self-build team Archives

The Self-Build Guide to The Build: 5. Finishing Touches

As we reach the conclusion of our Self-Build Guide to The Build, you should by now have a very clear idea what your finished home looks like. It’s almost completely decorated and the bathroom and kitchen are in place. It looks like a home, but there are several aspects – both inside and out – that need to be completed to put the finishing touches to your project.

Inside story

One of the biggest changes to the property will be the arrival of power. The gas and electric will be connected. Everything – the boiler or cylinder – for example, will be fired up, tried and tested, to ensure it’s in full working order. This is very much a moment of truth, as the central heating and electrics will have been tested in isolation, but will not have necessarily received general, day-to-day usage. Showers, cookers and any plumbed-in freestanding items, such as washing machines and dishwashers, can also be tested for operation. Each of the trades that have installed services and utilities will have to submit official certificates to prove that all they have been tested and passed as being safe. This certification will mean the work is guaranteed to the highest British Standards for their respective industries.

Decors and details

Another big addition to the interior decoration is finishing the paintwork, which you’ll have chosen to complement the spaces and décor. This is when your chosen colour schemes combine on a grand scale. You’ll see all the various components coming together. Some of the painting will just be ‘making good’. Other parts might include larger areas. There’s some joinery still to be installed, such as banisters and spindles to hardwood staircases, or vanity units, shelving and fitted wardrobes. Some of these may require painting to finish, while others may be stained or varnished. There may also be fixtures and fittings such as ironmongery to doors, hanging rails, feature walls, oak headboards, fireplaces and fixed mirrors to be added. All this takes time and it’s surprising that, although the building looks finished, each of these small details is a job in itself.

Snagging list at finishing time

On a CB Homes project, once the interior is deemed finished according to the builder’s work schedule, the site manager, project manager, the sales team and finally the client will do their snagging walk throughs. This is simply to double-check that every single aspect of the project has been carried out to the agreed and expected highest possible standards.

CB Homes has very strict procedures in place at this snagging stage, to make sure nothing is missed – even down to testing every socket and radiator. Being absolutely thorough in this regard ensures we don’t miss any detail, no matter how small. If any items are raised by the client, they will be addressed via an itinerary of corrections that need to be made. This is known as a snagging list. Once our client is satisfied with the end results, the interior undergoes an extensive and meticulous deep clean so it is absolutely spotless.

Nearing the finishing line

During the building process, the outside of the property and the surrounding area will look like a working building site. Materials need to be stacked and stored. There may be site cabins, machinery and vehicles, and the ground may be a temporary hard standing or – depending on the time of year – quite muddy. Part of finishing the exterior will include fitting the final bits of drainage, which can include guttering and downpipes. There may be some external decoration to be painted too, such as fascia boards or window frames. If the property has been rendered or features timberwork, that may require painting or treating too. The whole exterior of the building is cleaned with a power washer, to get rid of any dust and debris, such as mortar spots or splashes.

Ground force for finishing touches

The exterior landscaping and approaches will also need to be addressed in this final stage. Outside features such as patios, boundary walls, fences, hedging, gardens and lawns will be installed. The same goes for whatever driveways and parking areas are required. If the property has special features, such as electric gates, they will need to be fitted and connected to power too. These exterior elements will likely have started during the second fix, but now it will all come together to a finish.

Finishing the final inspection

When the project has been completed, the final inspections are carried out with the building surveyor, local authority building inspector, and the warranty providers. The house will also be air tested, to make sure it fits in with building requirements for air tightness. This stage will effectively give the building a clean bill of health and hand it over to its new owners.

When all this is completed and the finishes, flourishes and final touches have been applied, the project is officially ready for you to move in and enjoy your new dream home.

If you have always dreamed of building your own home, c ontact us to find out more about our complete turnkey solution for your self-build project.

Building your own home: turning a self-build dream into reality

Self-builders take their inspiration from all sorts of places. People who want to build their own house may always have had a dream home in mind and known exactly what they wanted it to look like. Or they may have always liked the idea of building their own home but not known exactly what sort of house they wanted.

