Local Estate Agents

The most obvious way to find a plot is through an estate agent. Up to 80% of building plots are bought and sold through estate agents, who may either already have plots for sale on their books or may be willing to negotiate to find one on your behalf.

Ask the estate agents also to notify you about sub-standard houses and bungalows that come onto their books. It may make better financial sense to demolish these to create a building plot, rather than renovating them.

In Scotland, solicitors virtually act as estate agents when it comes to selling land and many issue regular lists of plots and other properties for sale.

Auction Sales

Plots are frequently sold at auction. Check with local papers and estate agents for announcements.

Newspapers and Magazines

Local newspapers often advertise building land for sale, so ensure you buy all local publications. You could also try advertising yourself under ‘Land Wanted’.

Other good sources for plots are publications like Exchange & Mart, Country Life, Build-It, Home Building & Renovating and Self-Build & Design .

Local Councils and Other Land-Owners

Local Councils and other public bodies as well as major industrial conglomerates also own land. You may therefore extend your search for a building site to include your Local Authority, the Church of England, Railtrack, British Coal or any of the utility companies as well as industry giants who may have land to sell. You could ask your solicitor or surveyor to make an approach on your behalf or simply write a letter direct to the Estates Department, Chief Executive or appropriate Area Manager.

Local Authorities sometimes also sell serviced plots.

Developers and Other Professionals

Developers and local builders may also have spare single plots. However, beware that they do not offer to sell you the plot only on condition that they undertake the build, unless you feel comfortable with this.

It may also be worth contacting local surveyors, solicitors, architects and other property professionals asking if they know of any building plots for sale.

Local Plan

All local councils have a Development Plan and from this you may be able to see where planning permission is most likely to be granted. You will be able to inspect the Plan at the local council offices.

Self Help

Self-builders frequently track down land for themselves:-

Once you know the area you would like to live in, talk to the locals. Visit the pub and the post office and chat to people. Drive and walk around and keep your eyes as well as your ears open.

It may also pay to knock on doors asking if owners of large houses have ever considered selling off parts of their gardens.

Place your own advertisement in the local paper of your selected area specifying that you are looking for a plot with outline planning permission.

You might also consider putting up a reward for information leading to the acquisition of a plot.

Search Internet property sites for building plots.

Land Finding Agencies

There are a number of land-finding companies, such as BuildStore (CLICK HERE), who operate nationally and specialize in searching for building plots. These can be found on the Internet, in the self-build magazines and at the self-build exhibitions.