Building your own home: the build progresses quickly

Not having done a self-build before, our client Suzanne didn’t really know what to expect of the actual building process. Despite some Covid-related delays, her self-build project is now back on schedule. The bricklaying is finished, the roof is complete, the windows are about to be installed and Suzanne and her husband are planning to move into their new house before the end of the year.

Fixed price can save money

Suzanne says,

“It’s all gone very smoothly. I’m now more glad than ever that we went with the turnkey self-build package, especially considering the potential impact of Covid and Brexit on prices. It means that we are paying a fixed price, so regardless of how much prices are fluctuating – and they seem to be going up a lot at the moment – we haven’t had to pay any more than we were quoted at the start.

“We’re paying for a premium service and it’s been worth every penny. I’m not having to worry about anything like finding materials or scheduling deliveries either. I do worry about the site manager, who has to deal with all the stress instead, but he always seems remarkably calm! The whole team has worked very hard to make up for the time lost due to lockdown. We seem to be back on schedule now which is fantastic.

Trust is vital when it comes to a self-build project

“I visit the site every weekend to take photos for my scrapbook and to see what stage the project is at. I tend not to interfere during the week as I completely trust the construction team to be getting on with it all. It also means my husband and I are free to carry on with our own work, which is really good.

Topping out – the roof goes on

“It’s a great feeling to have got to the stage of our house having the roof on and it being watertight. We’re currently living in a mobile home, so I am keen not to still be living in it when the weather turns really wet and wintry.

“When I saw our house for the first time with the roof complete, I was completely bowled over as it looks so lovely. Seeing it was a really pivotal moment. The roof goes so well with the bricks it looks beautiful.

Expert touches

“The design means it has loads of character as it’s not just a regular box. That’s meant more work for the site team as the bricklaying and tiling of the roof was not straightforward but CB Homes encouraged us to have it designed how we wanted, not to make it easy for them! The house looks exactly as I imagined it would from the drawings. To be honest, it actually looks more impressive from the outside than I thought it would as it’s not a very big house. It still feels cute and cosy on the inside, which is exactly what we wanted.”

Decisions, decisions

Suzanne is very pleased that restrictions eased when they did as she has been able to visit shops and showrooms to look at samples of tiles and sanitaryware etc.  She continues,

“I’ve had a lot of fun and I’ve actually chosen lots of things that CB Homes has already used in some of their other building projects – they have good reasons for their choices as they just always look so good and are clearly of such high quality.”

Expert advice at every step of building your own home

CB Homes turn key package includes professional drawings and expert advice from an architect. His experience and skill are invaluable, especially when it comes to solving some tricky questions of design. Suzanne explains,

“I’ve always wanted to have a kitchen with a walk-in pantry in but we just didn’t have the space for it in the design. Increasing the size of the house would have put us over our budget. However, rather than having to just accept that, the architect has done something brilliant. The kitchen backs on to the hall and he suggested ‘reversing out’ one of the cupboards in the hall so that it is accessed from the kitchen. So I’ve ended up with a good alternative to what I had originally wanted, a really deep pantry ‘cupboard’ that is more or less floor to ceiling height. It was a novel idea that I would never have thought of myself but the CB Homes team is just really experienced at making things work and coming up with creative solutions.”

Bringing in light and colour

“I’ve already confirmed the colours for the interior paints. I’m going for quite neutral colours but I’m bringing in some colour with a large bespoke stairwell light fitting. I was inspired by a beautiful light fitting at a friend’s house. After consulting with the site manager and CB Homes’ electrician I have gone to a bespoke company who make glass for statement light fittings. I’m very excited as it’s going to be a really modern feature with lots of colour. I’ve chosen a very traditional aesthetic for everything else so I’m looking forward to seeing the contrast.

“Planning the kitchen has been very enjoyable. CB Homes recommended a fantastic supplier, Panorama Kitchens. I’ve selected a dove grey and blue kitchen and I can’t wait to see what it’s going to look like with all the natural light coming in from the bifold doors that run across the rear of the property.”

Everything exactly where you want it

CB Homes clients often say that one of the best things about a self-build is being able to design your home exactly as you want it; even down to choosing the location of every electric socket. Suzanne says,

“It’s been fantastic going through the house with an electrician, pointing to where I would like to have sockets and him making very useful suggestions for locations I might not have thought of. It was the same thing with plumber too. In most houses, even a new build, you just have to go with whatever has been decided by the builder. This way we’re going to have exactly what we want in the most convenient places for our needs.”

“Other little handy tips from CB Homes have been so useful too.  They suggested that I have an outdoor dog wash for my hairy dog. I would never have thought of that but what a great idea – warm water so he doesn’t get cold and a grid in the ground so all the muddy water drains away straightaway – perfect!”

Finishing touches outside

Being artistic, Suzanne has enjoyed drawing up plans for the gardens and planning out the planting she would like. She has liaised with the CB Homes team, who recommended a contractor when it came to organising the construction of the paths and patio. She is also going to turf the garden when all the construction is complete.

Have you always dreamed of building your own home? Have you got a plot of land suitable for building on? Contact CB Homes today to find out how we can help you.