Building your dream home is possible: FREE tickets to Homebuilding Show

A photo of a self build kit home in Scotland

Are you obsessed with home makeover shows? Have you been inspired to build your own house in Scotland? Then you will know how challenging it can be. So, gleaning advice from the experts in planning, construction and design is essential.

Fortunately, in May, The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show is back at Glasgow’s SEC after a four-year absence. It will bring 140 exhibitors showcasing thousands of products and services all under one roof for two days only (May 20 and 21).

Read on to hear how one Scottish self-builder built his dream home and why prefabricated homes are gaining popularity.

How to build your own house in Scotland

Among the crowds of self-builders expected to attend the show is Mark Fielding. He is a man who is very experienced in building homes. The developer first began building in Perth around 20 years ago and recently he took on his biggest project yet – a four-home development in Haddington, East Lothian.

A photo of a self-build home in Scotland — Could you do what Mark did and build your own house in Scotland?

“When I first started out, I decided to have a project manager overseeing the projects, but when I decided to build a kit home a few years ago, I did it myself,” explained Mark.

“It was in 2018 when I first purchased the land at Haddington and started building a development of four homes. There are two, four-bedroom homes and two with five bedrooms. Two have been sold already and the third is under offer.”

Mark, and wife Claire, were so impressed with the style and quality of workmanship that they will be moving into the fourth property later in the year.

“I’ve not done all that NOT to have one of them,” Mark laughed.

The things I wish I knew about building my own home

In the two decades he has been housebuilding, Mark has learned five very valuable lessons and now shares his advice:

A photo of self-builder Mark outside his new home — Mark has built many homes, including his own.

Have funding in place
Source a good architect
Get recommendations for good tradespeople
Project manage it yourself
And be on site as much as possible, this is key

Even today, after being involved in building numerous homes, Mark admits “every day is a learning day”.

He says: “There is always going to be challenges, and it does take a lot of time and coordination, but it allows you to have your dream home for a lot cheaper than market value. I would recommend it to anyone.”

Mark says he would not have been able to complete the first three homes, and near completion of the fourth one, without the involvement of Fleming Homes.

Inspiring self-builders to take the leap

The building company, which is based in Duns in the Scottish Borders, is – for the first time – sponsoring this year’s Scottish Homebuilding and Renovating Show.

Sarah Mathieson, managing director at Fleming Homes, is looking forward to the event having attended it as an exhibitor for many years. She hopes the show inspires people to consider self-building as a realistic and viable alternative to buying a new home.

A photo of a self-build project at night — Fleming Homes helped Mark with his self-build project, which included this garden room.

She said: “More people should consider self-building, like Mark did, so it becomes the norm rather than the exception. Yes, there is a steep learning curve at the start, but for someone who is willing to invest in research and learning about the process, self building can pay dividends.

“It’s all about knowledge building and we want to help people do that. Our mission is to help make self-building more straightforward, so we have introduced things like a self-build resource section on our website.”

Why build a kit home in Scotland?

From its manufacturing facility in the Borders, Fleming Homes precision engineers prefabricated timber frame homes within a controlled factory environment. Sarah insists there are multiple benefits of buying prefabricated (or ‘kit’) to build your own house in Scotland.

The managing director added: “The speed of construction is what attracts people, as a four-bedroom family home only takes two-to-three weeks to erect to the wind and watertight stage after it arrives on site.

“And, because self-builders are building their forever home, they invest a lot in the fabric of the building, meaning self-build homes are typically of a much higher quality. Project managing your own self-build, along with a carefully managed project budget, can also result in a generous uplift at the point of completion.”

Claim your FREE tickets to The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show

A photo of The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show. — The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show is coming to Glasgow’s SEC in May.

Inspired by what you have read so far? If so, then here is your chance to attend The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show for FREE.

During the two-day exhibition, you can check out the latest products, services and innovations from over 140 exhibitors. You can also attend free seminars and masterclasses about sustainable heating, financial and planning permission issues, eco living and architectural design.

Want tips from the experts? Head to The Advice Centre, where you can take along your plans, outline drawings and your ideas for a free 15-minute consultation with an architect, planner, builder or an expert from the Homebuilding & Renovating magazine team.

The organisers would like to specially-invite Sunday Post readers who are planning a self-build or renovation project along by offering them two free tickets*, saving up to £24. Claim your two FREE tickets to The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show here.

The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show is taking place at the SEC, Glasgow on 20-21 May 2023. Opening hours: Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 10am-4.30pm.

*Free ticket offer expires at 3pm on 19 May 2023.