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Define a minimum viable setup

Decide the smallest set of systems that lets you live safely and legally on site, so you can move in early and expand later as money and experience allow.

How

1. List the essentials for legal occupancy in your area, from legal-1 and legal-2 (often safe drinking water, approved sanitation, smoke alarms, weathertight shelter).
2. Add the essentials for safe living: enough power for lights, refrigeration, water pumping and communications; a heating or cooling method suited to your climate; fire safety.
3. Size each essential system so it can be expanded later without being ripped out (for example a solar inverter and mounting with room for more panels, or a water tank pad sized for a second tank).
4. Put everything else (larger garden, animals, workshop, extra rooms) into later phases.
5. Check the minimum setup against the permit register: some permits must be complete before occupancy.

Safety: Do not move in before the systems needed for safe occupancy are working and, where required, inspected.

Do these first

• power-1
• water-1

Sources

1. When you need approval (building regulations). Planning Portal (England), accessed 2026-11
2. Do I need planning permission or building control?. Cornwall Council, accessed 2026-11
3. Deciphering local building codes. Fine Homebuilding, accessed 2026-11

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