One of our latest self-build projects was actually inspired by another CB Homes house. Self-builder Suzanne spotted our small development in Bunbury and was immediately inspired by the look of the houses there.

Having found a plot in the heart of Cheshire, surrounded by very traditional Cheshire cottages, Suzanne wanted to build a home that would blend in perfectly, not only with the surrounding houses, but with the landscape too. The beautiful ‘cottage’ style of the Bunbury houses was perfect for her requirements.

She says, “I knew I didn’t want something that would have looked right on Grand Designs. I loved the cosy, warm and traditional appeal of the houses at Sawyers Meadow in Bunbury so I asked the architect to design the house I wanted, with that kind of aesthetic. At our first meeting with the architect, he took on board every comment I made and basically transferred it to paper – it was perfect.”

Looking for the perfect place for building your own home

Before deciding on a self-build, Suzanne and her husband had sold their previous house and not been able to find another one that they liked. They had looked for a new build but had really struggled when it came to finding a really high quality building in a secluded village setting, with a good-sized garden that would provide plenty of privacy.

Online auction to find a plot of land

Having drawn a blank with estate agents, Suzanne started looking online. Quite by chance she came across a really good sized plot being sold at auction. It had a little detached house already on it. Suzanne made an online bid, without much expectation of success. She was astonished to find that she had actually secured the plot.

She explains, “Buying the plot was really a very spur of the moment decision. When we visited, we were quite taken aback by the size of it. A lot of undergrowth had concealed all sorts of old outbuildings too. Initially we thought to renovate the existing building. Three builders, including CB Homes, came to take a look. They all identified a raft of issues with the house and recommended knocking it down and starting again – a self-build. We realised we were now in the position of being able to build exactly what we wanted.”

Turnkey self-build package

“As soon as I started thinking about building our own house, I knew I wanted to buy local wherever possible. Having been shown around the CB Homes development in Bunbury, I knew the company built the highest quality homes. During their visit with me to our new plot, I was very impressed by how helpful and knowledgeable the CB Homes team was. I felt confident in them as a partner straightaway. As well as visiting the site with me, I had a free, no-obligation design meeting with them to talk about all the possibilities. I signed up to their turnkey self-build package which is a complete self-build service. CB Homes looks after literally everything, all the planning, all the paperwork and basically makes the whole process pain-free.”

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

The Self-Build experience: the first fix

Here at CB Homes we are excited to give you the first sneak peek into our clients’ beautiful self-build project, which is currently under way in the village of Kingsley, Cheshire.

Here at CB Homes we are excited to give you the first sneak peek into our clients’ beautiful self-build project in the village of Kingsley, Cheshire, which is currently at the first fix stage.

What is the ‘first fix’?

Floors, ceilings and walls of this remarkable five bedroom self-build have now been constructed. The project is currently at the ‘first fix’ stage. This means electrics, plumbing and heating systems are being skilfully fitted, along with many metres of plasterboard.

Realising the self-build dream

The beautiful anthracite bi-fold doors that surround a large part of the downstairs living space are now in place. They provide a stunning panoramic view of the Cheshire countryside. The house is really beginning to take shape and our clients are thrilled to be realising their self-build dream.

When it comes to self-build, there is so much to think about and many decisions to make. Find out more about the role of a CB Homes project manager and hear what it’s like to hand over many of the challenges of this kind of project to someone else in the latest instalment of our client’s self-build video journal here.

The Self-Build Guide Next Steps: 2. Assembling your self-build team

Once you have chosen and secured a plot of land for your self-build project, the next steps are to look at how you will go about designing and constructing your new home.

With a financial pathway secured, you’ll need to look at bringing together a team of house builders and professionals to work on your project.

Points to bear in mind

It is important to find the right construction partner to carry out your project. It’s equally important to identify a designer who will reflect your vision and ambition. You may have first-hand experience of the industry yourself – you may be a builder or architect, for example – but in the majority of cases, clients undertaking self-build projects need to seek expert advice and guidance when they come to assemble a dream team for their project.

