It takes a certain wisdom, patience, and perseverance to be able to self-build successfully. Most people who have done so will testify to the challecnges and difficulty of the process. We learn SO much every time we build, and especially the first time. The reasons for the difficulties in self-building are plentiful, but it is almost always linked to way things have been set up in terms of planning and execution, or because of communication and personal issues. I have learned a lot during my eco-building experiences and workshops, and have tried a few different approaches to the whole self-build idea. I would like to share with you some of the most important things that I can offer you from my personal experience to anyone thinking or planning to self-build.

1. Self build as part of a Community. Don't go it alone!

There are so many reasons to recommend you to work with others to self-build. A community can be just a few people. The main point is to not try to self-build alone! As many of you know that is exactly what I did and although I was successful, I really had to pay the price for such a long and hard journey. It is so much easier to do things as a group. You can do this by joining an existing community or starting to build somewhere new with a few of you. Working in a group really helps to bring more energy to each other as all the dynamics of the group play out. I must say that working with friends and volunteers was always much more rewarding and fun than employing people to 'do the job'.

The amount of money you can save by working together as a group is quite significant. It is very stressful to employ a workforce and be organised enough to not waste a lot of time and money. It's usually labour charges that take the budget over and above what people have planned for, since there are always things that you didn't foresee, especially on a first-time build.

When you work together as a community not only will you forge amazing friendships, but you will also have some lovely neighbours to hang out with. Many of us who self-build do so in remote locations, and whilst that can be a very good decision, it can be a lonely world once everyone leaves and you are left with your creation but not many people to share it with. I have seen a few people end up selling because they were too remote and with kids but not enough going on as they got older. If you do build alone in a remote location and have children then you really need to think about longer term plans when the kids need friends and assistance with schooling... but with a community there will always be more kids and lots going on!

2. Start small and simple.

Even if you plan to build something quite big eventually, it is always best to start small and then expand on it. You will learn a lot during your build, and so it's best to make any mistakes and learning during a small part of the total build. Then when you do continue, you can apply what you have learned and save a lot of time and money. I don't think many people would say that if they had a chance to build again that they wouldn't do anything differently! I've helped one person build for the first time, and he chose a huge structure despite this advice. In the end it really burned him out, and so much time was wasted because he hadn't yet learned the lessons of building in his location. If he had chosen something very small he could have been finished in three months as opposed to three years, and then applied what he ha learned on a small scale to the second and larger build.

To be honest though, we don't really need that much floor space to be comfortable and happy. A small space is so cozy, and makes you feel at home. This whole concept of minimalistic, large open stark unused spaces is just so soulless and lifeless and i rarely feel comfortable in such a space. The best way to build is to really start small with a view to expanding, so that you can then build onto it in the future. That can allow for family expansion or just more space as and when the need arises. The end result will be so much better as finishing work takes more time than you would think, and so having a small space to finish gives you the ability to make it all really look nicee.

I would much rather have a smaller house and a bit more land and balcony space than huge rooms that need lots of cleaning and maintenance.

3. Everything Starts With A Good Plan.

You are going to need some help or at least consultation to help you plan your eco-home. Whilst there are many resources on the Internet, every situation is different and someone with experience will be able to help you foresee and prevent any major problems. An expert can provide you with options and the pros and cons of each. There is no perfect house, and we all have our individual needs and preferences. A good plan is therefore something that will take a lot of thinking and careful and future proofing. The plan needs to be spot on and right from the start! The best time to fix a problem is when you are planning it! ;-) This is another reason to build in groups, as what tends to happen is that you magically have the skillsets you need to make an even execute a plan with the people you have in your group. I've seen that happen time and time again, and it is just night and day when you compare trying to figure everything out yourself to having others who already know and tell you for free!

4. Avoid Timelines and Deadlines!

When you plan your eco-home build you should also be thinking about how you will be managing to live whilst you build. Try to avoid renting expensive accommodation under the assumption that you won't have to rent for long. Projects almost always go over time and it is one of the biggest sources of stress in any project. If you are working with volunteers and community, then time is generally less of an issue since you don't have to deal with every hour costing too much money.

I found it was actually helpful to work slowly, as and when people were able to volunteer or work, rather than have an expensive team contracted for the whole job and be forced to work too quickly. I did have some small contracts and deadlines relating to finishing work, but that gave me the space to go at my own pace for most of the build. It gave me time to assess and look at everything and think. There were many occasions when I was able to tweak or fix something because we hadn't done too much work yet. 'Undoing' cement is not something that you will ever enjoy trying to do!

