Self-Building Your Holiday Home: Why It’s About More Than Economics

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What is Self-Build? Should you do it?

When considering the development of a holiday home, there’s a strong argument for self-building, not just for the economic benefits, but for the relationship it fosters with the ‘home’ itself.

Self-build is a broad term, however, it represents the practices of; making, DIY and involvement in the crafting of one’s environment. Moreover, for this literature, I am using carpentry as a metaphorical anchor, however, alternative activities such as; gardening, painting, metal work or any kind of hands-on activity would also be appropriate.

It’s also important to note that engaging in self-build projects does not eliminate the need for professional support. Contractors and other skilled professionals play a vital role in many aspects of the process, ensuring that the final outcome meets both practical and aesthetic standards.

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Beauty Matters

When you decorate your own space, make your furniture, or upcycle what already exists, you form a personal connection with beauty—what it means to you and the art of creating it. This process goes beyond the notion of taste being something that can be bought. Instead, it’s about a deep, personal engagement with materials, shapes, and functions, and how these elements come together to reflect your values and aesthetic sensibilities.

Let’s be clear: beauty is not dependent on wealth. Good taste is what truly matters, and taste is cultivated through a genuine relationship with beauty, not by the price tag attached to it. In our architectural practice, we are often approached by high-end kitchen designers who propose elaborate kitchens that can sometimes cost more than the average home in the UK. Too often, it’s difficult to justify these excessive costs when there’s a clear disconnect between taste, beauty, and the price being charged.

On the contrary, let’s explore a more grounded approach. Suppose you go onto Facebook Marketplace and search for 'oak furniture.' Depending on your location, you might be pleasantly surprised by the abundance of characterful pieces available—old cabinets, tables, and chairs. Many of these pieces have a history, a patina of time that new, expensive units lack. These are the kinds of materials you can upcycle, with just a bit of thoughtful paint or a jigsaw to modify them to suit your taste.

This process is not just about finding bargains; it's about discovering your style. Each piece, each small project you undertake, adds to your knowledge and builds a sense of craftsmanship within you. Over time, you develop your methods of making, your own set of values around beauty and function. This journey into making, into carpentry, metaphorically speaking, nurtures good citizens because it cultivates patience, attention to detail, and an appreciation for what we create with our hands.

Self-building your holiday home—or even just engaging with making things for it—anchors you in the space you’re creating. It makes the house a true expression of your tastes, your efforts, and your values. It's not about the latest trends or the most expensive finishes; it's about the integrity of creating something beautiful and functional, something that resonates with you.

In this way, the metaphor of carpentry extends beyond wood and nails. It encompasses a philosophy of living where making things—furniture, gardens, homes—becomes a form of self-expression, a practice that enriches both the individual and the community around them.

Start Small

When embarking on self-building or any form of making, the best advice I can give is this: start small. It’s easy to get carried away with grand visions of what you want to create, but the reality of making is humbling. Overestimating your capabilities can lead to frustration and setbacks, so the wisest approach is to begin with projects that slightly exceed your current skill level and build from there.

Reflecting on my own experience with carpentry, I began small and simple. At around 14 or 15, I started with modest projects like small tables. There was nothing remarkable about these early efforts; they were crude, often flawed, and if I’m being completely honest, a lot of them were downright rubbish. But that’s precisely the point. The journey into making requires embracing failure and learning from it. The quality of my work then was far from what I can do now, but those early experiences were the foundation upon which my skills grew.

Fast forward to today, I’ve undertaken three self-build projects and made nearly all the furniture in my home, from dining room tables to coffee tables to integrated cabinets. But let’s be clear: none of this would have been possible without starting with the basics. Every project was a lesson in patience, technique, and an understanding of materials. Carpentry, like any craft, demands time and practice to master. Carpenters typically train for three to five years to develop their skills, so it would be naive to assume that ambition alone will make the process easy or the results immediate.

The beauty of starting small lies in its accessibility. A small project like upcycling a table from the local market or building a basic shelf doesn’t require an entire workshop of tools or years of experience. What it does require is a willingness to learn, to fail, and to improve. It’s in these small projects that you begin to find your rhythm, your methods, and your own aesthetic. Each cut, each joint, and each finish adds to your understanding, laying the groundwork for more ambitious endeavours in the future.

By starting small, you also gain an appreciation for the nuances of making. You begin to understand the grain of wood, the balance of a well-constructed piece, and the beauty that comes from the imperfections of handcrafting.

You will also develop more of an appreciation, understanding and criticism of the work being undertaken by contractors on your project.

Conclusion

Ultimately, if you are considering self-building, carpentry, gardening, or any form of hands-on making purely to save money, it might not be the right path for you. While it’s true that you can sometimes cut costs by doing things yourself, the reality is more complex. The time, effort, and skill required can be substantial, especially when professionals, who have trained for years, are both efficient and highly skilled in their craft. For many, the cost savings may not be worth the challenges and potential frustrations that come with learning the skills and completing the work to a high standard.

However, if your motivation goes beyond finances—if you’re seeking to establish a personal language of making, develop your aesthetic style, and nurture a deeper relationship with the spaces you inhabit—then perhaps consider this as an approach. The process of making, whether through carpentry, gardening, or other forms of DIY, is a journey of self-expression. 

It’s about more than just the final product; it’s about cultivating an appreciation for the craft, the materials, and the beauty you bring into your life. If that resonates with you, then there’s immense value in undertaking these projects, not as a means to an end, but as an exploration of your creativity and sense of home.