Broadly speaking, there are three ways to approach a self-build project. They all have advantages and disadvantages so you need to choose the one that best suits your needs

1. A turnkey Self-Build solution

Many companies, such as CB Homes, can provide an all-in-one bespoke turnkey self-build service, which means they will oversee a project from design to completion.

What are the advantages of a turnkey self-build solution?

The initial Design Consultation should include a free, no-obligation design meeting so you can design your self-build from initial concept with the design team – or you may be able to select one of the company’s own signature designs
You can get involved as little or as much as you want to
You can tailor the project design to your exact requirements to match everything, from lifestyle to budget
You can personalise building plans, which are prepared with a fixed fee quote meaning that what you are quoted is what it will cost
You don’t have to pay any money up front. The first payment only becomes due when the foundations are completed – and you can really begin to see what your home will look like
The self-build company takes full responsibility for the project, including all insurances and health and safety, meaning less risk for you
There will be a project manager provided as part of the service, who will oversee the whole venture for you and be your single point of contact
Your project manager will liaise between you and other members of the project team, such as the architect and site manager. This simplifies the process and any inquiries and discussions can take place on a personalised basis
All planning permissions will be obtained on your behalf and your application will be managed for you through to decision
Experienced industry professionals can ensure a streamlined application process and should have a longstanding reputation and strong relationships with Local Authorities and planners.

2. Select your own architect and builder

There are advantages to choosing a company that provides a complete package, but there are other options available too. You can assemble your own team by selecting an architect who comes up with a design and then choosing a builder who will quote for delivering it. The builder may have a team of bricklayers and other technicians, such as electricians and heating engineers, or may subcontract these roles.

Advantages to selecting your own architect and builder

You may want to choose your own architect if you have one in particular in mind or you have your heart set on a very specific or unusual type of build
An architect will make many suggestions and collaborate on the design of the property and incorporate features that you want to include
Some architects may be willing to project manage the build themselves and provide warranties
If you are employing your own designer and architect, they can take care of any planning submissions required.

Don’t forget…

it is quite often the case that many would-be self-builders find that their architect’s plans turn out to be very expensive once they are priced up for building and some compromise on the design may be necessary to bring it back within budget
It is important to know who has overall responsibility for the build so in the event of something going wrong, does this rest with the architect or builder as you could be caught in a dilemma of each party blaming the other
If you choose this option you need to be confident that your builder really understands the architect’s drawings, so look for past projects, testimonials and reviews
if you get several quotes from different builders, make sure they are all quoting for the same specification, so all the quotes are genuinely ‘like for like’.

3. Client as project manager

If you are extremely organised and are prepared to do a lot of research, you may decide to project manage your self-build yourself.

If you are project manager, remember…..

It is a very time-consuming process so you need to be prepared for a huge commitment, alongside any pre-existing work or family commitments you may have.

Although being your own project manager can be very personally rewarding, remember it’s a huge jump to go from designing a house to actually going on site.

Once you have found an architect, a structural engineer and a builder, as project manager you will then be responsible for sorting out pre-start documentation, regulations and warranties. The ‘paperwork and politics’ of dealing with public bodies, local councils and utilities need a massive amount of time and patience.

You might think that managing your own build will be the cheapest option. In reality, it may turn out to be more expensive and it is certainly very likely to take longer.

You can be taken by surprise by issues such as delivery timescales for materials for example, which can be up to several months, depending on market demand.

Lack of familiarity with efficient ways to complete the pre-start documentation and the planning permission process can also lead to quite lengthy delays, considerably increasing the length and subsequent expense of the project.

Trust, reliability and synergy

Whichever of these three routes you decide to go down, when it comes to assembling your team, in addition to professional expertise, it’s also important to bear in mind qualities such as trust and reliability too.

You should research your potential project partners online, by taking a look at their websites. If their website is doing its job, you’ll be able to find accreditations, awards, testimonials and case studies demonstrating a company’s successes, and also that it has the relevant protections and warranties. Being assured that everyone involved in your project shares your passion and enthusiasm is also an essential aspect.

Assessing all the different aspects of these prospective collaborators will help to inform your decision and find the perfect synergy to realise your dream project.

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