0:00:00 > 0:00:02We all dream of owning the perfect home.
0:00:02 > 0:00:06But finding a place that suits your wallet and your way of life isn't easy.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08Well, I have a solution.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12Stop searching for something to buy and consider somewhere to build.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18Every year in Britain, 20,000 people build their own home.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21We'll be following some of them
0:00:21 > 0:00:24as they go from foundations to finishing touches.
0:00:24 > 0:00:28Along the way, our brave self-builders will experience amazing highs...
0:00:28 > 0:00:32This is my life at the moment. It's everything I'm living for.
0:00:32 > 0:00:36..and some frustrating lows.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38It would be heartbreaking if we had 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 top-end look for not a colossal amount of money.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49..they'll end up with the home they've always desired.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52So if you're looking for your perfect pad,
0:00:52 > 0:00:54the question is simple.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57To build or not to build?
0:01:01 > 0:01:05The couple self-building a new home
0:01:05 > 0:01:08with a vintage twist in beautiful Suffolk.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12It's the house we want, on the plot we like. The two are coming together.
0:01:12 > 0:01:18Cheddar gorgeous. The Doncaster self-build shaped like a wedge of cheese.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21It's always been my ambition to do a one-off project like this.
0:01:21 > 0:01:26I didn't want to build a red brick house with a pantile roof. I wanted to do something different.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29And will I nail it when it comes to making a partition wall
0:01:29 > 0:01:32at building school?
0:01:32 > 0:01:34I don't work well under pressure!
0:01:40 > 0:01:44Quaint cottages with thatched roofs, village green, duck pond,
0:01:44 > 0:01:49winding lanes. Polstead in Suffolk is the embodiment of an English village.
0:01:49 > 0:01:54I'm here to meet a couple who desperately wanted to buy into this timeless lifestyle,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57but were put off by the upkeep of a traditional cottage.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01If only there were a way to fuse a hassle-free house of today
0:02:01 > 0:02:04with an atmospheric dwelling of yesteryear.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08Well, that's exactly what our self-builders plan to do.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12To fulfil their ambition to fuse old and new,
0:02:12 > 0:02:16IT project manager Wendy Black and her PE teacher husband Ray
0:02:16 > 0:02:21bought a plot of land in Polstead eight years ago.
0:02:21 > 0:02:27The positives - more than two acres of luscious green space and gorgeous views.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29What could possibly be the downside?
0:02:29 > 0:02:30Ah.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36Occupying the site is this rather interesting property
0:02:36 > 0:02:38that one would hardly call quaint.
0:02:38 > 0:02:43Wendy and Ray bought this place for the building potential, not the house on it.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47But they've had to live in this less than beautiful bungalow first.
0:02:47 > 0:02:48Oh, yes, indeed!
0:02:48 > 0:02:52- Oh, I like your bathroom! - Kind of retro, isn't it?
0:02:52 > 0:02:57- The wildlife's doing very well! - Don't, it's appalling.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00- We didn't want to spend money on the property so...- You haven't!
0:03:00 > 0:03:04It did look slightly better in 2002,
0:03:04 > 0:03:07but not having lived in it for over a year...
0:03:07 > 0:03:12- There's no point, is there? It really would be dead money.- Yes.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Ray did really well with this kitchen.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18When we moved in, he picked up the entire kitchen for £50.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23Typical Scotsman. Everybody loves a bargain, don't they? Yes?
0:03:23 > 0:03:28- Yes!- Even at 50p I think Ray might have overpaid!
0:03:28 > 0:03:31Surely the living room can't be as bad as that, can it?
0:03:31 > 0:03:35Well, it's a period place. It's of a certain period, isn't it?
0:03:35 > 0:03:37Oh, it's absolutely... Oh, dear.
0:03:37 > 0:03:42There should be some sort of preservation order on those polystyrene tiles!
0:03:42 > 0:03:45Don't. Then we wouldn't be able to knock it down!
