My Self Build - Dorset
Discussion
I've been asked my a number of people to put a build thread together so this is it. I'll try to keep it updated weekly or, more importantly, when things happen and hopefully it won't bore you all to death.
I've wanted to build my own house since 1999 but have never been quite in the right position to do so. I've bought and sold five houses over that time but deep down knew I'd have to build at some stage as the desire kept nagging at me.
In June 2008 I finally took the plunge. I sold my house and moved into rented accommodation believing that I'd find a plot within 12 months. After 3 years I gave up hope and decided to buy again as I was feeling too unsettled. As is always the way with these things, after 6 months in the new house I heard about a garden plot, which had finally got planning permission after many years, and began negociating with the owner. In October 2012, after managing to sell my house in 3 months, I finally owned my plot and moved back into a rental.
The plot already had planning permission for a 4 bedroom, 2 story house but the design did nothing for me. After searching for so long I really wanted to build something unique so began working with an architect on a single story contemporary house of approximately 1800 sq feet.
I finally got my planning permission in December 2012 and since then I have spent another 6 months finalising building regs and, more importantly, trying to get permission to actually start the build due to exposed tree roots across the entrance to the plot.
Last Thursday evening the tree officer finally accepted that we could cut the roots at the entrance and get machinery on site.
And so the adventure began.
So to start with these are some of the pictures to set the scene from the last few weeks right up to today.
Firstly, the plot as purchased. it's the end of the rear garden of a 1930s detached house in Canford Cliffs, Poole.
The location is in a quietcul-de-sac:
And when it's finished it should fit in like this:
The planning application drawings:
Site plan: Luckily it's a wide plot so can take a single story property but we've tried to maximise the width.
Front elevation:
Floor plan:
3D renderings (some small changes since these were done but it's pretty close0:
The dreaded roots that held us up for months:
Plot all boarded out:
Finally, we can start, Yay!!!:
Today with trenches dug:
And the concrete gets poured.
I've wanted to build my own house since 1999 but have never been quite in the right position to do so. I've bought and sold five houses over that time but deep down knew I'd have to build at some stage as the desire kept nagging at me.
In June 2008 I finally took the plunge. I sold my house and moved into rented accommodation believing that I'd find a plot within 12 months. After 3 years I gave up hope and decided to buy again as I was feeling too unsettled. As is always the way with these things, after 6 months in the new house I heard about a garden plot, which had finally got planning permission after many years, and began negociating with the owner. In October 2012, after managing to sell my house in 3 months, I finally owned my plot and moved back into a rental.
The plot already had planning permission for a 4 bedroom, 2 story house but the design did nothing for me. After searching for so long I really wanted to build something unique so began working with an architect on a single story contemporary house of approximately 1800 sq feet.
I finally got my planning permission in December 2012 and since then I have spent another 6 months finalising building regs and, more importantly, trying to get permission to actually start the build due to exposed tree roots across the entrance to the plot.
Last Thursday evening the tree officer finally accepted that we could cut the roots at the entrance and get machinery on site.
And so the adventure began.
So to start with these are some of the pictures to set the scene from the last few weeks right up to today.
Firstly, the plot as purchased. it's the end of the rear garden of a 1930s detached house in Canford Cliffs, Poole.
The location is in a quietcul-de-sac:
And when it's finished it should fit in like this:
The planning application drawings:
Site plan: Luckily it's a wide plot so can take a single story property but we've tried to maximise the width.
Front elevation:
Floor plan:
3D renderings (some small changes since these were done but it's pretty close0:
The dreaded roots that held us up for months:
Plot all boarded out:
Finally, we can start, Yay!!!:
Today with trenches dug:
And the concrete gets poured.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 31st July 15:57
Thanks for all your kind wishes. I think I've had more sleepless nights in the last 6 months than I care to mention.
Every day seems to involve various decisions and even when it doesn't you find something to worry about
But it sure is exciting.
Enjoy moving in Skintemma - I may have to change my login to SkintGary at the end of mine
Every day seems to involve various decisions and even when it doesn't you find something to worry about
But it sure is exciting.
Enjoy moving in Skintemma - I may have to change my login to SkintGary at the end of mine
jdw1234 said:
Nice design and I think it will age well.
Question: There is no loft. Where will you store xmas decorations, ski stuff, luggage, vaccuum cleaner, ironing board etc.
Where will you store lawn mower etc?
I reckon a spiral wine cellar would be useful in a cool place like that.
Also, I bet a place like that would rent out in seconds if you ever needed to.
Really like the woody feel of the road. For some reason, it reminds me a bit of Cameron's Dad's house from Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
You could also imagine Don Draper from Mad Men living there!
Thumbs up!
In the end I decided to have a flat roof in the living area to make that room more cosy - the voided roof now starts in the kitchen/diner just to the left of the fireplace (see below). So there will be a loft hatch in the laundry room that will run right through to the living room.Question: There is no loft. Where will you store xmas decorations, ski stuff, luggage, vaccuum cleaner, ironing board etc.
Where will you store lawn mower etc?
I reckon a spiral wine cellar would be useful in a cool place like that.
Also, I bet a place like that would rent out in seconds if you ever needed to.
Really like the woody feel of the road. For some reason, it reminds me a bit of Cameron's Dad's house from Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
You could also imagine Don Draper from Mad Men living there!
Thumbs up!
The garage is large enough for one car, motorbike and lawnmower. We may even build a small shed down the side of the garage. I wanted a much wider garage but the tree officer would not allow.
Spiral wine cellar is a a wonderful idea but the budget has to stop somewhere.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 31st July 15:58
Well that's a co-incidence as the kitchen is coming from Kitchen Elegance. They did my last kitchen and were great. Their after sales service is also very very good.
The colours are different from the above rendering but basically it's a Leicht kitchen with Gaggenau appliances (my one big indulgence).
Who are you talking to - Jason, Matt?
To ruaricoles - currently the shoes/ costs are going to go in the laundry room or in a 'tree' free standing coat hanger by the front door. However, we're constantly looking at this so thanks for the suggestion.
Re. the garage - I didn't want a door into the living room for obvious reasons and I left out a back/side door because I want to max storage and shelf space. I've had this setup before and am happy with it.
Re. the garage - I didn't want a door into the living room for obvious reasons and I left out a back/side door because I want to max storage and shelf space. I've had this setup before and am happy with it.
Weekly update...
It's amazing what happens once you get started...
Foundations from a week ago:
Today, the brickies have been in laying the blocks for the block and beam and suspended slab:
And the steel people turned up with their clever equipment to measure the heights ready for the steel frame. Apparently one corner of the foundation is 1mm out
It's amazing what happens once you get started...
Foundations from a week ago:
Today, the brickies have been in laying the blocks for the block and beam and suspended slab:
And the steel people turned up with their clever equipment to measure the heights ready for the steel frame. Apparently one corner of the foundation is 1mm out
bmthnick1981 said:
Looking forward to following this, local to me. Harry's Bar always nice for a drink, the on to the Edge for dinner :-)
The Edge is always nice for a great meal to watch the sun go down.Todays update pic. All foundations are now completed as far as they can at the moment. Just waiting for the steel to be erected next week and then the brickies can finish off and then the floor will get laid.
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