the case of our clients, Lesley and David Black, this is exactly how they found their dream plot.

It is worth remembering that it is estimated that between 18,000 and 25,000 single self-build projects take place every year so your plot is out there. However we would recommend you only buy a plot if it has at least Outline Planning Permission (OPP) or, make sure the purchase of land is conditional on OPP being granted so you don’t open yourself up to much risk.