13 things you need to do before Starting on site

Every self-build journey is made up of many stages. Some of these will be easy to navigate, while others will be considerably more arduous, but that’s all to be expected. The trick is to know roughly what to expect and to be prepared for it at each stage, so you avoid undue stress — as much as that’s possible on a self-build project!

Let’s assume you’ve purchased your plot, hired a designer or architect who’s put plans in motion, and lined up a builder who’s poised to spring into action. What can you do to make sure you’re good to go on site before building works begin?

From site services and amenities to waste management, site security and health and safety, here we outline 13 things you can get organised to get ahead of the game before you break ground.

1 Sort site services

Are there facilities for people working on your site? You need running water, electricity and a toilet. On rural sites, you can get by with a static water tank, a generator for electricity and a portable loo.