If you are new to off grid living, the biggest mistake is doing everything at once. Short answer: spend your first year learning, measuring and making low-risk improvements. Buy big things only after you know what you need.
Months 1–2: get clear and get informed
- Write down why you want to do this, and what a good outcome looks like in five years.
- Read the basics: Start Here, the law and the costs.
- Try the free Priority Planner to decide what to tackle first.
- Set a budget with a buffer.
Months 3–4: measure what you use
- Track your electricity, gas or oil, and water use for a few weeks.
- List your appliances and their loads. A load planner helps.
- Find the easy savings: insulation, draughts, lighting, standby power.
Months 5–6: water, food and resilience
- Fit water butts and plan for storage. See rainwater harvesting.
- Start a small food garden. See growing your own food.
- Build an emergency store: food, water, torches, a stove and a way to charge phones.
Months 7–8: try small systems
- Add a small solar or battery kit for lights and devices.
- Learn to use a wood stove safely if you have a chimney, and fit carbon monoxide alarms.
- Practise living without mains for a weekend and see what breaks.
Months 9–10: learn skills and meet people
- Take a course or volunteer at an off-grid or smallholding project.
- Talk to people who have done it. See off-grid communities in the UK.
Months 11–12: decide your next step
- Review what you learned and what you spent.
- If you are considering land, start your checks: finding land and the Land & Planning Due-Diligence Pack.
- Consider leasing before buying. See leasing land.
Want a structured route?
Our 33-page beginner guide and the Complete Toolkit of five planners follow the same practical, no-hype approach.
FAQ
How long does it take to go off grid? A first-year foundation is realistic; a full move can take several years.
What should I buy first? Usually nothing big: start with measurement, insulation, water storage and skills.
Sources
General information, not professional advice. Last checked: September 2026.
