new build Archives - Page 6 of 6

The Self-Build Guide to The Build: 6. From Dream to Reality

Now that their self-build home is complete, we can look back to the start of our client’s adventure, from pre-start to completion, to provide the whole story.

The keys have been handed over, and our clients can finally call their new self-build house their home.

Now that their self-build home is complete, we can look back to the start of our clients’ adventure, from pre-start to completion, to provide the whole story.

Pre-Start

Our clients decided to go down the self-build route, but having had experience of this before, which had been quite stressful, they sought the assistance and guidance of CB Homes to realise their self-build dream in Cheshire.

They were extremely excited to get started, knowing that they were going to get a modern, warm comfortable house built to brilliant standards, so in retirement they would be comfortable.

Laying the groundwork

Before work could start, a new road had to built, as the original gravel track couldn’t have accommodated the trucks and lorries to build our client’s new home. But within two weeks we had a new road in, and the work could commence!

Raising the roof

Steve and Sue found the whole self-build process so much easier with us project managing it and co-ordinating all the contractors.

Sue said: “We had utter confidence in CB Homes to deliver, and they really exceeded our expectations.”

The First Fix

At CB Homes, we aim to take all the stress out of self-building as much as possible, just

Steve and Sue said that they really enjoyed having the absolutely ‘clean slate’ of a self-build project, and the totally free rein when it came to choosing precisely what their new home would look like. These included the fun and practical decisions, such as where to fit which sockets, where is the kitchen sink going to go, and how is the bathroom going to look, as well as everything in between.

Sue said: “My job was to plough through all the brochures and give Steve a choice of about three.”

As Steve reflected: “You can have grey, grey or grey. All right, we’ll have grey!”

The Second Fix

Steve and Sue really enjoyed visiting the site to see how the build was progressing. Every day there was something new, and were really impressed with the speed and care at which things developed.

With all CB Homes self-builds, we provide a schedule giving our clients an idea of when things needed to be done on site. This really helps our clients to plan well ahead of when the actual date for their items they would like to be fitted needs delivering, ready for installation.

Completion

Steve and Sue love the design and finish of their stunning new home.

The fixed fee price included the cost for supplying and installing kitchen units, sanitary ware, wall tiles, fireplace and flooring. This gave them the flexibility and peace of mind to build the dream home that they were looking for around their budget.

Steve and Sue concluded: “CB Homes’ turnkey self-build package was the ideal solution. We are absolutely thrilled with the result of our new home, and CB Homes has helped us to truly realise our self-build dream. We couldn’t recommend working with CB Homes highly enough.”

See the round-up of our clients’ self-build video journal here.

Designing a Georgian country house for the 21st century

Recently, a client came to us looking for assistance with design and planning for a replacement dwelling. They had a clear idea of what they wanted to build, a two storey Georgian countryside property with simple authentic period detailing, appropriate to its rural surroundings in the heart of Cheshire.

The brief was to create a beautiful four bedroom home, fit for 21st century living but which would reflect the style and formality of the Georgian era. This meant that the front of the house would be rectangular and very symmetrical in appearance.

The brief was to create a beautiful four bedroom home, fit for 21^st century living but which would reflect the style and formality of the Georgian era. This meant that the front of the house would be rectangular and very symmetrical in appearance.

Authentic Georgian detail

The owners wanted authentic, joiner-made, period sash windows, including carefully observed Georgian proportions, using the Golden Ratio. Owing to this perfect symmetry, on paper at least, Georgian houses look like a deceptively simple rectangular box. What sets them apart and makes them look really special is when every tiny detail of their appearance is exactly right. Every pane of glass, every panel of bricks and every detail of moulding needs to be in the right proportion to everything else. Achieving these perfect proportions is absolutely key to building a stunning home.

As our clients wanted the windows to have tall, elegant proportions, our architect Russell Baker recommended making the ground floor ceiling height taller and also lowering the level of the window sills. This meant they would maintain the slim and elegant look that our client wanted but would also remain in perfect proportion with the tall facades of the house.

