Tag: new house

Assessing Ground conditions for self-build project

Are groundworks suitable for construction?

When you are looking at developing a building plot, there are many aspects to the ground that you may not be able to see from simply looking at the lie of the land. You can’t see if any services or utilities, such as electrical cables or drainage, pass under the ground surface. You can’t tell if the land is likely to flooding – unless it is currently covered in water – and you can’t easily assess whether the ground conditions are suitable for self-build. Most of these points will need further investigation, either by a specialist land surveyor or by officials who will examine land deeds and the geological history of the site.

Mitigating against flooding

Flood risk is a combination of two factors – the probability and the potential consequences of flooding from all sources. This can include rivers, the sea, directly from rainfall on the ground surface and rising groundwater, flooded sewers and blocked drainage systems, or from overflowing reservoirs, canals or lakes.

Self-building on solid ground

When it comes to flood plains, flood risk and other water-related land problems (such as coastal erosion), the UK government has legislation in place. The National Planning Policy Framework sets strict tests to protect people, property and developers from flooding. All local planning authorities are expected to follow this. Where the tests for suitability are not met, the policy is clear that new development should not be permitted. The main steps are designed to make sure that if there are better sites in terms of flood risk, or a proposed development cannot be guaranteed to be made safe, it should not be permitted.

Land stability is a crucial aspect of any development – some would say the singular most important factor! The government also has clear advice to ensure that ground conditions are suitable for development and how to avoid risks caused by unstable land or subsidence. Land instability can cause an array of problems, including landslides, settlement and ground heave. Failing to deal with instability from the outset can have serious consequences, with the considerable chance of financial and actual damage to human health, local property and its associated infrastructure, and the wider environment, especially if compensation claims are involved.

Planning authorities have an important role to play in considering land stability. They do this by minimising the risk and effects of land stability on property, infrastructure and the public, by helping to ensure that developments don’t occur in unstable locations, or without appropriate precautions. Local planning authorities work with other organisations when it comes to land stability – these include obvious ones such as Building Regulations, but also more specialised ones, such as the Coal Authority (due to public safety risks caused by past coal mining activities), depending on the circumstances.

Prepare to investigate ground conditions

A preliminary assessment of ground instability should be carried out at the earliest possible stage, before any detailed planning application is prepared. If required, information about land stability can be found in geological information held by the planning authority’s own information (including building control records, which may contain previous surveys and records of previous events), local libraries and archives, and information about land usage  contained in the National Land Use database, the British Geological Survey (including the national dataset on landslides and mapping and borehole records) and coal mining records held by the Coal Authority,

Where needed, a land stability risk assessment report will present all information obtained from investigations prior to the commencement of any development. All areas of the UK are different. Some soils can be dominated by clay or sand, and especially in Cheshire there is a lot of sandstone rising to the surface. This can be very useful for stability, but a hindrance when it comes to excavation and drainage. The type of land you are developing may have an impact on the type, size and shape, and design of your proposed project, so finding out exactly what lies beneath the surface is an important part of the preparation process.

Interested in building your own home? Talk to us about our complete self-build package.

Growing problems – the pitfalls of on-site trees and TPOs

Whenever we see a new site, we always take note of the position of any trees in the vicinity. Trees can form a great backdrop to a property – and used well they can become part of the exterior landscaping –  but they can also cause a variety of problems.

Just because a tree is sited on a plot of land under your ownership, it doesn’t necessarily give you carte blanche to do as you like with the tree, including trimming it or removing it from the site altogether.   

Whenever we see a new site, we always take note of the position of any trees in the vicinity. Trees can form a great backdrop to a property – and used well they can become part of the exterior landscaping –  but they can also cause a variety of problems. Just because a tree is sited on a plot of land under your ownership, it doesn’t necessarily give you ‘carte blanche’ to do as you like with the tree, including trimming it or removing it from the site altogether.   

Trees: protected species?

Trees in UK conservation areas are especially protected, but many trees have a variety of protection ‘rights’ when it comes to their existence. Chief among these is a tree preservation order, or TPO. These have been part of the Town and Country Planning Act in the United Kingdom since their introduction in 1947. Scotland has its own rules, but current tree preservation orders in England and Wales are made under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation) (England) Regulations 2012.

