Survey shows credit crunch not stopping self build

A new survey has shown that most self builders are moving ahead with their self build and renovation plans.

The Buildstore poll of 500 such builders has shown 90 per cent are carrying on with their schemes, the Exeter Express and Echo reports.

Buildstore's chief executive Raymond Connor told the paper the credit crunch has made the self buildindustry more viable, while its niche interest has protected it from any harm.

He said: "Not only are the majority of current self-builders and renovators still continuing with their projects, but more people are beginning to recognise it as an affordable and rewarding way to improve their position on the property ladder."

Mr Connor added that the government could go a long way towards helping to increase the amount of housing stock in the UK if it took action to help raise the availability of plots for self build.

According to whatprice.co.uk, the figure (based on 2007 values) for the total cost of self building a five-bedroom home was £94,000 to £130,000, £65,000 to £91,000 for a four-bedroom dwelling and £51,700 to 371,500 for a three-bedroom home.