The Self-build Book: How to Enjoy Designing and Building Your Own Home [Paperback]

"The authors have been involved in many interesting low-cost schemes, and have a lot to say that is of value to even the most pragmatic reader... Altogether an excellent read for anyone wanting to know more about self-build: a celebration of the unconventional that is both readable and valuable."

"Both authors are actively involved in the self-build movement and bring to the topic a lively enthusiasm coupled with well-balanced advice for would-be self-builders. The writing is pleasantly straightforward, and forms an excellent manual whether the designing and building process is involved with a one-off house or a group of dwellings."

"Not just those spurred on to house themselves, but anyone enthused to join the world of building will learn much here."

"The book is a joy to read."

This revised and updated edition of the guide to the process of building for yourself gives both inspiration and practical information. It relates personal experiences of putting theory into practice; outlines an environmentally friendly approach to design, choice of materials and energy conservation; includes a practical guide to organizing a project which covers land, finance, permissions and professional help; and includes a detailed manual on the Segal Method of timber construction, because of its particular advantage to self-builders. Jon Broome and Brian Richardson are both architects with a great deal of self-build experience.

Jon Broome is an architect, who has self-built two houses. He was for many years Director of Architype, a London-based architectural practice working on housing, education, health and community buildings with specialist expertise in low energy design, timber-frame construction and sustainable building. He is co-author of The Self-Build Book and contributor to Housing & the Environment, published by the Chartered Institute of Housing. He lives in London, where he runs his own consultancy specializing in sustainable construction.

Our main aim is to inspire you to build for yourself. This book will show you that designing and building your own house is within the reach of everyone, is enjoyable and can have great economic, practical and social benefits. You could feel the satisfaction of having made something really useful with your own hands and the excitement of dreaming about what your house should be like, how it will be laid out and what you are going to put in it. You will see it slowly taking shape and will imagine the next steps in your mind and have a vision of the finished house. A handmade house is a pleasure to live in and you will know every corner intimately. You will be able to afford a bigger, better house arranged to suit your needs and desires and could be free of the financial burdens that so many people suffer because of their housing costs.

We have worked with groups of self-builders from the local council housing waiting-list in south-east London and have shared their excitement about and enjoyment of their individually designed houses. The self-builders were from very different backgrounds and had very different personalities. They included young people, older people building for their retirement, a single mother, unemployed people end people with low incomes, and almost all were without any experience of building. We have absolutely no doubt that there is an enormous number of people in all walks of life who, like them, would jump at the chance to build a house for themselves if they thought that it was a real possibility. Anyone can do it if they have the determination, are prepared to work hard and, most importantly, if they have the right opportunities.

Rising costs have put good housing beyond the reach of more and more people. The problems of large estates suffering from vandalism, poor maintenance, inadequate heating, lack of shops and community facilities demonstrate to us, among other things, the dangers of ignoring peoples' real needs and wishes. Self-build offers one way to avoid this by allowing people to be in control of their housing.

We do not believe that political expediency and market forces should force anyone to build their own house, and this should not be the only way for them to obtain a good one, but we do believe that people should have the opportunity to build their own houses if they wish.