Self-Build Story

As I sit here typing, part of me wonders if next month’s diary instalment will be written from the comfort of the sofa in our new house! In the next three weeks, we are due to exchange contracts on the barn that has been our home for the last seven-and-a-half years. Unless our new property is ready by then, Yvonne, James, Lily and I will either be living on a building site or moving back in with our parents!

Builder Jon Day (07918 736198) of Passivhaus Ltd has already reassured me that our home will be ready in time, and judging by the speed and quality of his work to date, I have no reason to doubt him. The only thing that may scupper our plans is the bottom two flights of stairs. Experienced sheet metal fabricator and shipbuilder Steve McKay, of AS McKay (0151 652 8082), was only handed a set of manufacturing drawings last week so he has less than three weeks to construct and deliver the steel frame which will hold the 27 heavy walnut treads firmly in place.

As an added hindrance, we had eight inches of snow seven days ago and there are no signs of it melting, with more snow forecast over the next few days. To be fair to Jon’s lads, they battled on through the worst of the weather. Despite the narrow country road to our house being blocked and temperatures plummeting to -9°C, they have yet to miss a day on site — again demonstrating the work ethic and advantages of employing mainly Polish tradesmen!

Our electrician, Mark Birchall, has yet to finish the second fix so we have not had a chance to fully test the underfloor heating system or lighting. Nonetheless, with all the bathrooms finished, the inside of the house is really starting to come together.

Our high-spec German Siematic kitchen, from Zest Kitchens in Chester (01244 345414) is almost fully fitted. The three Neff ovens and Miele fridge freezer are installed and the white Corian worktops arrived on site last week. The only things left to fit are the gas hob, extractor fan and taps on the two sinks, including the prep sink on the centre island which has a wonderfully eye-catching solid walnut breakfast bar along one side.

ABOVE: With some of the second fix work done, the interiors are suddenly coming to life, and Yvonne and Marcus will soon be able to enjoy the spectacular views (TOP) in comfort. The Siematic kitchen, complete with Corian worktops and a stylish walnut breakfast bar, are ready to go.

The one thing that has never changed since we first decided to build the house has been the specification of the kitchen. We took an instant liking to kitchen designer Grant Hewlett from Zest, and his service throughout the build has been first class.

The walnut flooring, from Oak Warehouse in Chester (01244 676565), has been laid in the lounge and day room, but our carpets for the top two floors could be another factor pushing back our moving in date. Our custom-made carpets are being manufactured in Holland (billnunn-carpets.co.uk) where they can dye them to the exact colour we want. However, a problem with a key machine means they may yet miss our deadline.

The solid iroko garage doors from Illingworth Ingham in Manchester are due any day and so are our internal doors and bespoke front door. The ‘glass box’ window which will be the focal point of the downstairs office is also ready. Once installed, the three sheets of toughened glass which form the box will mean the house is finally totally secure.

Impossible-to-reach windows in the central stairway mean we have four sets of electric blinds from Silent Gliss on order. The house faces south-west to take advantage of breathtaking views, so we have the sun on the front of the house all day. With automatic blackout blinds, we can turn day into night at the touch of a button!

Outside, groundworks are continuing as we have no mains sewerage or gas. Rather than opt for a standard septic tank, we have chosen a good-quality Klargester treatment plant and buried a 2,000-litre Calor gas tank in the garden. Once it is all in place, we can think about installing the electric gate and laying the tarmac drive.

We have begun some of the landscaping but have now decided to wait until after the cold snap before any planting or the laying of turf begins.

ABOVE: The exterior of the house.