0:00:01 > 0:00:04Across the nation, architects are transforming the homes we live in.
0:00:04 > 0:00:07One day I'm going to live in a house like this
0:00:07 > 0:00:09and not just do it for others.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13We're following some of those leading the way in groundbreaking design.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Their jaw would drop if they saw that.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17I can't believe it.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20We'll be with them every step of the way
0:00:20 > 0:00:23as they battle with builders, blueprints
0:00:23 > 0:00:25and the clients who hire them.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28You've got a very strange understanding of the word "today".
0:00:28 > 0:00:31Whoa, whoa, whoa!
0:00:31 > 0:00:32That's not good.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35- It's like working with the Chuckle Brothers.- Ho, ho, ho!
0:00:35 > 0:00:39We're with them as they draw on their seven years of training to solve everyday problems.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42Quick word in his ear, make sure there's no more mishaps.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46He's come in on an angle and ripped up the road,
0:00:46 > 0:00:49but he's now ripped his exhaust pipe off.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Oh, man!
0:00:52 > 0:00:54I've said many prayers.
0:00:54 > 0:00:55That's amazing!
0:00:55 > 0:00:58That's a pretty incredible difference, isn't it?
0:00:58 > 0:01:02The fixings alone cost 17 grand.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08All in the name of making the properties we dream of a reality.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26Today, architect Bobby Halliday gets to grips with designing and building not one,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29but ten bespoke houses in Stirling.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32One couple has to be in their new home by Christmas.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35They have to move in. Failure is no option.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39But an inspection threatens to derail their plans.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42If I can't get it done tomorrow, the house won't get a completion certificate.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45We can't issue the completion until that's done.
0:01:45 > 0:01:50Architect Dan Benham is designing a £1.5 million family home.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54If I look at this house and I look at the quality of the finish,
0:01:54 > 0:01:56I'm always going to demand perfection.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59But he and his client don't see eye to eye.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Dan has his view and I have mine and they don't meet.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08Bobby Halliday has been an architect for over 35 years.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12There's kind of one thing that is really important
0:02:12 > 0:02:13and you need an ideas hat.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18He's a familiar face on building sites.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20Oh, boy!
0:02:20 > 0:02:23From site-walking architect to trendy architect,
0:02:23 > 0:02:26that's it, quick change!
0:02:26 > 0:02:30Bobby has spearheaded countless projects across rural Stirlingshire,
0:02:30 > 0:02:33from extensions and conversions to new builds.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38But his latest development is much bigger than that.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41He's converting a group of old farm buildings
0:02:41 > 0:02:43into ten residential properties.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Well, the site is a former farmsteading.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50It was built probably about 160 years ago
0:02:50 > 0:02:54and it fell into complete disrepair 20 years ago.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59The project here is to renovate, where possible,
0:02:59 > 0:03:03but, in actual fact, all of the steading has had to be demolished
0:03:03 > 0:03:07and we obviously obtained planning approval to do that.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Bobby specialises in farmsteading conversions.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13Having driven past the site for years,
0:03:13 > 0:03:16he saw its potential and approached the farmer about selling the land.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19It was the location that was the main attraction.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22We can see Stirling Castle in the background
0:03:22 > 0:03:24on the eastern side of the steading.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26You can see the Wallace Monument.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29It's a really nice location.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Bobby drew up plans for ten dwellings
0:03:34 > 0:03:36and then convinced an investor to come on board.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40They stumped up £400,000 to buy the land
0:03:40 > 0:03:43and pay the £2 million construction costs.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46They're hoping to make a profit of £500,000.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50In order to achieve that, Bobby, who is also project managing,
0:03:50 > 0:03:54has to keep the build on schedule. They have 18 months to complete it.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57So the programme really is to get these houses,
0:03:57 > 0:04:03get the purchasers in really every three weeks.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05This is a lot of pressure to do this.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08We give the client a service that if they want to move a partition,
0:04:08 > 0:04:11or they want to have a different bathroom or kitchen,
0:04:11 > 0:04:14then we will organise that for them.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16So that has its own problems
0:04:16 > 0:04:19in that sometimes the kitchen doesn't arrive on time,
0:04:19 > 0:04:22sometimes the concrete floor doesn't dry on time.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25So the pressure is on everybody to try and get this finished.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30But a brutal Scottish winter is doing its best to scupper
0:04:30 > 0:04:32Bobby's plans to get it finished on time.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34Whoa!
