Finding a plot

You need to buy a plot of land to self-build a home.

Finding a plot of land to buy

You can find a plot by:

searching online for companies who sell plots of land
checking your local Solicitors Property Centre or estate agents
finding local private developers with undeveloped land and asking them to sell you a plot
checking if community trusts in the area have land for sale

Registering your interest with the council

You can also register your interest in buying land for self-build with the local council.

Registration does not guarantee that you’ll get a suitable plot. But it helps the council understand:

the demand for self-build plots
where people would like these plots to be
the type of houses that they would like to build

The council will use this information to update policies and proposals in their Local Development Plan.

Contact your local council

Plot size

Make sure that a plot is big enough for the size of property you want to build.

A plot that is over 250 square metres should be enough for a medium-sized house with a small front and back garden.

A plot of around 400 square metres should be enough for a 4-bedroom house with a large garden.

Check for planning permission or a building warrant

Speak to the local council before you buy a plot.

A plot may already have planning permission or a building warrant. This means you can either:

build a house that matches the already approved design
start a new planning application or apply for a new building warrant

Plots that have ‘planning permission in principle’ or no planning permission can be cheaper.

Planning permission in principle means a site has consent for development, but not full planning permission. You need full planning permission and an approved building warrant before you can start work. This will depend on certain conditions. For example, submitting more detailed plans once you've bought the plot.

When buying a plot, you can ask the landowner to agree to an offer that depends on getting planning permission. Then if your planning application is rejected, you do not have to buy the land.

Site appraisals

Getting a site appraisal will tell you about any problems with the land. This gives you detailed information that can help you design the foundations and sub-structure.

An appraisal will check:

flood risk
if the land is contaminated
for mineral-related problems caused by old mines
if the soil is in good condition to support a house
if the plot is on an old waste tip or quarry
if electricity, water, drainage and gas are available, or can be connected

Utility services

If the plot is not already connected to utility services, you need to arrange this. For example, connecting to mains water, sewerage and electricity.

Contact the electricity and gas supplier you want to use early on to check when they can connect you. Contact Scottish Water to connect your plot to mains water.

If the plot is in a rural area or far away from other homes, a connection can cost a lot of money. Check with companies how much this will cost before you buy a plot.

Try to make sure you have water and electricity available when building starts. Builders will need access to both as they build your home.

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