The front door of a house is always an important part of design and this project will be no exception. Georgian front doors were really imposing and were a definite style statement for the homeowner. Today, you can still be very authentic as to the Georgian design, with the added advantage of using modern, hard wearing, materials.

Rural farmhouse appeal

Georgian houses, especially town houses, are known for their formality. As this is to be a rural home, based on a Georgian farmhouse look, it can be slightly less formal, a little more cosy and a little lighter on things like the details of the mouldings, which on a more urban authentic Georgian townhouse are often heavier and more ornate.

To maintain the appropriate size and scale of proportions to the Georgian, symmetrical front elevation, our architect designed a further rear L-shaped section. This was to accommodate our client’s more modern preference for open plan living. This includes the kitchen and a dining/ family area with views from glazed walls across the countryside to make the most of afternoon and evening sunshine.

Finding an architect and developer who understand exactly what you want from your self-build is very important. If you have always dreamed of building your perfect country home, contact CB Homes to find out how we can help with our complete turn key self-build package.

New homes available now at Acorn Gardens, Leftwich

We are very excited to present Acorn Gardens, our brand new development in Leftwich, on the outskirts of Northwich. Acorn Gardens is a beautiful collection of two, three and four bedroom homes, ideal for anyone looking for their first home or wanting to move up the housing ladder.

Here at CB Homes we are very excited to present Acorn Gardens, our brand new development in Leftwich, on the outskirts of Northwich. Acorn Gardens is a beautiful collection of two, three and four bedroom homes. An ideal location for anyone looking for their first home or wanting to move up the housing ladder.

Our marketing suite opens on Friday 2^nd July, so to arrange a visit, please call Helen on 07400 062 349 or email sales@cbhomes.co.uk.

This small and exclusive development of just 13 houses has been carefully designed to our usual award-winning standards. It has CB Homes’ trademark blend of beautiful architecture and stunning interiors.

Acorn Gardens – beautiful houses from CB Homes

Our homes are designed to fit every need of modern life. From the size of bedrooms to the high specification fixtures and fittings, each home has been created with an emphasis on quality and individuality. Homes at Acorn Gardens offer a huge range of beautiful and practical features. These include fireplaces with solid oak mantles, pre-wired smart home enabled systems, electric car charging points, kitchens by a local bespoke company, integrated zanussi appliances, built in wardrobes and much more.

Every house at Acorn Gardens comes with a ten year NHBC Buildmark Warranty and CB Homes’ own two year Customer Care warranty.

Location, location…

Acorn Gardens is located in a popular semi-rural residential area, in walking distance of a range of local amenities and in easy reach of good secondary and primary schools.

Leftwich enjoys good access to main transport routes, within a five minute drive of the development.

The glorious Cheshire countryside is right on the doorstep and outdoors enthusiasts will love exploring Delamere Forest. Close by, Northwich Woodlands offers its own wonderful green space to be discovered on foot, by bicycle or on horseback.

Only five plots left at Acorn Gardens

With only five homes left available, to arrange a visit to our new marketing suite to discover more or to reserve your new home, call Helen on 07400 062 349 or email sales@cbhomes.co.uk.

The Self-Build experience: what’s the biggest advantage of a turn key self-build service?

Work on our clients’ fabulous self-build project in Kingsley is continuing apace. We have now constructed an access road and completed the foundations of this five bedroom luxury home. Brick and blockwork up to the first floor is underway.

It’s hard to believe that only a few months ago the site was just a field. This dream home is really beginning to take shape. It is going to be a stunning combination of traditional design with eye-catching contemporary modern elements, all set in absolutely beautiful rural surroundings.

With some previous experience of self-building themselves, our clients Steve and Sue are finding that this time, with CB Homes taking the lead, they are able to fully enjoy the process of watching their new home develop. Catch up on their self-build journey by watching the second instalment of their video journal here.

Relaxing in style: How to design the perfect outdoor space

There’s no doubt that the aesthetic appeal of a property can be enhanced enormously by the care taken with laying out its setting. Some designers think that overly fussy landscaping can detract from the impact made by a property. However, when it comes to new-builds, particularly in rural locations, there’s scope to do something really imaginative and distinctive with the outdoor space.