The importance of registered documentation for trees

A TPO is decided by the local council’s planning authority to protect specific trees, for specific reasons in a designated area – be it in a garden, a roadside verge, part of woodland, or other rural feature. This is done to protect them from damage, if those trees are deemed to be an important amenity to the area, including older trees that are thought to be of historical or cultural significance. TPOs make it illegal to fell, lop, top, uproot or otherwise interfere or damage trees, without the express permission of the local planning authority – although different TPOs have different levels of protection with some permissions. Any details about TPOs on a land purchase will show up on the registered documents and should be checked as to what level of protection the trees have.

If a tree with an order on it is damaged, a local authority can bring a successful prosecution if it can show sufficient evidence. This includes evidence that the tree was protected by an order at the relevant time, or was sited in a conservation area. It will also have to establish culpability, beyond reasonable doubt. As a defence, in general it’s no excuse for the perpetrator to claim ignorance of the existence of an order. However for any prosecution to take place, the local authority should be clear that a valid order exists and that the tree in question was protected by it.

Exceptions to the rule for trees

There are a number of exemptions too. These include the felling or trimming of dead or dangerous trees to make them safe. The onus or responsibility here is on the person who authorises the work to prove that the tree was dead or dangerous. This can of course cause debate if the tree is felled and removed, as no proof remains of its current condition. Normally its state is decided by a report by a qualified operative before the work is carried out. There has been a great deal of storm damage across Cheshire and the North West in the last few months and it has become commonplace to see council highway staff felling, making safe and disposing of storm-damaged trees, some of which have fallen across roads and through services, such as telecommunication wires.

Other TPO exemptions include any work approved by the Forestry Commission under a felling licence or other approved scheme, or where there is an obligation under an Act of Parliament – e.g. to safely maintain a public highway for public use. Work can also be carried out at the request of certain agencies or organisations, which are specified in the order. There may also be an exemption to allow work to fruit trees which are cultivated in the course of a business for fruit production – providing the tree work is in the interests of that business. This means that all fruit trees are not automatically exempt, unless they are being actively used for a commercial enterprise business based on fruit production.

Permitted developments

Importantly from our perspective, tree works can be carried out where there is a direct need to work on the tree to allow a development for which detailed planning permission has already been obtained. This means that if, as a developer, you can present a convincing case for the trees to be removed, then you can address this before any development takes place.

If trees are protected to the extent that their removal is not permitted, then an imaginative designer can incorporate onsite trees into the overall landscaping finish. There is an appeals process too, where you can apply to a local authority to carry out work on a tree with a TPO, so there are many options available as a landowner and/or developer. Trees on site must be kept in mind at the design stage and also if their position will hinder or impede access or construction of the proposed project.  

If you dream of building your own home, contact CB Homes to find out how we can help you.

Maintaining boundaries on land or property

Every piece of land has a boundary of some description, which may or may not be the property owner’s responsibility. Some of these physical boundaries are manmade, while others are natural.

What is maintenance of boundaries?

Every piece of land has a boundary of some description, which may or may not be the property owner’s responsibility. Some of these physical boundaries are manmade, while others are natural. They may even be invisible, appearing only in documentation and land registry files, but it’s important to identify their exact location and ascertain who is responsible for any maintenance of boundaries and upkeep.

Defining land boundary lines

Boundaries can include a multitude of structures or natural growths – these can include walls, fences, hedges, tree lines, ditches, roads, paths or watercourses. There are two ways that the word boundary can be applied – a legal boundary or a physical boundary. A legal boundary is an invisible line that divides one person’s property from another. This is most apparent on shared spaces, such as driveways and grassy areas. It is not shown on mapping, such as conveyancing documents, deeds or Ordnance Survey maps, and can only be determined in a court of law, or by the Land Registration division of the Property Chamber. This will only be needed if there is a dispute over where the exact position of this line falls.