0:04:34 > 0:04:36There you go.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43The exposed site, freezing temperatures, wind and rain
0:04:43 > 0:04:47are causing major problems for site manager Stuart McFarlane.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07The constant battle with the elements is badly affecting every part of the build
0:05:07 > 0:05:11and, with a move-in deadline looming, Bobby needs to keep things on track.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15In just three weeks, only five days before Christmas,
0:05:15 > 0:05:18Sheila and Gerry Dowds are due to move in.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21I tell you what's going to happen, we're going to run out of sellotape.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24Right, well, you fire on with that.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26- I've got bags of sellotape in here. - I know my place!
0:05:27 > 0:05:30They've sold their cottage and bought Plot 8,
0:05:30 > 0:05:32a three-bed end of terrace property on Bobby's development,
0:05:32 > 0:05:35costing £210,000.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41Sheila was driving back from the school where she works one day
0:05:41 > 0:05:45and said, "Look, I've seen this property down,
0:05:45 > 0:05:50"just under Stirling Castle on the carse",
0:05:50 > 0:05:54and I thought "Oh no. We've only been here about three years".
0:05:54 > 0:05:57So, anyway, we went to see it
0:05:57 > 0:06:01and we just fell in love with it immediately together.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04The house wasn't built at that point but it was the area.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06Bobby worked with the Dowds,
0:06:06 > 0:06:08adapting the original plans to create their perfect home.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12Mr and Mrs Dowds were downsizing from a larger house.
0:06:12 > 0:06:19They now have this cute single-storey cottage-style steading conversion.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22We have the main bathroom, we have three bedrooms
0:06:22 > 0:06:26and we have a nice open plan dining, lounge and kitchen.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28The house works really, really well.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32The problem is the whole steadings, including the Dowds' new house,
0:06:32 > 0:06:34is still a building site.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38If the client doesn't move in five days before Christmas
0:06:38 > 0:06:40we have a big problem.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42I don't know where that client is going to go.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45I can't phone up a hotel and put them in a hotel,
0:06:45 > 0:06:47but we have to get...
0:06:47 > 0:06:50There's no escape. We have to get that client in before Christmas.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54But, it's not just the client that needs to be in for the festive season.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56The family's coming back.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58They're all looking forward to a lovely Christmas.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02Let's hope that we're not going to be having it on Stirling roundabout.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06There's a lot riding on Bobby hitting the deadline.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Christmas time I suppose does have all that emotional charge round it,
0:07:09 > 0:07:13so it's, "Please can we get in and have the family around
0:07:13 > 0:07:18"and begin to make those new memories in that new setting."
0:07:18 > 0:07:232013's festive month saw over 328,000 Brits moving home.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25Sheila and Gerry are not alone.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31Their property has the tightest deadline in the whole development.
0:07:31 > 0:07:32Failure is no option.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36I have to make sure that everything is in place for this house
0:07:36 > 0:07:40to be passed for habitation on Friday the 20th.
0:07:41 > 0:07:46There are just over two weeks before Sheila and Gerry are due to move in.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Bobby is on site to inspect.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51This is Wednesday morning.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Do you think you'll be out of here by Friday?
0:07:53 > 0:07:55- No.- No.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- I've still got the alarms to do. - Right.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01I need to phone up the kitchen supplier, get the sink organised.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04The bathrooms are a wee bit of a mess.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08Fingers crossed. I know I shouldn't be doing that
0:08:08 > 0:08:13but this house I'm hoping and banking on this house being ready.
0:08:13 > 0:08:18With so much to do, it will take more than crossed fingers.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22Did you have a good day at school?
0:08:22 > 0:08:25In Lisvane, North Cardiff, Louise and Brian Hughes
0:08:25 > 0:08:27and their three boys
0:08:27 > 0:08:31have moved into a rental property, having outgrown their home.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34We started to look around in Cardiff for another property
0:08:34 > 0:08:38that would develop with us as the children are getting older
0:08:38 > 0:08:40and we just couldn't find what we were looking for.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43And then the opportunity arose that we found this
0:08:43 > 0:08:46property on the market with this great plot,
0:08:46 > 0:08:49and we had to decide whether or not we were going to take
0:08:49 > 0:08:52the plunge and build a property, which we'd never done before.
