Tag: cheshire

The high life – the delights of Tarporley high street

Tarporley is a village in Cheshire West and Chester that for many years has earned a considerable reputation for high quality – both of living and in terms of available amenities.

When you look at Google maps at the landscape that is the middle of Cheshire – where Cheshire East and West meet in the country plain – the village of Tarporley stands out as a red mass of site markers. This throng of pinpoint markers indicates the concentration of shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs and hotels on its high street that has made it such a popular place to live, but also to visit and socialise in.

Quality street

Tarporley is a village in Cheshire West and Chester that has earned a considerable reputation for high quality – both of living and in terms of available amenities. The main street looks very much like it did a hundred years ago. Over the years it has lost none of its traditional charm, which is part of what makes it so popular with visitors and locals alike. The street is dominated by some memorable listed buildings. These include Tarporley Market Hall and the former coaching inn, The Swan Hotel, both of which date from the eighteenth century. And just off the main street you can also see St Helen’s Church, the earliest parts of which date from the fifteenth century. In this quintessentially English high street setting are many superb independent shops demanding to be explored.

Food for thought

When it comes to eating and drinking out, you’re also spoilt for choice. The village has its fair share of public houses – including The Rising Sun public house and The Swan Hotel. Both of these have undergone extensive refurbishments in the last few years – and food options providing everything from take-away fast food to high-end cuisine. Restaurant and café-wise, you can choose from Ginger and Pickles Bakehouse, boutique beer and food at the Little Tap, or Latte Da opposite the Old Fire Station and Chocolate Shop (which has its own café too). You can also enjoy contemporary restaurants like No. 32 Tarporley and The Coast, all of which have a great rep for quality and service. The wide range of options make the choice of where to eat even trickier.  

Fashionably popular

The village is very well served with an array of excellent shops and boutiques, from fashion to food. There are the usual suspects you’d expect to see – a Spar with filling station, a well-stocked Co-op on the main street. There’s also a plethora of high-end independent clothes, homewares and gift shops too. The range of high-quality clothing shops include everything from popular fashion to traditional country wear. Thanks to its enviable mixture of choice and quality, Tarporley as a place continues to attract new residents and visitors, and its unique, welcoming high street continues to thrive.

Is self-building for you?

When you want to move house and you know exactly what you are looking for, it can be very frustrating to spend weeks or even months house-hunting and not even come close to finding what you want. At the moment, demand for houses is high and supply is short so there are a lot of people wanting to move who are unable to do so. If you are looking to move house, building your own home may be an option for you to consider. Nearly a third of adults are interested in designing and building their own home. There are certainly some immediate advantages to self-building.

Your own design

If you decide to go down the self-build route, you can of course choose your own design. If you have always dreamed of living in a Georgian townhouse, an Elizabethan farmhouse or a striking, modern Grand Design, self-building might provide you with the opportunity to construct the house of your dreams.

Choosing the look of your house on the outside is only part of the appeal of building your own home. With a self-build, you can choose the layout you want too. You can choose the number of bedrooms, the number of reception rooms, the location of the kitchen and so much more. If you love open plan living, you could embrace the modern trend for a large open family living space. If you have always dreamed of a walk-in wardrobe, then you can make sure you have one – or two – included in your design. There will be some limitations to what you can have, dictated partly by your budget and partly by your building plot. However, a skilled architect can advise you on how to make a layout really work and will enure sure that the house ‘flows’ correctly.

Favourite finishes when self-building

As well as the overall design, you can choose your preferred options for all the fixtures and fittings too. From your dream kitchen and favourite flooring down to door knobs and bath taps, you can choose your colours and finishes.

Savings to be made when self-building

Self-building often allows you to incorporate features into your home that would be extremely expensive to retrofit into an older property. This is especially true when it comes to energy efficiency measures and ‘green’ considerations, which will make your home cheaper to run in the long term. With everything built to current building standards and regulations, you are likely to face lower maintenance costs than you would with an older house too.

Regardless of your budget, self-building may be an option for you. Don’t forget, self-builders can reclaim VAT on labour and building materials and Stamp Duty is charged on the cost of the land, not the value of your completed house. You will also be exempt from the Community Infrastructure Levy.

Complete self-build package

Unless you have the skills or a burning desire to undertake the building work yourself, you should rest assured that fewer than one in ten self-builders actually take part in the building work of the project. Many opt for a turnkey package such as CB Homes’ full self-build package, which includes everything from initial design, through to planning and the final build itself.

