Self-builders 'have development advantage'

Changes to health and safety requirements for commercial house builders have put self-builders at an advantage when it comes to construction, it has been suggested.

The National House Building Council (NHBC) has said that new regulations are client-focused, and aim to cut down on the number of excuses a client can have if something does not conform to health and safety standards.

But because those looking to self build are categorised as domestic clients, they do not fall under the remit of the regulations, the NHBC noted.

"[New regulations mean] the client has this duty to ensure that everybody else – the principle contractors, the designers, the coordinators, and the people who are actually going to build the stuff – are competent; that they actually know how to do what they're being asked to do safely. Everything hinges on that," commented NHBC health and safety technical and standards coordinator Christopher Epps.

"Domestic clients – that's you and me having an extension done on our own houses – we're precluded from the regulations. The regulations carry on without the involvement on the client," Mr Epps added.


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