Your Framework for Managing Construction with Confidence
Build It helps homeowners manage the construction phase with clarity, structure, and expert guidance from site set-up and contractor coordination through to payments, delays, and completion.
“Construction is where decisions become reality, and where projects can quickly become stressful without the right systems and support in place.
Build It gives homeowners practical guidance and ongoing support for managing contractors, tracking progress, controlling costs, and keeping the project moving forward with confidence.
Most importantly, it helps connect the decisions made during Plan It with the realities of live construction on site.”
— Oliver Steele-Perkins
Build It is for self builders and homeowners who:
are approaching or already in the construction phase
appointing a contractor or managing trades directly
wanting confidence to handle onsite challenges
seeking expert tools to manage quality, time, cost, and communication
committed to keeping control
need structured support without hiring a full-time project manager
If you're entering the construction phase and want to stay informed, organised, and in control, Build It is designed for you.
Why Build It?
Build It gives you the tools, knowledge, and support to stay on top of your project during construction, so you can:
✔ Keep things moving: Spot issues early and avoid unnecessary delays
✔ Protect your budget: Make sure what you pay for matches what’s been done
✔ Coordinate with confidence: Know when and how to bring in specialist suppliers
✔ Stay in control: Track progress, handle variations, and manage payments professionally
What Build It
helps you do
Build It supports you through the realities of live construction, helping you manage contractors, coordinate trades, control budgets, and keep your project progressing smoothly.
Step-by-step guidance through the construction phase
Construction planning tools and templates
Build programme and progress tracking systems
Contractor coordination guidance
Payment and variation management support
Access to the Essentials Workspace
Fortnightly live support sessions with Oliver
Full access to the wider Homebuilding Essentials knowledge hub
If gaps emerge during construction, you’ll also have access to relevant resources from Plan It and Certify It, helping you solve problems without losing momentum.
Step 1
Before you begin
A quick-start for those entering Homebuilding Essentials at the build phase, with essential context to avoid early missteps.
The difference between a Site Manager and a Project Manager (and why it matters)
Procurement & Pre-Contract Setup: What you need in place before the Principal (Main) Contractor starts
Essential pre-site checks, risk areas, and where Plan It dovetails with Build It
Step 2
Site Set-Up Essentials
Preparing your site for construction with the right utilities, access, and early-stage controls in place.
Service disconnections: What to do before demolition or strip-out, safely disconnecting gas, electricity, and water
Temporary builders’ supplies: How to arrange temporary water and power for the build.
Hoardings, signage and site security: Managing site boundaries, safety notices, and access points, and essential pre-start notifications.
Welfare facilities: Providing safe, compliant site welfare and planning for smooth site operations.
Step 3
Creating your Build Programme
Most self-builders don’t receive a detailed build programme from a contractor, so we’ve built an interactive one for you so that you can stay in control.
Understanding the build sequence: Typical order of works, from site set up to handover
Collaborating with your team: How to gather the right information from your contractor and specialist suppliers.
Using the Essentials build programme: Access your interactive construction programme template, customisable to your build
Keeping the programme updated: How to track progress, flag milestones, and stay on top of lead times
Step 4
Coordinating Specialist Suppliers
Bringing in your key trades and suppliers at the right time and in the right order.
Groundworks, timber frame, roofing, glazing, fit-out: how to plan and manage them
Lead times, dependencies, and contractor coordination
Avoiding gaps between works packages
Step 5
Managing Change and Minimising Delays
Keep your build moving and your budget under control when things change.
Common causes of delay and how to proactively address them
How to handle contractor or supplier variations
Communication, documentation, and keeping your programme live
Step 6
Reviewing Payment Requests and Valuations
Understanding what’s been done on site, and what should be paid for.
How to assess work done against the programme
Reviewing and responding to applications for payment
Tools and tips to avoid over payment and disputes
Step 7
Preparing for Completion and Final Certificates
Closing out a project properly is just as important as starting it correctly.
Snagging and completion preparation
Managing retentions and contractor close-out
Organising warranties and compliance documents
Preparing for Building Control sign-off and certification
Structuring information ready for Certify It
“Oliver worked with us on a major rebuild of a historic house in Berkshire over more than a year and provided the highest standard of professional advice and project management.
It was a complex project with a mix of new build and refurbishment, and a tight budget for a very significant build. Oliver broke down the component elements in a way that was easy to follow, liaised with the contractor and sub-contractors to keep things on track and on budget, and provided clear documentation at every stage.
We would definitely use Oliver again.”
— Hugh Chambers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Essentials Workspace
Your online project space where you can manage your project from start to finish.
The workspace keeps everything in one place, helping you stay organised, efficient and connected with our Knowledge Base.
Live Project Support with Oliver
Fortnightly Support Sessions
Bring questions from your own project, learn from other homeowners navigating similar challenges, and stay connected to experienced guidance throughout construction.
You don’t have to manage your project alone
Homebuilding Essentials gives you access to fortnightly live project support sessions with Oliver, helping you stay organised, make informed decisions, and keep your project moving forward with confidence.
Whether you're planning your build, coordinating consultants, managing budgets, or preparing for construction, the support sessions give you the opportunity to:
Ask questions about your own project
Get practical guidance based on real project experience
Stay accountable and keep your project progressing
Learn from common challenges faced by other homeowners
The support sessions are designed to help you stay organised, make confident decisions, and keep your project moving forward, without the cost of employing a full-time project manager.
"Managing the build phase well is where your planning pays off. I’ve seen how quickly things can drift on site without the right oversight. Build It gives you the key knowledge and structure to stay on track and in control."
– Oliver Steele-Perkins
Connecting every stage of the homebuilding journey
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Plan It
Plan It equips you with the knowledge, tools, and structured processes to confidently design, budget, and prepare your homebuilding project, ensuring a smooth and well-managed build.
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Build It
Build It equips you with the expertise, guidance, and step-by-step processes to manage your construction project effectively, ensuring quality, cost control, and timely completion.
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Certify It
Certify It equips you with the knowledge and processes to navigate final inspections, compliance, and certification, ensuring your project is completed with the documentation needed to validate your investment