This can be done in a number of ways. The use of available space and the effectiveness of perspective are really important. The position of the driveway, the view on approach, the siting of the gardens and the garage, and their relationship with the house can all have huge impact.

The best designers give a great deal of thought to the outside spaces of their projects. Through the use of eyeline and perspective, one view will reveal one aspect of the garden, another angle another. Through design, you can draw the observer’s eye to certain features, as visual surprises and vivid settings.

Practical and beautiful

Whatever the size of garden, long and narrow, wide and open, there are many different features that can enhance your outdoor space. Lawns are always a pleasant outside space and offer an area for relaxation and games. They can be a lot of work to maintain.

Trees too can enhance a garden, but they too must be maintained and not allowed to overtake their plot, the garden and eventually the view and light from your house. Well-placed trees can reduce glare or offer shade and the more unusual varieties available can really set off a garden. If you’re not keen on sweeping up leaves every autumn, don’t choose deciduous varieties that shed. Lawns and trees will also attract insects and wildlife to your surroundings.

Wide open space

Patios and paved areas can also be used to divide up the garden and partitions, such as dwarf walls and trellis, can be used imaginatively to compartmentalise garden space. This will allow you a more private place away from the open area. It can create shelter from the wind and also provide a suntrap. A pergola can have the same function, and can be timbered or open to the elements, with trailing plants.

Screening your garden into ‘rooms’ can make all the difference to how much you use the garden, as a space you enjoy spending time in.

Relaxing in style

You can also use decking, patios and steps to create different levels. If you have an uneven or sloping garden, moving from one decking level to another – up and down the garden – can add a sense of excitement, with separate dining spaces and furniture.

Boundaries can be marked with walls, fences and hedges, which themselves can be made into features. An imaginative addition to include are living walls and edible walls, which are essentially vertical allotments. The materials you use for all aspects of your outdoor space will make all the difference to its success.

You can include a pond as the focal point of the garden – relaxing by water is lovely – and water features, troughs and fountains add life to their surroundings.

There are so many unusual products and material on the market now that there’s no excuse for letting your garden be boring.

The best UK podcasts to inspire your self-build project

Dreaming of a self-build and looking for some inspirational ideas? With a wealth of information available, podcasts provide an easily digestible way to consume numerous different topics.

Described by some as more interesting to listen to than music, engaging with audio content leaves the listener free to multi-task.

What are the best self-build podcasts?

Dreaming of a self-build and looking for some inspirational ideas? We’ve got some of the best UK podcasts to inspire you. With a wealth of information available, self-build podcasts provide an easily digestible way to consume numerous different topics.

Described by some as more interesting to listen to than music, engaging with audio content leaves the listener free to multi-task.

Less of a time commitment

Podcasts can look like less of a time commitment than a large book or lengthy video too. Over seven million people in the UK have discovered the joy of podcasts, with thousands to listen to, available through smartphone apps such as Spotify, iTunes and Google Play or through web browsers like Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

Multi-tasking while you listen

Whether you are walking the dog, off for a run, doing the dishes or simply relaxing and want to listen to something new, there’s a bewildering array of content to choose from. Topics you might be interested in include self-building, construction and interior design.

If you have checked out our earlier articles on the best books and TV programmes for self-builders already, you may be looking for a different way to consume useful information. Here are our recommendations for self-builders or anyone looking to renovate their home. Click on the links to find out more about these self-build podcasts.

Build Your House Yourself University

This popular blog simplifies the whole process of design and build, whether you are undertaking the whole project yourself or taking on a contractor. Describing itself as ‘demystifying home building and construction’, it also includes advice on interior design, from large concepts to neat design details such as smart lighting solutions.

Homebuilding

Homebuilding magazine’s podcast focuses on issues that confront homebuilders and renovators, from keeping on the right side of eco regulations, to suggested ways to find the perfect builder for your project.

