New HebHomes Self-Build Guide

Take Control of Your Build, Save Money, and Achieve Your Dream

At HebHomes, we are always looking for ways to improve the experience of our customers. With rising build costs, growing pressure on trades, and economic uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to offer practical, flexible solutions that allow more people to realise their dream of a modern, energy-efficient home.

That’s why we will soon be launching a new Self-Build Guide—a comprehensive resource for those looking to take more control of their project, reduce costs, and build their HebHome without using a main contractor.

For some, a full turnkey build with a trusted contractor is the right choice. But for many others—particularly those priced out of the current market—self-building offers the only way of building their chosen home. It’s not without challenges, but with the right support, it is absolutely achievable.

What Is Self-Building?

By choosing to self-build, you are effectively becoming the main contractor. This means you are responsible for managing the site, organising the trades, and ensuring the project runs smoothly. Crucially, it also means taking on certain legal obligations—just as any main contractor would.

Self-builders must ensure they have the appropriate site insurance and take on the duties set out under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM 2015), including health and safety planning and coordination. If others are working on site, these rules apply regardless of whether you're doing any physical work yourself.

Our new guide explains all of this clearly and simply, so that you understand your responsibilities and can plan accordingly.

Why Consider Self-Build?

The financial savings can be substantial. By managing the programme and hiring your own trades, you can typically save 20–30% on the total build cost. If you’re confident taking on more of the physical work—such as insulation, flooring, kitchen fitting, painting and so on—your savings could be even greater, up to 50% in some cases.

You also gain full control over the budget. You can make informed decisions on where to spend and where to save. Many clients choose to start with modest finishes, and then upgrade later once they’ve moved in.

For those with relevant experience—whether in construction, project management, or just solid DIY skills—self-building is a natural fit. But even first-timers, if properly supported, can succeed. Needless to say, the simpler the house, the easier to do. 

What’s in the Guide?

The HebHomes Self-Build Guide is designed to take you through the entire process from beginning to end. It includes:

• An overview of the full construction programme—from groundworks to completion
• Typical timeframes for each stage of the build
• Clear guidance on managing trades and suppliers
• A breakdown of which tasks are suitable for client involvement
• Colour-coded difficulty levels for each task:
  • Easy – Suitable for most people with basic DIY skills
  • Moderate – Requires tools or previous experience
  •  Advanced – Should be left to professionals

This format makes it easy to plan where you can safely get involved and where expert help is required.

We also cover:

• CDM regulations and your legal responsibilities
• Health and safety on site
• Insurance and risk management
• Tips for avoiding delays and cost overruns
• Regional differences in building regulations across the UK
• How to find and work with local trades

Tailored Estimates and Ongoing Support

To help you budget effectively, we will also be offering a tailored Estimate of Costs for your chosen design and approach. This will be adjusted to reflect whether you're taking the turnkey route, managing trades yourself, or planning to undertake some of the work.

In addition, we’re developing optional support packages for self-build clients—ranging from early-stage planning assistance to ongoing technical support during construction. We want to make this process as straightforward and empowering as possible.

Who Is This For?

This route won’t suit everyone. It requires time, organisation, and a willingness to take responsibility. But for those who are motivated, it offers a unique opportunity—not just to save money, but to take real ownership of the project and be part of creating something lasting.

Whether you are a young person building your first home, a tradesperson looking to create something for yourself, or a couple downsizing to a rural plot, our guide will give you the tools to succeed.

Make It Happen

The Self-Build Guide is part of our wider commitment at HebHomes to help people create beautiful, sustainable homes—without being priced out of the process. We believe that more people should have access to the opportunity to build, and we’re here to help you do it right.

The full guide will be published shortly. If you're thinking about self-building or just want to understand your options better, this is an excellent place to start.

A better way to build is possible. With the right advice, it could be closer than you think.