0:00:02 > 0:00:08Finding a place that suits your wallet and your way of life isn't easy. Well, I have a solution.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12Stop searching for something to buy and consider somewhere to build.
0:00:13 > 0:00:20Every year, 20,000 people make the journey of a lifetime and opt to build their own home.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24We'll follow some of them from foundations to finishing touches.
0:00:24 > 0:00:29Along the way, our brave self-builders will experience amazing highs.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32This is everything I'm living for.
0:00:32 > 0:00:38- And some frustrating lows... - It would be absolutely heartbreaking if we did have to sell it.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42But if they can overcome these trials and tribulations...
0:00:42 > 0:00:46You can achieve a top-end look for not a colossal amount.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50..they'll end up with the home they've always desired.
0:00:50 > 0:00:57So if you're looking for your perfect pad, the question is simple: to build or not to build?
0:01:03 > 0:01:08'Coming up: the retirement cottage that's proving a bit of a nightmare.'
0:01:08 > 0:01:10We're probably both quite tired.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14We worry about the money. Neither of us is sleeping well.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18'The self-build in Burnley that's totally dreamy.'
0:01:18 > 0:01:20When it's finished,
0:01:20 > 0:01:25you wake up and you think, "We did this."
0:01:25 > 0:01:30'And I'm just another brick in the wall at building school.'
0:01:30 > 0:01:32Now I'm confused.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34How can that go on there?
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Oh, well.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43Before a blueprint is drawn up or a brick has been laid,
0:01:43 > 0:01:47many self-builders lose the plot finding the right piece of land.
0:01:47 > 0:01:54While many search far and wide, today I'm in the village of Hildersham near Cambridge
0:01:54 > 0:01:57to meet a couple whose perfect plot was right on their doorstep.
0:02:00 > 0:02:06'Retired couple Raymond and Helen Humphrys live in a small, but perfectly-formed village
0:02:06 > 0:02:09'of only 60 properties..
0:02:09 > 0:02:15'They already own a beautiful home, but are planning for the future and want a house
0:02:15 > 0:02:21'to suit their changing needs as they get older. They've divided their land and taken on a mortgage
0:02:21 > 0:02:27'to build an easily accessible and eco-friendly timber-frame cottage in their old back garden.'
0:02:27 > 0:02:31Beautiful village. I can understand exactly why you want to stay here,
0:02:31 > 0:02:37- but what's wrong with this place?! - It's fantastic, but a) it's very large now.
0:02:37 > 0:02:43We want a house for our old age, live downstairs, energy-efficient, easy to look after,
0:02:43 > 0:02:49cheap to run, and where we'd be happy living on one floor, possibly with a carer above.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54This is a super house, but it's a big family house - four bedrooms, three bathrooms.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58And a lot of space about it.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02There must be times, Helen, when you think, "What are we doing?"
0:03:02 > 0:03:07I must say, I'm a bit more... anxious about it than Raymond is.
0:03:07 > 0:03:14- Why not just adapt what's here?- We want an energy-efficient house and we're doing it for the excitement.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18I've thought for years about building a house to create something exciting.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22I'm in my sixties and want something where I can think, "We built that."
0:03:22 > 0:03:26Reading between the lines, Helen, he's retired and he's bored!
0:03:26 > 0:03:31That was a big shaggy dog story answer to tell us that, wasn't it?
0:03:31 > 0:03:34There's definitely something to that.
0:03:34 > 0:03:40Working with an architect, Raymond and Helen have designed a cottage with an oak frame
0:03:40 > 0:03:44to blend in with the leafy surroundings.
0:03:44 > 0:03:50They already own the plot and they've budgeted £350,000 for the total build,
0:03:50 > 0:03:54which includes a sun room, landscaping and garage.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58Properties in pretty Hildersham cost around the £600,000 mark,
0:03:58 > 0:04:03so they could make a substantial saving if they stick to the budget.
0:04:04 > 0:04:10'Helen and Raymond have already had some building experience renovating their current house
0:04:10 > 0:04:14'and they're keen to avoid hidden costs that they know can spring up.
0:04:14 > 0:04:20'So to avoid any nasty surprises, they've employed a building company and project manager
0:04:20 > 0:04:24'to build the main section of the house for a fixed price.
0:04:24 > 0:04:30'Just a short stroll away, behind the new garden wall, lies the plot to house their new home,
0:04:30 > 0:04:32'Quince Cottage.'
0:04:32 > 0:04:38- What will we be looking at? - This is where the old pond and terrace were.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43The end of the building will be down by the post that sticks up there.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47- Oh, yeah, a little peg there. - Here's the famous quince tree.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50It's going to be Quince Cottage.
0:04:50 > 0:04:56'Despite living just yards from their new front door, it's been a long and expensive journey,
0:04:56 > 0:05:04'but three architects, five years and £25,000 later, they are finally ready to build for their future.'
0:05:05 > 0:05:07You've got this massive place here,
0:05:07 > 0:05:13- a new build on the go. How are you funding this? - We're trying it in two stages.
