Build your own home
Self-build takes guts, organisation and time, as a house is not designed or built by itself. It is this journey, the dream to build a house of your own, that we focus on at Steenvlinder. We put you, as a customer, at the heart of things. We seek locations and provide you with a clear process, a fixed product and a helping hand along the way, until your home is built. You decide and direct your way forward.
Self-build
plots
A self-build home gives you maximum freedom in the layout and specifications of your home. We deliver serviced plots (plots with planning, utilities and access) - including a Plot Passport (individual or as a group) - to design and build your own home.
Shell
homes
A shell home is a perfect way of designing a house if you have no interest in building your own home and yet do not want a standard home like everyone else in your street.
We deliver you a shell home, you decide on the finish.
Shell
apartments
A shell apartment is comparable with our shell home products. Your canvas however, is a designated area in an existing building. We deliver the fixer-upper apartments as a shell. You are in control of the design, build and interior. You decide what layout fits your life.
Clear process
When you start your own self-build project, you don't want to get lost in the procedures, legislation and financial requirements. Before you start, we make sure we have a fixed product: a Plot Passport, a fixed price and a structured process which will help you to build your own home.
Customer Coach
We have created a customer journey where you can make all the decisions yourself but are not left in the dark when things become unclear or when you need a helping hand. Learn everything you need to know about the process from our Customer Coach - your ultimate (and personal) guide to self-build.
Network of experts
When we start a self-build, custom build or fixer-upper development near you, we make sure that a network of relevant (external) parties is established to be at your disposal. These parties may include architects, sustainability advisors, mortgage advisors, etc. You can then be informed, by experts, if needed.
Self-build Stories
Hanging around the kitchen
A remarkable extra in the design is the net stretched across the void above the kitchen. "It’s really meant to be used," says Joe. To demonstrate, he takes off his shoes, steps onto the net and gently bounces up and down. “The net is very strong. You can use it with five adults at a time. I made the calculations myself.” And to think this is just one element of many in this beautiful CLT frame house.
Fatiha and Abid
Our search for a family home started in 2019. House prices were skyrocketing at the time and it was hard to find something that suited our wishes and we could afford. The idea to buy a plot came from Abid. My first reaction was, "dream on, we can't possibly afford that. However, as we explored our options it seemed more realistic than we had originally thought.”
Charly and Gaitrie enjoy their home
“We visited the site almost every day. It was hard sometimes. So many things are going on at the same time. But mostly we were inspired to see that our dream became reality. Our home is in so many ways our home, that's priceless."
Building together with your neighbours
"I would definitely build a home this way again", Hanna explains. She continues, "Contact your neighbours and the other self-builders on the development. Put your heads together – you learn from each other and won’t end up re-inventing the wheel. And, it helped to create a new community. Can you believe we have a tradition already? Our street barbecue each year. We won’t be moving away any time soon!”
Meet Kim and Kim: DIY and Self build
Kim was prepared! In her fixer-upper, a part of the old gym building, she practically took all building work on herself. She made sure she was schooled by a contracter, where she spent her Saturdays to learn!
Kim was inspired by the self build home of her parents. Still in her twenties, she has started her own self build adventure with her boyfriend David. She can pinpoint every detail in their design!
Selfbuild near you?
You may have heard of the ‘Right to Build’ register, which local authorities are required to keep. If you put your name on this register, you will not only inform your local authority of your desire to build your own home, it also means that the authority has to offer the possibility to self build. The legislation stipulates that local authorities must grant planning permission to a sufficient number of serviced plotswithin three years. For example, if 500 people apply to be added to this register, the authority must grant permission to 500 homes that could be self-build or custom build.
Registering your interest therefore helps everyone who want a self-build or custom build their home. You can find details of the register on your local council’s website, or by calling their planning department. If you have questions about how to proceed, please feel free to contact us.