Tag: self build

Putting a roof on our multi-generational self-build home

Our self-build project in Weaverham we are building for Roselin and Martin is really taking shape now. The roof is nearly complete and the multi-generational build will soon be watertight.

Our self-builders visit the site once every two weeks or so, fitting visits in around their busy work schedule at the local hospital. Until the staircase is built, Roselin is reluctant to climb up to the upper floors but Martin has enjoyed ‘going upstairs’ to check the progress of the bedrooms and bathrooms. In conversation with him, we discovered that at the moment he feels the rooms in the upper floors are smaller than he expected. However, based on his previous experience of new-build houses he knows that this is just an optical illusion and that he will actually be surprised how big and spacious the rooms feel once they are plastered and complete.

Building a lift as well as a staircase to futureproof the new-build

The site team had some concerns about the softwood staircase being a little slippery so the stairs will be carpeted, with a beautiful oak handrail and a painted balustrade. As an alternative to the stairs for any older residents, especially anyone with mobility issues, a particularly clever touch for this multi-generational house is the lift. As part of the couple’s vision for multi-generational living, and also future proofing this home for when they are older themselves, a lift to the first floor has been installed. Carefully disguised behind a door, it is completely hidden from view, so does not disrupt the aesthetic of the house at all, but is sure to be very useful for Roselin’s mother when she comes over from India.

Spoilt for choice: choosing flooring for a self-build

The couple are both very involved in choosing their flooring, which, like all choices of finishing, is always more time consuming than expected. For the ground and first floor, carpet isn’t an option as underfloor heating is being installed. The top floor will have conventional radiators so carpet will be the choice for that level. The couple like wood patterned tiles, but are also considering stone and laminate options too.

Lighting is another important consideration. They don’t want to choose very dark flooring and then feel that that makes the rooms feel too dark. Clever lighting may be key to getting the balance right, so that means some more choices to be made there too.

The sanitaryware in the bathrooms will be pure white, with chrome fittings. Roselin likes the idea of some colour when it comes to the bathroom tiles so is also looking at a variety of different choices.

These decisions are important and should not be rushed. Roselin says they are enjoying a mixture of surfing Pinterest and going into a few retail outlets to look at examples of different flooring.

She says,

“The CB Homes site team has been very useful when it comes to making suggestions over what would like good and always provide helpful, informed opinions and advice.”

Extending a living space into the outdoors

Once the house is complete inside, Roselin is keen to look at options of developing the design of the house a little further to extend the living space into the outdoors. It is traditional in India to have a veranda area running across the back of the house so she would love to re-create that in Cheshire, but has decided to wait until the house is nearer completion before deciding what would look best in the space.

Inside, the two kitchens are the part of the house Roselin is most looking forward to having finished. The ‘working’ kitchen is going to be decorated in varying shades of grey, while she has selected a beautiful shade of blue in the ‘living’ kitchen, which will include an island.

Advice for anyone embarking on a self-build project

With this experience to draw on, Roselin has some advice for anyone looking to build their own house. She says,

“Really keep an eye on your costs. Even with things like tiling, you need to remember the budget you have set aside and stick to that and not get led astray by more expensive options once you start actually looking. I would suggest always having a contingency fund in the budget, for peace of mind. I would not want to put anyone off the idea of self-building though, it is really enjoyable.

“It is time consuming, even if you are not project managing it yourself, there are countless choices and decisions to be made. Do just go for it, but make sure you have a team like CB Homes to support you.”

Interested in building your own dream home?

Talk to us to find out how we can help you build your own home. We can help you design it, secure planning approval and carry out the whole build with our complete turn key self-build package. 

CB Homes is an A1+ member of the National House Building Council (NHBC), registered builder with the Local Authority Building Control (LABC), as well as a member of the Federation of Master Builders.

Contact us to find out more.

Constructing a self-build backland development

Backland development in Cheshire – customer story

Our clients, a retired couple, with a large extended family, lived in a semi-detached house with a large rear garden in Wilmslow. They were interested in building a bigger house in the garden, as a ‘backland’ development, with plenty of room for visitors to come and stay, but were unsure what would be the best way to go about this. They could not decide whether to continue to live in their existing home, while building the new house in the garden, or whether it would be better to move out. In the end, they decided to find out first of all if they could get planning permission for the size and style of house they wanted to build.

Winning planning permission on appeal

Having appointed an architect, once they were happy with the design, our clients applied for planning permission. This type of project is known as a backland development, which often attracts a high number of planning objections from people living close by.

