I suppose that, strictly speaking, my project is not actually a self-build. The planning application described it as a 2 storey side, rear and garage extension. At one point a neighbour complained to the planning department that it was a new build and that only one wall was left standing! In reality we demolished about 50% of the property and increased its size fairly substantially, so I think that describing it as a self-build is well justified, especially given the fact that I worked on it every day!
Although parts of the build have been a nightmare - it wasn't a complete nightmare. The majority of the build was challenging, demanding, hard work, but also satisfying and enjoyable.
Probably the most nightmarish part of the build has been since we moved in, going from working about 8 - 10 hours a day, 5 days per week, to 10 - 15 hours a day, 7 days per week!
My original intention when I bought the house had been to engage a builder to do the entire job while I continued with my business of running and developing various websites. Unfortunately, the quotes from builders came in at over double the budget (which was already pretty substantial) that I had given the architect! Taking complete control was the only way that I could afford to continue with the project.
Demolition began in August 2006, groundworks started in November, then we sold our house in December and rented in the same village as we are now living. We only had the rental house for 6 months until the owners came back - no pressure then!
We managed to squeeze an extra month out of the rental property, but the house was still far from complete (and still is) when we moved in, at the end of June 2007.
I hope this account of the project helps others considering extending or building a home to avoid some of the problems we encountered. The hardest part of any construction is finding the right people to work with. Get a good, reliable team around you and it will ease the pain!
Andy Cox