0:05:13 > 0:05:19- We hope to be able to do most of it, both stages, for about £350,000. Approximately.- OK.
0:05:19 > 0:05:24We've got a mortgage of £300,000, an offset mortgage,
0:05:24 > 0:05:28which means you draw down the money as you use it.
0:05:29 > 0:05:34'The £300,000 mortgage takes care of the main building at stage one.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39'Stage two, which includes the sun room, will be built later
0:05:39 > 0:05:44'with money that is released from the sale of their current home.'
0:05:44 > 0:05:49- Does the financial side of it weigh heavy?- It does for me, I think, more than Raymond.
0:05:49 > 0:05:56- He, for some reason... - He wants to do it! That's all there is to it.- Whatever, yes.
0:05:56 > 0:06:01But it does worry me. I've retired. You're working part-time.
0:06:01 > 0:06:06So we don't have a lot of income and we've remortgaged our house.
0:06:06 > 0:06:12We've got no savings at all now because we've spent it on renovating the house.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15- We've been here 26 years now.- Yeah.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19And I think...you know... it's time for a change.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22It's not much of a change!
0:06:23 > 0:06:28But it will be a change. We'll have something we've thought a lot about and suits us.
0:06:34 > 0:06:39'10 days after my visit, the diggers arrive and work begins.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43- 'There's definitely no turning back now.'- Well, here we are.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45End of day one.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48See what a lovely mess they've made.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51And even a greater mess this side.
0:06:51 > 0:06:56But it's the start of great things to come. All very exciting.
0:06:56 > 0:07:02'After the diggers, come the cement lorries and soon the sleepy village
0:07:02 > 0:07:06'is alive with the sound of construction work.
0:07:06 > 0:07:13'However, not everyone in the neighbourhood is as delighted about their build as they are.'
0:07:13 > 0:07:17We had an eight-ton pick-up lorry arrived at about five past seven.
0:07:17 > 0:07:22No doubt causing my neighbours to fall out of bed and wake up.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25And they're not allowed onsite until eight o'clock.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29He's only started whizzing ???????????????
0:07:29 > 0:07:33and his lifting gear shoving all the stuff in.
0:07:33 > 0:07:41The neighbours have been round three times. Anyway, we will await developments. Happy days!
0:07:43 > 0:07:49'Most building sites, even your own, must comply with hours of work set by the local authority
0:07:49 > 0:07:51'to limit noise disruption,
0:07:51 > 0:07:58'usually 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday, 8am-1pm on Saturday and no work on Sunday.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02'Everyone, including the neighbours, deserves a day off, after all.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08'By the end of Day Four, neighbours are the least of Raymond's problems.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12'There's a major issue with the foundations.'
0:08:12 > 0:08:18You can see that the oversite concrete is almost all in place.
0:08:19 > 0:08:25Except you can see this vast area where part of the earth in the middle collapsed
0:08:25 > 0:08:30and it's going to cost an absolute fortune, I expect, extra.
0:08:33 > 0:08:39'With the ground unstable, the builders were forced to use much more concrete than expected.
0:08:39 > 0:08:45'It's often difficult to determine how good the ground is until you start digging down.
0:08:49 > 0:08:55'This unknown element means that even with a fixed price, like Raymond and Helen,
0:08:55 > 0:09:00'this can be subject to change for unforeseen problems. This bill
0:09:00 > 0:09:07'could add thousands of pounds to the budget and it's Raymond and Helen who'll have to foot the bill.'
0:09:07 > 0:09:13Hopefully, sometime this week someone will tell me how much in thousands of pounds that'll cost.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15Project Manager said £3,000-£4,000.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20Helen said, "Is that going to come off my kitchen?"
0:09:20 > 0:09:23So...so we don't really know.
0:09:23 > 0:09:28But it's one of those things you have to cope with.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32We never expected the build to go smoothly,
0:09:32 > 0:09:37but there will be problems and, I'm quite sure, frustrations to come.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39And things will go wrong.
0:09:39 > 0:09:44No doubt some of those things will cost extra money, unfortunately.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48We'll just have to grin and bear it and see how we get along.
0:09:48 > 0:09:54'And when the final bill does come in, it's a staggering £6,000 over what they'd budgeted for.
0:09:54 > 0:09:59'Just days into construction, it's a very expensive introduction.
0:10:03 > 0:10:10'Four weeks into the project, the foundations are ready and the oak frame has arrived
0:10:10 > 0:10:13'ready for construction.'
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- Look up at the light on all this. - Yeah.
0:10:19 > 0:10:24Huge beams joining those bits together. Absolutely massive.
0:10:24 > 0:10:31'Despite the early setback, Raymond and Helen remain upbeat about the build.'
0:10:32 > 0:10:35It's been amazing watching them.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- Fantastic. Poor old Raymond was... - Playing golf!
0:10:39 > 0:10:44Poor Raymond playing golf! So he missed it all.
0:10:45 > 0:10:51I hadn't realised how soon I could really see it internally and what it's going to look like.
0:10:51 > 0:10:57This room that Helen's... The big kitchen and sun room, it's Helen's idea to be together.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00I can see it'll be a stunning room.