Badly planned backland developments can lead to too many properties crammed too close together, negatively impacting a local area, especially where the site is not large enough to accommodate such a development. Examples of this have led Councils generally to err on the side of caution. This means they are often reluctant to grant planning permission and in this case, the initial application was indeed refused.

Our clients appealed the decision not to grant permission, and won. They then came to CB Homes to find out what we would charge to build the house for them. Once our contract was agreed, having decided they would move into the self-build project once it was complete, our clients sold their home and moved into rented accommodation not too far away for the duration of the build.

One of the biggest challenges facing us with this project was the access to the site from the road. It was alongside our client’s former home and just the width of the driveway. Fortunately, the new homeowners could not have been more helpful and granted us access through their land, which was extremely kind and made the build much more straightforward than it might have been.

A very large superstructure

Our clients had gained planning permission to build a 3,000 sq. ft. house and as the build developed, some people were a little concerned about how big the structure was going to be. They voiced their concerns to the Council, who sent someone out from the planning office to check the measurements to be sure we were not exceeding the permitted size.

Of course, we were building exactly to the specifications on the plans, so all was well. We worked closely with the local community throughout this project and we are glad to say that everyone seems very happy with the completed house.

Backland development hidden from the road

Due to its long access and driveway, despite its size, the new house cannot be seen from the road. From the outside, the house blends in perfectly with its surroundings in Wilmslow. Our clients spent a long time choosing the perfect bricks, which create a soft contrast and tone well with the anthracite casement windows.

The completed house stretches across the full width of the plot, with no access to the back of the house from the front. This presented some logistical challenges for the build, such as the installation of the large scale windows. In the event, these had to be craned in to the rear of the property.

A grand backland development design

This is undoubtedly a ‘grand design’ house, with a magnificent kitchen/ family space running across the whole depth of the house, leading into a separate large dining room, creating an ideal home for catering for and entertaining large numbers of guests, just as our clients wish to do.

A separate lounge provides additional space to relax. There is also a study. The downstairs space includes very thoughtfully designed additions too, including a useful utility room, a boot room and a WC.

Simple, understated elegance

An open tread oak staircase with newel post, leading upstairs to five beautiful bedrooms, epitomises the simple understated elegance of the whole house. The master bedroom has its own dressing room and stunning ensuite.

The second bedroom also has an ensuite.

Although it is built in a classic, traditional style, this house has many cool contemporary features throughout.

Extensive glazing, including three sets of bi-fold doors running across the rear of the property, and a window running the full height of the staircase  make the most of natural light.

Outside, we have also completed the groundworks, which include Indian stone paving slabs, extensive turf and gravel, along with driveway lighting leading up to the detached garage.

If you have always dreamed of building your own home, talk to us. Find out how we can help you design it, secure planning approval and carry out the whole build with our complete turn key self-build package. Contact us to find out more.

Building a house to suit multi-generational living

Now that construction has started on site, our self-build clients visit it at the weekends, have meetings with the site team every six weeks and frequently chat with the project manager about progress of their new-build home.

Multi-generational homes in Cheshire

The build begins

Now that construction has started on site, Roselin and Martin like to visit their self build project in Weaverham at the weekends, as they are both very busy with work during the week. They have meetings with the site team every six weeks and frequently chat with the project manager about the progress of their new-build home.

One self-build house, building two kitchens

Roselin says that once work started she was really surprised by how spacious the plot seems, with more room for her garden than she was expecting, as the house is located in the centre of the plot. Now that the build is well on the way, the couple are getting excited for their new new-build home. Roselin really enjoys cooking, which is why she has something special planned for the kitchen. While most people enjoy planning to build just one kitchen, she is building two!

Roselin explains,

“I like to cook, a lot! And I especially enjoy traditional Indian cookery. With the design of our new house being for quite open plan living downstairs, I was a little worried about the very strong and spicy smells from the kitchen wafting through the whole house! The solution we have come to is to build two kitchens. One, which I will call my frying kitchen, can be closed off from the other. So I can cook to my heart’s content without any concerns. The main kitchen will be an island kitchen.”

Choosing kitchen designs for a new-build house

This design choice of two kitchens means that the couple will have double the fun of selecting kitchen colours and designs. Roselin has spent a lot of time already online, checking out different styles and they are both enjoying visiting kitchen showrooms to see what would work best for them.