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Just getting to this stage in their self-build journey
0:03:51 > 0:03:54has been a painful experience for Wendy and Ray.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58What they hoped would be a short planning process dragged on for six years
0:03:58 > 0:04:02before they eventually got the go-ahead to demolish the bungalow.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05But just when they thought they could replace their run-down residence,
0:04:05 > 0:04:08the British economy started to crumble too.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10The credit crunch came along
0:04:10 > 0:04:14and our mortgage was with one of the banks that was hit by the credit crunch.
0:04:14 > 0:04:20So borrowing the last bit of money to get roughly the amount we need
0:04:20 > 0:04:23- was a no-no!- Oh, that's just nasty, isn't it?
0:04:23 > 0:04:28Finally we've got planning permission, now we can't afford to build it.
0:04:28 > 0:04:33Unable to obtain the extra finance, they reluctantly put the plot back on the market,
0:04:33 > 0:04:38ditched their self-build plans and began searching for a ready-built home.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42They eventually fell in love with a modern home to buy
0:04:42 > 0:04:44that ticked all the boxes.
0:04:44 > 0:04:49Suddenly you found this house that was perfect. Why are you not living there now?
0:04:49 > 0:04:53Well, we put the offer in. Put it in on a Sunday,
0:04:53 > 0:04:56and had it accepted on the Sunday evening.
0:04:56 > 0:05:01The couple who were living there, one of them wanted to go to a bungalow round the corner,
0:05:01 > 0:05:04and the other wanted to go to their daughter in Devon.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08They were arguing for two days about where they were going.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10So they've taken the house off the market.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16Sorry, I shouldn't laugh!
0:05:16 > 0:05:18You have to laugh, or you'd cry.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20- Well, I did!- Somebody was!
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Fortunately, the tears didn't last long.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28Through the internet, Wendy tracked down the man who'd built the house they'd just lost out on.
0:05:28 > 0:05:33When he revealed he could replicate the exact design at a price they could afford,
0:05:33 > 0:05:37their long-standing self-build ambition was about to become a reality.
0:05:39 > 0:05:45It was exactly the same design as the one that we'd just lost.
0:05:45 > 0:05:51So you'd stumbled across the designer of the house you'd just lost.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53- Yes.- Amazing!
0:05:54 > 0:05:56So this time, it's for real.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59With the planners happy with their latest design,
0:05:59 > 0:06:02they're building a four-bed timber-framed kit house
0:06:02 > 0:06:05that replicates the local country cottage style.
0:06:09 > 0:06:15This house is cheaper than their previous build quotes and now the bank was happy to lend the money.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20The estimated total project cost, including the plot:
0:06:23 > 0:06:27Hit that target and they could save over £250,000
0:06:27 > 0:06:29compared to buying a similar property in the area.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33That's where we are. We're getting the house we want
0:06:33 > 0:06:35on the plot we like
0:06:35 > 0:06:37and the two are coming together.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41Ten days after my visit,
0:06:41 > 0:06:45it's time for Wendy and Ray to say bye-bye to the bungalow - if they can bear it!
0:06:45 > 0:06:50If I really want to say no, it's now. But I really want to do this!
0:06:50 > 0:06:54So it's all go, it's all on its way.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58I think you've made the right decision, Wendy.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02Making sure it definitely is a final farewell is builder Tony Benfield.
0:07:02 > 0:07:07As well as the demolition, he'll be overseeing the construction of the Blacks' new home.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13We told Ray and Wendy no tears, no domestics today!
0:07:13 > 0:07:16The building's coming down, then we start the build.
0:07:16 > 0:07:21Without further ado, it's time to bash this bungalow to bits.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32I'm really excited. Thoroughly enjoying it!
0:07:34 > 0:07:36There's the old door coming out.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41Whoa!
0:07:43 > 0:07:46In just an hour, the guys have already made rapid progress.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49It's all going to plan. We're on time, where we thought we'd be.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52I fancy keeping some of the wallpaper, though!
0:07:52 > 0:07:56Never mind the wallpaper! You should have seen the bathroom!
0:07:56 > 0:08:00Ripping through a building with a ten-tonne digger looks straightforward.
