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--- buil:building [2025/12/05 09:58] – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
+++ buil:building [2025/12/17 04:30] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-Self-build [natural homes](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/pembrokeshire-says-this-home-is-harmful-to-the-rural-character-of-the-locality-and-must-be-demolished/) can allow you to indulge your creativity: unique not identikit.dulge your creativity: unique not identikit.
+_Self-build [natural homes](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/pembrokeshire-says-this-home-is-harmful-to-the-rural-character-of-the-locality-and-must-be-demolished/) can allow you to indulge your creativity: unique not identikit.dulge your creativity: unique not identikit._
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-Natural builds can be great fun, and you're much more likely to get volunteers to help you.
+_Natural builds can be great fun, and you're much more likely to get volunteers to help you._
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-Low-impact self-build homes are not just for the countryside - they can be urban too, like this one in London.
+_Low-impact self-build homes are not just for the countryside - they can be urban too, like this one in London._
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-A [£3000 home](http://www.simondale.net/) in Wales.
+_A [£3000 home](http://www.simondale.net/) in Wales._
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-... and a [£4000 home](http://www.envisioneer.net/) in Scotland.
+_... and a [£4000 home](http://www.envisioneer.net/) in Scotland._
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-Great introductory video on natural building from [Permaculture People](http://permaculturepeopleuk.tumblr.com/)
+_Great introductory video on natural building from [Permaculture People](http://permaculturepeopleuk.tumblr.com/)_
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 ## What can I do?
-This introduction is about self-build (including working with a contractor) rather than high-volume construction by large companies. However, conventional builders may not know much about low-impact building. See our [directory](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/directory/), the [AECB](http://www.aecb.net/) or the [Green Register](http://www.greenregister.org.uk/) for listings of builders who will. If you have building experience, and you'd like to self-build, we also have listings of course providers in a range of [natural building techniques](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/category/natural-building-retrofitting/). If you hire a builder, make sure that you obtain references, and see previous work that they've done - but also, learn as much as you can first, so that you retain control of your project. With an interesting natural build, you might be able to get volunteers to help.
+This introduction is about self-build (including working with a contractor) rather than high-volume construction by large companies. However, conventional builders may not know much about low-impact building. See the [AECB](http://www.aecb.net/) or the [Green Register](http://www.greenregister.org.uk/) for listings of builders who will. If you have building experience, and you'd like to self-build, we also have listings of course providers in a range of [natural building techniques](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/category/natural-building-retrofitting/). If you hire a builder, make sure that you obtain references, and see previous work that they've done - but also, learn as much as you can first, so that you retain control of your project. With an interesting natural build, you might be able to get volunteers to help.
 **Funding**
-You can build a super-eco home for very little money (see above), as long as it's small, and you build it yourself, from local, natural materials that might be free. With a more conventional home, you'll probably be looking for funding. As a rule of thumb, the land will probably be half the cost of building the house. When looking for funding, we suggest that you 'go mutual' - i.e. with a [building society](/buil/building_societies) rather than a bank. [Here's](http://www.positivemoney.org/2011/01/move-your-money-to-a-mutual/) why we think that's important. Do a bit of research first, as not all building societies are mutual - many have been de-mutualised. [The Ecology Building Society](https://www.ecology.co.uk) is a mutual with a good track record of funding low-impact builds. Talk to them about self-build mortgages, which are payable in stages, so that the builder has the finances covered, but with much less risk to the lender than if the money was all made available up front.
+You can build a super-eco home for very little money (see above), as long as it's small, and you build it yourself, from local, natural materials that might be free. With a more conventional home, you'll probably be looking for funding. As a rule of thumb, the land will probably be half the cost of building the house. When looking for funding, we suggest that you 'go mutual' - i.e. with a [building society](/bsoc/building_societies) rather than a bank. [Here's](http://www.positivemoney.org/2011/01/move-your-money-to-a-mutual/) why we think that's important. Do a bit of research first, as not all building societies are mutual - many have been de-mutualised. [The Ecology Building Society](https://www.ecology.co.uk) is a mutual with a good track record of funding low-impact builds. Talk to them about self-build mortgages, which are payable in stages, so that the builder has the finances covered, but with much less risk to the lender than if the money was all made available up front.
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-You can add low-impact [extensions](http://hectorandcedric.com/) to conventional homes.
+_You can add low-impact [extensions](http://hectorandcedric.com/) to conventional homes._
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-Exterior and interior of self-build [earth-sheltered home](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/three-bedroom-earth-sheltered-house-with-a-living-roof-cob-internal-walls-sea-view-for-18000/) with sea view in Cornwall. Cost: £18k.
+_Exterior and interior of self-build [earth-sheltered home](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/three-bedroom-earth-sheltered-house-with-a-living-roof-cob-internal-walls-sea-view-for-18000/) with sea view in Cornwall. Cost: £18k._
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-[Size matters](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/size-matters-why-a-big-house-cant-be-a-green-house/): huge homes are a testament to ego rather than sustainability.
+_[Size matters](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/size-matters-why-a-big-house-cant-be-a-green-house/): huge homes are a testament to ego rather than sustainability._
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-[Kevin McCabe](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/)'s self-built cob and thatch cottage in Cornwall.
+_[Kevin McCabe](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/)'s self-built cob and thatch cottage in Cornwall._
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 ## Further resources
+- [Association for Environment-conscious Builders (AECB)](https://aecb.net/)
+- [Alliance for Sustainable Building Products](https://asbp.org.uk/)
+- [Building Research Establishment](https://bregroup.com/)
+- [Dirt Cheap Builder](https://www.dirtcheapbuilder.com/) - books and resources on all different kinds of natural building
+- [Ecological Building Network](https://ecobuildnetwork.org/) - US knowledge-sharing site
+- [Green Building Calculator](https://greenbuildingcalculator.uk/)
+- [Green Building Forum](https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/) - forum
+- [Green Register](https://www.greenregister.org.uk/) - training
+- [Greenspec](https://www.greenspec.co.uk/) - green building products
+- [Natural Homes](http://naturalhomes.org/) - natural homes around the world
+- [The Self-build Guide](https://www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk/)
-## Specialist(s)
+## Specialist curators of this topic