Creating a custom build home is the perfect opportunity to design your ultimate living space, tailored to your unique needs, tastes, and lifestyle. Unlike buying a pre-built home, you get to create a style and include design features that match your specific requirements.
While this can be an exciting process, it can also come with challenges. From choosing the right plot of land to managing the building process. This guide takes you through each essential step, from concept to completion, ensuring that your custom home-building experience goes smoothly and helps you achieve your vision.
1. DETERMINE YOUR CUSTOM BUILD BUDGET
The first step in creating a custom build home is to set a realistic budget. Having a clear understanding of your finances will help guide the entire process, from selecting your plot of land to selecting materials and contractors. Consider all the costs involved, including:
- Plot purchase
- Architectural design fees
- Construction costs
- Legal fees
- Interior design and furnishings
Why WELLBANK?
Typically, it is also recommended to set aside 10-15% of your budget for ‘unexpected expenses’, as custom projects often encounter surprises. With WELLBANK PARK our custom build partner Hugr Homes will help you to plan your build budget from the outset. This helps keep your budget on track and provides greater certainty for your build costs. We can also connect you, if required, with our trusted, self-build mortgage provider.
2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT LOCATION
Location is crucial when building a custom home. The area you choose will influence not only the aesthetics and environment around your home but also factors such as local services, schools and future property values. Some small developments offer plots for sale with the opportunity for custom build within an environment that already has the utilities, roads and planning permissions in place.
Why WELLBANK?
WELLBANK PARK is one such development, within a landscaped setting that features ponds, paths, an orchard and community hub with swimming/hydro pools, café and socials spaces. Already an appealing setting, its proximity to the village of Bootle also makes local grocery shops and healthcare services and other facilities immediately accessible.
Beyond that, the region’s renowned coastline, lakes and fells provide a spectacular backdrop for a host of outdoor activities.
3. ASSEMBLE A RELIABLE TEAM
Building a custom home requires a dream team of experts to bring your vision to life. You’ll want to assemble a group of professionals:
- Architect: Designs the layout and overall look of your home, ensuring it meets your style and functional needs.
- Builder/Contractor: Executes the construction, managing subcontractors, timelines, and the build quality.
- Interior Designer: Helps design the interiors, from lighting to flooring and cabinetry, ensuring your home’s interior is cohesive.
- Landscape Designer: If you’re interested in integrating outdoor living spaces, a landscape designer can help create outdoor areas that complement your home.
You will need a team of professionals with solid references, experience in custom builds, and good communication skills. You’ll be working with this team for several months, so clear communication and trust are key!
Why WELLBANK?
At WELLBANK, you will have the flexibility to create your design either completely from scratch to your own vision or by using one of a number of our ‘pre-designed’ off-plan options to use as a starting point. Where required, we can introduce you to our trusted architects, designers and contractors who will help you bring your vision to life.
As part of the Lake District National Park, homes at WELLBANK PARK must meet some specific design guidelines. While not too restrictive, these guidelines ensure that all our homes sit comfortably within the National Park’s unique landscape.
4. DESIGN YOUR HOME
This is the fun part and where your vision will really start to take shape! The design phase is an opportunity to work with your architect to translate your lifestyle into a living space. During this stage, you will focus on:
- Floorplan layout: Think about how you want to use each room. Consider the flow of traffic, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and specialised spaces such as a home office, gym, or media room.
- Architectural style: Whether you prefer a modern, minimalist aesthetic or a more traditional look, this is the time to define the style you want for your home’s exterior and interior.
- Sustainability: Energy-efficient designs, solar panels, and sustainable building materials will reduce your environmental footprint and lower utility costs in the long run.
It is important to make sure the design considers your current needs and is future proof as far as possible for your later needs.
Why WELLBANK?
Our unique ‘assisted custom build approach’ means that you can lean on our team for support through the design process as much or as little as you need. Sustainability is also central to our philosophy at WELLBANK. From an award-winning Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) to our sustainable energy supply partners, we are keen to help our residents create a sustainable, energy efficient living environment.
5. OBTAIN PERMITS AND APPROVALS
Before any building can begin, you’ll usually need to obtain the necessary permits and approvals from local government authorities. This process can vary by location but typically involves submitting your plans for review to ensure they comply with building codes and standards.
It is important to make sure the design considers your current needs and is future proof as far as possible for your later needs.
Why WELLBANK?
In April 2024, full site planning approval was officially granted by the Lake District National Park to the owners of the WELLBANK PARK site for 50 custom build houses. As the first of its kind for the National Park, this means that, provided the houses are designed and built within their guidelines, these additional permissions are not required. As part of our support package, our expert custom build team are there to guide our home builders through any additional contractor permits and build approval submissions.
6. CONSTRUCTION PHASE
This phase is exciting but can potentially be nerve-wracking as it’s where most of the unknowns can arise. Construction generally follows these stages:
- Site Preparation: Clearing the land, grading, and preparing for the foundation.
- Foundation: Laying the groundwork, typically a slab or perhaps a basement.
- Framing: The structure of the home begins to take shape with walls, floors, and roof framing.
- Mechanical systems: Electrical wiring, plumbing, HVAC systems, and insulation are installed.
- Interior Finishes: Once the skeleton of the house is complete, work shifts to interior finishes like drywall, flooring, lighting, cabinetry, and painting.
- Exterior Finishes: Siding, roofing, windows, and doors are installed, giving the home its final appearance.
Regular site visits are essential during the construction phase to ensure everything is progressing according to plan and to address any changes or concerns.
Why WELLBANK?
Our aim is to provide a stress-free custom build experience that you can feel part of and that doesn’t overwhelm you.
7. FINAL WALKTHROUGH AND INSPECTIONS
Once construction is complete, you will do a final walkthrough with your builder to inspect the home. Look out for any snags or issues that may need to be corrected.
Additionally, your home will need to pass inspections before you can move in. These inspections ensure that the home complies with building codes and is approved as safe for occupancy. Once final certificates are received your custom home is officially ready for you to move into.
Why WELLBANK?
To ensure the ‘build completion to move in’ phase goes as smoothly as possible, the final inspection process forms are an integral part of the WELLBANK custom-build support package.
8. MOVE IN AND ENJOY YOUR CUSTOM HOME
It’s move in day! After months of planning, designing, and building, your custom home is ready to move into. The experience of living in a home tailored to your specific desires and needs is one of life’s greatest dreams. Now, you can settle in and begin enjoying the result of all your efforts.
Why WELLBANK?
When you move into your new home at WELLBANK PARK, you will be part of a growing community keen to live a sustainable lifestyle in an exceptional location.
Building a custom home is an exciting and rewarding journey that requires careful planning, financial discipline, and collaboration with skilled professionals. While it can be a lengthy and complex process, the end result is a home that’s uniquely yours, built to accommodate your lifestyle, tastes, and future needs.
At WELLBANK PARK, we offer the full preparation and guidance you need to make the process as smooth and as enjoyable as possible. Your dream home is closer than you think. Happy building!