Surveyor Link Limited

Help to Build could save UK self-build sector

surveyorlink Construction, news, Self-Build, surveying, technical auditing

The Government’s plans to increase the UK self-build sector from 100,000 to 200,000 over 10 years has been impeded in the last few years by planning laws, lack of lending and expensive land. However, the new Help to Build MIG could start to see the self-build market picking up. In July 2011, Grant Shapps set up a working group with industry and Government to try and make self-building your own home a less daunting and difficult experience. In the last couple of months MPs, lenders and policy makers set up an all-party parliamentary group on self-build. The Government is now actively considering a major step of launching a Help to Build MIG scheme as part of the Help to Buy scheme which is set to launch in January 2014. If a MIG scheme comes into force, combined with new planning rules, it could mean that more brokers are likely to get involved in the sector as demand will hopefully increase. Although there is not much news on this scheme at the moment we are keen to see what develops – you can subscribe to our blog to keep up to date with the latest announcements. Source: Mortgage Strategy Surveyor Link Limited provides survey management and reporting services, code consultancy, technical auditing and claims validation surveys for consumers and business. Continue Reading

Self Build on a shoestring competition

surveyorlink Construction, Planning, Self-Build, surveying, technical auditing

Have you entered the Self Build on a Shoestring competition?

The National Self Build Associated has announced a major new competition which is open to everyone.

Trying to showcase designs for clever sustainable homes, the NASBA competition is trying to prove that a low cost home can also be a very attractive one too.

A unique ideas completion, the aim is to design an innovative ‘self-build friendly’ home that can be constructed for less than £50,000.

The design must be a simple self-build home for a family of four; and all entrants will have to include a detailed cost report that itemises the materials used and their costs – as well as meeting UK Building Regulations.

The winners will win a prize fund of £5,000 and will be showcased at Grand Designs Live 2014.

Think you’ve got the winning idea? Visit the NASBA website to enter.

Submissions must be received by 5pm on Friday 20th September 2013.

Surveyor Link Limited provides a code for sustainable homes consultancy service for self-builders and their design teams with regards to meeting the specified code level requirement. The code for sustainable homes is essential for social housing and increasingly for private developments as a planning condition. Surveyor Link Limited gives you the support you need whether you are tackling the code for the first time, or experienced and looking for ways to achieve the higher levels. Continue Reading