The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

Another popular magazine podcast, this time from Fine Homebuilding, is all about preserving craftsmanship and explaining how to master design and building challenges.

Home Building Hero

Home Building Hero discusses the latest new home designs, styles, industry trends, how to’s and tips for building a fabulous new home. If you listen to this, you can ‘Become the hero in your new home’ too. From 10 essential rules for furniture placement to the best way to design your own gym at home or the most desirable bathroom, this might turn out to be essential listening.

House Planning Help Podcast

These self-build podcasts asks industry experts and self-builders to share their valuable knowledge and expertise on everything from style and sustainability to location, community and landscaping. It includes some information about eco design too.

Decorating Tips and Tricks

With 422 episodes to choose from, from special guests to furniture arranging tips, according to the podcast description, this has ‘seriously great decorators having some serious fun’.

The Great Indoors podcast is a celebration of ‘all things interiors’ and everything you need to know about making your house a home. The team promises to provide a guide on trends and topics from the home front, from chalk paint techniques to embracing minimalism.

Inspiration and ideas from podcasts for self-build

While self-build podcasts can be a great source of inspiration and ideas, remember that planning regulations, costs and local conditions are subject to change at any time. Always check the latest advice and guidance with professionals before making any decisions. Download our free self-build guides to help with every stage of your project.

Planning a self-build?

Whether you are in the first stages of looking for land or you have already secured planning permission and know exactly what you want to build, we would love to work with you. Contact us to find out more.

What makes the county of Cheshire so special?

The beautiful county of Cheshire covers an area of just under 1000 square miles and has a population of around one million people. Mainly rural, Cheshire is steeped in history but is certainly not hampered by the past.

The beautiful county of Cheshire (we might be biased) covers an area of just under 1000 square miles and has a population of around one million people. A mainly rural county, Cheshire has a high concentration of villages. Agriculture is generally based on the dairy trade, and cattle are the predominant livestock. It is a county steeped in history but it is certainly not one hampered by the past, as it has become one of the leading counties for STEM development in the UK. Historically known for its Cheshire Cheese, salt and silk, the county is now home to Jodrell Bank, and the Cheshire Science Corridor Enterprise Zone, which includes Thornton Science Park, and of course Alderley Park.

Science and nature

Cheshire is rich in nature and has some 63 areas that have been designated as areas of Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). With some of the leading science and technology companies located here, Cheshire has become synonymous with innovation. Jodrell Bank has received huge investment and holds a world-leading place in the history of astronomy, and a pioneering chapter in British scientific and cultural history. The Cheshire Science Corridor has been awarded Enterprise Zone status. It covers over 100 hectares, and has the potential to attract 20,000 jobs and 500 businesses to Cheshire and Warrington.

Elsewhere in Cheshire, Winsford has the largest working salt mine in Britain, originally opened in 1844. It uses the world’s largest underground digger, weighing in at 130 tonnes, and over the years has cut 135 miles of tunnels beneath the Cheshire countryside, yielding 1,000,000 tonnes of salt annually.

Leisure time in Cheshire

Outside work, there is plenty in the county to keep its residents and visitors occupied. World-leading attractions include Chester Zoo, Cheshire Oaks and the Anderton Boat Lift, and over 100 golf courses here are members of the Cheshire Union of Golf courses. Chester Racecourse is not only a highly popular horse racing venue but is also the oldest sporting venue in continual use since 1539. There are also shopping and restaurant options to meet every taste. Keen walkers and cyclists have plenty to keep them entertained too. The 34-mile Sandstone Trail runs from Frodsham to Whitchurch and can be completed in a strenuous one – or more leisurely – two-day walk. While the canals, rivers and woodlands in the area offer plenty to entertain.

But don’t just take our word for it

Cheshire houses the hometowns of many famous faces both current and in the past. And many more have chosen to make their home here. One of the counties most famous authors was Lewis Carroll (1832-1898), who wrote the Alice in Wonderland books. He was born in Daresbury. And in more recent years, 007 James Bond actor, Daniel Craig was brought up in Frodsham. Singers and songwriters Harry Styles and Gary Barlow also both hale from Cheshire.