Roselin says,

“I thought I had loads of time to choose my kitchen, but with a self-build, it’s not quite so simple as that. You have to think about your layout really early on in the process because the location of things like the hobs and the sink  in the kitchen, or the sanitaryware in the bathroom need to be planned for right away so the power supplies and wastewater pipes can be located in the right places! ”

Roselin’s advice for anyone building their own home is to do plenty of research into things like kitchens and bathrooms as early as you can. You won’t have to choose your finishes right away, but you do need to know what layout you want very early in the building process.

Best heating options for a new-build house

When it comes to the heating supply choice, that will have an impact on design features too. For example, as the couple have selected an air source heat pump and will have underfloor heating on the ground floor, they needed to know what their options were for the type of flooring they will need. They have opted for radiators on the upper floors as a more cost effective solution for this home, which means they have a wider range of options for the upstairs flooring.

While Roselin’s domain may be the kitchen, Martin is enjoying planning his study on one of the upper floors, as he loves to relax reading and is looking forward to having his own peaceful retreat for that.

The CB Homes team has been helpful when it comes to making choices, from small elements of kitchen design to much bigger things, like the staircase. The couple were grateful to be shown a whole selection of staircase photos, so they could choose their favourite style, which would work within the overall design. They have gone for a staircase that is slightly wider than usual so they were given a range of different options within their budget.

Talk to us to find out how we can help you build your own home. We can help you design it, secure planning approval and carry out the whole build with our complete turn key self-build package. 

CB Homes is an A1+ member of the National House Building Council (NHBC), registered builder with the Local Authority Building Control (LABC), as well as a member of the Federation of Master Builders.

Contact us to find out more.

Financing a self-build project to suit multi-generational living

When our new clients decided to build their own home, they wanted to find out as much as they could about the self-build process. As well as talking to us and undertaking a lot of online research, they also attended several conferences designed for self-builders. They found the conferences particularly useful when it came to researching ways of financing their self-build project.

When our new clients, Roselin and Martin, decided to build their own home, they wanted to find out as much as they could about the self-build process. As well as talking to CB Homes and undertaking a lot of online research, they also attended several conferences designed for self-builders. They found the conferences particularly useful when it came to researching ways of financing their self-build project.

Roselin says,

“The conferences have a bewildering amount of information and all sorts of exhibits, which are a lot of fun to look at. The most valuable thing we found was attending presentations on financial advice, especially when it came to how to find a lender when you want to build your own home.”

There are a number of different ways of financing a self-build. Some people can use cash, others may raise the money by selling or remortgaging their existing home. You may be able to secure a custom build mortgage or look at bridge finance. A self-build mortgage may also be an option. You can read about the differences between a self-build mortgage and an ordinary mortgage here.

In this instance, Roselin and Martin are selling their current home and drawing down some pension funds too in order to finance their project.

Challenges of financing a self-build project

Roselin says no one should be put off building their own home by assuming it will be too difficult, but she does sound a note of caution.

“The process of acquiring land for self-build can be complicated and quite long and drawn out too. In order to satisfy our lender, we had to jump through quite a series of hoops. We had to find a way to fund the purchase of the land before we could access the mortgage for the build, and there was a time limit placed on the deal too, which made it all quite stressful. It all came good in the end though!

“If anyone asks me about self-building, I would say if you want to do it, start the process early, don’t delay. Do a lot of research too so you learn about the whole process before you begin. I’ve been signed up to CB Homes’ newsletters for years – they are full of useful tips and it all helps you gain a greater understanding what is involved.”

Thinking about building your own home? Wondering about financing a self-build project? Look at our library of self-build resources here and read our past blogs here.

Get in touch with our team to find out how we can help you turn your dreams into reality.

Finding a plot for a self-build to suit multi-generational living

Our new clients are both hospital doctors, who have just embarked on a self-build project in the lovely village of Weaverham in Cheshire.

They have been hoping to build their own house for years, but finding a suitable plot of land to fit their requirements has been a real challenge.

Our new clients, Roselin and Martin, are both hospital doctors, who have just embarked on a self-build project in the lovely village of Weaverham in Cheshire. They have been hoping to build their own house for years, but finding a suitable plot of land to fit their requirements has been a real challenge.

In India, where our clients are from originally, building your own house is far more common than it is in the UK, so making the decision to self-build was a very logical step to take, although self-building in the two countries is very different. Roselin says,

“Although many people build their own homes in India, we didn’t know how to go about it in the UK at all. There is far more regulation around what you can build and where you can build it here, but CB Homes has steered us through the process and we have learned so much in really quite a short space of time.”

Self-build advice from CB Homes

Roselin first got in touch with CB Homes some years ago and has continued to call on us for advice over the years.