0:11:04 > 0:11:09My excitement level has probably gone up. I was quite worried.
0:11:09 > 0:11:15But having now seen it all starting to happen, it's just amazing. It's wonderful.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27For some, the desire to build their own home is a lifetime ambition,
0:11:27 > 0:11:33but not everyone has such dreams. When Ron and Rosie Beale bought their cramped bungalow 4 years ago
0:11:33 > 0:11:37for its gorgeous country views, they never set out to self-build,
0:11:37 > 0:11:43but when their plans to extend proved too costly, they opted to build instead.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48The result - a home as stunning as the scenery.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50'Burnley, Lancashire.
0:11:50 > 0:11:56'Nestling in the Pennine Moors, this mill town's more famous for traditional stone terraces
0:11:56 > 0:12:03'than cutting-edge homes, but that's beginning to change thanks in part to Ron and Rosie
0:12:03 > 0:12:07'and their magnificent modern self-build.'
0:12:07 > 0:12:12Our initial meeting with the architect, we said, "We want a single-storey building
0:12:12 > 0:12:18"suitable for two people approaching retirement," and what he produced
0:12:18 > 0:12:21was far greater than we could ever imagine.
0:12:29 > 0:12:34Rosie and Ron's minimalist single-storey home features four bedrooms and two bathrooms,
0:12:34 > 0:12:40the standout in each being the glorious views of the rolling moorland.
0:12:41 > 0:12:48You wake up in this room, you look at the view out there on a day like this and think, "Wow!"
0:12:48 > 0:12:50You want to go and do something.
0:12:52 > 0:12:58The centrepiece of the house is this spacious, split-level, open-plan living room
0:12:58 > 0:13:02surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06That means the whole house is permanently swimming in light.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Maybe that's why they call the lower section the piranha pool.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13Why do we call it a piranha pool? Well, we wanted water in there
0:13:13 > 0:13:18and just pretend to say to people, "Would you like to feed our fish?"
0:13:18 > 0:13:25Fortunately, Rosie and Ron opted for a couple of sofas instead of a snappy water feature.
0:13:25 > 0:13:31This stunning, distinctive house couldn't be more different from the one it replaced.
0:13:31 > 0:13:37At a cost of £385,000, this twin-bedroom bungalow had seen better days.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41But what's more amazing is they didn't buy with a plan to build.
0:13:41 > 0:13:47When we came, it was just a standard 1950s brick-built bungalow,
0:13:47 > 0:13:51but it had not stood the test of time.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53And we were looking to expand it,
0:13:53 > 0:13:59but when the architect came along and took one look and said, "Where's the foundations?
0:13:59 > 0:14:03"Why have you got black mould going up the wall?
0:14:03 > 0:14:10"It'll cost you more, or as much, to rebuild it and replace it as it would to put a new build up."
0:14:10 > 0:14:13Which is exactly what they did.
0:14:14 > 0:14:19So in July, 2008, the demolition team arrived and in no time at all
0:14:19 > 0:14:25the bungalow was reduced to rubble and the couple began building its ultra-stylish replacement.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32Their original build budget was £350,000.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38But to achieve the vision they'd fallen in love with,
0:14:38 > 0:14:43they soon realised they'd have to spend much more.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46We actually got three responses back
0:14:46 > 0:14:49ranging from £365,000
0:14:50 > 0:14:54to a maximum, I think, if memory serves me right,
0:14:54 > 0:14:57of about £475,000
0:14:57 > 0:15:02and we really had to search our hearts as to whether we wanted to go ahead.
0:15:02 > 0:15:08With even the cheapest builder's quote over their budget, Rosie and Ron decided to gamble
0:15:08 > 0:15:15and press on with the ambitious project, but it meant their finances were considerably stretched.
0:15:15 > 0:15:20Cheque after cheque, bank draft after bank draft.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24And the most harrowing thing was standing in Waitrose one day
0:15:24 > 0:15:28and realising that I hadn't got enough money.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34And...that was devastating.
0:15:34 > 0:15:40But paying for the groceries proved to be small change compared to what lay ahead.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44Structural issues with the zinc roof cost them a whopping 25 grand.
0:15:44 > 0:15:49If that wasn't bad enough, the kitchen held a few surprises.
0:15:49 > 0:15:54The architect had designed the kitchen to fix this ex-display model that I'd bought,
0:15:54 > 0:15:58but when we looked at it, there was a lot of it damaged.
0:15:58 > 0:16:04So we bit the bullet and ordered a new kitchen. And are we glad we did!
0:16:06 > 0:16:11Swapping the ex-display kitchen for this one cost an extra £20,000,
0:16:11 > 0:16:15but it didn't end there. By completion,
0:16:15 > 0:16:22- they'd overspent their starting budget by a massive £85,000. Was it worth it?- When it's finished
0:16:22 > 0:16:26and you wake up and you think, "We did this,"
0:16:26 > 0:16:30you just think, "How blessed we are."
