building a house

[Rois]

My understanding is that there is still 3 % surcharge for second homes.

Yep - completed on a new house on Friday and had to pay the 3%.

Claim the 3% back if you sell the current house within 3 years (that's what I'll be doing).

[RadioGAAGAA]

3 years or 2?

[RedHand88]

How much can be saved by not using a contractor and sorting out the tradespeople yourself? Is it worth the extra stress and hassle?

[Rois]

3 years or 2?

3

Per HMRC website:

If you’re replacing your main residence
You will not pay the extra 3% SDLT if the property you’re buying is replacing your main residence and that has already been sold.

If you have not sold your main residence on the day you complete your new purchase you’ll have to pay higher rates. This is because you own 2 properties.

You can apply for a refund if you sell your previous main home within 36 months.

[God14]

Thanks Rois, I suppose I hoped that because the site wasn't in construction, the tax wouldnt apply
But its fairly clear in that info you posted

[Rois]

It might not apply, I don’t know the situation when you don’t have another residence to move into, but your solicitor will be the one you need to convince. I just know that you have to pay the additional second property rate despite the stamp duty holiday when you buy a second home.

Give me a day and I’ll check with a colleague.

[RadioGAAGAA]

How much can be saved by not using a contractor and sorting out the tradespeople yourself? Is it worth the extra stress and hassle?

If you don't have a fair idea what goes into building - or don't have family that does, then IMO your only likely to end up stressed, over budget, behind schedule and eventually getting someone in anyway to manage it.

[ThroughTheLaces]

Hi folks, couple of questions. Currently looking at either buying or building in the not too distant future (26 counties)

1) Which would people recommend we do in the own experience? Obviously a personal choice but building my own home was never an absolute must-do for me, so easy going on that.
2) Can't seem to find much info online, does anyone know current approximate rates psm/psf to build? (We have a site)
3) Currently own a small property in the north. Would this help or hinder me here?

Any other basic do's and dont's would be welcome. Fairly green on it!

[RedHand88]

Timber frame v traditional blocks, which is better?

Starting a self build shortly and this is one of the big first decisions. I've heard timber frame are better for heat retention but don't keep noise out as much?
Have a friend who swears by timber frame, but then he's in the timber business so there's bias.
Found a timber frame thread on the board but it's 12 year old and wondered how much has changed in the meantime.

Has anyone used timber frame and would they recommend it?

[balladmaker]

How much can be saved by not using a contractor and sorting out the tradespeople yourself? Is it worth the extra stress and hassle?

I got a price for a contractor, but decided not to go down the contractor route.  So hired the different trades in as they were needed.  I'm not from a building background and didn't know alot about it, but was lucky with the trades people we got e.g fella who did the foundations, recommended a brickie, the brickie recommended the roofer/joiner ... the roofer/joiner recommended a plumber and electrician, same roofer/joiner recommended fella to put the floors in, plasterer etc. etc. 

All in all, the build came in 17k more than the original contractor's price, but we got a better spec'ed house than what was included in the contractors price e.g. slate instead of tiles, oak instead of pine, underfloor heating system.  So was happy enough.  It's fair to say the joiner was a massive help in the overall process, and he did well out of it too with the work going his way.

I loved the whole process, enjoyed the craic with the different trades, and didn't really find it stressful ... apart from sorting out steel for the build which I found a challenge at the time.

[illdecide]

3 years or 2?

3

Per HMRC website:

If you’re replacing your main residence
You will not pay the extra 3% SDLT if the property you’re buying is replacing your main residence and that has already been sold.

If you have not sold your main residence on the day you complete your new purchase you’ll have to pay higher rates. This is because you own 2 properties.

You can apply for a refund if you sell your previous main home within 36 months.

Rois how does it work if you own your home and then inherit another through your parents will etc. You will own two homes but one was obviously given to you with no money passing hands. (Sorry i know you're not a solicitor)