Roselin explains,

“I have found several plots of land over the years but there has always been something not quite right about them. Either the location has not been very good or the price has been a bit too high for our budget.

“We do have quite specific requirements as we want to have room for our adult son, another doctor, who is currently working abroad but will need somewhere to live when he returns home. We also want to have suitable space to accommodate my mother-in-law, who has some mobility issues. We are planning for the longer term too and want to be sure that we can future proof our home for when we are both older as well.”

Multi-generational living: finding land

Room to grow….vegetables

Having a good sized garden is important to the couple as they enjoy growing their own vegetables and would like to be able to do that on a slightly larger scale than they can now. Roselin is a keen cook so the kitchen will really be the heart of the home too, where she can enjoy creating culinary delights with vegetables they have grown in their own garden.

Talking about the plot they have purchased, Roselin says,

“We were very excited when CB Homes got in touch with us to say that they had found a plot available with planning permission, if we would like to take a look at it.

“The location, in the village of Weaverham, was much better than anything we had looked at before. It will actually make our commute to work in Crewe shorter than it is now. There is plenty of privacy without it being too remote, and a good amount of outside space for our gardening plans too.”

Building a multi-generational home

We will be tracking Roselin and Martin’s self-build project over the next few months in this latest blog series. Next, we will be looking at how they are financing building their own home.

Talk to us to find out how we can help you build your own home. We can help you design it, secure planning approval and carry out the whole build with our complete turn key self-build package. 

CB Homes is an A1+ member of the National House Building Council (NHBC), registered builder with the Local Authority Building Control (LABC), as well as a member of the Federation of Master Builders.

Contact us to find out more.

Timber frame project in Hoole: now complete

Viewed from the outside, anyone looking at this neo-Georgian house would not know that it is not a traditional brick and block construction.

Aesthetically, there is no major difference between a timber frame house and a traditional build.

We have expertise in both types so our clients can choose their preference and whichever is more suitable for a particular site.

Self-Build Timber Frame

Our self-build timber frame project in Chester city centre is now complete and ready for our clients to move in.

Choosing timber frame for construction

Viewed from the outside, anyone looking at this neo-Georgian house would not know that it is not a traditional brick and block construction. Aesthetically, there is no major difference between a timber frame house and a traditional build. We have expertise in both types so our clients can choose their preference and whichever is more suitable for a particular site.

With this project in Hoole, timber frame was the best choice as space around the site was so tight. It’s important to remember that a whole project from start to finish will take about the same length of time, regardless of the construction method. However, choosing timber frame here reduced the actual on-site construction period. This meant we did not need to make allowances for having scaffolding up for an extended period as we would have done with brick and block, and we did not need the same amount of space for storage of materials either. It also meant the structure was fully watertight in a week, a bonus with our unpredictable weather patterns!

A stylish house, with period features and contemporary touches

From the moment you step inside this lovely house, you are struck by the use of wood throughout, from the stunning flooring to the beautiful panelling on the walls, which was custom made by our joiner.

self build with panel flooring

These traditional period style features provide a striking contrast with the more contemporary touches, such as the modern ensuite off the master bedroom.

This contrast is also found in the attractive kitchen, which has a traditional style range and a practical Belfast sink with a modern breakfast bar and large American style fridge freezer.

The heritage shades of paint throughout create a sense of understated luxury in every room and timeless elegance too.

Outdoor living space

Bifold doors to the rear open from the open plan downstairs living space onto a spacious patio and the garden, with room to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Are you interested in building your own home? Talk to us about our complete turnkey self-build package, where we can help you design your perfect house, secure planning approval and carry out the whole build.

CB Homes is an A1+ member of the National House Building Council (NHBC), the leading home construction warranty and insurance provider for new and newly-converted homes in the UK. We are also a registered builder with the Local Authority Building Control (LABC), as well as a member of the Federation of Master Builders. Find out more about the protection and peace of mind this provides our customers here.

Essential gardening tasks for Autumn and Winter

Some people want an immaculate garden, with clean lines and little clutter, that they can leave well alone until Spring. Other people prefer a rewilding approach. Even in a pristine garden, you can create little habitats for wildlife, with twigs and debris, beneath hedges and trees.

In our previous blog we considered a new garden and assessed the jobs that need carrying out in the Spring and Summer. But when the weather changes and the nights begin to draw in, Autumn is approaching. It’s a wonderful time of year in terms of the changing colours and for many it’s their favourite season. The changing colours also mean there is a load of work to get done in the garden, which, depending on the size of your plot, will keep you busy throughout the darkening weekends.

