11 trades you need and how to find them

With the right professionals by your side, your self-build will be a smooth and enjoyable experience. Here's who to hire to create your A team...

- JENNIFER GRIMBLE

JENNIFER GRIMBLE Is an experienced property writer with a passion for mid-century modern design, upcycling and period home renovations.

There's nothing more satisfying than creating your own home, but self-building isn't without its challenges. Whether it's site preparation or effective budgeting, there are countless tasks to juggle throughout, and tackling them all yourself would be a fool's errand. For the best results, you need proper planning, a level head and, most importantly, support from industry experts. The right trades and professionals will not only alleviate stress, but help you to better manage the cost and overall finish of your new home. Establishing where to save and where to spend can be tricky but arm yourself with the knowledge and you'll be able to hire a team for project success. From quantity surveyors to carpenters, these are the trades you can't afford to forgo.

1 Project manager

Project managing your self-build can be a daunting prospect, which is why many choose to hire a PM. The role of a PM is to manage and coordinate schedules, timeframes and deliveries, make decisions and deliver the project on time and to budget - basically "It's getting other people to do things to achieve what you want and need," says professional PM Bob Branscombe. "If a PM procures correctly, your bricklayers will know how to lay bricks, and your carpenters will know how to pitch a roof. But the role of PM might also involve ensuring that the wall plate (the 'interface' between the walls and the roof) is fitted correctly, strapped down, and level." A PM's job is varied and involved - they are the eyes and ears on the job, there to help fill the gaps that you might not see if you took on the role yourself.

THE PM ROUTE