0:16:30 > 0:16:36Though the Beales went substantially over-budget, their home was valued
0:16:36 > 0:16:40at a hefty £1.1 million, a saving of almost 25%
0:16:40 > 0:16:44had they bought an equivalent ready-built home.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48But what matters most to them is what they've achieved.
0:16:48 > 0:16:55The first-time builders survived the trials and tribulations to build a striking house with stunning views.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00The whole joy of producing something like this at our stage in life,
0:17:00 > 0:17:05when we're not particularly on the young side,
0:17:05 > 0:17:09it's something we're really pleased to have achieved.
0:17:18 > 0:17:24'Back in the village of Hildersham, Raymond and Helen are into the second month of their build.
0:17:24 > 0:17:29'They return from a week's holiday to discover significant progress.'
0:17:29 > 0:17:31Oh, my goodness!
0:17:32 > 0:17:36We've got a roof shape. Isn't that amazing?
0:17:36 > 0:17:38Wow.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40Oh, what a lovely big room.
0:17:42 > 0:17:48But their initial euphoria doesn't last long as they are hit with more unexpected costs.
0:17:48 > 0:17:53We're sitting here looking at our accounts, depressing ourselves.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57We've basically accepted a price now for the heating
0:17:57 > 0:18:01and that's going to be about £17,000, probably.
0:18:01 > 0:18:08And the additional plumbing, maybe £2,000 on top of that. Getting on for £20,000 for heating.
0:18:12 > 0:18:18'Once again, Raymond and Helen have put their faith in their fixed price quote from the building company
0:18:18 > 0:18:24'even though it does state that the costing for elements such as heating and plumbing
0:18:24 > 0:18:28'are only average estimates based on other customers' experience.
0:18:29 > 0:18:35'And costs spiral further out of control when it comes to connecting the utilities.'
0:18:35 > 0:18:39The water connection charge is another £1,700.
0:18:39 > 0:18:44And that's not connected to your house. It's the bottom of the drive.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48We're paying... We've had quotes now for another...
0:18:48 > 0:18:50for nearly £11,000
0:18:50 > 0:18:56to dig the duct to bring them up the road and again that's not doing the pipes or the connections.
0:18:56 > 0:19:03So eventually just connecting is probably going to get towards £20,000.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06That's just for water and electrics.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12It's extraordinary. We hadn't thought of anything like those costs.
0:19:12 > 0:19:18'To connect the water and electricity is about £5,000 more than Raymond and Helen expected,
0:19:18 > 0:19:24'while the electrical wiring in the house has also come in five grand over what they'd accounted for.
0:19:24 > 0:19:30'Add heating, plumbing and foundations and they're £20,000 over.
0:19:30 > 0:19:36'which could mean compromising on key features such as their dream kitchen and bathroom finishes.'
0:19:37 > 0:19:43We hadn't expected some of these extra costs and they will eat into other things in our budget.
0:19:43 > 0:19:49Yes. I've still got a kitchen at the moment, but that'll be the first thing to go out the window!
0:19:52 > 0:19:55'It's build month three
0:19:55 > 0:20:01'and while overspending is a concern, they are holding on to their enthusiasm for the new house.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04'And they're rewarded with some rather rapid progress.'
0:20:05 > 0:20:09You can see an enormous change over a very short time.
0:20:09 > 0:20:14We're really delighted with it. It's good speed, they're keeping up.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18One week they had off because they're ahead.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24'Already it's starting to resemble their carefully drawn up plans.
0:20:24 > 0:20:30'The oak beams are all in place, work is progressing on the lower section of the roof
0:20:30 > 0:20:34'and the brickwork for the impressive chimney has begun.'
0:20:34 > 0:20:40Here we are, going through the front door. Hang onto my hat. Into the hall.
0:20:40 > 0:20:46The hole in the roof is the staircase, which goes up there and then left.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49You get a wonderful feel for the timber frame.
0:20:49 > 0:20:54The whole thing is supporting the bit above, up through there.
0:20:54 > 0:20:59And this is the kitchen dining room, going into the sun room at the far end.
0:20:59 > 0:21:04It's going to be all glass down there, looking out.
0:21:04 > 0:21:10And the stove right at the end with a lovely free-standing chimney, going through the roof.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13It should look quite stunning, I hope.
0:21:15 > 0:21:20'With the cottage starting to come to life, they're starting to mentally move in
0:21:20 > 0:21:25'and have finally decided to put their old house on the market.
0:21:25 > 0:21:31'They're relying on the sale to clear the £300,000 mortgage they're using to fund the build
0:21:31 > 0:21:37'and to release a further £50,000 to finish extra elements. Raymond's feeling optimistic.'
0:21:37 > 0:21:44We've had the agents round and they've both suggested we ought to do it now, so we've chosen one
0:21:44 > 0:21:49and it's all going to go ahead. Delighted. We move in in November.
0:21:51 > 0:21:58'Putting their old house up for sale has led them to throw financial caution to the wind.
0:22:00 > 0:22:06'Despite their current overspend, they've taken a risk and borrowed an additional £55,000
0:22:06 > 0:22:12'to bring forward the construction of their sun roof, which was to have been financed by the sale.