Time for an Autumn trim

Depending on the time of year you moved into your new-build, this will define how established it is by the Autumn. If you have already planted a lot of shrubs and bedding plants, then you will need to tend to them. Pruning is one of the most important tasks to carry out, as many plants depend on regular trimming for new growth. This is especially true of fruit trees, which rely on regular pruning for growth. There are two times of year for most plants to be cut back – Spring and Autumn – and how comprehensively you carry out this work will decide how much you will have to do in the Autumn in this area.

One of the biggest jobs that you’ll have to tackle is clearing up all the leaves that now litter your garden. Any deciduous tree, bush, shrub or hedge will drop its leaves when they finish their lifecycle and you can’t always rely on a strong Autumn wind to blow them all away. They will need raking up and disposing of. A leaf blower is a useful tool to acquire, if you’re going to take on the garden yourself and these can be used to collect the leaves too. Clearing leaves from the ground will allow the air and nutrients to your lawn. Leaves can block water from getting to the ground and as we’ve already seen, can clog gutters, downspouts and gulleys, which will also need clearing out too.

Waste not, want not in Autumn and Winter

Once you have gathered the leaves, they can be used for another essential Autum task – mulching.  It’s a good time of year for mulching, while there is still a bit of warmth in the soil and moisture too. Mulches are loose coverings or sheets of material placed on the surface of the soil. They can be homemade garden compost. Many people have a compost or mulch bin their garden, where they can store the leaves and grass cuttings, which can decompose until they are needed. Once laid, mulches retain moisture, reduce weed growth and promote healthy soil. You can use many different forms of garden waste, such as chipped wood, grass cuttings and leaves. Anything that counts as dead organic plant material can provide nutrients to the soil as the waste decays. You can lay mulch around your trees, shrubs and perennials, as well as along borders.

As you rake your umpteenth pile of leaves, you may realise there’s a lot to be said for planting evergreens! This is why you see so many firs, pines and leylandii used in modern gardens. They don’t drop leaves and provide a solid, hardy barrier all year around. Other plants, such as holly and ivy, can be used both as cover and ornamentally for effect. They’ll need pruning too – holly is a good example of a plant that is easy to control, while ivy is one that will run amok if left unattended and can quickly take over if not pruned back. These creepers are well-named, as they seem to encroach unnoticed. It’s wise to keep them away from your house and outbuildings, as some can be difficult to remove once they become established.

A natural home

There are many approaches to gardening in the Autumn and Winter months. Some people want an immaculate garden, with clean lines and little clutter, that they can leave well alone until the Spring. Other people prefer a rewilding approach. Even in a pristine garden, you can create little habitats for wildlife, with twigs and debris, beneath hedges and trees. There are many ways to encourage wildlife to your garden, but be careful you don’t attract the wrong kinds of visitors, such as vermin, which won’t impress your neighbours. If you are rewilding, then you may leave areas of your garden to ‘go wild’. The grass may grow a little longer, to allow cover for animal life.

Autumn to Winter

The Winter months can be hard for the natural inhabitants of your garden, and if they rely on you to put out food then make sure you continue to do it regularly. Winter isn’t really a time of year for gardening, but there are still maintenance tasks, such as cleaning and tidying, that can be carried out. There are also chores such as maintenance to exteriors, like walls and fences, if the weather is fit for it. If you have an outdoor pond or swimming pool, that might need maintenance in the winter too, especially with regard to fallen leaves. If you have a greenhouse or shed, you may be able to work inside too, doing some potting or preparation for the Spring, until the cycle begins once more…

CB Homes is an A1+ member of the National House Building Council (NHBC), registered builder with the Local Authority Building Control (LABC), as well as a member of the Federation of Master Builders.

Each of our homes is backed by our unique and dedicated personalised approach to customer service. This ensures every CB Homes development delivers ultimate peace of mind to its new owner, long after we’ve handed you the keys.

Contact CB Homes today to discuss your self-build project.

Essential gardening tasks for Spring and Summer

In our earlier blogs, we’ve looked at inside and outside your new-build home and what needs to be done to ensure it’s maintained to a high standard. Regularly maintaining your property will ensure that everything is kept in working order and operating to its best potential. This includes not just the components of the house –  the building materials, such as roof tiles and guttering, etc – but also the ‘mechanics’ of the home, such as the kitchen equipment and bathroom suites.

