Self-build for beginners - PLOT-BUYING PROCESS

From how long it takes to what paperwork you need to have in place, what should you expect when buying a piece of land to build on?

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You've found a plot, haggled over the price and come to an agreement to proceed with the sale, but what comes next? The process of buying a building plot is different from that of a house and therefore has its own complications and steps to follow. I'll aim to outline all those steps you need to take - how to choose a legal advisor and what you need to check during the purchase process - so you can ensure that your process goes as smoothly as possible.

FIND A SPECIALIST CONVEYANCER

The first and most important step is to appoint a solicitor or conveyancer who is competent in dealing with land purchases. Building plots come with their own legal considerations, such as access rights, restrictive covenants, or boundary issues — which could be overlooked if they don't have the relevant experience. It might be tempting to approach the same solicitor you used when buying a house, but it's better to find someone experienced in land transactions as they'll know what to look for—including potential traps to be avoided.

To find the right conveyancer, ask for recommendations from professionals who deal with land, or other self-builders who have gone through the process. It's a good idea to look for solicitors who are accredited by organisations such as the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) and always check that they have a land specialist.

THE PLOT BUYING TIMELINE

Once your solicitor is on board, the process of buying your own plot for eventually building on can begin. While every transaction is unique, most follow a general timeline. The first step is to request all necessary documentation from the seller's solicitor. This includes the title deeds, contracts and any other paperwork related to the land, such as planning permission or existing services information. This initial stage usually takes a couple of weeks.