CASE STUDY: A dream home in Devon

As they approached early retirement in Lancashire, Ian and Janet started to look into settling in Devon. With very little knowledge of self-building under their belts, the couple opted for a hands-off approach and chose D&M Homes to help them achieve the perfect dwelling in the countryside.

The primary design objective was to create a house that reflected the general restraints of the plot. Thanks to the use of a low profile ridgeline and extended eaves, the house takes advantage of the mature boundary hedges to limit the building’s visual impact upon the rural scene.

D&M Homes assigned one of its experienced project co-ordinators to manage the brick and block scheme, which gave the couple – living more than 100 miles away – peace of mind. The company also identified a number of local builders and helped their clients choose the right contractor for the job, while the firm’s materials department found solutions to overcome some of the land’s access issues.

The work took 11 months and the result is a beautiful new home in an idyllic location. “We had no knowledge of building so we needed someone with experience,” says Ian. “It was crucial that they understood our needs and aspirations, too.”