By carrying out regular maintenance, you are also protecting your investment for the future and ensuring that you get the most enjoyment out of living there while it is at its best.

outdoor garden space
CB Homes – outdoor garden space

Express yourself

We’ve mentioned the outside space at the house and any outbuildings associated with the property, but there is much more to the outdoors than the garage, patio and garden shed. What you can do with your outside space is only limited by space, budget and your imagination. New-build developments vary in shape and size, and provide the scope for you to express yourself.

If you have a generous garden, then the sky’s the limit in terms of scope and creativity. Unfortunately, the grander your plans the more work will need to be carried out all year around, to keep on top of tasks and ensure that the garden doesn’t become overgrown or overwhelming.

We finish our new-build projects to a very high standard and often the exterior landscaping will have been discussed beforehand. This will mean that there may already be garden features, such as lawns, borders and hedges, incorporated as part of the project’s construction. Because of the nature of the construction process, landscaping and exterior construction will be the last part of the construction to be carried out. This is usually due to access issues and the fact that the surrounding land will be needed to access the site and the building as it takes shape. As a result, the garden landscaping is the finishing touch to the project, a locale to set-off the completed building.

Seasonal changes in Spring and Summer

Spring is the time of new growth, as everything in the garden bursts to life. It is also the opportunity to make sure you are making the most of your garden and to concentrate on new plantings and features. This could mean installing a patio, building a wall or erecting a pergola. Spring is a great time to do this, before any of the plants begin to become too establish and in bloom, and so your garden and its new additions will look their best throughout the summer.  

As with any long-term project, breaking down maintenance jobs into bitesize chunks is a good way to stay on top of tasks all year around. Aspects like lawns and borders need attention at regular points in the year and are an ongoing project for keen (and not-so-keen) gardeners.

Spring is usually defined by lighter nights and a rise in temperatures. Keeping your flowerbeds weeded and topped up with mulch or fertiliser will give the plants there the best chance to grow. Planting bulbs now will ensure your beds will look great in the summer months. A good tip from gardening experts is to divide any perennial plants you have in your garden, as this is an easy way to multiply plants without having the expense of buying more. It’s a natural evolution that ensures that you increase the number of plants in your garden.

Clear the decks

It’s also worth checking any winter damage to paths, brickwork, concrete or hardstanding due to frost or water damage in Spring and Summer. Also you’ll need to scrub or wash any paths and parking areas, to remove any moss or debris from paths and other concreted or paved areas. Decking in particular needs methodical maintenance, both to mitigate against wear and tear, but also to keep it looking at its best.

The same is true of ornamental paths and brick sets, which will also require regular maintenance, in the same way anything aesthetically pleasing will require. Aspects such as ornamental edging to paths are part of the design and should be regularly cleaned. If you have a vegetable garden and grow your own veg over the Summer months, it’s also the time to plant some of the hardiest, like potatoes, radish and lettuce.

Once the frosts have passed, you can bed in other new plants too, like new trees and shrubs. These should be regularly watered – but not overwatered – if the soil and weather conditions require it, and also special fertiliser can be applied too. By the end of Spring, you’ll be deadheading Spring-flowering blooms, and  sowing Summer-friendly vegetables.

Best laid plans

Although you may have already cut back shrubs, hedges and trees in the autumn, to properly trim back their summer growth, they might need further pruning in the before birds begin to nest and the growth spurt towards summer gets underway. As well as cutting back any extended growth, you also need to make sure that any unsafe branches are made safe and are pruned back. If you haven’t had the chance to trim back hedges and other foliage in the garden in the autumn, then your Spring gardening binge will be a much larger proposition. Any fallen debris and leaves should also be cleaned up before summer. Leaves of course can be used to make mulch, as part of the Spring clean, and later be used on flowerbeds as nourishment.

Smaller gardens will obviously require a lot less seasonal maintenance and are generally simpler to keep in pristine condition. Urban gardens will require a different approach again – there’s often a lot of use made of decking and hardstanding, or even artificial grass, rather than natural lawns and turf. Artificial grass can be a great benefit for urban homes and is exceptionally low-maintenance. It can be rolled out over large areas and look very natural while providing the traditional splash of greenery a real lawn provides.

By carrying out these tasks in good time, you will ensure that your garden looks at its best over the Summer and is a pleasant, relaxing, rewarding space to spend your time in.       

CB Homes is an A1+ member of the National House Building Council (NHBC), registered builder with the Local Authority Building Control (LABC), as well as a member of the Federation of Master Builders.

Each of our homes is backed by our unique and dedicated personalised approach to customer service. This ensures every CB Homes development delivers ultimate peace of mind to its new owner, long after we’ve handed you the keys.

Contact CB Homes today to discuss your next move.