0:22:12 > 0:22:18'It's a big gamble for the pair and means they have to sell their house and for a good price
0:22:18 > 0:22:20'to clear their growing debts.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27'Four months into the build
0:22:27 > 0:22:31'and I'm back to find out how they've been getting on.'
0:22:31 > 0:22:38Last time I stood here, there was a filled-in pond and a bit of green space.
0:22:38 > 0:22:44- Things have changed. - It's 12 weeks in since they started digging into the ground.
0:22:44 > 0:22:50We've got the windows in and the roof on and battened down, waiting for the tiles.
0:22:50 > 0:22:55- I love your chimney stack. - Wonderful, isn't it? - Great thing!- Huge!
0:22:55 > 0:22:58They really enjoyed building it.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02It's extraordinary, in quarter of a year, progress like this.
0:23:02 > 0:23:09- Did you expect it to be this quick? - Er, no, definitely not. I didn't expect it to be this big either!
0:23:11 > 0:23:17'As far as downsizing goes, the scale of this retirement cottage seems to have surprised them,
0:23:17 > 0:23:21'but even at this early stage, the place already has a cosy feel.'
0:23:23 > 0:23:27- Is it fair to say this already feels homely?- I think it does.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31You can imagine the fire glowing away, sofas on either side.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35Do you know what else I like about your building?
0:23:35 > 0:23:41You've got this really ancient form of construction, which we can hear going on as we speak.
0:23:41 > 0:23:46And then if you look up, there is the very latest in technology.
0:23:46 > 0:23:52I like that juxtaposition, the marriage of old and new. That's your underfloor heating.
0:23:52 > 0:24:00- These are the heat diffuser plates and then masses of insulation goes in this under bit.- Pushing it up.- Yeah.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04- I'm dying to see the sun room. May we?- Yeah.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10This...is just...
0:24:10 > 0:24:12fabulous.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Absolutely fabulous.
0:24:14 > 0:24:19I could see Raymond's excitement in the other room and yours here.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21You're beaming from ear to ear.
0:24:21 > 0:24:27- I love it, I love it. - And this space is a lot bigger than I thought it'd be.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31Looking at the plan, it looked almost up against the boundary.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33- It's great.- It's big, yeah.
0:24:33 > 0:24:40- Absolutely lovely. What about the nitty gritty? All smiles on the budget?- Not really.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44- Is it ever?- Fair comment.
0:24:44 > 0:24:50- But it must be a huge reliance on unloading the old place. - Yes. Yeah.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54Until we sell the old place, we won't be able to finish this.
0:24:54 > 0:24:59- We're very tight, aren't we?- Yes. - We'll be able to pay our builders.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02- Yeah.- It's OK! Carry on!
0:25:02 > 0:25:06They can pay you, I've just found out!
0:25:06 > 0:25:10I think the last time we saw you, we hoped to build the whole thing
0:25:10 > 0:25:15and get the garden done, everything, for about £350,000.
0:25:15 > 0:25:22- Now, not exactly, but it's going to be nearer £400,000, I think, at the end of the day.- Plus a bit.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Yeah. I am completely jealous.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27You're doing a fabulous job.
0:25:27 > 0:25:32And the builders know they're getting paid, so that's all right.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35There you go. Every cloud has a silver lining.
0:25:35 > 0:25:40'It's certainly not been an easy journey so far
0:25:40 > 0:25:46'and if they're going to keep their build on budget, they'll have to seriously tighten their belts.'
0:25:51 > 0:25:57'If you're building your own property, there's a chance you'll get your hands dirty at some point.
0:25:57 > 0:26:02'The more you can do yourself, the more cash you can save.
0:26:02 > 0:26:09'I like to think I'm pretty deft at DIY, so I've been going back to building college to see how I do.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12'My tutor for today - Malcolm Boyle.'
0:26:19 > 0:26:25This, I think, and I'm sure you'll agree is one of the finest things ever invented.
0:26:25 > 0:26:30- No, it's just a brick.- It's not. Perfect shape. Just a lovely thing.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32Spoken like a true novice.
0:26:32 > 0:26:38- 'So much for creeping to the teacher.'- The first thing to do is mark out the return corner
0:26:38 > 0:26:43at a 90-degree angle where we'll lay the bricks. We take some mortar,
0:26:43 > 0:26:46thin screed, mark it with a set square.
0:26:46 > 0:26:52- SO it's a return corner because it runs off in two directions? - Absolutely, that's right.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56- An external corner of the house. - I understand what I'm doing now.
0:26:56 > 0:27:03'One of the key tools in bricklaying is obviously the spirit level to make sure your walls aren't wonky.'
0:27:04 > 0:27:07Bubbles in water will always go to the highest point.
0:27:07 > 0:27:13We know it's too far that way, so that's the high side.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15Ensure we get it level both ways.
0:27:16 > 0:27:21That ensures that later on when we start to make the wall vertical,
0:27:21 > 0:27:28- plumb as we call it, the brick will be nice and square between the lines.- That's the theory!
0:27:28 > 0:27:29Yeah.