A physical boundary is a visible element, such as a timber fence, brick wall or privet hedge, which usually follows the line of the ‘legal boundary’ – in effect it’s a physical depiction of the imaginary line. However, the legal boundary can run within the physical boundary structure (fence, wall, etc), or run along one or other side of it. This then defines who is responsible for the maintenance of the wall/trimming of the greenery/repair of the fence. Due to the difficulty in definitively establishing the position of a legal boundary, the vast majority of registered title deeds show only a ’general boundary’.

Defining land boundaries responsibility

‘Living’ boundary structures, such as trees and hedges, will grow and if left unattended will effectively widen the boundary and make its exact position hard to define. This can become a bone of contention among neighbours, when trees or hedges are left to grow unhindered. They can take a neighbouring property’s natural light in their garden, or overhand their property, causing damage to the roof.  

There’s an oft-held general presumption that a construction (fence posts, a wall) indicates ownership – that the posts and panels of a fence are on the owner’s side. But in actuality, there’s no legally binding legislation on this issue. In terraced housing, there’s also a presumption that the property owner is responsible for the boundary to the right of the garden, with the ‘best’ face of the wall or fence facing towards the neighbour. This is generally regarded as the accepted etiquette when it comes to neighbouring boundaries.

Structural garden, drive and side boundaries that cannot be defined are known as party boundaries. Any alterations or replacement of this type of boundary can only be done with the agreement of both co-owners. Aerial plans show where boundary lines fall and don’t take into consideration projections and overhangs, such as eaves, guttering and foundations. In these cases, the property ownership includes these projections, but not the air space between them, which is shared. When you really get down to the detail of home ownership, land deeds also include the airspace vertically above your plot and the subsoil below it, as defined by the accepted boundaries.

Public facing boundaries

Roadside boundaries, particularly if they are retaining walls, can be problematic if not maintained sufficiently. When it comes to the strip of grass, gravel or copse that borders a property onto a road or kerbside, it’s often the case that the local authority will take responsibility for maintaining it.

Anything that infringes on a public thoroughfare or a right of way that is your responsibility can be problematic if it falls into disrepair or is damaged. It may become costly too, as public thoroughfares may have to be closed to carry out the maintenance. Sometimes your local council may take responsibility and trim your overhanging foliage boundaries back – for example if your hedge or trees are overhanding a pavement, or are obstructing a bus stop or other public access. But it’s often technically the owner’s responsibility, even if the local council may trim them at their own discretion.

Planning on buying a plot of land or building your own house? If you have any queries about where your land boundaries lie and the extent to which they are your responsibility, it’s best to talk to an expert in land and legal affairs, such as a conveyancing solicitor or surveyor. They will be able to advise you and help to define the extent of your land ownership. 

Living off the grid – isolated idyll or connection nightmare?

When you’re looking to live and work in the countryside, there are many factors you need to take into account. If you’ve enjoyed country living before, you may be used to the seclusion, the silence, the often narrow access roads and the fact that you might not be able to get a phone signal.

When you’re looking to live and work in the countryside, there are many factors you need to take into account. If you’ve enjoyed country living before, you may be used to the seclusion, the silence, the often narrow access roads and the fact that you might not be able to get a phone signal. But if you are only familiar with city or suburban living, then it might be something of a shock to realise that you are not  on the ‘national grid’ in terms of services. When does the joy and peace of isolation become a connectivity nightmare?

Normal service will be resumed

Availability of services of all kinds in rural areas are traditionally unpredictable. From the bus service that only runs three times a day to the nearest town or city, to the post office and garage that are no longer open, the range and choice of public services available to rural dwellers have shrunk dramatically over the last decade. But people love living in the countryside. Rural communities are welcoming and enjoyable places to spend your time. It’s just advisable to be aware of some differences between city and country life. It’s worth checking beforehand if where you are planning to live will have all the services you require – if you want to work from home, for example, then make sure that you have a secure internet connection; if you plan on commuting, ensure the road network is decent, or check your access to a railway station.   