0:08:00 > 0:08:05But there's a high level of skill needed to ensure the structure comes down safely.
0:08:07 > 0:08:12The proximity to the neighbouring property means the team has to be extra careful
0:08:12 > 0:08:15to prevent the wall collapsing onto next door.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18It wouldn't be a great start to being a neighbour
0:08:18 > 0:08:24to get half of our demolished house landing in a garden. We've got great neighbours,
0:08:24 > 0:08:27so we want to keep them that way.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31As everyone watches nervously, the digger tackles the tricky roof section.
0:08:31 > 0:08:36One slight error and the neighbours might be needing a new car!
0:08:40 > 0:08:42But no need for anyone to panic.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44That was dramatic!
0:08:46 > 0:08:51It's not long before the bad bathroom bites the dust too, much to Ray's delight!
0:08:51 > 0:08:53Hooray!
0:08:53 > 0:08:55Done!
0:08:55 > 0:08:58After eight years of patient waiting and numerous setbacks,
0:08:58 > 0:09:01the self-build is officially under way.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05- Exciting!- You're having a wonderful day, aren't you?
0:09:05 > 0:09:07I'm like a five-year-old!
0:09:11 > 0:09:14Clearing the site continues for the next few days.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17But it's not as easy as builder Tony anticipated.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21We're on the fourth day of demolition.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26Where we thought we'd find the old bungalow sitting on a thin layer of concrete as the footings,
0:09:26 > 0:09:30we found we actually had not a reinforced slab,
0:09:30 > 0:09:36but a raft of concrete that's probably 90 years old
0:09:36 > 0:09:38spread over the whole of the surface.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41Hence we've ended up with almost like an extra layer
0:09:41 > 0:09:43to remove and break up.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46What does that mean in terms of costs and extra work?
0:09:46 > 0:09:49It hasn't cost you anything, Ray, but it's cost me,
0:09:49 > 0:09:51because I gave you a price for the job.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53It's probably cost me £1,000.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57Because the quality of land is hard to determine prior to digging into it,
0:09:57 > 0:10:00self-builders are often hit with extra costs
0:10:00 > 0:10:03to put in more stable foundations once work's begun.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08But because Wendy and Ray have a fixed-price deal with the builder,
0:10:08 > 0:10:12they haven't lost out and the rest of the groundwork goes without a hitch.
0:10:12 > 0:10:19However, later, an unexpected £5,000 bill will leave their finances totally drained.
0:10:19 > 0:10:25I didn't realise there were no drains included in the quotation whatsoever.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36The beauty of building your own home
0:10:36 > 0:10:40is that you get a place that's completely suited to your own tastes.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43For some, a tried-and-tested design fits the bill.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46However, one Yorkshire couple's uniquely-shaped self-build
0:10:46 > 0:10:49is more off the wall than off the shelf!
0:10:52 > 0:10:55When it came to designing their new home near Doncaster,
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Sue Beaumont and her partner Mike Jones
0:10:58 > 0:11:02decided the traditional dull detached house didn't quite fit the bill.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07So they decided to break the mould and go for something totally different.
0:11:12 > 0:11:18And they certainly achieve that with this distinctive three-bed home shaped like a block of cheese!
0:11:18 > 0:11:22I've always wanted to build my own house. My dad and my brother are builders
0:11:22 > 0:11:26and it's been an ambition of mine to do a one-off project like this.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30I didn't want to build a red-brick house with a pantile roof.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33I wanted something different. So we engaged with an architect
0:11:33 > 0:11:36who helped us come up with this design.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Sue had looked for the perfect plot for three years.
0:11:41 > 0:11:48She struck lucky when a friend suggested a former sand quarry near where she was brought up.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51It was the unusual shape of the sandpit-cum-plot
0:11:51 > 0:11:54that led to the cheese wedge design of their house.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57It wasn't obvious where to site the building.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01The architect has made it grow organically out of the bank.
