Self-Build and Renovation
Despite uncertain economic times, the demand for new homes throughout the UK continues to rise. Potential homeowners face fresh challenges in a post-pandemic, cost-of-energy crisis world and as they make one of the largest financial commitments of their lives, are becoming savvier about making a sustainable investment for the future.
Amongst the uncertainty, we are seeing interesting trends emerge in the self-build market with greater focus on broader policy initiatives such as the Warm Homes Plan to help save households money and delivery cleaner heat to homes. Solar PV (photovoltaic) panels have continued to grow strongly in the UK, with record numbers of installations in recent years — including over 180,000 domestic solar PV systems added in 2024 alone and more than 206,000 in 2025 to date, bringing the total number of certified installations to over 1.85 million households across the country.
Self-Build defined
Self-build covers a wide spectrum, from projects where individuals are involved in building or managing the construction of their home from beginning to end. Custom homebuilding typically refers to projects where individuals commission their home build to a developer who develops their new build project.
UK self-build trends
Although UK self-build statistics are not drawn from a single source, the sector remains resilient. Government data and industry estimates suggest that around 10,000–20,000 self-build and custom homes continue to be delivered each year, despite recent economic pressures. While higher build costs and planning constraints have slowed growth slightly, demand for self-build remains strong in 2025, particularly among homeowners seeking bespoke, energy-efficient homes and greater long-term value.
Benefits of joining the self-build revolution
There are many benefits of self-building on an individual, community and national basis with homeowners wanting greater autonomy in choosing where and how they want to live. Homeowners can prioritise key factors such as design, sustainability, energy savings and environmental impact with a self-build project.
Building for a better future
The UK has typically fallen behind our European neighbours where there is a well-established self-build tradition in countries such as Belgium, Italy, and Germany. The recent rise in self-build in the UK demonstrates however that this is changing and is reflected in popular culture (tv programming and platforms dedicated to the subject) and in planning policy to support the growth of the sector. Increased environmental awareness drives the desire to create better, energy-efficient dwellings and reduce living costs by introducing renewable sources of energy such as solar power.
Organisations such as the National Self-Build & Renovation Centre and the National Custom & Self Build Association offer independent advice and support to self-builders throughout the UK offering guidance by highlighting the best in building methods, innovations, and technology and have dedicated events with the very best suppliers in the industry.
SOLARWATT regularly features at self-build events and in specialist publications introducing our premium quality solar solutions and expertise to the self-build market. Check out this innovative PV solar system designed for an award winning Education House in association with Build It Magazine and our Premium Partners.
At Solarwatt we don’t want to wait for the future to happen, we want to help shape it. With more than 30 years of solar industry expertise, our quality products and services for complete home energy solutions alongside our expert partner installers, we can help you self-build better.
