Empowering Homeowners to Plan, Build and Certify with Confidence
Self-manage your homebuilding project with expert guidance and step-by-step support – from first plans to final certification.
Welcome to Homebuilding Essentials
I’m Oliver Steele-Perkins, a Chartered Construction Manager with 25+ years in the residential building sector. I created Homebuilding Essentials because too many homeowners start their building projects without the tools or knowledge to stay in control, and it costs them.
Homebuilding projects are complex. They demand clear decisions, strong planning, and smart management. But most people don’t know where to begin, and builders, architects, and designers don’t always explain what’s involved, or how to navigate the entire process.
That’s where Homebuilding Essentials comes in, a guided and supportive programme to help you self-manage your project with confidence, no matter where you are in the journey.
Empowering You to Plan, Build, and Certify with Confidence
Take control of your homebuilding project with expert guidance, step-by-step learning pathways, and proven templates. Whether you’re planning, building, or finalising your project, we provide the tools, knowledge, and fortnightly live support you need to avoid costly mistakes, stay on budget, and manage the process like a pro.
What’s Inside Homebuilding Essentials
We’ve designed Homebuilding Essentials to guide you through the design and build journey, clearly, confidently, and without overwhelm.
Guided Learning Pathways
At the heart of Essentials are our guided learning pathways, Plan It, Build It, and Certify It, each offering factual, helpful, and structured content from an expert who knows exactly what’s needed, when it’s needed, and how to go about it.
Each pathway is supported with proven templates and checklists, and an interactive project roadmap.
An Interactive Project Roadmap
One for Plan It (this schedules the work before the build can start) and, Build It (this schedules the build), so you always know what’s coming next and how to stay in control.
Introductions to Trusted Professionals & Suppliers
At just the right time, so you’re not left searching or second-guessing who to bring on board.
Fortnightly Live Webinars with Oliver
Join supportive group sessions to talk through your project, get expert feedback, and learn from others facing the same challenges.
Looking for one-to-one advice, Oliver offers hourly consultancy calls
Essentials Workspace
Your all-in-one project hub included and tailored for each leaning pathway
Stay organised, in control, and focused with the same digital workspace we use on live, high-end residential projects.
Whether you’re breaking ground or still in planning, you’ll have the tools, structure, and expert guidance to move forward with confidence.
The Guided Pathway Overview
Every successful build starts with a clear plan. Whether you’re dreaming up ideas, already on site, or approaching the finish line – Homebuilding Essentials meets you where you are and guides you every step of the way.
Plan It – Set up your project for success before you build.
Structure your brief, prepare your budget, assess risks, select your team, and get everything in place before a spade hits the ground.
Build It – Manage Building Contractors, Specialist suppliers, Timeline, and Budget.
Stay in control during construction with practical tools, structured oversight, and guidance for managing contractors, payments, and progress.
Certify It – Finish strong with the right documentation and closeout process.
Understand the essential steps to complete your project properly, from certifications and warranties to final payments and maintenance planning.
Plan It
Plan It is for homeowners at the early stage of their project where decisions around design, budgeting, consents, and scheduling can make or break your project.
This is the most important phase of your project, get this right and everything else flows.
What you’ll learn in Plan It
From Planning Permission to Build-Ready
How to develop your design from outline plans to construction-ready detail
What permissions and consents you need, and when to apply for them
Cost and Risk Planning
How to create a robust cost plan for your entire build
How to align your budget with your expectations — and where people typically overspend
Builder Selection and Readiness
How to find, assess, and appoint the right builder for your project
What your build programme should look like before work begins
How to use the Plan It Roadmap to stay one step ahead
Pre-Construction Essentials
Insurances, contracts, and legal notifications you must have in place
What to do (and avoid) before your builder starts on site
Protecting Your Investment
By the end of Plan It, you’ll have a watertight plan that protects your budget, timeline, and vision, long before anyone sets foot on site.
“An Exceptional Head of Construction – Committed and Consistently Excellent”
“Oliver played a pivotal role in transforming the construction delivery side of the business. His ability to juggle multiple high-end residential projects, each with design, programme, and budget complexities, was exceptional. He brings credibility, consistency, and value to every project he’s involved in.”
Build It
Build It is for people managing a live project or about to start on site.
This is where things get real – builders, payments, decision making and multi-task planning. We give you the tools, resources and support to stay in control.
What you’ll learn
How to manage and pay your builder fairly and confidently
How to deal with changes and variation claims
What to do when delays or extensions of time crop up
How to stay organised and efficient as a Project Manager
How we support you
Templates for builder payment tracking, and a total project cost tracker.
Template Build Programme - (Live and interactive with your builder)
Homebuilding Essentials online Hub
Project Management Task Tool - Pre-Set with Key Tasks that mirror your Build Programme
Fortnightly Live Webinar with Oliver
Access our Design Team or a Professional Project Manager for additional project support (Paid Services)
Outcome
You’ll lead your project with clarity, protect your budget, and keep your build on track.
“Oliver kept us on track and on budget through a complex renovation — we hired him again for our next project.”
5* Verified Review Trustpilot
Certify It
Certify It is for homeowners approaching completion.
Don’t miss the final step – this is how you protect your investment long after the builders leave.
What you’ll learn
What sign-offs, certificates, and documents you need
How to handle snagging and post-completion issues
What’s required for future insurance, refinancing, or resale
How to assemble your O&M manuals and digital pack
Document Pack
You’ll finish your project cleanly, with peace of mind and every document in order protecting your investment.
“Oliver managed the entire project extremely effectively, keeping us on track and on budget — we had confidence at every stage right through to completion.”
5* Verified Review Trustpilot
Project Support Calls
Our small-group support calls are designed to help you stay on track throughout your project. Every two weeks, you can check in, ask questions, and get real-time advice from an experienced construction professional.
What you’ll get from each session
Clarity on your next steps
Answers to your specific project queries
A chance to learn from others tackling similar challenges
Guidance to help you apply the course content to your own build
How it works
Fortnightly live calls via Teams
Small group format for focused discussion
Hosted by Oliver Steele-Perkins, Chartered Construction Manager with 25+ years’ experience
Want 1-to-1 support?
For those who want tailored, one-to-one advice for their project, I offer private strategy sessions and a fully customised pre-construction programme — the exact tools I use for my private clients.
The Essentials Workspace - Your Project Toolkit
Included with each Homebuilding Essentials Learning Pathway, the Essentials Workspace is your guided online project space, designed to help you stay organised, focused, and in control from start to finish.
It’s about giving you the structure, templates, and resources you need, when you need them.
Inside the Workspace, you’ll find:
A clear Roadmap through your project stage, whether you’re planning, building, or finishing
Interactive programme templates, for Plan It and Build It
Direct access to a recommended consultants and specialists, including designers, structural experts, and cost planners
Practical resources linked directly to the Learning Gateway content, so you can apply what you’re learning straight to your own project
The Essentials Workspace is included when you join any of the learning pathways: Plan It, Build It, or the full Homebuilding Essentials bundle.