Finding a plot for your new house can be very much a case of chicken and egg. What comes first: Finding a plot and then choosing a house design or choosing the house design and finding a plot that suits it.
Both methods have their pros and cons. What use is a plot in an excellent location if it isn't wide enough for your new home? Or you could plan your dream mansion and never find a plot that will do it justice.
As always the answer is to compromise: Look for plots and consider the type of house that can be built on it. In many cases a plot may be found between two other houses in which case planning permission may only be granted if your home fits in with local architecture. What benefit is there in having a plan for a very modern steel and glass building when it will sit between two thatched cottages?
Self-styled plot finding gurus Roy Speer and Michael Dade, authors of How To Find And Buy A Building Plot, are very much supporters of the "house design first, plot second" school of thought. Their arguments are convincing: The size of the plot required can be predicted by knowing how big the house will be, whether you need a large garden space or paddock for the kids' pony, a garage or a large turning circle for the car...
Read the rest of our Beginners' Guide on the SelfBuild magazine website - click here.