Lines of communication

The communication aspect is very important these days, as so many parts of modern life rely on having a strong and reliable broadband service and phone signal. If your job is home based, you’ll be using the internet on a daily basis, not just for email, but also for presentations and meetings. One of the banes of ‘working from home’ during the pandemic has been staff discovering how poor their connectivity is where they live. They have had to upgrade forthwith to ensure they can cope with the internet traffic speeds required to carry out their roles. In terms of home life, many leisure activities, from watching streamed TV to gaming, are entirely reliant on the telecommunications network. So it’s obvious that the availability of services and their dependability are an essential aspect of rural living and family life that will need to be addressed.

Essentials for living off the grid

Connectivity is particularly important if your project is a self-build. The need for the supply of services onsite – the essential power utilities of water, gas, electricity and oil – and also any available  telecommunications will need to be easy to connect to, or to be brought in if required. Many rural areas are still not on the national gas network, for example. Their remote nature will mean if gas is required, it will have to be stored on-site in gas bottles. The same is true of oil-fired central heating and the external storage tanks that will need filling periodically – though these types of fuel are being phased out if possible and are certainly not being used much in contemporary designs. Of course, cleaner, greener energy sources are increasingly attractive and you can speak to us to find out more about building a more sustainable home.

It’s also not unusual for a rural location that’s off the grid not to be on the sewers. This means the property will require a septic tank or other provision made for effluent and surface water disposal. These aren’t massive inconveniences, but they will need to be addressed and installed.

These are all things that need to be considered if you are thinking of buying a house in the country, or building one from scratch as a self-build project. They are not necessarily dealbreakers on whether you decide to live in a particular location or not. Very few challenges are insurmountable. The countryside remains a wonderful place to live and work. It is certainly an ideal location for many people across our beautiful county of Cheshire.

If you have always dreamed of building your own home, contact us to find out how we can help you.

Design your house for home working: what do you need?

If you are planning to design a new house of your own, as a self-build project, it is worth considering if working from home is going to play a significant part in your future. If it is, then you can design in various features to your house to accommodate this new way of working.

When so many of us suddenly had to work from home at the start of the pandemic, some people really embraced the new way of life and have continued to work from home, at least some of the time. There is no doubt that a big cultural shift has taken place, with many people altering their work-life balance to include working from home, at least part of the time. If you are planning to design a new house of your own, as a self-build project, it is worth considering if working from home is going to play a significant part in your future. If it is, then you can design in various features to your house to accommodate this new way of working.

Location is always key

First of all, think about location. You might be seeking a rural idyll for your self-build project that’s a long way off the beaten track. But how practical will this be if you want to work from home and perhaps entertain colleagues or work clients at in-person meetings? Or even if you are usually based at home to work, you may still need to pop into your office occasionally. Choosing a location that’s easier to reach may be a better option for you.

A dedicated space for home working

When you are planning the design of your self-build with an architect, you should consider the location of your workspace. If you can, it is well worth the luxury of devoting an entire room to your working from home space. As many people who worked from home during lockdown will testify, trying to concentrate on work and work effectively without a dedicated space is extremely challenging. Having a proper study will help avoid any YouTube-worthy moments with toddlers or pets trying to join your conference calls!

With Zoom and Teams calls playing an important part in working from home, consult your architect as they will be able to make recommendations for optimising the space for good acoustics, as this will make a big difference to the quality of these online meetings.

On a purely practical note, you may want your workspace to be located near the kitchen so it’s the work of moments to fix yourself a drink or a snack.

You may also want to consider the aspect of your workspace. Think about the view from the window and how much natural light it will enjoy – a great view and plenty of light is good for both mental and physical health.

Whichever option you choose for your heating system, you need to ensure that you can keep your workspace at optimum temperature. Again, take expert advice on this at an early stage of your self-build project.

Getting connected for home working

When working from home, connectivity is key. These days, a good broadband connection is essential. Make sure you check out what suppliers are available in the area you are considering and what speeds are available. You will need to make sure your budget will cover getting connected.

Power points galore

Modern homes are usually well-served for power sockets but the advantage of self-building is that you can not only choose how many sockets you have in each room, but the exact location of each one to perfectly suit your needs. Many of our clients have said one of their favourite parts of their self-build project has been their ‘walk through’ with their project manager, deciding exactly where all the fixtures and fittings will go.

If you have always dreamed of building your own home, contact CB Homes to find out how we can help you.

