#buildityourself - a guide to building your own house

Building your own house is a dream for many young architects, and even just for the layman who wants a custom house, specifically suited to his or her needs. For architects, it is the ultimate project in a sense, as you can choose your own site, define your own brief and set your own time frame. The biggest challenge when building your own house, usually is the budget. (And of course taking into consideration the needs of your better half, without compromising on your own vision!)

Over the next couple of months I'll be posting a series of 'do's and don'ts' as well as general advice on how to build a budget home that kicks ass. I have just completed my own house, in Irene, Pretoria, South Africa, so I'll be taking you through my process step by step. I'll start with the procurement of the property - some tips and tricks on how to find the best property, then move on to the design process, and finally the construction. It's a long process, but it should be, as there is tons to think about and plenty to consider. Rome wasn't built in day, and neither should your own house be.

Stay tuned.