If you have always dreamed of building your own home, talk to us to find out how we can help with our complete turnkey self-build package.

Top interior design trends for 2022

With more people having spent increased time indoors throughout the pandemic, there has been a bigger shift in interest in interior design for their homes. The start of 2022 has seen trends already beginning to emerge for what’s hot and what’s not for home interiors, with ideas to suit all styles and tastes.

With more people having spent increased time indoors throughout the pandemic, there has been a bigger shift in interest in interior design for their homes.

The start of 2022 has seen design trends already beginning to emerge for what’s hot and what’s not for home interiors, with ideas to suit all styles and tastes.

See how you can enjoy a touch of luxury in every room, with traditional design alongside contemporary modern elements:

Statement kitchens

The kitchen really is the heart of the home, and top of the range fixtures and fittings, as well as stunning marble worktops, are the order for 2022 design trends

The kitchen at Further Meadows at Swallow Close features beautiful blue and chrome accents, which really offsets the classic marble upstands. This grand kitchen was designed by bespoke company, Panorama. It opens onto a large dining and relaxing space, offering everything a busy household could wish for, from family dining to hosting relaxed gatherings.

Going green

Green tones and nature inspired rooms are all the rage for 2022, with the design trends of bringing the outside in and making the most of outside space continuing to add a breath of fresh air to interiors.

Our self-build property at Swallow Close includes beautiful anthracite, floor to ceiling bi-fold doors that wrap around, revealing a stunning panoramic view of the Cheshire countryside, bringing the outside in, forming a focal point of the whole property. It’s no wonder the space has been named ‘the garden room’.

Lightbulb moment

Statement lighting can make all the difference in changing the character of a room. A quirky lampstand or unique ceiling light fittings can make even the darkest room glow.

A simply stunning statement chandelier at a self-build property at Swallow Close, with tiered copper-topped hanging frosted glass globes, cascades down the double height atrium entrance hall, and really makes for a grand entrance to the property.

Cosy bedroom

The way space is used in the bedroom will define the room’s functionality, appearance and feeling of restfulness, meaning there’s more room to spread out, relax and unwind. Shelves and especially built-in wardrobes and other storage such as under-eaves storage, or attic spaces will maximise the use of space to keep clutter to a minimum. Many of our bespoke homes include walk-in wardrobes for ultimate storage solutions and more than a touch of luxury.

The use of colour and furnishings will also create added illusions for optimum cosiness. Dark wall colours can make a large bedroom feel cosier, whilst lighter tones will make a small bedroom feel airier.

Our self-build client from Damson House said: “The bedrooms needed to be the right size for my family when they came home to stay. All were perfectly met.”

Cottage style doesn’t need to apply only to single-storey, snug homes with rambling roses growing around the door; this aesthetic can easily be brought inside. Timber beams, wooden doors and traditional handles are design trends that all add to the delightful classic feeling, while a completely contemporary ‘hole in the wall’ fireplace or an older style stove burner is perfect for cosy nights in.

The new owner of one of the properties we constructed at Sawyers Meadow, The Linden, shares her thoughts on her much-loved new home: “It is exceedingly well built; I love all the features and the general character and feel of my home, including the ‘cottage style’ front door and oak porch. It is not an everyday new build; the amount of detail and the level of finish is excellent. I would definitely buy a CB Homes house again for its quality and design.”

Based in the heart of Cheshire, we have been designing and building award winning self build homes since 1981. Our complete turnkey self-build service has been thoughtfully designed to deliver absolute peace of mind. From advising on plot suitability, practicalities of construction, and cost effectiveness of house design, we also offer complete cost transparency throughout the project with a fixed fee approach.

Contact our team to see how we can assist with your self-build dream.

Self-building a home in Cheshire, while living abroad

One reason why many of our self-build clients choose us to build their new home is because they are attracted by our turn key package, where we manage every aspect of the build on their behalf. One of our current self-build projects is quite unusual, as our clients chose our turn key package as their preferred option because they are currently living abroad. Until recently they were unable even to visit the site of their new home.

One reason why many of our self-build clients choose us to build their new home is because they are attracted by our turnkey self-build package, where we manage every aspect of the build on their behalf. One of our current self-build projects is quite unusual, as our clients chose our turn key package as their preferred option because they are currently living abroad. Until recently they were unable even to visit the site of their new home.

