Financing
Your Self Build

At the initial stages of any Self Build project, a common stumbling block comes in the form of finance. Many potential Self Builders aren’t sure what their options for financing their build are, and can be put off committing to their plans.

Whilst it may seem daunting, there are a number of ways to help you finance a Self Build, and assessing these options to find the most suitable route for you is fundamental to achieving your Self Build dream.

At an early stage understanding what funds you have available is key to ensuring your house designs align with your budget which is why we have partnered with Buildstore Mortgage Services Limited.

BuildStore is the UK’s leading mortgage brokerage specialising in mortgages and finance, designed specifically for homebuilding projects. Their specialist mortgage advisers will recommend and tailor borrowing solutions to your financial circumstances, design and build specifications, and payment schedule.  They fully understand AC Architects' processes and the solutions required for the various projects we design.

Buildstore understands the complex and specialist experience required when financing self build houses using the various building systems whether traditional build, timber frame, or structurally insulated panels of Insulated concrete formwork. They have built solid relationships with lenders and created more than 70 exclusive mortgages, designed specifically to solve the common issues faced by individual homebuilders.

These unique funding solutions set them apart from other mortgage brokers, and this allows us to help many customers who otherwise may not have had the chance to build their dream homes.

COST BASED MORTGAGES

Cost-based stage payment mortgages provide guaranteed stage payments based on your build costs. Funds can either be released before or after each build stage, depending on your payment schedule. There are no valuations during the build, so stage releases can be agreed upon as part of your mortgage application.

This type of mortgage is exclusively available from BuildStore and works particularly well with offsite manufactured systems as you can get money from the lender towards the cost of your building system before it’s even on site.

HOW MUCH CAN YOU BORROW?

How much you can borrow depends on your financial circumstances. Like any mortgage, lenders will assess your income and outgoings to calculate what you can afford.

For a valuation-based self build mortgage, the money your lender will release is typically restricted to 80% of their assessment of the value of your site at any time - you won’t know how much is available to you until you ask for more money.

With BuildStore’s higher lending percentages, you could borrow up to 95% of your costs, (100% if you already own your plot) with a maximum of up to 85% of the expected end value of your home. What’s more, you’ll be told as part of your mortgage application how much you’ll receive at each stage of your build- guaranteed.