0:12:01 > 0:12:06We had to dig quite a long way into the bank then it sort of shoots out.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16They decided to project manage the construction themselves to save cash.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20In another break with tradition, they started with the garden.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23We wanted to do the garden before we started building the house,
0:12:23 > 0:12:28mainly because once you'd built the house, there's no access round the back.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31So we commissioned a garden designer who designed this.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36So the garden's quite mature even though the house is only a year old.
0:12:39 > 0:12:45Building on sand meant they had to shell out an unexpected £10,000 shoring up the former quarry walls.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48It is almost continually stressful.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Every day you're making hundreds of decisions
0:12:50 > 0:12:54from the shape and size of the door handles and where you'll get them,
0:12:54 > 0:12:58to big decisions about how much you can afford to spend on glass, et cetera.
0:12:58 > 0:13:03Being on site every day enabled them to get things exactly how they wanted.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07This included taking over the design of the interior
0:13:07 > 0:13:11after they decided the architect's original plan didn't feel quite right.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14We ended up totally redesigning the interior.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17The stairs were going to be in here. We moved them to the hallway.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21We changed the layout of the bedrooms and the kitchen.
0:13:21 > 0:13:22We completely redesigned it.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26The look and feel of the inside of the house is solely down to us.
0:13:28 > 0:13:34One thing we wanted was an open-plan living space with the kitchen and dining area together.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43One of the jewels of this build is the glamorous bathroom.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47I love the way we get natural light through the skylight
0:13:47 > 0:13:49and we put some funky lights in as well.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53At night time, it's fantastic with a lovely atmosphere in here.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56You can have a bath and stare up at the stars.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08Upstairs, the sloping design of the house adds to the spacious feel.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11This is the master bedroom. We spent a lot of time designing this.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15I love the idea that it's high ceilings, it's spacious.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17You don't feel claustrophobic.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21We've designed walk-in wardrobes and an en-suite.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26One of the most important things for me in the design of the house
0:14:26 > 0:14:30was to have an area to display all my books.
0:14:30 > 0:14:37I've got thousands of books. I'm a budding jazz musician, so I've got saxophones and thousands of CDs.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41It took two years to get the project from design to completion.
0:14:41 > 0:14:46Despite making substantial changes, their overspend was kept to £20,000.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51But with the property now worth an estimated half a million quid,
0:14:51 > 0:14:57this canny couple have saved a tidy £125,000 because they built rather than bought.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01The overall outcome is absolutely fabulous.
0:15:01 > 0:15:06Sue and Mike have got the taste for self-build through their individual cheese-wedge home.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09So this might turn out to be just an appetiser.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15Maybe in eight, ten, 12 years, I'd like to build a retirement home
0:15:15 > 0:15:17that's eco-friendly and sustainable
0:15:17 > 0:15:22so as I go into my old age we don't have to worry about heating and that sort of thing.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27It's being able to commit two years where you're not working to do it again.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29We'll be retired!
0:15:31 > 0:15:34So for these two, their tasty self-build project
0:15:34 > 0:15:38has given them plenty of food for thought and raised the tantalising possibility
0:15:38 > 0:15:42of them rolling up their sleeves again when retirement finally comes.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59It's a month since the demolition of Wendy and Ray's bungalow.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01The new foundations are in place
0:16:01 > 0:16:05and the exterior walls are about to go up on their country cottage.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09The house is being built using timber-framed kit panels
0:16:09 > 0:16:13pre-made to Wendy and Ray's specifications and assembled on site.
0:16:13 > 0:16:19The main advantage of this system is that the initial construction is incredibly quick.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23I can't believe that we'll have a complete house by the end of the week.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25It's Tuesday and the ground floor is going in.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29They'll put the structure for the floor in tomorrow, Wednesday,
0:16:29 > 0:16:32and then the upper storey on Thursday.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35On Friday they'll start putting the roof on.
0:16:35 > 0:16:41But while the pace might be to Wendy's liking, she's not sure about the actual space.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46So when we saw the groundworks go in and the flat concrete floor,
0:16:46 > 0:16:51it really looked quite small and we stood on it and went, "Ooh!"
