How to find a custom-build plot — ways to optimise your search

Exterior view of house in the process of being built with scaffolding around it, grass in front and trees behind
(Image credit: Getty Images/Mint Images)

If you like the idea of a rather more hands-off approach to building your own home compared to self building, it’s important to know how to find a custom-build plot in the area in which you want to live.

With a level of developer involvement, custom build avoids some of the issues that have to be navigated with self build, while offering the design flexibility you don’t get by buying a house.

female with bobbed brown hair wearing dark framed glasses
Sophie O’Reilly

Sophie O’Reilly has dedicated over 25 years to the homebuilding industry. Manager of of Plotfinder for over eight years, her passion is being able to create opportunities for self builders and renovators to find and create their dream home 

Jeremy Leaf
Jeremy Leaf

Jeremy Leaf is principal of Jeremy Leaf & Co, a north London firm of independent chartered surveyors, new homes development consultants, sales and lettings agents which began trading in 1984. Jeremy is also a fellow of the RICS as well as the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) and the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA). He was residential chair of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for over five years and its national housing spokesperson for 19.

Head and torso photo of Asad Khan
Asad Khan

Asad Khan is a London-based seasoned property investment expert with more than two decades of experience in property development, portfolio management, and market analysis. 

Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor writing for websites, national newspapers, and magazines. She’s spent most of her journalistic career specialising in homes. 

She loves testing the latest home appliances and products, and investigating the benefits, costs and practicalities of home improvement. She is an experienced renovator and is currently remodelling the ground floor of her new home.

She was Executive Editor of Ideal Home and has worked for Your Home and Homes & Ideas. Her work has published by numerous titles, including The Guardian, channel4.com, Houzz, Grand Designs, Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Homes & Antiques, Real Homes, The English Home, Period Living, Beautiful Kitchens, Good Homes and Country Homes & Interiors.