We don't want to swamp you with information. The following links should be enough to allow you to appraise your position as a self builder.
First section are links to design and planning websites.
www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub A government help site for planning and building regulation information.
www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding Another site, possibly easier to use.
www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk/tools An FSA site with financial tools such as a mortgage calculator.
www.ebuild.co.uk/ An impressive portal opening to masses of building design and construct information.
www.bpindex.co.uk/index.html Another portal but this leads to half a million pages of manufacturers product information and brochures.
www.energy-saving-expert.co.uk Advice and on-line environmental engineering service providing thermal performance certificates for Building Regulation Part L1.
www.boilers.org.uk A clever facility allowing you to enter details about your home and then be provided with boiler size specifications for your home.
www.alternative-energy.co.uk A useful site providing information and advice about solar, wind and other sources of alternative energy.
www.beamcalcs.com An excellent interactive structural engineer site processing simple steel beam calculations online with indemnity insurance and LABC approval. More complicated consultations available through a sister web site.
This section gives links to building company websites.
www.fmb.org.uk This is the site of the Federation of Master Builders, a recognised and respected body in the building industry.Established in 1941 with 13,000 business members, selecting a member for your project is not necessarily a safeguard in finding a first class, reliable builder company but it must help. Some members are affiliated to the Government Trustmark consumer protection initiative. BPE has no commercial interest in entering this information here!
www.findabuilder.co.uk This is the site operated by the Federation of Master Builders as a facility to find accredited builders near your post code
www.potton.co.uk If you want to consider a ready made package then this site will lead you into a fabulous company with many beautiful timber frame homes. This company also provides one day seminars for prospective Self Builders; valuable stuff even if you don't use Potton.
www.jeld-wen.co.uk The foremost UK window / door / stair supplier with extensive information and prices. A good place to start in sourcing window information even if you end up with another supplier.
www.orange-ironwork.com For the occasional need for a supplier of architectural metalwork, this site has a good photo gallery and seem to handle most requirements.
www.channel4.com/4homes/diy-self-build If you are still looking for information or sources try the Channel 4 web site, it is massive and being independant should be a reliable source of information.
This section gives links to fittings and design websites.
After you have built your home project, you will enjoy the following site when you sort out your decorating scheme.
www.icipaints.co.uk/colours/duluxtrade/mousepainter/index.jsp
(Look on page for 'useful tools' - mouse painter) This is a delightful facility where you select a room photograph similar to one you are designing from a selection made available. Then you select a colour pallete and then drag colours onto various parts of your chosen room with your mouse.
Abracadbra - your room lights up with your colour scheme and you decide if you like it or not.
www.kitchensandworktops.co.uk A general site with good ideas to help you through one of the difficult stages in home design.
www.nocreaminteriordesign.com included in these lists for inspiration. The site has many attractive interior photos and good ideas although, the firm based at Knightsbridge, might be a trifle expensive.
www.portsmouthblinds.biz A very impressive range of more blinds than I thought available and a sure way to find an attractive solution to your needs.
Finally a section with links to insurance and warranty websites.
www.nhbc.co.uk/buildersupport/index This is the National House Builders Corporation web site explaining their warranty facility.
As well as the NHBC scheme, Local Authorities Building Control (LABC) are providing building warranty inspection and certification schemes.