Blog>Questions>Who do I need to hire to build a house?
Last updated: 5 December 2023
Who do I need to hire to build a house?
If you’re looking into carrying out a self-build, you might be wondering who you need to hire to build a house. It’s a complex question that doesn’t come with one easy answer. Here, we’ll explore the different options and routes forward.
If you’re looking into carrying out a self-build, you might be wondering who you need to hire to build a house. It’s a complex question that doesn’t come with one easy answer. Here, we’ll explore the different options and routes forward.
Who do I need to hire to build a house?
Building a house requires many different skills, and no one contractor will be able to physically carry out every aspect themselves. So, it can be hard to know who to hire.
When it comes to building a house, there are three separate contractors that are non-negotiables:
Architect. An architect will need to design your house, taking into account your tastes and budget
Structural engineer. A structural engineer will need to be involved throughout the process to make sure the design and structure is safe
Energy consultant or SAP assessor. This consultant will work with your architect to score the energy performance of your new home’s design
Who do I need to hire to complete the build itself?
The process of constructing your new home will vary depending on the approach you choose to take. A few common routes include:
1. Architect-led
Traditionally, the architect you commission to carry out the design work will then tender the building work to contractors. They will project manage the build while the architect inspects the work and answers queries that emerge onsite.
2. Turnkey approach
You can commission a design and build company to complete the entire project for you at a fixed price that you pre-agree. Just be aware that you won’t get as much control over the quality.
3. Project manager
If your architect isn’t going to run the self-build management for you, you can appoint a separate project manager yourself. You might consider project managing, but hiring a professional can be very useful if you have limited construction knowledge or experience.
Unless you go down the turnkey route, at some point, contractors will need to be hired to construct your home. In this case, you can either hire a general contractor or hire separate builders for different parts of the self build.
Main contractor versus separate contractors
Hiring separate contractors to carry out different parts of the build can work out cheaper than working with a general contractor. However, hiring a general contractor means there’s a professional responsible for the overall build quality itself.
General contractors complete the onsite work, ensure it’s completed correctly and on time, and hire subcontractors for specialised work when needed (such as plumbers and carpenters).
Not only will they effectively manage the build process for you (one less thing for you to worry about!) but they’ll also help to make sure that the quality of the build is consistent. This is much more difficult to achieve if you’re using different contractors throughout the build.
Thanks to their experience and knowledge of the industry, they can also help to get you discounts on build materials and introduce you to specialist trades they have an existing relationship with.
Find an architect to kick things off
Sold on building a house? The first professional you’ll need to hire is an architect.
Checkatrade-approved members have to pass up to 12 checks to be listed in our directory and are regularly reviewed by homeowners – so you know you’re hiring a trusted and experienced professional.
Simply enter your postcode below to find qualified architects in your area.
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