Need to know

Creating your forever home

The pandemic has taught us all a lot this year. Most of us have spent much more time in our homes than ever before.

So, naturally, any problems concerning space, soundproofing, ventilation, outdoor access, homeworking, or even just dodgy DIY, have been amplified after being stuck indoors for months on end. Sadly, it has also highlighted the devastating issues of fuel poverty and the fragility of the economy, as we see bills start to rise along with job losses.

Spending extra time in houses which don’t meet our needs has prompted a significant rise in renovations and inspired many to take the next step in their self build journey. Interestingly – though not surprisingly – one of the trends that we’re seeing as a result is even more homeowners wanting to future-proof their dwellings; building for performance and long-term gain. An increasing number of self builders and renovators are recognising that adding in efficiencies at the build stage helps to keep outgoings smaller for later in life.

As we face a climate emergency, the environment is nearly always high on our clients’ agenda – both short term and long term. We’re a bespoke timber frame supplier, and our systems are usually designed with energy efficiency and sustainable building in mind. Energy use in homes accounts for around 14% of UK greenhouse gas emissions and this is something that can easily be addressed and reduced, especially when it is considered and accounted for at the initial design stage.

More people are realising that it’s more energy and cost efficient to create a sustainable home from scratch than it is to buy a house that falls in budget but costs the earth to heat – literally and figuratively! People are building with a conscience and safeguarding their retirement; choosing to keep outgoings smaller later in life helps avoid the risk of fuel poverty.

It’s a relief to see a zero-carbon homes target finally back on the agenda of the UK government. But as the mainstream developers struggle to achieve this, it will be the self builders driving sustainable building and showing them how it’s done. If volume houses were designed and built by someone who was actually going to live there, I believe the zero carbon target would be much easier to reach. After all, when a developer constructs a house to meet the Regs, they’re not aiming for high performance – simply to achieve the minimum allowance.

The real joy of working in this market is partnering not just with the builder, but with the homeowner. We get to create premium abodes for people who want to achieve low energy, lifetime homes and invest in the quality and value of their property: building the dream and leaving a legacy.

While the need to design in-home offices might fall by the wayside as life slowly goes back to normal, I think the drive to build heatless properties and zero carbon is here to stay. As this level of energy efficiency is achievable and self builders can control the quality and specification of the building, we predict that interest in this area will only grow.