Cheshire is home to many footballing stars and their families, with the area around Alderley Edge being renowned as the area of choice for many of the footballing elite. Local hero and ex-footballer Michael Owen and his family have also chosen leafy Cheshire to base their racehorse stables.

Based in the heart of Cheshire, we’ve been designing and building award winning homes since we started in 1981 and we pride ourselves on our local knowledge. So, whether you’re looking to buy a new home, have dreams of a self-build project or you’re looking to buy or sell land for building, we can work with you at every step of the way. Contact us today to discuss your next move.

Dreaming of a house in the country?

As well as our renowned self-build service, we design and build beautiful property developments too. We have just one plot still available at our latest new build project, Sawyers Meadow, which is located in the picturesque village of Bunbury, nestled in the heart of the Cheshire countryside.

Plot 7, The Aspen, will be a stunning four bedroom residence with plenty of space, making it truly versatile. The spacious downstairs living area benefits from a good-sized family room, opening into the rear garden, as well as a private study, large lounge and dining area. The four bedrooms include a magnificent master bedroom and there are two en-suites. The double garage will be particularly useful, offering secure parking and further storage space.

This small, exclusive development will only have ten bespoke homes in total, all with gardens and parking, making Sawyers Meadow a perfect place to live for working couples, families and retirees.

Location is key

For anyone needing access to a larger town and centres of employment, Bunbury is a great location, just nine miles east of Chester and eight miles north west of Nantwich, with the larger village of Tarporley only four miles away. The village is also in easy commuting reach of Liverpool and Manchester and even London, with Crewe’s central rail hub just a short journey away.

Beautiful Bunbury

Bunbury is a delightful location and is a very pretty village with over 30 listed buildings, including a number of timber-framed houses, some of which date back to the 17^th century. Other important listed buildings include the sandstone parish church of St Boniface, which is over 1,000 years old and is built on the highest point of the village.

As well as its historic landmarks, such as the church, Bunbury Mill and Bunbury Locks, there are loads of activities going on in the village, making it a great place to live. Three welcoming pubs, several shops, a variety of sports clubs and even a modern medical centre too means that there are plenty of local amenities.

If you’d like to visit Sawyers Meadow, please do get in touch with us. Call Helen on 07400 062349 or email her at sales@cbhomes.co.uk

Starting from the ground up

When you’re choosing the location to build your ideal home, there are a variety of factors to consider.

What do you need to consider when choosing the location of your new home?

When you’re choosing the location to build your ideal home, there are a variety of factors to consider. Obviously budget is key. The extent to which your finances will stretch sets the boundaries to your ambitions. The best way to avoid any disappointment is to be realistic. Talking to design and build specialists early on in the thought and planning process can set achievable, manageable goals from the outset.

Land can be less expensive in urban areas, but has far superior basic infrastructure in place – bus and rail links, internet and Wi-Fi, shops. The gulf between town and country has never been so wide, in terms of amenities and services. But country living offers its own appeals too – the healthy rural environment, a lack of noise and air pollution, a safer environment to bring up children and a more relaxed, sedate pace of life to the hustle and bustle of the city. Or perhaps the suburbs are where you’d be happiest, with easy access to the city, but a stone’s throw from the countryside.

Location, location, location

When you are looking at locations, particularly for new build, beware of any Conservation Area restraints on the neighbourhood, as this may restrict your ambitions should you want to build, alter or extend the property. If you’re looking at land to build on, basics like topography and the logistics of access – for builders and suppliers – can be major deciding factors in which site you choose. Lots of trees with preservation orders, for example, can be costly, as can resident wildlife such as bats and newts.

If you already know the local area well, you’ll be fully aware of where is value for money, where is overpriced, up-and-coming, or best avoided. But if you’re new to the area, do your research thoroughly. This is another area where companies such as ours can help clients find the area that is ideal for them. Add up the various factors – location, value-for-money, scope, personal preference – and make a judgement that will stand you in good stead in the future.

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