0:27:30 > 0:27:37'Malcolm starts me off and then decides to take off and leave me to it.'
0:27:39 > 0:27:44I reckon with the bricks that's left, about five minutes is enough to get this corner nice.
0:27:44 > 0:27:50- Why do you always say five minutes? - Five minutes is a good time. - To make two cups of tea.- Well, one.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52Right, I'm off.
0:27:59 > 0:28:06'Talk about in at the deep end, but at least for my swimming certificate I only had one brick!'
0:28:07 > 0:28:13I'm not sure about Malcolm. It's nice that he trusts you to get on with it, but all the same...
0:28:13 > 0:28:16I would like some help.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23A really useful tip he did give me was hold the brick
0:28:23 > 0:28:27next to the one that you're tapping or they'll move around a lot.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29I've never heard that before.
0:28:29 > 0:28:34'Malcolm also said to make sure the pattern was on the outside.'
0:28:37 > 0:28:39Now I'm confused.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43How can that go on there without showing one of them?
0:28:46 > 0:28:49Oh, well, never mind.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55'With my return corner almost finished, the gaffer returns.'
0:28:55 > 0:28:58Oh, well done, that man.
0:28:58 > 0:29:03- Absolutely finished. Fantastic, that, yeah? - That might be upside down.
0:29:03 > 0:29:08You know what I was saying about sculptures? What's it meant to be?
0:29:08 > 0:29:14You've got all the faces on the right side which is a plus point. Your mortar's not too brilliant.
0:29:14 > 0:29:19You do understand that vertical means that bubble is between the lines?
0:29:19 > 0:29:22- Yes.- Not tucked away in a corner? - Yes, yes.
0:29:22 > 0:29:27- That's probably about ten millimetres out of plumb.- In four courses? - In four courses.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30'So school's out for today
0:29:30 > 0:29:33'and I'm not quite the model pupil just yet.'
0:29:33 > 0:29:38Basically, I'm building an igloo. It was a grand dome I had in mind.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41A grand dome or a mushroom, depending which way it goes.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51Back in Hildersham and over four months into the build,
0:29:51 > 0:29:55progress on the Humphrys' detached cottage continues apace.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58The roofers arrive to tile the roof.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02But when the pros down tools for the day,
0:30:02 > 0:30:05the DIY night shift gets started in a bid to save cash.
0:30:05 > 0:30:11Nice, quiet evening, now that the tilers have gone, having finished the tiling.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14Helen and I are out painting the gable end.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19Do you know what? This is the 17th of September.
0:30:19 > 0:30:2234 years ago, we got married.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26This is the evening of our anniversary.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30Don't say I don't know how to treat a woman(!)
0:30:30 > 0:30:34This is one wedding anniversary that won't be forgotten in a hurry.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38Luckily, Helen doesn't have to paint the entire house,
0:30:38 > 0:30:44and the following day, the professionals are on site to render the exterior walls of the cottage.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47A week later and there's no rest for Raymond.
0:30:47 > 0:30:53This time, he ropes in brother-in-law Geoff for a spot of DIY guttering.
0:30:53 > 0:30:59Geoff and I have a couple of days, today and Monday, to try and get the guttering up, not the downpipes,
0:30:59 > 0:31:02so the scaffolding can come down.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06We're probably saving about £2,000 by doing the guttering ourselves.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10I say "ourselves". As you see, I hold the bracket.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14- No, you've got the level. You've got the important job.- The level as well.
0:31:14 > 0:31:19They might be saving money, but they're in danger of using up all their energy.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22We're probably both quite tired.
0:31:22 > 0:31:28Helen and I have been worried about the money and neither of us have been sleeping particularly well.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31That's just one of those things, unfortunately.
0:31:31 > 0:31:37Now everything is coming together, there are decisions to make every day
0:31:37 > 0:31:42which in itself is sort of tiring and you hope you're making the right ones.
0:31:42 > 0:31:48Added to the burden is the continuing worry of their unsold house.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52With the projected moving-in date looming in less than two months,
0:31:52 > 0:31:58Raymond and Helen need the money from the sale of their old home to finish off the new place.
0:31:58 > 0:32:03If all goes according to plan and we move in at the beginning of December,
0:32:03 > 0:32:07it will be a bit bare, we will be camping out for a while,
0:32:07 > 0:32:15but we'll have a utility room probably, so we'll have a sink there and one bathroom, so that's OK.
0:32:15 > 0:32:19Hopefully, we'll have most of the floors in, but we'll see.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22We've just got to see how the finances work out.
0:32:22 > 0:32:28The key to a successful build lies with a realistic budget and the right design.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32By their own admission, Raymond and Helen were supposed to be downsizing.
0:32:32 > 0:32:37However, they've both been surprised by the size and scale of their new home.
0:32:37 > 0:32:43We probably ought to have built something smaller, but if you only do one of these things once...
0:32:43 > 0:32:50It's like this lovely sun room. We could have done without it and the house would have been smaller,
0:32:50 > 0:32:53but it would still be big enough for us and lovely,
0:32:53 > 0:32:58so we are spending too much on this, but we're not going to regret it.
