The dream that is all yours
A custom-built home means that you have control over what you want from the ground up, says DEBORAH STONE
RIGHT TO BUILD laws passed for England in 2016 have not only spurred on self-builders but created a whole new sector in the industry: custom build. Developers are offering people the opportunity to buy a serviced plot with planning permission then either build to their own design or chose from a design they can tweak to suit themselves.
Then it’s down to buyers to decide whether to project manage the process from the watertight shell stage or leave the developer to finish the job – with different prices to reflect the choice.
Property consultant Fidelitãs currently has a plot for six custom build homes in countryside close to the conservation area in West Chiltington Village, West Sussex. Planning permission for six large detached houses has been granted with traditional Arts & Crafts exteriors but buyers have the freedom to create their own interiors.
“Until recently new housing was generally only available from developers. This typically offers buyers little choice in the specification and internal design,” says Alan Thompson, managing director at Fidelitãs. “Now, more people can take advantage of the benefits that custom build offers.”
The Threals Lane plots range from 0.38 to 0.91 acres with guide prices from £650,000 to more than £1million (01403 700421; custombuildingplots.com).
But one couple who opted to build independently are Chris Hughes and his wife Christina. As empty nesters they decided to sell their family home in Buckinghamshire and buy a house to renovate but then spotted the perfect plot of land with planning permission, advertised on Rightmove.
“We fell in love with the location,” says
Chris. The couple, now in their late 50s, had long been interested in self-build and visited shows such as Build It Live, which has free workshops and seminars, as well as Potton
Self Build Show Centre (Potton.co.uk) at St Neots in Cambridgeshire, which sells several styles of timber frame homes, complete with structural insulation panels.
Although the plot in Smarden, near Ashford in Kent, had permission for a Georgian-style house, the couple decided to apply for permission to build Potton’s Wickhambrook design with a traditional barn-style exterior.
Chris admits he wasn’t sure whether he wanted a timber frame house but says: “When I understood the insulation qualities and speed of installation, we decided to go with Potton.”
Potton installed the timber framework and insulated panels but it was up to Chris to find builders to complete the house and, crucially, decide whether he wanted to project manage the building or pay a professional.
“I have never been a builder but was always interested in DIY and renovation so I decided to act as super-project manager,” he says. “That worked well because we had a good main builder who got the ground work done after the frame was installed, although I took on the responsibility for doing many of the main tasks myself.”
Chris estimates this saved between £130,000 to £150,000 off the full cost of their home, which cost £480,000 for the land and to get services including electricity installed and around £500,000 for the timber frame and building work. The five-bedroom, five ensuite, house is now worth about £1.5million, he says, and was a finalist in a Kent building awards’ competition last year.
From finding the plot in January 2015 to moving in took 18 months, with stressful issues such as renting accommodation for 14 months – “We were only expecting to be renting for six months” – and dealing with a window and door supplier who hiked the £36,000 agreed price to £55,000, forcing Chris to waste time looking for a new supplier.
“There were three not very good experiences but overall it was really good,” says Chris. So would he do it again? “My wife would kill me.”
Build It Live 2019 is at Kent Event Centre, Maidstone, February 9-10, EventCity Manchester February 23-24 and in Bicester, Oxfordshire June 8-9 (builditlive.co.uk)