Television 'encouraging self builders'

Television shows have had a "huge" influence on Britons looking to build their own homes themselves, though such programmes can nonetheless mislead some homeowners, it has been advised.

While the practice is less accessible for first time buyers, professionals and would-be propertydevelopers are increasingly attracted to the sector, SelfBuild and Design Magazine has suggested.

But the way in which TV design shows often detail costs can be "misleading", magazine editor Ross Stokes commented.

"Self building seems to appeal to a lot of people for various reasons. It is more achievable for professional people who have got a little bit of collateral behind them. They've got something to borrow money on," Mr Stokes suggested.

"There are a lot of builders who are small time developers.

"There are risks involved with any sort of undertaking like this but realistically most self builds are completed without too many problems. I don't think it's any more of a risk than people taking mortgages with huge outgoings which a lot of banks and building societies seem to be encouraging at the moment," he added.


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