Managing your self-build project can be a daunting task, particularly if you have no previous experience of working with construction trades people. The job can become a lot less stressful if time is taken to prepare an itemised schedule showing every aspect of the build. By doing this you should be on top of the job from day one. As project manager you will be responsible for the smooth running of the site including all health and safety issues. You will be expected to have the correct quantity of materials on the site at the right time and make sure each trade will be available as and when they are required. The whole project needs to be properly planned in order to avoid delays and minimise problems which may occur as the work proceeds. It is vital to carefully check the plans and study (I mean really study) each room and try and visualise how it will look when it’s built. It is far easier to make alterations to the plans before the work starts, as later this can be expensive. Once you are completely happy with the design you can go on to the next step. You will need to get competitive quotations for all of the materials and fixed prices from the sub-contract labour force. It’s worth checking on the availability of the materials as some could be in short supply. Get a minimum of three quotations for the materials. Give copies of the building regulation approved plans to each sub-contractor so they can provide fixed quotes for each stage of the build. Agree how and when each trade will expect to be paid. Keep all receipts and statements as you will need them to recover the VAT, you will also need to arrange a ten-year warranty. Don’t forget to need insurance which has to cover both the building and the site operatives. Once you have arrived at this point you will need to plan and organise for each of the following trades people and materials as the work moves forward.

1. Site preparation.
2. Setting out for the house.
3. Ground workers.
4. Bricklayers.
5. Roof carpenters.
6. Roof tilers.
7. Gutters and down pipes and drains
8. Windows and doors.
9. First fix carpenters, electricians, and plumbing/heating
10. Plasterboard and plastering.
11. Second fix carpenters, electricians, and plumbing/heating
12. Finishing trades and landscaping.