0:32:58 > 0:33:03It's going to be fantastic and we're going to love living here.
0:33:04 > 0:33:09And no wonder! This cottage might be big, but it's also beautiful.
0:33:09 > 0:33:13One job that has been finished is the stunning exterior render.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15So they managed to do it in two days.
0:33:15 > 0:33:20I've had to cover it up, unfortunately, because of all the wet.
0:33:20 > 0:33:26Basically, it's a lime render mixture, so it comes out as this is its natural colour.
0:33:26 > 0:33:30I haven't told Helen, but Geoff, my brother-in-law, said this morning,
0:33:30 > 0:33:35"Now you've run out of money, Helen will be able to use this for curtains."
0:33:35 > 0:33:39- Quite trendy for curtains. - Trendy hessian curtains, you see!
0:33:39 > 0:33:41That's a good idea.
0:33:43 > 0:33:49Despite their money worries, at least they're holding on to their sense of humour.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53And two days later, their spirits are lifted further
0:33:53 > 0:33:59when they receive an offer for their old house which should now ease their financial concerns.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01We've found a buyer for the house, we hope.
0:34:01 > 0:34:07And hopefully, contracts will be exchanged in the next two or three weeks.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10We've agreed a completion date on the 3rd of December.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18It's December and seven months into the construction.
0:34:18 > 0:34:24The scaffolding is down and the cottage's beautiful exterior is finally revealed.
0:34:24 > 0:34:29Raymond is relieved work is nearing completion, but there is still a lot to think about.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35It's sort of bringing it all to fruition now.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39- I'm tired, I think is probably the right answer.- Yeah, I'm tired.
0:34:39 > 0:34:45There have been so many decisions to make and there are more decisions every day.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49It's not juggling with this, but with the sale of our house as well.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53Trying to keep everything going is tiring, isn't it?
0:34:53 > 0:34:56Two months since they got a firm offer on their old house,
0:34:56 > 0:34:59worryingly, the sale is still not completed.
0:34:59 > 0:35:04Unfortunately, there's been a bit of a delay on the sale of our house.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06There are certain legal problems,
0:35:06 > 0:35:10but we hope that will all be settled by the end of this week,
0:35:10 > 0:35:14so we'll exchange contracts at the beginning of next week, we hope.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18I rather think that we'll be in on Christmas Eve.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21Just about moved in on Christmas Eve.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25- And we hope to complete on the 7th of January.- Yeah, so... Yeah.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31It's been a stressful journey for Raymond and Helen,
0:35:31 > 0:35:35but they're remaining positive about the project.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38Who wouldn't be? HE LAUGHS
0:35:39 > 0:35:42- But we wouldn't do it again.- No.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44BOTH LAUGH
0:35:44 > 0:35:47- Once is enough.- At our age, it's too much of a risk.
0:35:54 > 0:35:58Four months later, I'm in Hildersham to visit Raymond and Helen.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01The sale of the old house has gone through.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05They've been settling into their new home for the last couple of months.
0:36:07 > 0:36:12I don't know about new build. Something looks like it's been here for ever.
0:36:12 > 0:36:17They've still to landscape, but I am very impressed by the finished home.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20This house simply oozes traditional charm.
0:36:20 > 0:36:24In a village of just a handful of houses,
0:36:24 > 0:36:29it more than justifies its right to be crowned the elegant new kid on the block.
0:36:34 > 0:36:38- Hello.- Hello. Come in. - Thank you very much indeed.
0:36:43 > 0:36:44Wow!
0:36:44 > 0:36:48This is very, very impressive.
0:36:48 > 0:36:54There's a real feeling of permanence about your brand-new house, if that makes sense.
0:36:54 > 0:36:59- Yes.- Do you know what I mean? - It feels as though we've been here quite a long time.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03It immediately felt comfortable moving in to it.
0:37:04 > 0:37:10'It took less than a year to put up, but the ancient oak beams which support the house
0:37:10 > 0:37:16'puts its character in a completely different time and place.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19'From the kitchen through to the lounge and sun room,
0:37:19 > 0:37:23'each room manages to conjure up a feeling of cosy warmth.'
0:37:28 > 0:37:32Right, Simon, do come in. This is the snug.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35And snug it is too!
0:37:35 > 0:37:40It's really, really cosy, but you don't spend any time in here
0:37:40 > 0:37:44with that beautiful living area in the next room?
0:37:44 > 0:37:49Yes, we do, particularly in the evenings. We come in here and light the log fire
0:37:49 > 0:37:51and snuggle up and that's it.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55But you know what I love... The fact that you've got this oak frame.
0:37:55 > 0:38:00It makes every room into a picture, if that makes sense.
0:38:00 > 0:38:05- It frames everything. It frames the areas.- Yes. - It gives you a continuity as well.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10'The house has a bedroom and a bathroom downstairs,
0:38:10 > 0:38:12'built with the future in mind.
0:38:13 > 0:38:17'The design will allow them to grow older together
0:38:17 > 0:38:21'without having to make any further changes to the house.