Rights and boundaries to a plot of land: Know your limits

If we are looking at buying a plot of land or we want to sell our land at any point, we need land borders to be clearly defined. It’s often when a land sale takes place that changes to boundaries come to light – but by then it may be too late to do anything about it.

How to identify boundaries of a plot of land

If we are looking at buying a plot of land or we want to sell our land at any point, we need land borders to be clearly defined. It’s often when a land sale takes place that changes to boundaries come to light – but by then it may be too late to do anything about it.  Perhaps the most contentious aspect of any land ownership is the exact extent of a plot and who has access to it.

Registered land ownership

Land registers are where a plot’s extent is recorded, but the real world is seldom like line drawings, plans and maps. HM Land Registry will tell you exactly who owns a piece of land, but the exact perimeter may still be up for discussion or heated debate. Fences are erected, walls are built and hedges and trees grow. Over time, the borders between properties can become blurred and the exact point where one starts and another ends can be difficult to see.

In England and Wales, often there’s no record of the exact boundary between neighbouring properties, or who owns a division such as a hedge, party wall, fence or tree (party walls are walls which you share with your neighbours in a terrace or semi-detached, but they can continue outwards to become boundary walls). Boundaries are set by the deeds of the property. You can contact the Land Registry to get the exact boundary determined, but if your neighbour disagrees with you on where it is, this can be an expensive and time-consuming process.

Pushing the boundaries

Usually, a change of land ownership will have to be done with a sale of the land. But there are instances when land ownership can change subtly, like when someone moves a fence when a new set of panels are fitted and pinches a few inches of land. If this is done blatantly, it can amount to a foot or a metre. And if you don’t complain – or even notice it, there may be plants for example obscuring it – for a period of time, they could then legally claim to be the owners and occupiers of the land. That’s when things get complicated, as you have to prove that the strip of land now on their side of the border used to be yours. A dispute of this kind can prove costly and often take years to resolve, which is no help if you are looking to sell your land in the interim.

Adverse possession

This type of land ownership is called ‘adverse possession’, where land is stealthily appropriated for longer than 10 years by someone other than its owner. It happens more often in rural areas, where boundaries are less clearly defined, and often happens when gardens border onto fields, hedgerows, heath or moorland, or parcels of woodland. The area at the bottom of the garden can become adopted as the landowner’s own – garden waste and grass cuttings might be dumped there, for example, which enables the perimeter to creep into the farmland. You sometimes see this type of encroachment on canals too, where narrow boats with more established moorings begin to set down roots on the riverbank, with the pitching of tables and chairs, etc. Eventually the encroachment becomes permanent and part of the landowner’s property. 

Rights of way

Another challenge to land ownership can be with shared spaces and ones that grant rights of access. A shared garden or courtyard is everyone’s to use and so cannot be sold as part of a single property. Any owner would have to understand that outdoor space was a shared commodity. This includes shared driveways too.

Often a piece of land has a granted access to the public. People have a right to access land for walking, or certain other leisure activities. The public always have access to public roads and pavements (this includes narrow lanes and unnamed roads, if they are not private) or public rights of way, for example footpaths or bridleways. People can exercise their ‘right to roam’ on open access land, including mountains, moors, heaths, downs, common land and some land around the Coast Path too.

You can also access private land if the land used to be a public right of way in the past (you can check this on old maps and documents), the land has been accessed by the public for at least 20 years and nobody has asked them to stop, or the landowner has granted ‘permissive access’. Any access points will need to be clearly defined, so that access doesn’t become trespass. This will all need to be stated clearly however when the land is sold into new ownership and a professional land buyer will know what to do and where both buyers and sellers stand.  

Any of these disputed or contentious aspects regarding land and boundaries can cause problems when it comes to selling a piece of land or a property with land around it. It’s always a good idea to appoint someone who knows the ins and outs of land sales and ownership. If you think the land you have has issues with its boundary or access, CB Homes can help with this. We are always on the lookout for suitable land to purchase – whether a small single plot, a large site or a redundant building with land around it. If you’d like guidance and advice on a land sale, then contact us today.

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.

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