0:08:52 > 0:08:57The thought of doing a complete house to me was too daunting.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59My husband said he had always thought about doing it
0:08:59 > 0:09:03and he finally won me round saying, "Well, we'd be able to get exactly what we want".
0:09:03 > 0:09:07So, yes, we took the plunge and yes, we're now in the middle
0:09:07 > 0:09:13of a huge project and, hopefully, it will be a fantastic family home.
0:09:13 > 0:09:18The Hughes spent £680,000 on a plot with an existing house.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23They then put architect Dan Benham in charge of their ambitious plans
0:09:23 > 0:09:27to knock that house down and build the family's dream home.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31Dan has been part of the team at Loyn and Co for ten years.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34It's a project where the client asked us
0:09:34 > 0:09:36to take their existing property, which they had,
0:09:36 > 0:09:39and do a crazy thing and devalue the site by demolishing
0:09:39 > 0:09:43the existing building and putting up one single family house
0:09:43 > 0:09:45and it's an exciting project.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49It's a modern twist on the 1900s Arts and Crafts movement
0:09:49 > 0:09:53which we've never done in the office before, and so I'm really excited about it.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57Including the plot, the Hughes have a budget of £1,440,000.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00It will cost £40,000 to demolish the existing property
0:10:00 > 0:10:05and £720,000 to build a five-bed home with gym and cinema room.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08They have a 13-month schedule and the budget also covers
0:10:08 > 0:10:10the architects' fees to design and oversee the build.
0:10:10 > 0:10:15As with all modern homes, you have big, open spaces.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17This is our kind of living area, this is our dining kitchen
0:10:17 > 0:10:22so the idea of cooking and dining are celebrated.
0:10:22 > 0:10:28You can see the majority of the kind of south area here is glazing
0:10:28 > 0:10:30so we get lots of sunlight coming through.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33What's great is, obviously, when people think of modern architecture
0:10:33 > 0:10:39they think of a rendered box and this has got no render whatsoever
0:10:39 > 0:10:43and so all the joints, all the structure is exposed
0:10:43 > 0:10:45and doing that is really, really exciting.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48You can see how the building's made, how the building is put together,
0:10:48 > 0:10:51so all the roof rafters are exposed,
0:10:51 > 0:10:53all the folding elements of the zinc are exposed
0:10:53 > 0:10:56and, I think, that just makes for a great building.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00It's June, ten months into the build.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02The family are planning to move in in September
0:11:02 > 0:11:04so Dan is on-site to check on progress.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06- Talk us through what you've done. - OK.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10Well, we're just finishing off the last bit of brickwork on the site
0:11:10 > 0:11:13and they just installed the gutters in yesterday.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Are they putting this window in tomorrow?
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- No, they've not going in tomorrow. - Have they put any windows in at all?
0:11:19 > 0:11:22No, they've just got on cutting all the sills.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24When do they plan on putting them in, then?
0:11:24 > 0:11:27- Those ones there? - No, just generally the frames.
0:11:27 > 0:11:28Well, it's ongoing. They've started.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32They've got one in there, they've got one upstairs.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34Do I need to kick them up the backside?
0:11:34 > 0:11:36- Well, it might help, yeah.- Right.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40- And glass?- Glass. I'm not sure what day the glass is coming.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43So I'll give them another kick up the backside.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46With the windows still not fitted,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48Dan is worried the schedule is slipping
0:11:48 > 0:11:52and, with the tight deadline looming, he needs to act.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54I think the client is quite excited by the house
0:11:54 > 0:11:56but she's concerned about the programme.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59They're desperately trying to get in before September,
0:11:59 > 0:12:01and we've got some issues with the glazing people.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04They've delivered the frames but they've still not been installed,
0:12:04 > 0:12:08I think an email from me to kick them up the backside is going to be needed, really
0:12:08 > 0:12:11and, hopefully, that will push them into starting to get more people
0:12:11 > 0:12:15here on site and, hopefully, some windows in by the end of the week.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19But even with Dan on the case, the windows are delayed
0:12:19 > 0:12:22and the schedule lags further and further behind.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Three months later it's mid-September,
0:12:27 > 0:12:32the Hughes were supposed to be in, but the house is still a building site.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35I just can't wait to get in now.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37It seems like it's been going on forever.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45Architect Bobby Halliday is well known for his farm steading conversions.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48Things are looking good here today.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52His latest project is ten new houses in the shadow of Stirling Castle.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56A few miles away there's another conversion that Bobby's designed
0:12:56 > 0:13:01and built that embodies all of his favourite ideas and inspirations.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03He also happens to live there.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07My own house was really designed by a collaboration,
0:13:07 > 0:13:09I suppose, between my wife and myself.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12Basically Bobby is Bobby, you know.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15What you see it what you get and a spade is a spade.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17I been married to Jacqueline, I think, for... Whoa!