5. Don't take a loan to self-build!

Money and time are the sources of the most stress during and after any self-build. If you have to take a loan you are most likely going to be putting a lot of pressure on yourself after your finish so that you can pay back the loan. That is probably the last thing you want to be doing once you are finally self-sufficient! Therefore, I would recommend taking a break and earning some money and then restarting rather than taking a loan. Keeping your stress levels down is too important to compromise. Either that or you can get inventive and fundraise to make it happen. I helped Yogi Amitram build his first Earthship and he had NO money whatsoever. He just kept getting donations as he went along, and kept going until he finished it! It probably helped being a Yogi, but you get my point!

6. Location, Location, Location!

This should probably be first! I spent 10 years searching for my spot. It may take time, but considering you are going to be living in this location for many years it's worth getting right! This can be a hard decision, and sometimes we don't even know what we are looking for. What I can tell you is that if the location you are considering doesn't make you very excited, then it might not be the right spot! Your clear vision will ensure that you do choose the right location, and Know it when you see it rather than compromising very important things because you havent identified them before making descisions.

Knowing where you want to be means really sitting down and thinking about all the things you REALLY need to be happy. When you consider a new location you have to give a lot of thought to short term and long term considerations. If you have or are planning to have children, then that has to play a big part in the practicality of the location. Do you think it is realistic to leave your friends or family and be happy? Is the climate comfortable for you year round? It's no good turning up in Summer when its nice and warm, only to realise that it goes to -20C at night in winter!

If you are not sure where you would like to be, then I would advise travelling a bit in a way that really lets you taste each place you visit. That usually means finding a local or knowing someone in the area who can guide you and explain the local situation. There is nothing like a good gossip to find out what is going on under the surface of wherever you go.. and people love to gossip!

7. Create a Vision of what you want your life to be like in detail!

Did you know that the main reason for people failing to complete Eco builds is not because of making mistakes? The main reason that people fail to self-build is, in fact, by not starting in the first place! Most people who are thinking, dreaming and desiring to self-build never actually get started! Relatively few people who start to build actually fail. In my experience I have found the main reason for this to be confidence. It is not easy to self-build. No one who has done this can honestly tell you otherwise. It is experience that gives us confidence, and yet we can't get confidence without experience. There lies the catch! Some people do a workshop, or try to get some kind of experience, and that is great. Many people don't really have the time or money to participate in these things, and so they never really get started.Your clear vision is what is going to be your guide and compass for all your decisions and actions. Having a clear vision is SO important to even getting started.

8. Learn to expect setbacks.

Not everything is going to go right. You're not going to achieve everything you had planned or desired. In the end, you'll get the important things and the little losses will pale into insignificance. Besides, many things can be changed at some time in the future. Don't lose sight of the big picture and just keep working at every challenge bit by bit. Expect to compromise, and decide what you are willing and not willing to compromise. Things will go wrong, and all you have to do is figure out how to solve the problem. There is always a way but if we get too upset then we can no longer think straight or make good descisions, and suddenly time slows down dramatically!

9. Be Involved – Know what is going on.

Finally, have an active part in your Self Build project. This doesn't mean you have to help with heavy work, but take an interest and understand each stage before and as it is happening. Remember, only you know exactly what you want, which means you need to be looking and understanding what is going on. This is a great help when it comes to continuing work or performing maintenance. You can fix things yourself and even build again without nearly as much technical support.

Some Final Words...

Self-building was such an incredible journey for me. Living off-grid is something that changes you from the inside out. You can't really understand what it feels like to be independent of the system and all the bills and stress that is causes. It is only once you unplug and remove yourself from the modern way of living that you start to truly understand what self-sufficient living is all about. You can reclaim your life, your time, your soul, and your birth-right. This is the way forward for so many of us who do not desire great material gains, but just want a peaceful and "rich" life with family and friends.
There is no greater security than being self-sufficient and without debt. This journey will bring you a degree of freedom and safety that many are struggling so hard to find. What greater gift can you give to your children then to be able to leave them with a totally self-sufficient home that could keep them happy and healthy for the whole of their lives and beyond!

Off Grid Doesn't Mean Basic
There is a common misconception that living off-grid means going back in time to the stone age or a very simple way of life. Whilst there are many people who prefer to live a very simple life, and give up most of the things that the developed world hold sacred; living off-grid does not mean you have to give up your creature comforts or way of living at all. That is a personal choice!

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