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House prices force more self-builds
00:00 27 Jun 2001
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by Ross Pearman
Rising house prices, planning feuds and a supply and demand shortage are forcing more people to build their own houses.
The latest trend in build-it-yourself tactics follows a slump in housebuilding, with just 160,000 being built in 2000 - the lowest figure since 1924.
"With so many obstacles in the way [of buying from developers], people can see the benefits of building their own homes," said Pierre Williams, a spokesman for the House Builders Federation. "There has been a huge decline since the 70s, which the government has recognised by setting a target of 3.8m homes by 2021."
Williams explained that the rise in inflation and green lobbying has had a huge impact on dwindling house numbers. "There has been a huge issue of key worker affordability for groups such as nurses," he said. "With this in mind, houses are becoming gold dust in the economy."
Many would-be homeowners claim that developers are asking too much money, especially in the south.
"It's true this has been a major factor," Williams said. "But more and more developers are aware of the problem and are addressing it."
Rising house prices, planning feuds and a supply and demand shortage are forcing more people to build their own houses.
The latest trend in build-it-yourself tactics follows a slump in housebuilding, with just 160,000 being built in 2000 - the lowest figure since 1924.
"With so many obstacles in the way [of buying from developers], people can see the benefits of building their own homes," said Pierre Williams, a spokesman for the House Builders Federation. "There has been a huge decline since the 70s, which the government has recognised by setting a target of 3.8m homes by 2021."
Williams explained that the rise in inflation and green lobbying has had a huge impact on dwindling house numbers. "There has been a huge issue of key worker affordability for groups such as nurses," he said. "With this in mind, houses are becoming gold dust in the economy."
Many would-be homeowners claim that developers are asking too much money, especially in the south.
"It's true this has been a major factor," Williams said. "But more and more developers are aware of the problem and are addressing it."
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