0:13:17 > 0:13:20I shouldn't really say, "I think".
0:13:20 > 0:13:24I've been married to Jacqueline for close on 30 years.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28Being married to an architect is great but everywhere you go,
0:13:28 > 0:13:31every weekend, check this building, that looks great,
0:13:31 > 0:13:33what about this, Jac, what about this bit here.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36She is very good with colours, fabrics.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38The vision for this house is really down to Bobby.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41He's got great ideas but I'm lucky that I can get to do what
0:13:41 > 0:13:43I want with the inside of it.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47This home is a showcase for Bobby's work.
0:13:52 > 0:13:58This converted farm has two floors of open plan living...
0:13:58 > 0:14:01..mixing cutting edge, contemporary design
0:14:01 > 0:14:03with more traditional elements.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07Jacqueline's eye for light and colour,
0:14:07 > 0:14:10mixing with Bobby's hard-edged architectural style.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18Because this is open plan,
0:14:18 > 0:14:22erm, we wanted to create a couple of split levels.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25What that helps to do is differentiate
0:14:25 > 0:14:27one space from the next
0:14:27 > 0:14:30so we come down two steps from the dining area
0:14:30 > 0:14:33and we're into this nice, relaxing lounge.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37And the good thing about this fire is that we wanted
0:14:37 > 0:14:41to have a dual aspect so you can see the fire from
0:14:41 > 0:14:44either the hall, or the lounge.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Whilst Jacqueline's taken charge of the interior design,
0:14:47 > 0:14:51there's one element of the house that Bobby's managed to drive through.
0:14:51 > 0:14:56For my 50th birthday, Jacqueline bought me
0:14:56 > 0:14:59this absolutely beautiful
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Lambretta scooter.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04It was a real surprise.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08It was fantastic and this, in the whole house,
0:15:08 > 0:15:12is the best piece of furniture anybody could ask for.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Everyone that comes in, sorry, Jacqueline,
0:15:15 > 0:15:17- everybody that comes in... - I love it.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20..says the scooter is really cool.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30It was Bobby's style and attention to detail that attracted
0:15:30 > 0:15:34Sheila and Gerry Dowds to his new Stirling development.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36They're due to move into their new home tomorrow,
0:15:36 > 0:15:39just five days before Christmas.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42This morning Bobby is meeting the building inspector.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45Any issues could jeopardise the move.
0:15:45 > 0:15:50This morning the building control officer will be coming to the site
0:15:50 > 0:15:52to have a look at one of the houses, house number 8,
0:15:52 > 0:15:57and, hopefully, it will be passed fit for habitation.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00The client needs to move in tomorrow, which is
0:16:00 > 0:16:02the last Friday before Christmas.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04I don't anticipate any problems
0:16:04 > 0:16:07but the building inspector is the building inspector.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12It's a tense moment for Bobby.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16He's just got time to check the house over before the inspector arrives.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19The roof hatch has been left open, which is good.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23The building inspector always likes to have a good look in there.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Heating is on.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27Extractors...
0:16:29 > 0:16:32Yep, extractors all work, that's cool.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35Lights are all in operation. I checked all these yesterday.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Everything's looking good. Great, great. Right.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40What a morning!
0:16:40 > 0:16:42It's unbelievable! How are you doing?
0:16:42 > 0:16:44- I'm great, it's good to see you! - You too.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47Building Inspector Ian Bowden works for the council,
0:16:47 > 0:16:51making sure new buildings comply with regulations.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54We've got these wee, snazzy trickle vents
0:16:54 > 0:16:59that are seriously working today because it's really windy outside.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01You don't have a smoke detector in here, do you?
