Two self-builds later... here's what I'd do differently

Two self-builds later... here's what I'd do differently

In this episode of the Self Builders Podcast, Jack sits down with returning guest Andy, who shares his journey through multiple self-build projects, from a modest first build to much larger and more complex developments worth over £1 million. Andy talks openly about what he and his wife learned along the way, including the mistakes they made, what they would do differently, and the lessons that only come from going through the process yourself. The conversation covers everything from funding challenges and development finance to planning issues, legal mistakes, heat pumps, building control, and why having the right team around you can make or break a project. This episode covers: • How Andy completed his first self-build for around £120k • Scaling from a small build to much larger projects • The reality of managing bigger, more complex builds • Why resale value matters, even if you plan to stay long term • Common planning and legal mistakes to avoid • Lessons learned around building control and regulations • Heat pump challenges and choosing the right installer • Self-build mortgages vs development finance • Why cash flow can make funding much easier • The importance of working with experienced professionals • Why your solicitor can have a huge impact on your project • The biggest lessons Andy has learned after multiple builds Andy’s biggest takeaway? You get what you pay for. Whether it’s your broker, solicitor, architect, or build team, having the right people around you can save huge amounts of stress, time, and money. If you’re planning your own self-build, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical advice from someone who has been through the journey multiple times. 📞 Book a call with Mayflower Mortgage here: https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/booking [https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/booking] 📘 Download our FREE Self-Build Resources: https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/free-self-build-resources [https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/free-self-build-resources] #SelfBuild #SelfBuildMortgage #SelfBuildUK #SelfBuildProject The views and information discussed in this video/podcast are intended for general informational purposes and do not constitute regulated mortgage or financial advice. Mortgage recommendations depend on a full assessment of an individual’s needs, objectives, and financial situation. Before making any decisions, please ensure you obtain personalised advice from a suitably qualified and authorised mortgage adviser.

The Smartest Eco Home Investment

When people think about building an energy-efficient home, they usually focus on heat pumps, solar panels and insulation. But there’s one part of the process that often gets overlooked: ventilation. In this episode of the Self Builders Podcast, Jack sits down with Mandip from Solarcrest to break down why modern airtight homes need properly designed ventilation systems, what MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) actually does, and why “build tight, ventilate right” has become such an important principle in modern self build design. The conversation explores how ventilation impacts everything from comfort and running costs to condensation, mould, air quality and long-term building performance. Mandip also explains why so many self builders leave ventilation decisions too late, and the expensive consequences that can create later in the build. This episode covers: * What MVHR actually is in simple terms * Why modern homes need ventilation systems * The relationship between airtightness and energy efficiency * Why ventilation should be planned early * Common mistakes self builders make * The hidden costs of retrofitting systems later * Why not all MVHR systems are equal * The importance of fabric-first design * Heat pumps, insulation and whole-home performance * How to create a healthier, lower-running-cost home You can find out more about Solarcrest here: https://solarcrest.co.uk/ [https://solarcrest.co.uk/] PLUS, Solarcrest are one of the expert businesses that contribute to Mayflowers' Self-Build Savers Solution, meaning you get a discount with them, when you work with us.   📞 Book a call with Mayflower Mortgage here: https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/booking [https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/booking] 📘 Download our FREE Self-Build Resources: https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/free-self-build-resources [https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/free-self-build-resources]   #SelfBuild #SelfBuildMortgage #SelfBuildUK #SelfBuildProject   The views and information discussed in this video/podcast are intended for general informational purposes and do not constitute regulated mortgage or financial advice. Mortgage recommendations depend on a full assessment of an individual’s needs, objectives, and financial situation. Before making any decisions, please ensure you obtain personalised advice from a suitably qualified and authorised mortgage adviser.