0:16:51 > 0:16:56So I'm really hoping that we'll see this getting bigger as the day goes on.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59And it'll look much larger by the end of the day.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02Too late to change anything now, Wendy. They've just built your kitchen!
0:17:02 > 0:17:06Husband Ray doesn't share Wendy's concerns about size.
0:17:06 > 0:17:11Here we are. First time through the patio doors into the kitchen.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13And it's big.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15I think it's big.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19Just get this feel of where the units come out to.
0:17:19 > 0:17:25Ground floor is quickly taking shape. But it's not long before Wendy spots a problem.
0:17:25 > 0:17:30It appears an additional door has been added to a fitted larder that's part of the frame.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34They've already built the door into there for the internal walls?
0:17:34 > 0:17:36That's on the final plans.
0:17:36 > 0:17:43- We haven't actually made a decision on that.- That's on the drawings, so that's what we've built.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46But you'll ask me to make a decision and authorise the spending and I haven't.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49This might not seem like a big deal,
0:17:49 > 0:17:53but Wendy's worried this minor mix-up could cost her extra cash.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56Fortunately, there's a simple solution to ease the tension.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00- So if we don't want a door here... - We'll just cover it over.
0:18:00 > 0:18:05We haven't lost ground or money and we haven't lost people's patience!
0:18:05 > 0:18:08- No, fine.- Yet!
0:18:08 > 0:18:14Ray's happy, whereas Wendy... Maybe best to give her a minute or two!
0:18:16 > 0:18:22When you're self-building, it's crucial to be in communication with everyone involved
0:18:22 > 0:18:24to ensure it runs smoothly and without error.
0:18:24 > 0:18:30For Wendy, the larder door soon turns out to be the least of her worries.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34She's realised a misunderstanding, this time over the drains,
0:18:34 > 0:18:38has left the couple with an expensive bill they weren't expecting.
0:18:38 > 0:18:44I had anticipated a cost for the drains would have been included in the quotation.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48I understood if there were problems, yes, there'd be extra.
0:18:48 > 0:18:53I didn't realise there we NO drains included in the quote whatsoever!
0:18:53 > 0:18:58How can you build a house when you know you need drains
0:18:58 > 0:19:03and hard cash. It was an extra £5,500.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07That's a sizeable sum of money to throw down the drain.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11Whilst she's used to managing complex projects and big budgets in her day job,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14this unexpected overspend has hit Wendy hard.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18Just out of control!
0:19:18 > 0:19:23And you can tell that I do like to be in control!
0:19:26 > 0:19:29It's getting tougher for Wendy, and her tail-spin only gets worse
0:19:29 > 0:19:34when she discovers their local electricity supplier wants over £6,000
0:19:34 > 0:19:37to dig up the road to connect the new property to the grid.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41Fortunately, hard negotiations and a pragmatic solution
0:19:41 > 0:19:43manage to dramatically cut the connection cost.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48I've managed to get that down to just about 2,500
0:19:48 > 0:19:51and that means we need to have a pole in the hedge
0:19:51 > 0:19:54but as we already have a pole for BT,
0:19:54 > 0:19:58to have another pole in the hedge with electricity - C'est la vie!
0:19:58 > 0:20:03Even at this early stage, Wendy's considering some drastic measures
0:20:03 > 0:20:04to get the budget back on track.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07It might be that we have to at some point say to Tony,
0:20:07 > 0:20:12"Sorry, but we'll have to finish this ourselves." Depends how many surprises we get!
0:20:21 > 0:20:27Thankfully, over the next few days, the only shocks Wendy and Ray receive are pleasant ones.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29Day four of the frame being erected.
0:20:29 > 0:20:35You can see that the top storey is now going in place. It's so quick.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40The build team have stuck to their rapid schedule.
0:20:40 > 0:20:46By the end of the week, the upper floor is built and they're going higher.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51Things are cracking on. We've got the felt moving on to the roof.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53The roofers are doing the battening.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57The tiles have arrived ready for that stage.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00Now it's really beginning to look like a real house.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04Ray's camerawork aside, things are looking good.
