It's all a matter of taste

Refurbishment
I always listen with interest when I hear of someone building their own home. There are of course many cases whereby someone buys a derelict property and does it up from scratch. This will likely include changing the doors and windows as well as the standard redecorations and refurbishment such as a new bathroom and kitchen. However they are restricted to a certain amount by the size of the openings and the design of the original structure. In many cases the soldier brickwork around the top of the openings have been designed to emphasis the door or window opening, and changing the size of the opening will have a detrimental effect with the rest of the house.

New build
In the case of a new build, even more consideration needs to be given to the final look and intended future for the property.
I am in complete agreement with building your own home if it is only for the tax savings as you only pay 5% on new build properties rather then 20% on refurbs. On top of that you can make the property more energy efficient and better insulated which will save you money in the long run.
Of course, the main reason people choose to build from scratch is to get the design and size they want providing they stay within planning regulations. This allows you to have as many rooms as you like and include any additional features that may take your fancy.

Planning for the future
One of the many hundred things that can go wrong is getting the design right for any future owners. It is all right being 'loud' with your colour choice because that is what suits, providing you intend to live in it for quite a few years. The more items you include that are a tad 'off the wall', the more likely you will restrict your selling audience. Just because you think it looks fantastic doesn't necessarily mean your potential buyer will. Remember, having massive rooms cost more to heat and keep clean especially shared rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens.


On the other hand, what's the point in all the aggravation of building your dream home if you are going to make lots of compromises and design it for the next owner? So just be warned to give lots of consideration to the future of the property.  It's all a matter of taste!