Self Build Expert

30/08/2026

Looking for a plot? Join me on the 8th September to find out how to find one.

Booking at online with Build It.

Identifying the right plot is one of the biggest hurdles to self building. So put yourself a step ahead and become a plot hunting pro with this expert in-depth masterclass! Learn where to look, how to narrow your search parameters, what to look for in a good building site – and what to avoid – [...

21/08/2026

Think outside the box when looking for a self-build plot 🏡🔍

Speaking at Build It Live, our Director Mark Stevenson shared some of the opportunities aspiring self-builders should be looking out for when searching for land.

🏠 Existing houses with potential for replacement
📍 Gaps within existing street scenes
🏭 Brownfield and previously developed sites
🏪 Former commercial buildings, pubs, car parks and more

Mark’s own previous self-build even started life as a village post office!

The key is to look beyond the obvious. Your future building plot could be hiding in plain sight👀

Follow us for more practical self-build tips and advice🌟

20/08/2026

A beautiful new addition to our Goudhurst project🌟 the carport is complete and looking great!

We love how much character it brings to the property, with the exposed oak frame and traditional detailing fitting in perfectly with the style of the house. A really lovely finishing touch as this project gets closer to completion!

The kit supplied by English Brothers Bespoke and erected by our own brilliant team on site🙌

19/08/2026

Finding and buying a involves a lot more than simply finding a piece of land for sale.

Over the course of our Plot Buying Series, we’ve explored the process from start to finish, including where to look for land, how to recognise potential, understanding planning policy, assessing construction risks, putting together the right professional team and working out what a plot is really worth.
For our final episode, we’re bringing everything together into one complete plot buying framework, with the key steps to follow when assessing a potential piece of land.

There may be no such thing as the perfect plot, but taking a structured approach can make it much easier to recognise the right one!

Read the final episode 👉 https://www.elsworthprojects.co.uk/post/the-plot-buying-series-episode-10-the-complete-plot-buying-framework-and-how-to-assess-land-with-confidence

18/08/2026

We’re really pleased to welcome Emma to Elsworth Projects as our new Trainee Project Coordinator!👏

Emma will be supporting the team across our self-build projects, helping with project planning, coordination, communication and plenty of the day-to-day work that goes into keeping our builds moving.

She’s already getting stuck into life at Elsworth Projects, both behind the scenes and out on site, and we’re very happy to have her on board!

Welcome to the team, Emma!😊

17/08/2026

A look at our completed Swavesey self-build from above✨

The house and garage are now complete, and it’s so satisfying to see the finished build come together after all the work that’s gone into it.

Next on the list is the landscaping, which will really bring the whole plot together. We can’t wait to see the final transformation!

13/08/2026

A little progress update on our Goudhurst project🏡✨

Second fix is nearing the finish line, decorating is pretty much complete, and the floors are going down next week!

It’s all starting to come together now and we’re getting very close to a finished home. It’s looking glorious so far and we can’t wait for the final result! 🙌

10/08/2026

This is what self-build is all about!✨

One of the standout features of our Swavesey project has to be this incredible staircase, made even more special by the stained glass spindles, each painstakingly handmade by our client herself.

She has a passion for glassmaking, so seeing something she’s created become such a beautiful feature within her new home is pretty special❤️

It’s these personal touches that make self-build so unique, creating a home that doesn’t just suit the way you live, but truly reflects who you are.

05/08/2026

How much is a building plot actually worth? 🤔

The answer is rarely as simple as the asking price.

A plot’s value depends on:
• What can realistically be built
• The likely end value
• Planning potential
• Construction risks
• Development costs
• Overall viability

A cheap plot is not always cheap once you understand the risks. And an expensive plot may still be viable if the opportunity, end value and numbers all stack up.

The key is assessing the site properly before you commit!

Read the full guide on our blog 👉 https://www.elsworthprojects.co.uk/post/the-plot-buying-series-episode-9-how-to-work-out-what-a-building-plot-is-really-worth

✨ Coming up in the final episode… We’ll bring everything together and walk through the complete plot buying framework.

04/08/2026

Planning Permission Secured! ✅

We are delighted to have secured planning permission for our clients, Rachel and Toby Marrow, to build their own eco home in Bookham, Surrey.

This was far from a straightforward application. The site sits on the edge of a small village in the Mole Valley Green Belt and on the fringe of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, presenting a number of planning challenges. Working closely with Rachel and Toby, our Planning Director, Mario Wolf, developed and led the planning case, supported by Julia Riddle of Castle Planning Ltd. and other consultants, resulting in a successful outcome.

With Mole Valley District Council operating an up-to-date Local Plan and a marginal housing land supply, the Council had initially responded negatively to several pre-application enquiries. However, with a focused set of technical reports and a Unilateral Undertaking securing the self-build nature of the project, planning permission was granted under the Council’s restrictive infill policy.

💬 Rachel and Toby said:
“We’re absolutely delighted to have secured planning permission for our self-build home. We knew it would be a challenging application, but Mario Wolf and the team at Elsworth Projects guided us through every stage and gave us confidence from day one. Mario’s knowledge and advice were invaluable, and we’re so grateful for all the hard work that went into achieving this result. We now have the green light to progress our project and live closer to our family, and we’re incredibly excited for the next stage of the journey.”

With planning permission now secured, Rachel and Toby will be moving into the next phase of their project, developing the detailed design for their new home before construction begins in 2027. We’re looking forward to continuing to support them throughout their self-build journey!🏡