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Use the code BUILD for 20% offAfter living in various houses over many years, Gerald and Natasha dreamt of one day owning a home that truly suited their style and reflected their way of living. To achieve this, instead of buying and extensively modifying an existing property, they decided to build their own.
The couple were able to find a plot of land that would be ideal for redevelopment. The site’s history was as a scrap metal disposal centre and so the clearing of the area (which included uncovering asbestos sheets and two buried cars) was an immense task, but it was the first step towards realising their dream.
Looking into oak frame construction, they realised they might be restricted in terms of their budget and style choices, so the couple began considering timber frame. They were attracted to the way this building system can accommodate any design, is quick to put up and has high insulation values.
Scandia-Hus’s reputation for quality and the impressive examples of its past builds influenced the couple’s decision to work with the firm. Gerald’s initial plan had been to be heavily involved with the process; however, work commitments meant this was not feasible, so one of Scandia-Hus’s highly knowledgeable project managers came on board to support the self-builders on their journey.
The local planning authority imposed strict guidelines on the height and overall size of property that would be allowed, so the firm’s in-house architectural designers included a basement into the design. Light wells flood the below-ground room with brightness; something of a “design triumph” according to the customers.
The finished home is a beautiful three-storey, Tudor-inspired farmhouse, which nestles perfectly into its rural setting with staggering uninterrupted views of the surrounding countryside. When asked whether they would self-build again, Gerald and Natasha simply answer: “Absolutely!”
Visit the Scandia-Hus website for more information.