No strangers to the self-build process, Kevin and Sandra built their own house in Hampshire some time ago. Then they moved to Portugal and once more built their own home, with Kevin taking responsibility for a large part of the build himself.

When they decided they wanted to have a home in the UK once more, they decided the most stress-free option was to opt for CB Homes’ turnkey self-build package. This turned out to be a particularly fortunate decision as, once Covid hit, travel restrictions meant they could not visit the UK so had to rely on the CB Homes team and modern technology to keep up to date on the build’s progress. Luckily, CB Homes is well set up for online meetings via Zoom or for conference calls, which is very useful for clients leading busy lives, whether living abroad or not.

Why choose Cheshire for a self-build project?

Kevin has been a Manchester United FC season ticket holder for years, so having a base within easy reach of Old Trafford had huge appeal for him. Sandra is originally from Yorkshire, so having a home in the North West was also an attraction for her. The close proximity of two airports, the motorway network and the cities of Chester, Liverpool and Manchester also made Cheshire the ideal location, with friends and family in easy reach.

Why build your own house?

In common with most of our self-build clients, Kevin and Sandra recognised that the best way to end up with exactly what you want from a house is to build it yourself. They also both say that they enjoy the process of a self-build and find it very interesting – even if they can currently only observe from a distance, thanks to the pandemic.

Finding a plot of land for a self-build, while living abroad

In today’s market, finding land for a self-build can be challenging. After extensive online searching for a suitable plot, Kevin and Sandra bought a plot of land from CB Homes – a garden plot in the grounds of another house, which already had planning permission for a traditionally designed typical English home, with plenty of modern touches inside. The five-bedroom house will also have a detached garage and enjoys an elevated position, with views across the Cheshire plain.

The new house currently being built by CB Homes in the village of Helsby is currently at the first fix stage with the electrics and plumbing being installed and plastering taking place on the first floor. Normally at this stage, our clients would walk through the property with the site team, pointing out exactly where every power point or appliance would go. In this case, as they are living abroad, Kevin and Sandra have used the power of WhatsApp and email to communicate exactly what they want and where they want it.

Which part of the house will our clients be most excited to see?

Sandra is particularly looking forward to seeing her new kitchen, which will be part of an open plan living/ dining/ family space. Making selections from such a distance has been a challenge, but she has sent samples, where she can, to trusted family members, who have given their opinions to help her make a choice. She admits she has still spent many hours looking at carpet and paint shades online though!

What impact has Covid had on the self-build project?

In addition to making it impossible to visit the site for months at a time, due to living abroad, the pandemic has also caused some delays to appliance deliveries, with some manufacturers needing much longer lead times than usual. This has meant CB Homes has had to adjust the build schedule accordingly in order to keep the delivery date on track.

Managing the budget for a self-build

Kevin and Sandra say that the budget has been exactly as they expected and are definitely fans of CB Homes’ very clear pricing structure.

Sandra says, “You have a great choice of layout and fittings but if you want to choose more expensive options than in CB Homes’ specification, then you’re free to do so. It’s just really important to set your budget for that and then to stick to it.”

Summing up her advice to anyone considering a self-build, she says, “Choose your plot really carefully and then just go for it. CB Homes has been excellent at guiding us through the process and offering advice and suggestions on anything that we have not been sure of, from queries on acquiring land to making decisions on bathroom fixtures and fittings. The team is always very responsive to any questions we have.”

Kevin and Sandra hope to be in their house by February.

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.

Managing and multi-tasking: life as a site manager for CB Homes

Will Marston, 35, has worked as a site manager for CB Homes for the past five years. Originally a joiner by training, we approached Will for the role knowing that he would be an ideal choice as site manager. Since then, he has been in charge of several of our most prestigious developments, including Sawyers Meadow in Bunbury and a number of self-build projects.

Will Marston, 35, has worked as a site manager for CB Homes for the past five years. Originally a joiner by training, we approached Will for the role knowing that he would be an ideal choice as site manager. Since then, he has been in charge of several of our most prestigious developments, including Sawyers Meadow in Bunbury and a number of self-build projects. He is currently dividing his time between five different projects across three construction sites in Cheshire in the villages of Helsby, Alpraham and Eaton.

We caught up with Will when he was opening up the site one morning at our Eaton development. He always has an early start, regularly being on-site by 7.45am.