0:17:01 > 0:17:04- We have a heat detector and that's there.- Mm-hm.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06Do you need a smoke detector in this section here?
0:17:06 > 0:17:10Normally if it's a lounge, in a combined lounge we'd normally ask for a smoke detector.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Right, OK.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Fitting a smoke detector is an easy problem to solve,
0:17:17 > 0:17:19but Ian has discovered a much bigger one.
0:17:19 > 0:17:24You don't have any of the plasterboard flanking to the inside of the timber frame.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27- It should really be fire resistant from the inside.- Right, OK.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31So you can stop any fire coming down into this locality here.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33Right, OK. Can I go up and have a wee look at that?
0:17:33 > 0:17:35You can, that's not a problem.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38The partition wall in the attic between this house
0:17:38 > 0:17:40and the one next door doesn't have sufficient protection
0:17:40 > 0:17:42to prevent fire spreading.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44This could be disastrous for Bobby.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Oh, aye, right, OK.
0:17:48 > 0:17:49Right, OK.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Do you want me to try and get that done by tomorrow?
0:17:52 > 0:17:55It's up to yourself. If you can get it done by tomorrow that would be...
0:17:55 > 0:17:59- That would be good.- Good, uh-huh. - But if I can't get it done tomorrow?
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- If you can't get it done tomorrow... - The house won't get a completion certificate?
0:18:02 > 0:18:06Well, we can't issue the completion until that's done.
0:18:06 > 0:18:07It's a serious blow.
0:18:07 > 0:18:12Bobby is going to have to break the news to Sheila and Gerry that they can't move in tomorrow...
0:18:13 > 0:18:16..unless Ian can help him out.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19Given the fact that there's nobody in next door,
0:18:19 > 0:18:23we could possibly look at issuing a temporary habitation,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26- in the meantime, till you get that done.- Right, great.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29OK, that's good news, that's good news. That takes the heat off a wee bit.
0:18:29 > 0:18:34Ian agrees to sign a temporary habitation certificate.
0:18:34 > 0:18:35It's great news for Bobby.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39Thank you. Cheers, Ian, thanks very much. Cheers.
0:18:39 > 0:18:40But he's kicking himself.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46I should be ecstatic but I'm a wee bit deflated because of that party wall.
0:18:46 > 0:18:51I like a clean bill of health when the building inspector inspects a house.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Gerry, it's Bobby. How are you?
0:18:54 > 0:18:56Good, good.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59Well, good news Gerry, you can move in any time you want.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08Bobby has just 24 hours to bring the house up to spec.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Luckily, there's an army of contractors on site
0:19:12 > 0:19:15so a new smoke alarm is soon fitted.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21The timber partition in the attic has been upgraded
0:19:21 > 0:19:25and Gerry and Sheila are finally able to get the keys to their home.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28Thank you, Bobby, that's great.
0:19:28 > 0:19:33How do you manage to remain calm in all the little crises that happen?
0:19:33 > 0:19:36It's a trick! Trust me!
0:19:36 > 0:19:38Just in time for Christmas.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42Most people have boxes of shoes, we have buckets!
0:19:44 > 0:19:47Being here, it's the first sort of time it's sinking in.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50This is feeling good. I really want to get the place sorted
0:19:50 > 0:19:51and get the Christmas decs up now.
0:19:51 > 0:19:57It's great. I'm loving it, really loving it.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01We look forward to really settling into a new home.
0:20:05 > 0:20:10In Cardiff, work is continuing on the Hughes family's £1.5 million house build.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15After delays, and additional work requests from the family,
0:20:15 > 0:20:18the build of this five-bed home with gym and cinema room
0:20:18 > 0:20:22is running two months behind its original schedule.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25Louise and her family must move out of their rental home in a month.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28Dan has come to check on progress...
0:20:28 > 0:20:30..and on standards.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32You can see, it's not straight to the tiles.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36- It sounds petty but if you add a lot of those around the build...- OK.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38..and sockets that are not straight and things like that,
0:20:38 > 0:20:41you do notice, you do notice.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43It's all about the lines, it's all about the lines. I told you!
