THE KNOWLEDGE

BUYING A HALF-COMPLETED PROJECT

For anyone buying a project mid-way through, Simon would recommend the homeowner asks the builder/developer for an intricately detailed specification on the proposed finishes.

“In this case I gave specification and monetary allowances for sanitaryware and furniture in each bathroom, kitchen and utility cabinetry and worktops, floor coverings, light fixtures and internal doors and even paint colours and brands,” says Simon. “I then told Clair and Guy that they could trade up or down depending what finishes they wished to change.”

Any changes in the layout of the building were priced upfront and approved by Clair and Guy prior to any work being started.

“There will always be some miscommunication but you want to minimise the possibility of this as much as possible,” says Simon. “And lastly, whether you’re the developer or the purchaser you need to feel comfortable with each other.”

Clair endorses this whole-heartedly. “It could have been a very different scenario if we hadn’t seen eye to eye. When you buy a property to renovate yourself you put the work out to tender and choose a builder you think you can work with the best. In this case we were taking over a project that had already begun and it was a gamble. It could have been a very different story had we found ourselves with a very different agenda, and different ideas, to Simon.” She would, however, recommend that the new owners draw up a very clear idea of the things they want to change and make sure that their plans are feasible without incurring excessive extra costs.

“You have to be prepared to work with the majority of design ideas that are already in place,” says Clair. “If we had started asking for major structural changes the costs would have escalated way beyond our budget. As it was, we worked with the existing plans and adapted them to suit our own needs. It worked brilliantly.”

FLOATING BEDROOM The main feature of the house is the large feature glazed gable end which forms the whole gable. “We had to design a system where the glass curtain walling was totally separate to the oak cladding so that the oak could weather and move without affecting the glazing,” says Simon. “The framework for the façade and the ‘floating’ master bedroom, dressing room and en suite is a steel fabricated structure, thus the master bedroom appears to hang above the living room.”

OLD AND NEW Oak cladding from Splinters Woodwork cleverly blends with the traditional brick barns while the original openings have been filled with high-performing glazing to combat the changeable weather.