SPONSORED To guide you through the self-build process, RON BEATTIE, of Beattie Passive, gives you some top tips.

The plot is purchased, your designs are ready, but what's the best route to actually build your home? Fortunately, the beauty of self-build lies in its flexible process, allowing you to choose not only the build method, but also how involved you want to be in the construction of your home.

We are seeing a growing number of true self builders who are making the most of self build construction courses which offer an enthusiastic individual the chance to develop the necessary skills to live and breathe the installation of every joist, roof tile, floorboard and window frame in their home. However, whilst not everyone is a proficient DIY fanatic, many still wish to play some part in its construction to enjoy a real sense of self achievement.

Build Route Options:

Route 1- The hands-on approach: project manage and build yourself

Route 2- Half and half: part build or take delivery of the structure to then finish off yourself or with the help of contractors

Route 3- Full Turnkey: employ a project manager to coordinate the build team and deliver the finished home to you, ready for occupation.

However involved you choose to be, the key focus of any self build project remains on creating a unique home that meets your lifestyle needs, and to a large extent your desires, in the most energy efficient way possible.

'Passivhaus', 'Eco homes', 'zero carbon' are all terms that will be familiar regardless of the style and size of home you plan to build, and with limitless energy efficient products such as triple glazing and mechanical ventilation heat recovery being readily available, it's little wonder that the self build homes under construction both now and in the future, will be the most energy efficient in the country.

When choosing the best route for your own self build, it's important to consider a build or construction method that will not only meet the criteria of a beady-eyed building inspector, but one that offers testing and certification by the company itself. At Beattie Passive, we test and certify all our weather proof and air tight structures to ensure they are built as designed, to the highest Passivhaus standards, which in turn provides the home owner with a smoother build process and peace of mind at every stage…something of great value during any self build project!

Ron Beattie can be contacted at Beattie Passive at www.beattiepassive.comBeattie Passive has sponsored this column.