Your build budget,
finally clear.
Built by two self builders who couldn't get a straight answer from a spreadsheet. Now we can see where we stand every day. You can too.
No credit card. Build your initial estimate free.
The things that keep
self builders awake at night.
We had every one of these worries on our own build. That's exactly why we built this.
Now we feel in control of our budget and buildWe built the tool
we couldn't find.
We never set out to self build. We set out to find somewhere quieter, and then fell for a plot in a valley in the Kent Downs. It needed a new house and we needed a way to manage the money.
Simon is the sensible one with the spreadsheets. Jo runs the day-to-day project with our builder and architect. Neither of us had managed a budget this big, and the spreadsheets didn't give us a clear picture of it.
So we built what we both needed.
We started with a spreadsheet and a crude cost per square metre. We couldn't see where we stood, quotes covered different things, and we kept arguing about figures with and without VAT. There had to be a better way.
Seven questions.
One clear budget.
Nobody shows you how to budget a self build. We created a simple method where each step answers one question.
Step 1: Estimate
What should this build cost? Start with floor area, quality and region.
Step 2: Stages
Where will the money go? Break it down into customisable RICS-aligned build stages.
Step 3: Quotes
What have we been quoted? Store quotes and compare them side by side.
Step 4: Payments
What have we committed to and paid? Store and track every invoice.
Step 5: Reconcile
Does it all add up? Check the real picture in real time.
Step 6: VAT
What can we reclaim? Every invoice recorded, ready for your claim.
Step 7: Completion
Where did we end up? See budget against actual, line by line.
See where you stand.
Every pound. Every day.
See budget, spent, remaining and projected cost for every line, every stage, your whole project. Always live and up-to-date.
Finally, we look at the same numbers. No more 'didn't we say the kitchen was...' conversations. Well, fewer of them.
Created for how self builds and renovation projects actually work.
UK build stages
Foundations, superstructure, first fix, second fix. Not generic categories from an American budgeting app.
Share with your partner
Both of you see the same numbers, on site or at home. Up to five people on each project.
VAT tracking built in
Record the VAT on every invoice as you go, so your reclaim is ready at the end.
Works on your phone
Check a quote on site, add a payment in the evening. No app to install - it runs in your browser.
Projected cost per line
Each line shows projected cost: the higher of budget or spent. Overruns surface early, not at the end.
Quote comparison
See quotes side by side and what each one does to your total before you accept it.
Whatever stage you're at.
Build for the first time
Where do we start, and what should this cost?Read moreWe want to…Build together
Everyone sees the same numbers.Read moreWe want to…Reclaim the VAT
Keep track and be claim-ready.Read moreOur cash flow…Needs watching
Money in and out, week by week.Read moreThe quotes…Keep changing
See what each decision does to the total.Read moreWhat if…It costs more?
Contingency, variations and projected cost.Read moreThree steps. Five minutes.
Start with a quick estimate. Build your full stage-by-stage budget as your project progresses.
Create your project
Give it a name and a region. No plot address needed.
Set your estimate
Floor area, quality level and region, with a suggested range alongside.
Watch it take shape
Add quotes and payments as they happen and see where you stand.
No credit card needed. Your initial estimate is free.
takes about as long as making a cup of teaStart free. Pay only
when you need more.
A self build is the biggest budget most of us will ever manage. The tool that helps you manage it costs a small fraction of it.
| All prices include VAT | Free See what your build should cost. One project. | most popular Standard Manage your budget from first quote to completion. | Professional Connect your budget to the tools you already use. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free for as long as you like | £12 a month | £20 a month |
| Per-m² ranged estimate | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Up to 5 partners on your project | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stage budgets | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Quotes and invoices | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI-powered document scanning | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Payments and VAT tracking | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dashboard and reporting | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| MCP server - talk to your budget using Claude, ChatGPT and other LLMs | – | – | ✓ |
| Full API access | – | – | ✓ |
| Start your estimate | Start your budget | Start your budget |
Build your initial estimate free today. No credit card required.
You might be wondering...
Is our data safe?
Your data is encrypted and stored securely on servers in London, in the UK. We never sell it. Only you and the partners you invite can see your project.
Who owns our data?
You do. You can export and download everything at any time, and if you cancel, your data stays available until your account downgrades.
Is this VAT advice?
No. Self Build Budget helps you track VAT on your invoices and pull your records together. It does not give tax advice. If you are unsure about your VAT position, speak to a qualified accountant.
Can we both use it?
Yes. You can invite up to five other people to your project. They can do everything except manage billing.
What happens when the build ends?
At the end of your project you can export and download all your data, quotes, invoices and other documents with one click. You can do this any time during your project too.
Does it work on our phones, on site?
Yes. It works in your phone's browser - there's no app to install. Check a quote or an invoice on site, add a payment in the evening or get a quick sanity check on your overall budget, all on your mobile.
one last thing
Stop guessing.
Start knowing.
We built Self Build Budget so we could sleep more easily at night. As self builders, we know there's enough to think about without losing control of your budget.
Start your budget free- Simon and Jo