It comes as a new report predicts a 141 per cent rise in the mortgages available for those building their own homes over the next three years.
The Minister said that going down the self-build route was an affordable option for aspiring homeowners and shouldn't be seen as the preserve of those with deep pockets and grand designs.
A budget of £150,000 is adequate, in most instances, to get a three to four bedroom home built. The average cost of a ready-made home is now over £232,000.
Pledging to double the size of the self-build sector, Mr Shapps was joined by a glittering cast list of TV house-building experts at 10 Downing Street - assembled to offer advice to aspiring self builders on issues ranging from setting a budget and finding a site to practical tips on designing and building their own home.
A growing number of Britons are laying their own foundations with almost 14,000 new homes self-built last year - more than many individual volume housebuilders are building.
However, the self-builder's share of the market - one in ten of all new homes - is still very small by international standards.
Launching a package of measures today designed to turn this into a mass market opportunity, Mr Shapps said that for the first time, anyone wanting to don a hard hat and build their own home from scratch - whatever their budget - will have the help, advice and support they need to get started.
Help to get started
The pros on hand at the Downing Street reception today to offer advice included:
- Architecture Expert, Green Developer and Presenter of Grand Designs Kevin McCloud
- Architect, presenter and independent advisor to the Government on empty homes George Clarke
- TV builder and handyman Tommy Walsh
- Architecture expert Dan Cruickshank
- Writer and broadcaster on architecture Tom Dyckhoff
- Property expert and presenter Michael Holmes, and
- Architectural designer and sustainability expert Charlie Luxton.
Housing Minister Grant Shapps said:
"Last year, self-builders accounted for about 14,000 new homes in this country, more than many large commercial builders. Yet our self-build industry still lags behind much of the rest of the world, with the opportunity to build your own home seen as something only for a select few.
"That's why today, I'm pledging to back the self-build boom and support the industry to double in size over the next few years. As well as a new website giving help and advice, we're working hard to identify more land for development and have reformed the planning rules to stop people's aspirations getting tangled in red tape.
"This package of measures is designed to ensure anyone looking to build their own home gets the support they need and with the numbers of mortgages available set to rise by a massive 141 per cent, there's never been a better time for people to lay their own foundations."
Supporting a growing industry
Today's website is just one of a number of measures the industry is driving forward with the support of the Government. Today the National Self Build Association reported to Government on achievements since the launch of its Action Plan last year. In particular the report highlights:
- Improved access to finance - Better engagement with lenders, leading to a predicted 141 per cent rise in mortgage availability for people looking to build their own homes
- Making more land available - The Government is continuing to identify more surplus land for self build projects
- More builders offering self build housing - there is increasing interest from builders, developers, landowners and local authorities to support self home building across the country
- Cutting red tape - such as the new support for people wanting to build their own homes in the revised National Planning Policy Framework' and
- Access to better information - More information on prospective sites for projects is now available, and more accessible through the new web portal launched today.
Ted Stevens, the Chairman of the National Self Build Association said:
"More than half the UK population would like to one day build their own homes, and around two million families are keen to get their projects off the ground in the very near future.
"The new self build portal will help them figure out what, realistically, they can afford to build; it will explain how their budgets can go further if they team up with other would-be self builders or do a portion of the work themselves, and it highlights the parts of the UK where it can be cheaper to find a site and construct a home.
"The site has lots of great examples, and is crammed with practical advice and tips. We have also worked hard to ensure the information is as authoritative and independent as possible, in may ways it's like a Which Guide to Self Build, so people using it can really rely on the information that's provided."
Kevin McCloud said:
"Self build is sometimes seen as a long, difficult and self-sacrificing process. But with the right planning, help and support it can be enjoyable and on collective schemes empowering. I believe we can become a nation of self builders. With the right support I believe we'd see more customised homes that reflect where they are, built to higher standards and to a better quality. We'd see people sharing skills and saving money.
"We'd see neighbours working together on community self build schemes and local construction economies thriving. And we'd certainly see more energy efficient bu
