Reports

In January 2009 NaSBA launched a report on how an increase in the amount of self building can help to kick start the housing and construction sectors. The Foreword to this report has been written by Tommy Walsh, and this is printed below as an appetiser.

I’ve been involved in the house building industry from many years. During this time I’ve witnessed, at first hand, the two main ways of getting a new house – most people end up buying a standard home from one of the volume housebuilders; but a growing number have decided to do-it-themselves and build a house for their families.

The DIY’ers generally build a terrific property. They take enormous care to get the design and quality of construction just right, and they tend to be very passionate about environmental issues. So the homes they build are tailor made and very “green”. And they are delighted with the end result.

The same is not always true for the people who buy an off-the-shelf house from a volume builder. These frequently don’t quite fit their requirements, they are (relatively speaking) expensive and the owners often complain about shoddy workmanship.

I’m positive more people want to build their own homes – they increasingly recognise that it’s not actually that scary to do, and they realise it’s a very cost effective solution.

The biggest barrier that stops them from doing this is the availability of land.

I have heard countless stories from would-be self builders about the real difficulties they have faced in finding and buying a plot. Typically it takes years of ferreting around; and in many cases people just give up and do a renovation project  instead, simply because they just can’t get hold of any land to build on.

If land were more readily available I’m convinced you’d see a major increase in the number of new homes built this way. They’d be great homes too – well built, well designed, and very energy efficient. That’s why I support this campaign. It’s a win:win situation for everyone concerned.

So come on Gordon, let’s see some action, and some support for the army of people who would like to construct a good home for themselves.

Tommy Walsh
Celebrity Builder and TV Presenter

To view the whole report Click Here