AMATEUR BUILDER’S PROSPECTS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28529, 7 March 1958, Page 13

AMATEUR BUILDER’S PROSPECTS

Handymen Can Save Themselves Money

Although some tradesmen’s services cannot be eliminated when a House is built, there is scope for a handyman to save hundreds of pounds by doing much of the work himself. Plumbing, drainlaying and electrical installations must, by regulation, be

done by qualified tradesir do everything else.

ien, but the amateur may

Building a house takes a great deal of time and much of the work requires a high degree of skill. Building an average size house takes about 1700 man-hours, apart from the time taken by the essential sub-contractors. The amateur, therefore, may expect to take considerably longer. A person who borrows money to build his own home must remember that while it is being built he will have to pay rent or installments on his existing dwelling as well as of interest and mortgage on the new house. Lending institutions vary in tl.eir attitude to advances to ama-

teur builders, but the policy is usually caution. The State Advances Corporation is as liberal as possible to owner-builders. The amateur builder must plan his home carefully and have plans and specifications drawn up before starting work. A building permit must be obtained from the local authority, and compliance with by-laws and the specifications of lending institutions must be assured. The costs of materials should be calculated before work is commenced and it is advisable to order timber well in advance.

Building one’s own home is a large and often difficult task, but many have done it with complete success.