0:20:43 > 0:20:47They may be laughing but the delay has put huge pressure
0:20:47 > 0:20:50on architect Dan and Louise's relationship.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52I keep telling Dan it's not his home
0:20:52 > 0:20:55and that he's never going to be able to set foot over the doorstep again,
0:20:55 > 0:20:58but I say that in jest, you know, it's all friendly banter!
0:20:58 > 0:21:01But yeah, very much he thinks it's his home.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05Initially, the staircase was going to be made out of solid concrete
0:21:05 > 0:21:08and I said, "Well, I don't want a solid concrete staircase,
0:21:08 > 0:21:10"I want these timber treads with the glass,"
0:21:10 > 0:21:13so I put my foot down. That was one of my stamp your feet moments.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19Two weeks later, progress has been made.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23The painting's nearly finished.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26The bathrooms and kitchen almost complete.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28This is my area, my room.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32But it's only two weeks until the Hughes family move in.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34This is the room we're calling the snug.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36Both of my sons play electric guitar and my youngest plays the drums
0:21:36 > 0:21:39so I've decided this is where this is going.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43It's a fab room. I am beginning to wonder whether I've over-spoilt them
0:21:43 > 0:21:47because they've got this fantastic view out over the garden.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55Dan is back to check that main contractor Martin will be ready in time.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58- Morning.- Morning. Are you all right?- Yeah, good, thank you.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01- How are we doing?- Not too bad. Late again, as always!
0:22:01 > 0:22:03- Have you ever been early in your life?- Of course I have, mate.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06- Are you going to be on time? - Exactly, I will be on time.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08What have we got left to do out here?
0:22:08 > 0:22:11It's taken 14 months to get from the drawing board to here.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- It looks nice, doesn't it? - Yeah, great.- Really nice.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20Today Dan will also flag up any snags he wants addressed.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23It just needs a tidy.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27If Dan is not happy with the work, Martin may have trouble finishing in time for the move-in date.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30It sounds really sad but that has just made it for me.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32That's, literally, gone whoop.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35Dan and Louise haven't always seen eye-to-eye on this project,
0:22:35 > 0:22:39and, even in the final stages, there are differences of opinion.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42- That steels stays grey. - Yeah, that's the downstairs.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44No, it stands out too much.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Whereas if it was the colour of the wall I wouldn't see it.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50From the outside you'll see it, when you're in the garden.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52I'm concerned about how it looks from the inside.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54We've got a bit of an issue with the post.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57Dan wants to keep them grey and I'd like to have them my colour to suit my walls
0:22:57 > 0:23:02so that they don't stand out like big enormous eyesores at you
0:23:02 > 0:23:06but Dan has his view and I have mine and they don't meet.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08It definitely works out better in the grey.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10You've got plenty of paint, Louise!
0:23:10 > 0:23:12We'll even give you a brush!
0:23:12 > 0:23:15It's like working with the Chuckle Brothers!
0:23:18 > 0:23:22With a keen eye for the smallest detail, Dan often picks up on errors
0:23:22 > 0:23:25that, in the grander scheme of things, seem trivial to Louise.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29See the skirting boards, they don't line up.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Now that's how fussy we are.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34Same with that switch, that's how fussy we are.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37- That doesn't bother me, Dan. - That's fine but we have to.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40Yeah, yeah, OK. I get you.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42Because here it's better, see.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45- They've done a better job here. - That one is better, yes.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48In terms of my relationship with Dan, it's not always been fun
0:23:48 > 0:23:50but now he just makes me laugh.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53I mean when he mentions things about the timbers not lining up
0:23:53 > 0:23:55by a millimetre, I just shrug
0:23:55 > 0:23:57and say, "There he goes again!"
0:23:57 > 0:24:02In terms of the way Dan thinks about everything and the finish of everything,
0:24:02 > 0:24:04I think he's both, erm...
0:24:04 > 0:24:07He wants to be proud of the project, he wants it to look perfect.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10- They're beluga lights. - Yeah, I know. They're nice.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12- Was that a seal of approval, Dan? - Mmm, mmm.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14I know it's a shock. I know, I know!
0:24:14 > 0:24:19It looks perfect to me. So as long as I'm happy then, maybe, he should be happy too.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23If I look at this house and I'm looking at the quality of the finish,
0:24:23 > 0:24:25I'm always going to demand perfection. Why?
