A residential construction method where the individual who will live in the house organizes, manages, or physically executes the building process. The owner might hire subtrades for specialized work like electrical and plumbing, but they retain overall project control and liability. It bypasses traditional developer models to save money or achieve a highly customized design.
He's doing a self-build out in the county, so he's out there pulling wire and hanging drywall every weekend.
Related terms
General contractor
The primary entity responsible for overseeing a construction project and managing subcontractors.
Subtrade
A specialized area of construction work handled by a subcontractor rather than the general contractor.
Planning permission
Formal approval from a local government authority required before beginning construction or altering land use.