What does a typical day in your life as a CB Homes site manager look like?

I arrive on site and have time to do a quick walk around to check everything looks as it should before my phone starts going at around 8.00am and usually it doesn’t really stop all day until I go home around 5.00pm. There’s a constant stream of calls from trades, checking dates of the build programme, flagging up any issues and making me aware of any likely delays.

At any one time, I have three or four different trades at work on one site. It’s my job to make sure that everyone has a safety briefing their first time on site and that all Health and Safety rules are abided by to keep safety on site our number one priority. As well as being responsible for all RAMS and Health and Safety requirements, I make sure the site is tidy at all times too. I organise all the work, programming dates and projects. I’m also first point of contact for clients and it’s important I keep them updated with everything that we are achieving on site.

I divide my time between projects that are currently live, so I have what’s effectively a mobile office in my van, with all the paperwork I need. Modern technology has made it all much easier to be mobile now than it used to be too, and I spend a lot of time emailing or WhatsApping for work from my phone.

Have delays been a problem for building during the pandemic?

At the start, with the first lockdown, production slowed right down because of the social distancing requirement and all the Health and Safety conditions that had to be met on site. Obviously, we are still being very careful to keep within public health guidelines and make sure that everyone on site is very aware of how to keep everyone else safe.

Ongoing supply chain and labour issues, which are being experienced everywhere in construction, are also causing some delays but minimising those is a big part of my job. Making sure that we keep to our build schedules and deliver on time for our clients is a key responsibility of mine.

Multi-tasking is essential for a site manager

Multi-tasking is definitely another skill I need as a site manager. Each project is at a different stage. For example, at the moment, plastering has started at one, a roof is going on at another and we’ve just started the footings at the third. So you have to be able to recall a lot of information at one time and easily flip between different projects in your head.

It’s really important, especially for our self-build clients, to be able to provide them with weekly updates or let them know what’s happening at any point if they call for a chat. I also have to be very mindful of minimising waste and being as environmentally friendly as possible. That means, if we have a surplus of something at one site, we can move it to another or make sure we recycle wherever we can. It all needs careful planning.

At the start of each week, I have a plan of where I intend to be on what day but of course things always come up, so you have to be prepared to be very flexible and change your plans where you need to.

What do you enjoy about your job?

CB Homes is a great company to work for and I like working with all our contractors. We have long-term relationships with many of them, so we really get to know each other. They know how fussy we are about the quality of the work we require so they are used to us being very demanding! I like the great variety of sites we have too, from small self-build projects or quite large developments with several houses, up to huge six-bedroom homes. It can be quite a stressful job because of the scale of the responsibility but the end product makes it all worthwhile as we are always proud of the homes we build.  It’s really enjoyable too to see how happy our clients are when their new homes are 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.

CB Homes wins Bronze in What House? Awards 2021

Here at CB Homes, we are delighted to report that we have won the Bronze Award in the Best Luxury House category in this year’s What House? Awards, dubbed the Oscars of the housebuilding industry.

Our clients’ beautiful self-build project, Further Meadow, at our Swallow Close development in the village of Kingsley, Cheshire was a thoroughly deserving winner.

Here at CB Homes, we are delighted to report that we have won the Bronze Award in the Best Luxury House category in this year’s What House? Awards, dubbed the Oscars of the housebuilding industry.

Our clients’ beautiful self-build project, Further Meadow, at our Swallow Close development in the village of Kingsley, Cheshire was a thoroughly deserving winner, described by the judges as,

 “A labour of love. The owners worked closely with CB Homes to create an impressive luxury home that is tailored to their lifestyle while making the most of the extensive south-westerly views across Cheshire farmland………An expansive open plan kitchen/dining/ reception forms the centrepiece of the home, cleverly cantilevered to ensure free-flowing space and uninterrupted views…..there are subtle touches of luxury throughout and each element has been carefully considered to blend with the whole, resulting in a comfortable and striking family home.”

Glittering What House? Awards ceremony

The glittering awards ceremony celebrated some of the brightest stars in the housing sector, honoured those who won their category and celebrated all the well-deserved finalists too.

The WhatHouse? Awards, now in their 41st year, shone a light on customer-focused housebuilders and housing associations, large and small, who have continued to deliver the best new homes in Britain amid the unprecedented challenges of 2020 / 2021.