0:38:21 > 0:38:27'Upstairs, the beams and furnishings in the main bedroom develop the country cottage feel.
0:38:27 > 0:38:32'This has its own en-suite bathroom and built-in wardrobes.
0:38:32 > 0:38:37'The house's other two bedrooms share a second bathroom between them.'
0:38:37 > 0:38:39I love your tiles.
0:38:39 > 0:38:44- Who chose them? - Raymond did, actually. He's the tile chooser in this house.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48I think you're in touch with your feminine side, Raymond. Definitely.
0:38:48 > 0:38:53- It's a lovely touch. It would have been so easy to go simple and white.- Yes.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56But this is a really nice space.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59'It's taken a few false starts to get here,
0:38:59 > 0:39:04'but the couple can now start to finally enjoy all the hard work they've put in.
0:39:04 > 0:39:09'The first two homes they hoped to build on this plot were thrown out by the planners
0:39:09 > 0:39:15'and it's third time lucky, now that Quince Cottage is virtually complete.'
0:39:15 > 0:39:21- Was it more stressful than you anticipated?- I don't think it was more stressful.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24I think it was much more constant hard work
0:39:24 > 0:39:28from first thing in the morning to first thing in the evening.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32- Hmm.- And it was every day.- Yeah.- It was difficult to get away from it.
0:39:33 > 0:39:37But I don't know that it was that stressful.
0:39:37 > 0:39:41- It was just a lot of work.- And Helen was worried that I might snuff it.
0:39:41 > 0:39:47She was taking my blood pressure every morning to make sure I would carry on paying the mortgage.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51Having retired herself, her income didn't cover it at all.
0:39:51 > 0:39:55- Talking about money, there was an overspend, wasn't there?- Yes.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59We relied on various prices and things and perhaps we were naive,
0:39:59 > 0:40:03because this is the first time we've done it, in working out costs.
0:40:03 > 0:40:08It doesn't matter whether it's the electrics or the plumbing or the foundations.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12Everything came to more than we had planned, often by quite a lot.
0:40:12 > 0:40:18Even if it's only 3,000, 4,000, 5,000 here and there, you've only got to have ten and that's...
0:40:18 > 0:40:21- A lot of money. - An awful lot of money.- Absolutely.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25Those figures must have been terrifying at times.
0:40:25 > 0:40:30We were worried at times that we were going to be able to finish it on the money we had.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36'A £50,000 overspend means it's cost them a total
0:40:36 > 0:40:40'of £400,000 to build the home of their dreams,
0:40:40 > 0:40:44'but what value would it command if it was on the market?'
0:40:45 > 0:40:49As you know, there's been an estate agent prying round your property.
0:40:49 > 0:40:55They have come up with a market value for this gorgeous, oak-framed property
0:40:55 > 0:41:00of somewhere between £650,000 and £700,000.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02- Wow!- So...
0:41:03 > 0:41:06- Very nice.- It's not bad. Raymond's gone all quiet.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09Wow.
0:41:09 > 0:41:14I was hoping in my mind that it would be worth between 600 and 650,
0:41:14 > 0:41:17- so that comes out the right side of that.- Yeah.- Lovely.
0:41:17 > 0:41:23- So all those financial pressures were worth it in the end, I guess. - Yes.- Oh, yes.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27'That's a fantastic saving of £300,000,
0:41:27 > 0:41:31'compared to buying a similar property in the area.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37'Helen and Raymond have put everything into this house,
0:41:37 > 0:41:43'including sacrificing their wedding anniversary celebrations to carry on painting the woodwork instead.
0:41:43 > 0:41:49'To reward their devotion to duty, it's up to me to put a little sparkle back into their romance.'
0:41:50 > 0:41:54It's simply not good enough that you were working on your anniversary.
0:41:54 > 0:41:58- There we are.- Look at those! - Some lovely crystal glasses.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01- Fantastic.- But I think even better... - Oh, look at this!
0:42:01 > 0:42:05- "To Build Or Not To Build." - There we go.- That is fantastic.
0:42:05 > 0:42:09- That's for you.- Look at these! They're beautiful.- Fantastic.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12Now you've finally got a bit of space and time,
0:42:12 > 0:42:16you can re-live your anniversary without being speckled in paint.
0:42:16 > 0:42:22- How's that for you?- That's wonderful. Thank you very much. - It's an absolute pleasure.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29'And what they've achieved by self-building in their back garden
0:42:29 > 0:42:32'is definitely worth celebrating.'
0:42:34 > 0:42:37You have used a technique which is ageless.
0:42:37 > 0:42:41They've been building in this manner for thousands of years,
0:42:41 > 0:42:48but you've created a house for the 21st century and the marriage of those two is an absolute triumph.
0:42:48 > 0:42:52I certainly think that the fun of it is the thought to me
0:42:52 > 0:42:57that this oak frame will probably be around in 400 or 500 years, even if the skin isn't the same.
0:42:57 > 0:43:01- Someone can take it apart and use it again. It'll last.- It certainly will.
0:43:18 > 0:43:22Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd 2011
0:43:22 > 0:43:25Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk