Most of us would love to design and build our own home. In fact, more people than ever are doing precisely this. But how exactly do you go about it? How much of the building work should you do yourself? This manual explains the entire process in plain English, backed up with hundreds of color photos showing real self-build projects taking shape.

Each chapter is devoted to a key stage of the build from the foundations right through to snagging and completion. Whether you tackle some of the works yourself, or employ architects and contractors, this step-by-step guide will show you how to stay firmly in control, get to grips with the latest planning and building regulations, and complete your project on time and within budget.

An experienced Chartered Surveyor, Ian Rock has refurbished numerous older properties as well as designing and developing new houses. He has contributed articles on residential property issues to The Observer, and was formerly a Publisher with EMAP magazines and Associate with Countrywide Surveyors. He has previously written several Haynes books:1930s House Manual, Home Extension Manual, Loft Conversion Manual, Period Property Manual, Build Your Own House and Home Buying and Selling Manual as well as the first edition of the Victorial House Manual.