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Because if you go to Europe, if you go to Scandinavia,
0:24:28 > 0:24:32their level of minimum expectation of quality
0:24:32 > 0:24:34far exceeds us, absolutely far exceeds us
0:24:34 > 0:24:37and we're saying to the construction industry here,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40"Why can't you raise your game to that level?"
0:24:40 > 0:24:44Sloppy finishes also lead to sloppy buildings,
0:24:44 > 0:24:46also lead, I think, to accepting sloppy design.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49It's going to be tough to get the building finished in time
0:24:49 > 0:24:51and to Dan's standards.
0:24:52 > 0:24:57Martin now is relying on other people, not his main company to get this job finished.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00Now if they left him down, he's going to be in trouble.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03There's no slack in this programme whatsoever.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06But delay is not an option for Louise.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08Even if things do go wrong,
0:25:08 > 0:25:11we've given our notice in to our landlord so it's...
0:25:11 > 0:25:14Yeah, we've moving, whether it's finished or not.
0:25:20 > 0:25:25It's been three months since Louise and her family moved into their new home.
0:25:32 > 0:25:37Today, architect Dan Benham is back to take a look at the fully furnished and finished house.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41Hello. Hiya. How are you? Are you all right? Good.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43- Come on in.- How are things? - Yeah, really good.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46- Enjoying it? - Absolutely, yeah.- Superb.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48The house is a triumph.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51The exterior is striking, a tribute to Dan's design skills
0:25:51 > 0:25:53and attention to detail.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57Inside, its clean lines and light open rooms
0:25:57 > 0:25:59look fantastic.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06The kitchen is at the heart of the home.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09I'm really enjoying this space. I mean, this is my space
0:26:09 > 0:26:11and it's working really well for the family, as well.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15- And does it feel it's the right size?- Oh, absolutely, yeah.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19Whilst I love my floor, the only downside is I seem to spend half my life cleaning
0:26:19 > 0:26:21and chasing people round with brooms and mops.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25I think that's the downside of modern architecture, constantly cleaning.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27- That's something I'm prepared to live with.- Yeah, good.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30It's also Dan's first glimpse of the finished cinema room.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38I normally wouldn't go with a red.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41I mean, I'm being honest now but I actually really like it.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44- It's working well. - It's cosy as well.- Yep.
0:26:44 > 0:26:49The design of the staircase was an issue that divided Dan and Louise.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51- The stairs are fantastic. - I think they work well.- Yeah.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55- I really like the stairs. - They cantilever out...the glass.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58- That was good because that actually came from you guys.- It did.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01- Brick wall came from us. - It did.- I'm glad.
0:27:01 > 0:27:02Are you happy we kept the brick wall?
0:27:02 > 0:27:05I am happy we kept the brick wall just here.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08- Not the return.- Yeah.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10- I did something right, Dan. - No, no, you... We agree!
0:27:10 > 0:27:13Another point of contention was what colour to paint
0:27:13 > 0:27:15the poles in the front room.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18- I've got my white pole here. - I thought it was going to be red.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21No, I do not want a fireman's pole in my living room.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24- Feature colour, any colour you want. - No, no, it's to blend. I don't want to see it.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28- Are you sure now?- Yeah, yeah. I mean, Brian has bumped into it a few times
0:27:28 > 0:27:30but I see that as comedic value, so.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34- And the other ones, are you going to keep them as grey? - I'm not sure. Not sure.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36It's under discussion.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38They may have had their differences of opinion,
0:27:38 > 0:27:42but the new house is a perfect combination of Dan's architectural vision
0:27:42 > 0:27:45and Louise's flair for interior design.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47- We're really happy with it. - I'm really glad you like it.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50- You can sleep well at night. - Good! Good!
0:27:50 > 0:27:55It's going to be a fantastic home for Louise and her family for years to come.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07Next time...
0:28:07 > 0:28:11Bobby battles to deliver dream homes to his discerning clients.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14Yesterday this was built.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16It was looking fantastic.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19Unfortunately, there was an issue.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24And an Edwardian town house extension in Edinburgh
0:28:24 > 0:28:27proves overwhelming for the family involved.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30I'm absolutely terrified of living in this house
0:28:30 > 0:28:32for the next six months.