Creating projects

Introduction

Lets just recap briefly over this topic, before going onto more detail.

Once members have joined and been visited by a consultant, then in most cases the club will either be looking to put together several specifications that are similar, to make the finding of a site and the creation of build projects that will make these possible, a practical proposition, or will decide that yours is a unique requirement that should be searched for on its own.

In some cases it will look at individual sites that will allow individuals with specifications that are considerably different to others needs to be met. Where this cannot be done and we need to look for an individual site it is likely to take longer and be more expensive as the majority of self builders, who are not a  part of this club or some other group, will be looking for single sites and therefore there is far more competition for such sites. However our proactive approach can often throw up such sites so we have no competition in these cases.

Finding or creating sites and putting together compatible build groups you will realize is far more difficult than it sounds.  It will often involve, having identified a need, actively searching for potential sites, having  first looked at the local plan, discussed with councils and others how this is most likely to be met, and then set about meeting the need, looking at planning permission and more. 

Many sites looked at initially will turn out to be not suitable, either in that it is unlikely we would get planning, or that there is something against the site such as flood risk, or something in the vicinity that would spoil the enjoyment of those who were to live there. In other cases the economics may not make sense in that the price being asked for the land is far too high. 

People with land may also find approaching the club beneficial at an early stage as we may be able to take on the whole process of getting planning, drawing estate plans etc, ahead of planning being sought at no cost to them, on the understanding that we have an option to buy if planning can be obtained.  Click here. if you want to read information for land owners or for people who want to combine land they already own and club membership. 

Creating projects

So now lets concentrate on putting together projects, this is where we have a number of requirements being met on a single site, the individual search for those that do not form part of a group is similar but requires no compilation across members.

The process of creating a project once a group of similar specifications have been found is to identify the site requirement, identify the style of properties and sizes required and to actively search for available sites to meet these needs. When a possible site that would meet this has been found, some basic research will be done, for example to check it is not on a flood plain, and what building permissions and restrictions apply to the site. The club itself or through a member, group of members or some other company may also acquire an option to the property at a fixed price at this point to give us the chance to explore further, seek modified planning or similar. Once a potential site layout has been set up, we will discuss these plans with existing members who we feel would be able to join in, and with them look at designs and other considerations. 

We can also proactively search for land where planning permission could be obtained and are not limited to finding property of a set size or where planning permission already exists. Our proactive search puts us in a better negotiating position and also means we get to find out about a wide range of potential sites that will probably never make it to the general marketplace. This approach allows us to negotiate on price and allow several people to not only get a lower entry cost, but further savings by sharing cost for services and more. 

Members will be approached in a pattern, allowing people the chance to see if they wish to become involved at this point, if not the option will pass to others. If you turn down an option and then change your mind and decide you would like to become involved, then you must wait until others option times expire before being able to take up an option. 

Being able to make up your mind quickly is possible due to the advance work we have done with you on the specification, and helping you to understand what it is you want and how to achieve this plus arrangements you have made to check mortgages or other funding is available. By the use of work books you can check out many things and even carry out a site survey, identifying all the questions you need to consider. It is an informed choice rather than a gut reaction many self builders are involved in, so risks are lower and stress is considerably lower as well.

Commitment to a project involves signing a letter of understanding that sets out the details of the option you wish to take up, giving you all the details you need on how the group or project will be organized and run, and the cost of becoming involved. Everyone will have agreed to all the main points before we turn the group over to you to run yourselves, and even then you can call us back in, if a problem comes up.

When we have sufficient people committed to allow the project to move ahead, a new group in the form of a new club, partnership or company is established as suits the needs of the group and project, and those who have committed then become a part of this, taking over the project at the point we have reached. This club then becomes an advisor and have one of its consultants act as a temporary project manager until you appoint your own project manager. We can help you to decide on the type of property to build and help you to appoint a project manager who will do the detail of getting the properties built, liaising with tradesman and scheduling the delivery of materials.

This allows you to continue to move forward rapidly, avoids individual members trying to renegotiate their position to the detriment of others and allows design options and styles etc to be finalised, and individual members to make funding arrangements prior to needing to appoint your own project manager in many cases. 

In some cases in order for the projects to move ahead rapidly, while the formalities catch up, companies are formed, bank accounts opened etc, we may arrange for some actions to be coordinated, options obtained and some planning and recruitment organized by the club, its consultants or other trustworthy and reliable organization. A good example of this is where necessary to arrange for those who undertake our administration for us, to handle banking transactions for the new group, as we have found that the sequence necessary to form a company or partnership, apply for a bank account and eventually get a cheque book printed and to you, can take a very long time and hold everything up considerably. Usually it is necessary for only a small number of such transactions to be handled for you, but can speed up the project considerably.

How fast will things happen

Where local recruitment has occurred, people have realistic expectations, and similar aspirations to others, a budget sufficient for the project and are able to commit when a matching opportunity arrives, the time from joining to becoming a part of a group that has its own project manager should not be very long, and far shorter than in doing it all yourself. The more unusual or specific your requirements, geographically limited, and the more picky you are about the exact match, the longer it is likely to take, before you find a situation that suits you. It is not possible to estimate how long it will take. As you continue to pay a membership subscription the club can continue to look at your requirements and to see what can be done to either help you make them easier to meet or allow you to wait until the match that suits you comes along. If your requirements are not likely to be matched in a reasonable time, the club will give you an indication of what percentage chance it considers likely of meeting these, this can only be done from a position of experience, after your requirements and ideals are understood and a search for sites has been undertaken. You will then be able to decide to hold out for the requirements you have or to modify some aspect, such as location, price or other factors.

Members in new areas

Where we have a new member in an area where we have no existing members, we get to identify your needs rapidly and in many cases then will decide that  the first stage is to put in a recruitment plan to find other members in the same area.  We will often not start to recruit in your area until we have had the consultant define your requirements with you, as this may effect the type of project that is promoted in the area and increase the likelihood of other new members matching your needs faster. You can also if you wish become involved in recruiting new members, which may help things to move faster, as well as allowing you via the points programme to get considerable additional benefits. We may also of course find that your needs can be better met from a single site rather than a joint projects and can start looking with you at the sites currently available and on work to proactively create more. 

This is the 4th of 6 pages which explains the club, click here to go to the next page in the sequence, looking at a number of other aspects connected with the club, as well as explaining how it was set up and who is behind it.

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Self Build Homes Club is an international club and trading title of Self Build Homes Club llc. Local services
 to serve members are commissioned for the club by New Atlantis International Services Corporation.
All major commissioned companies involved, have New Atlantis trust status.