The gala luncheon was hosted by one of Britain’s greatest-ever Olympians Sir Chris Hoy and renowned sports broadcaster and presenter Clare Balding

Read more about our clients’ journey to self-building their award-winning home here or watch our series of video journals tracking the whole self-build project here.

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.

A classically beautiful self-build Georgian home, with a very modern twist

Work on one of our latest self-build projects, a two storey Georgian countryside property, is continuing apace. This beautiful country house has a historic, Georgian aesthetic where we have managed to retain an authentic character feel but given the property a modern twist with contemporary design features.

Work on one of our latest self-build projects, a two storey Georgian countryside property, is continuing apace. This beautiful country house has a historic, Georgian aesthetic where we have managed to retain an authentic character feel but given the property a modern twist with contemporary design features.

Externally, at first glance, you may not notice some of the intricate detailing that makes this house so special.

The oversized timber frame hardwood windows have sash windows, with traditional style cords and weights to open and close them, rather than being mechanised. Despite this nod to tradition, they still have a very modern take, owing to their full matte charcoal finish. The artstone all around the house is black to match the striking feature of the windows. It provides a strong contrast with the beautiful mellow toned Cheshire brick. Our team has already predicted that this innovative design feature will become really popular when people see how fantastic it looks.

The fascias are also custom-made to match the very specific design requirements. The whole build has been very client lead in terms of the design chosen. Our clients were clear they wanted something very stand out and different, which would still blend with the surrounding Cheshire countryside. We have ensured that every element is designed to meet that criteria, while still working beautifully together as a whole.

Home to roost in a Georgian home

Environmental issues remain high priority in this build with bat boxes built in around the house, along with EV charging points to future proof the home. Internally, the bats have not been forgotten either, with traditional felt used which has a gap at ridge height to allow the bats to fly freely in and out.

Our clients were keen to make the most of the land surrounding the house. Outside, the new garage has been designed to be in keeping with the Georgian theme. It looks exactly like a traditional rural outbuilding, such as an old fashioned stable block. Usually a garage would be constructed as a single skin building but here it has been insulated throughout and heated to widen its capability and increase its functionality.

Through the keyhole

An oversized custom made hardwood front door leads inside the house. High ceilings throughout continue the Georgian home aesthetic but contemporary mouldings and architraves, including a shadow groove, again provide a contemporary twist. Unusually, we have selected black as the colour for all the internal doors, along with contemporary brass ironmongery, which makes the whole look quite opulent, yet refined. The ground floor is tiled throughout which has the effect of luxury wooden flooring but needs far less maintenance, making the upkeep easy.

Fireplaces are being constructed on both the ground and first floors. On the ground floor the fireplace is seamless so completely flush with the floor, providing a breath-taking finish to the main living area. Due to building regulations, the one on the first floor is more traditional, with a mantel and hearth.

A simply stunning handmade kitchen leads into an open plan family living space, perfect for entertaining, with three sets of French doors opening onto the front and rear gardens.

The modern requirement for home working has not been forgotten, with a sizeable office downstairs, complete with a stunning vaulted ceiling and a cosy woodburning stove.

Upstairs, the magnificent master bedroom has two Juliet balconies with wonderful views across the surrounding countryside. The master suite includes a huge walk-in dressing room and a beautiful en suite bathroom with bespoke sanitaryware, featuring brass ironmongery for a luxurious finish.

This striking home is typical of a CB Homes’ self-build project – a classically beautiful bespoke house, built to exceed modern building standards. If you have always dreamed of building your own home, contact CB Homes to find out how we can help you.

Building your own home: all you need to know

In the UK, thousands of people choose to self-build their own home every year. Here at CB Homes, we have been building award-winning self-build homes for 40 years. We have now produced a complete guide to the Self-Build process to download from our website. It contains all the information you need about building your own home, from start to finish.

Have you always dreamed of building your own home?

In the UK, thousands of people choose to self-build their own home every year. Here at CB Homes, we have been building award-winning self-build homes for 40 years. We have now produced a complete guide to the Self-Build process giving you all the information you need about building your own home, from start to finish.

Every CB Homes house is built to the same exacting standards and our dedicated partnership approach is committed to turning self-build dreams into reality. We understand exactly what concerns our customers have and what they need to know before they start their self-build journey.

We use traditional designs and modern, open-plan internal layouts and cutting-edge technology to create beautiful homes that are in harmony with the landscape.

