Damon & Felicity’s Self Build Dream Home

As an architect, Damon always dreamed of building his own home, though he never thought it would become a reality. While on holiday, he and his wife, Felicity, found the perfect plot on Rightmove. Excited by the opportunity, Damon even sketched plans while away. Upon returning, they quickly sold their house, made an offer on the land, and secured it—setting the project in motion.

Planning & Design

Damon describes the planning process as straightforward due to his profession. For those unfamiliar, he strongly recommends hiring an architect to maximize a site’s potential, reduce stress, and ensure a smooth design and planning process. A watertight set of construction drawings helps prevent unexpected costs and delays.

The Build

The project took 12 months and adhered to a strict £1,000 per square metre budget. Despite working full-time, Damon managed the project hands-on, even completing much of the interior fit-out himself. Support from friends and family in various trades helped keep costs down. He advises aspiring self-builders to work with an architect to design within budget, obtain competitive subcontractor quotes, and consider hiring a project manager for efficiency.

Financing & Outcome

BuildStore arranged a self-build mortgage through Newcastle Building Society, handling the financial aspects smoothly. Damon highly recommends their services.

Now settled in their three-bedroom home, the couple has future-proofed the design for potential expansion. Though the process was stressful, Damon thoroughly enjoyed it and wouldn’t hesitate to build again!

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