Where to Start When You’re Considering Building Your Own Home

Building your own home is an exciting journey, but knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. 

With careful planning and the right guidance, you can turn your dream into reality. 

Here’s our step-by-step guide to help you get started.

1. Define Your Vision for your home

Before you dive into the practicalities, spend some time imagining your dream home.

Ask yourself:

• What style of home do I want - modern, traditional, eco-friendly?

• What are your requirements & practicalities? - How many bedrooms and bathrooms do I need?

• What features are non-negotiable - open-plan kitchen, home office, gym)?

Having a clear vision will help guide the decisions you make throughout the process.

2. Set a Budget for building your home

Work out how much you’re willing to invest in your new home.

Your budget should include:

• Land purchase (if applicable)

• Design and build costs

• Additional fees eg. Stamp Duty, CIL (Community infrastructure levy), legal fees

• A contingency for unexpected expenses

At Kenwood Construction, we’ll guide you through the cost breakdown to ensure you have a clear picture of what’s possible within your budget.

3. Find the Right Plot

Whether you’re building on an existing property or starting from scratch, consider the following when looking at where to build:

• Location, amenities and accessibility.

• Size and shape of the land to match your vision.

• Any planning permissions or restrictions that may apply to the area. eg. AONB or Conservation area.

  
  

we have experience of builds in all areas so can help guide you through this and ensure all of these important factors are considered early on in the process.

4. Work with a Trusted Team

Building your dream home requires a team of professionals who can bring your vision to life.

The following are the teams you will need to get in place, but at Kenwood Construction we bring together many of these roles under one roof to streamline the process for you.

• Architect 

• Planning Consultant (Optional)

• Structural Engineer

• Quantity Surveyor (Optional)

• Builder / Construction Team

• Project Manager

• Interior Designer 

• Landscape Designer (Optional)

• Building Control Inspector

• Specialist Contractors (Optional)

  
  

If you’re ready to start your journey, our team can help you assemble the perfect mix of experts for your project to streamline the process, ensuring seamless communication and execution from concept to completion.

5. Navigating the Process with Kenwood Construction

At Kenwood, we make the building process as straightforward as possible, taking care of the formalities so you can focus on the exciting parts.

Here’s how we work:

• Get in touch with us via our contact form, to discuss your idea with us & where in the process you currently are.

• Planning drawings: If you already have planning permission this is fab, but if you don't, and don't even have planning drawings We can recommend an architect to develop these for you, showing the overall size and look of your vision in order to submit to planning.

• Structural Drawings: Once planning is approved, We can recommend a structural engineer to develop the Structural & working Drawings for our review.

• Tender and Costs: We will then provide you with a quote - The costs for the build will be added to the tender, including any items you specify (eg. fixtures or bespoke features).

• Agree Costs & timeframe: Once costs are reviewed and agreed upon, we’ll proceed to the next stage.

• Sign Contract: An industry standard JCT contract ensures everything is clear and agreed.

• Complete Building Regulations: We’ll assist with finalising building regs and appointing building control.

• Site Setup: With all formalities complete, we’ll set up the site and get ready to begin construction.

It’s a smooth and collaborative process, and we’re here to guide you through every step.

6. Plan for the Future

Whilst designing your home, consider features that future-proof your property:

• Sustainable and energy-efficient solutions like solar panels or air source heat pumps.

• Flexible spaces that adapt to your family’s needs.

Planning for the long-term ensures your home remains functional and beautiful for years to come.

7. Let’s Get Started!

Building your own home doesn’t have to be complicated when you have the right team by your side.

At Kenwood Construction, we combine experience, craftsmanship and a client-first approach to deliver homes that exceed expectations.

Ready to take the first step?

If you have any questions or want to discuss your dream project, pop me a message to 07717774603, email at info@kenwoodconstruction.co.uk or complete our contact form here

I’m Nick, founder of Kenwood Construction

I’ve been in the construction industry for over 25 years, and in 2008, I started Kenwood Construction with one goal in mind: to build beautiful, bespoke homes that truly work for the people who live in them.

Having spent my whole career working in the Surrey area, I’ve built strong relationships with local contractors and suppliers - something that helps us deliver high-quality projects efficiently and with the best materials.

As a family man myself, I know how important it is to create homes that cater to real life. From spaces where kids can play and grow to practical layouts that make day-to-day living easier, every part of the home is designed with the people who’ll live there in mind. It’s about more than just looking great - it’s about making sure the space works perfectly for your lifestyle.

For me, trust and collaboration are the foundations of every successful project. The best results come when you really connect with your clients, understand their vision and work together to bring it to life.

If you’re thinking about building your dream home, I’d love to help.

Let’s chat and start planning something amazing.