Whatever the scale of your dream home, there are a number of steps to take, from the moment you decide that you want to build your own house to the day that you move in.

From questions on finance and how much building your own home costs, to walking you through the ten steps of the self-build journey, you’ll find a wealth of information in the guide to inform you about building your own house.

Our fixed fee approach provides total peace of mind and gives you the flexibility for building your own home around your budget. The guide includes a number of case studies of some of our customers’ beautiful self-build projects, where their budgets ranged from £200,000 to over £500,000. Download your self-build guides here.

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.

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.

Recommendations could transform self-building

A recent report by an MP may make all the difference in getting a clear voice on the subject of self-build heard in the halls of Westminster. With the ongoing housing crisis in the UK and the simple fact that not enough houses are being built to meet demand, the Bacon Review hopes to galvanise opinion and move the self-build sector into increased activity. This could deliver between 30,000 and 40,000 self-build homes annually.

A recent report by an MP may make all the difference in getting a clear voice on the subject of self-build heard in the halls of Westminster. With the ongoing housing crisis in the UK and the simple fact that not enough houses are being built to meet demand, the Bacon Review hopes its recommendations will galvanise opinion and move the self-build sector into increased activity. This could deliver between 30,000 and 40,000 self-build homes annually.

Creative overdrive

MP Richard Bacon is keen to raise the profile of custom and self-building, focusing on efficiency and attractiveness. Earlier this year, the prime minister asked him to undertake a review of the current state of play of self-build, and to make a series of recommendations on his findings. The 114-page review has now been completed and published, and it makes encouraging reading, both for anyone looking at embarking on a self-build project and self-build specialists, such as ourselves. It addresses a wide range of subjects and looks at how self-build can be promoted as a viable option for anyone to undertake. 

The report, called House: How Putting Customers in Charge Can Change Everything, notes that ‘Instead of beauty and a natural order, we see a sterile sameness almost everywhere we look…We are failing to create the listed buildings of tomorrow.’

While houses are being built by developers to meet the current huge demand, it is at the cost of the distinctiveness that a self-build scheme brings to the appearance of a completely new construction project.

The review lays out six main recommendations for growing and strengthening the self-build sector, which would make it much simpler and more straightforward for people to build their own homes, in their own style, in their own way.

Recommendations for self-building

In his review, Bacon makes six key recommendations, which map out a clear way forward for the sector.

Greater role for Homes England

The report recommends a new ‘Custom and Self-Build Housing Delivery Unit’ to be formed within Homes England, to enable the creation of serviced building plots on small and large sites. It will also support the delivery of custom and self-build housing at greater volume across the country.

Raise Awareness of the Right to Build

The Government, working through Homes England and in partnership with the custom and self-build industry, should create a custom and self-build housing ‘Show Park’. It should also strengthen existing legislation, to ensure the wider publicity of ‘Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Registers’, and the sharing of key data between landowners and people on these registers.

Support Community-Led Housing, Diversity of Supply and Levelling Up

The successful Community Housing Fund should be reactivated. This will create accessible opportunities for communities to help themselves, by introducing a Self-Help Housing Programme and introduce a ‘Plot to Rent’ scheme.

Promote Greener homes and more use of advanced manufacturing

The trailblazing role of custom and self-builders should be recognised for its use of advanced manufacturing and its ongoing investment in greener homes, to accelerate the delivery of the government’s ‘Modern Methods of Construction’ and ‘Net Zero Housing’ ambitions.

Support Custom and Self-build housebuilding through the Planning Reforms

Any future planning reforms should ensure that they maximise opportunities for access to permissioned land. This should include making focused changes to the ‘Right to Build’ legislation, so it achieves its objectives.

Iron out any tax creases for building houses

The government should investigate any possible tax disadvantages between self-building and other forms of house construction and identify specific actions to eradicate them.

Here at CB Homes, we welcome these recommendations. We are pleased that finally a spotlight is being shone on a sector of the construction industry that is often neglected. We hope that the government can now implement these recommendations in a way that works for everyone, so they can make a real and lasting difference to the custom and self-build sector. This will deliver both confidence in the industry and more diverse houses for people to live in.

Interested in self-building and not sure where to start? We have lots of useful resources on our website with loads of information on everything you need to know. Get in touch to find out how we can help with our fixed fee turn key self-build package.

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