Timber frame self-build house in Hoole

Our timber frame house in Hoole is now progressing rapidly. The exterior brick ‘skin’ has now been built, the roof is complete and the windows are in. Our tradespeople have been very busy over the last few weeks so all the plumbing and electrics have been installed.

The first fix and the second fix

Our timber frame house in Hoole is now progressing rapidly. The timber frame itself was constructed on site in just three days. The exterior brick ‘skin’ has now been built, the roof is complete and the windows are in. Our tradespeople have been very busy over the last few weeks with the first and second fix, so all the plumbing and electrics have been installed and the plasterboarding  is almost complete.

From California to Hoole

This couple’s self-build journey has been a particularly interesting one. Before commencing their self-build project they were in a long distance relationship, with Jenna working in the United States and Mark remaining in Cheshire so they only saw each other occasionally. The onset of Covid made meeting up at all impossible for eighteen months.

When Jenna returned to Chester, the couple were keen to find a home of their own in Hoole, where they had lived previously. This became more pressing as they were expecting their first baby and needed to find a suitable house, preferably with a garden and with off-road parking too. As anyone who knows Chester will testify, finding a home like this in Hoole was always going to be a tall order.

After failing to find an existing house, the couple started to consider building a home of their own. That way they could design it exactly to their own requirements. Building plots in Hoole are very few and far between, so they were thrilled to discover that CB Homes had a plot that could be perfect for their needs.

The property being built at Stone Place has parking space included at the front and bifold doors to the rear lead into outdoor space with room for a patio and lawned area, perfect for a young family.

timber framed self build

Advice for self-builders: allow plenty of time to arrange a self-build mortgage

Mark says he was surprised by how long the process of securing a self build mortgage can take. He suggests allowing time for making more than one application as you never know what may happen. He says,

“When we made our first self-build mortgage application, mortgage providers suddenly started withdrawing lots of their products from the market. This left lots of people high and dry. We managed to secure another mortgage but it does take a lot of time.

“Luckily, the CB Homes finance team was really patient with us and very understanding of the delays we experienced, even though they were obviously very keen to get construction started. Just be aware that, unless you are paying in cash, you may need to factor in time for having at least one application rejected.”

Choosing designs for inside a self-build house: the second fix

This bespoke home is now at the second fix stage so the self-builders Mark and Jenna are making their final choices for the internal finishes.

The self-builders want the interior to fit in with the exterior so did not want to have everything looking very modern inside as this would not look right with the neo-Georgian style of the outside of the house.

The kitchen is almost complete. Mark and Jenna have chosen a beautiful design with Shaker style units. Jenna wanted a very particular shade of green to tone with the brushed brass fixtures and wooden floor. As she could not find exactly what she wanted, she has opted for painted units to get just the right colour. The Belfast sink will add a traditional look, contrasting with the large modern American-style fridge freezer and the more contemporary breakfast bar, which will divide the dining area from the kitchen.

They have chosen a classic blue and white scheme in the family bathroom but have gone for more of a modern finish to the master bedroom ensuite.

Jenna says,

“If you have a real vision for what you want your house to look like inside, you may not be able to find exactly what you want but don’t let this worry you too much as there is always a compromise to be had to turn your dream into reality. For example, I combed the country and the internet for the right vanity units in the family bathroom and the master bedroom ensuite. I couldn’t find any that would fit the space but I did find someone who can build bespoke ones for me, which will be perfect.”

Be positive and plan ahead for second fix

Jenna also advises to start looking early for your finishing touches, although you may feel you are tempting fate to start your research too soon. She advises being positive and optimistic as a build can progress very rapidly and you need to have made your decisions early so that fixtures and fittings can be ordered. She says,

“I’ve been really surprised by how close to the original building schedule we have managed to keep. People often talk about interminable delays when you are building your own house but that hasn’t been our experience at all.

“One of the CB Homes project team is actually building his own house at the same time as us so we are enjoying comparing notes with him. We are so happy with how the build is progressing and we can’t wait to be back in Hoole.”

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

Design: a French chateau-style self-build

A local couple wanted to design the perfect family home for themselves, with plenty of room for entertaining and for guests to stay. This truly grand design replacement dwelling is the second largest self-build project ever undertaken by CB Homes.

A local couple wanted to design the perfect family home for themselves and their son in the village of Duddon, with plenty of room for entertaining and for guests to stay. This truly grand design replacement dwelling is the second largest self-build project ever undertaken by CB Homes and the largest that architect Russell Baker has ever undertaken.