How Custom-Build really works

"Self-Build" and "Custom-Build" terms can be used interchangeably. But they are in fact different routes. In this episode of the Self Builders Podcast, host Jack speaks to Helen and David about how a normal house search unexpectedly turned into a custom build journey. What started as a plan to buy a finished property in Henley-on-Thames evolved into an opportunity to work directly with a local developer to create a bespoke home tailored around their lifestyle. The conversation explores the realities of custom build projects, including how much flexibility buyers actually get, how stage payment mortgages work, what decisions they could influence, and the importance of having the right professionals around you throughout the process. Helen and David also share the lessons they learned around contracts, Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payments, landscaping costs, snagging, and managing the relationship with a developer while still ensuring the home truly feels like their own. This episode covers: * The difference between self build and custom build * How they found their plot through a normal house search * Working directly with a local developer * What parts of the design they could and couldn’t change * How stage payment self build mortgages work in practice * Why they hired an independent surveyor * Hidden costs people often overlook * Managing budgets, specifications and payment stages * The importance of clarifying responsibilities early * What they’d do differently next time If you like the idea of creating a more personalised home, but don’t want the pressure of managing a full self build project yourself, this episode offers a valuable look into a route that sits somewhere between a traditional house purchase and a full self build. Brought to you by Mayflower Mortgage & Finance. Helping self-builders navigate the financial side of their projects with confidence.   📞 Book a call with Mayflower Mortgage here: https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/booking [https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/booking] 📘 Download our FREE Self-Build Resources: https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/free-self-build-resources [https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/free-self-build-resources]   #SelfBuild #SelfBuildMortgage #SelfBuildUK #SelfBuildProject   The views and information discussed in this video/podcast are intended for general informational purposes and do not constitute regulated mortgage or financial advice. Mortgage recommendations depend on a full assessment of an individual’s needs, objectives, and financial situation. Before making any decisions, please ensure you obtain personalised advice from a suitably qualified and authorised mortgage adviser.

Two self-builds in four years!?

What happens when you finally build your dream home… and realise it still isn’t the life you wanted? In this episode of the Self Builders Podcast, our host Jack speaks to Lindsay about the emotional and financial reality of building not one, but two self-build homes in just four years. From navigating material price spikes during COVID, mortgage challenges with ICF construction, and living on-site in a touring caravan, to eventually creating a modern eco home in the middle of the Welsh countryside, this episode covers it all. Especially why their first build, despite being beautiful, ultimately forced a difficult decision, and how the experience completely changed the way they approached their second project. We cover: * Why their first self build became financially unsustainable * The mortgage issues they faced building with ICF during COVID * Lessons learned from managing two self build projects * Why getting finance sorted early changes everything * Living in a caravan while building on-site * How they created an ultra-efficient eco home with low running costs * The hidden costs self builders often miss * Why contingency budgets matter far more than people think * Honest advice for anyone currently mid-build or planning their first project This is a refreshingly honest conversation about the side of self building people don’t always talk about: the stress, compromises, financial pressure, and emotional decisions behind creating a home that genuinely works for your life. Brought to you by Mayflower Mortgage & Finance. Helping self-builders navigate the financial side of their projects with confidence.   📞 Book a call with Mayflower Mortgage here: https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/booking [https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/booking] 📘 Download our FREE Self-Build Resources: https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/free-self-build-resources [https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/free-self-build-resources]   #SelfBuild #SelfBuildMortgage #SelfBuildUK #SelfBuildProject   The views and information discussed in this video/podcast are intended for general informational purposes and do not constitute regulated mortgage or financial advice. Mortgage recommendations depend on a full assessment of an individual’s needs, objectives, and financial situation. Before making any decisions, please ensure you obtain personalised advice from a suitably qualified and authorised mortgage adviser.

Planning loopholes self-builders may not know about

Finding self build land is hard enough. Finding land you can actually get planning permission on? Even harder. In this episode of the Self Builders Podcast, Jack speaks to Chartered Architect Caroline Martin about the three-year journey her family has been on to secure land for a very personal self-build project. What started as a search for a home that could support their son’s independence has evolved into a complex nine-dwelling planning application involving flood zones, archaeology, nutrient neutrality, overage clauses, and one planning policy that most self builders have never heard of. Caroline shares how understanding the government’s “Tilted Balance” planning policy opened up opportunities on land that most buyers and developers had overlooked, and why some of the best self build opportunities are often the sites that seem too difficult at first glance. This episode covers: * What the “Tilted Balance” policy actually means * How to identify land with hidden planning potential * Why some rejected or difficult plots can become opportunities * The reality of dealing with archaeology, phosphates and flood risk * How Caroline is funding a multi-generational self build project * Practical advice for navigating planning objections and local politics * What self builders should look for before buying land If you’ve struggled to find land, felt overwhelmed by planning, or assumed certain plots were impossible to develop, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how experienced professionals approach the process, and what everyday self builders can learn from it. 📞 Book a call with Mayflower Mortgage here: https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/booking [https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/booking] 📘 Download our FREE Self-Build Resources: https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/free-self-build-resources [https://www.mayflowermortgage.co.uk/free-self-build-resources]   #SelfBuild #SelfBuildMortgage #SelfBuildUK #SelfBuildProject   The views and information discussed in this video/podcast are intended for general informational purposes and do not constitute regulated mortgage or financial advice. Mortgage recommendations depend on a full assessment of an individual’s needs, objectives, and financial situation. Before making any decisions, please ensure you obtain personalised advice from a suitably qualified and authorised mortgage adviser.