When CB Homes embarks on a self-build project with a new client, design meetings are always held so that the architect can find out exactly what sort of house the clients want to build; the look, the style, the feel, and of course, the size.

This project has involved the most extensive set of design meetings that CB Homes has ever held with a client but it was definitely worth it to make sure we got the design exactly right.

Talking design

Architect Russell says,

“It can take a while to come up with the design that everyone loves but it is always totally worth the time taken. Once I started to understand what sort of house they were envisioning, I showed them sample photos of various buildings to help inspire them. Pictures of tall windows and double gables were very enthusiastically met so I knew I was heading in the right direction. I would describe the style we eventually decided upon as a rural French chateau, which has softer lines than  the very tall and ornamental chateaux of France often have. Everything about this house is going to be tall; the ceilings, doors and windows are much taller than usual, and simple elegance is the theme.”

The clients were very specific from the start that what they wanted most from their ambitious self-build project was symmetry. They wanted their home to be designed to be as symmetrical as possible. The final design is very symmetrical from front to back but Russell persuaded our clients to give him a little more freedom when it came to the side elevations, to add some further interest.

Design requirements

Our clients wanted to have a very open plan feel to the house and, despite its size, to feel that there is good visibility through the house from front to back and also, where possible, and unusually, between the two floors too.  This is partly going to be achieved by two voids in the kitchen ceiling, where the kitchen will be open to the large upstairs lounge above it.

The double height windows at the rear of the property stretch from the ground the whole way up to the roof above the first floor.

The fireplaces’ design is very traditional, yet extremely contemporary too

The very grand hall has a double height entrance, featuring a row of ceiling lanterns and it will be truly spectacular on completion. A double sided fireplace takes centre stage in the middle of the house, providing heating for the kitchen/ dining space and the hallway. Surrounded by glass, this is simultaneously very traditional, yet extremely contemporary too. Making the fire the focal point, yet allowing uninterrupted lines of sight all around it, makes the house, despite its size, feel beautifully connected, with all the spaces flowing into each other. Upstairs, another double sided fireplace heats the first floor sitting room and the galleried landing too.

Five of the six bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms and the smallest of these bedrooms is about the size of the largest bedroom one might expect to find in an executive new build.

Design creates uninterrupted views across the Cheshire countryside

A very large master suite was on the menu of requirements, including an upstairs lounge or living area at the rear of the property, with a balcony from which the householders will be able to enjoy uninterrupted views across the countryside behind the house.

This balcony itself runs continuously across the rear of the house. Clever cut outs in the design mean that uninterrupted views can be enjoyed from anywhere in the rear of the house without the balcony seeming to be in the way.

The tall windows and doors throughout the property will have very slim, black metal frames, which are very French in feel. Solid slate is going to be used for plinths and sills, instead of the more usual brick and slate cappings will feature on the parapets too.

There is going to be a beautiful entertainment space or media room at the front of the house, along with a pool table for relaxed evenings at home. The majority of the rest of the downstairs space is taken up with a huge open plan kitchen/ dining area, a big lounge and a cosy, but still very spacious, snug.

The feeling of openness and space is emphasised by the use of lots of glass internally, with many sliding doors between rooms. The impact of taking so many solid walls away to allow for all the glazing is that a steel frame will need to be used to support the whole structure. This is all skilfully hidden away however so the feeling of elegant space is not compromised in any way.

Outdoor kitchen design

Initially, the homeowners were interested in including a swimming pool as part of their grand design but having considered it, decided that the large further outlay to build a pool would not actually add equivalent value to the house. A pool also requires a significant commitment to ongoing care and maintenance. An outdoor kitchen space is being designed instead, in a separate building to the house, along with a home office and gym in a second outbuilding. The brick detailing and natural stone coping on these outbuildings will perfectly match the material used on the house, while the doors and windows will have the same tall, slim elegance. The house, with its two outbuildings, is being built around a U-shaped courtyard, further echoing the symmetry of the entire project.

Watch us laying the foundations of this enormous house here.

Looking to design your own home?

If you have always dreamed of building your own home, talk to us. Whether it is a grand design, or a cosy country cottage, find out how we can help you design it, secure planning approval and carry out the whole build with our complete turn key self-build package. 

CB Homes is an A1+ member of the National House Building Council (NHBC), registered builder with the Local Authority Building Control (LABC), as well as a member of the Federation of Master Builders. Each of our homes is backed by our unique and dedicated personalised approach to customer service. This ensures every CB Homes development delivers ultimate peace of mind to its new owner, long after we’ve handed you the keys. Contact us to find out more. 

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