0:21:07 > 0:21:12The build is on schedule and the guys are making speedy work preparing for tiling.
0:21:12 > 0:21:17It's just ten weeks since the first timber panel was fitted into place on the foundations.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20The house is rapidly coming together.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22Time I headed back for a site inspection.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27The last time I popped down to Polstead to see Ray and Wendy Black,
0:21:27 > 0:21:30I had the, er, delightful experience
0:21:30 > 0:21:32of visiting their dilapidated bungalow.
0:21:32 > 0:21:38Fortunately, that has now gone and it's being rapidly replaced by a modern cottage
0:21:38 > 0:21:39with a vintage twist.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43So, how's their self-build journey into yesteryear coming on?
0:21:43 > 0:21:46It's three months into the build
0:21:46 > 0:21:50and I'm impressed by what's been achieved since I was last here.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Well, well. This has changed now, hasn't it?
0:21:53 > 0:21:56It has a bit since you were last here.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59Not quite the dingy bungalow it was.
0:21:59 > 0:22:00No, no.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04It took just a tad longer to get this up to here
0:22:04 > 0:22:07rather than the three hours that the bungalow took to come down.
0:22:08 > 0:22:13Did you think at any time, "This is insane, knocking this place down."
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Just before it went down, I thought, "This is it.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20"This is the minute that if I want to say, 'Stop!'".
0:22:20 > 0:22:25After that it was a little bit like getting married.
0:22:25 > 0:22:30You're really nervous, you really want to do it, but by God it's for life!
0:22:30 > 0:22:33Absolutely, yeah. That's fair comment, isn't it?
0:22:34 > 0:22:38And just like any marriage, there are always good times and bad.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42So is the honeymoon period over?
0:22:42 > 0:22:45I can hear a mixture of glee and stress.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47Is that fair to say?
0:22:47 > 0:22:50I think any project has glee and stress.
0:22:50 > 0:22:56You're always going to get some parts of it that are, "Yes! That looks excellent."
0:22:56 > 0:22:58And there's other bits that are, "Oh."
0:22:58 > 0:23:03The extra £8,000 Wendy and Ray had spent on drains and electricity
0:23:03 > 0:23:05clearly was one of those "Ooh" moments.
0:23:05 > 0:23:10However, sometimes it can be the smaller things that cause the biggest upset.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14First thing I notice, everything else is in. You're missing a front door.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18- Yes, we're missing a front door. - Yeah.- What do you mean, "Yeah"?
0:23:18 > 0:23:22- Problem with the colour. - What problem with the colour?
0:23:22 > 0:23:27- We'd like an oak-coloured front door.- Traditional.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30But the colour we've been given
0:23:30 > 0:23:34- we hate. We loathe.- It's orange.- Ah.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38Now, you might think the colour of a door would be the least of their worries.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42But when it's your self build, ensuring every aspect is exactly right,
0:23:42 > 0:23:44can become an obsession.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46- The devil is in the detail.- Yeah.
0:23:46 > 0:23:51Otherwise we'd have bought a house off an estate
0:23:51 > 0:23:54- and said, "We'll have one of those." - It is what it is.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56It's a tiny little detail
0:23:56 > 0:24:00but it seems monstrous at the time.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02Actually, in the scheme of things, it's tiny
0:24:02 > 0:24:05but that was the first time that we've come to a point
0:24:05 > 0:24:08- where we were not going to do it. - Dug your heels in.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13Let's forget the front door. The rest of the house looks great,
0:24:13 > 0:24:18including the old look exposed beams and traditional fireplace.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23Upstairs, the master bedroom also benefits from more handcrafted features.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27Now, this is starting to look impressive.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31You're immediately drawn to these fantastic beams.
0:24:31 > 0:24:37- Yes. Haven't they done well? - It's as if they're weather-bent all green oak, which they're not.
0:24:37 > 0:24:42- We wouldn't get this if we were buying off the shelf.- No.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44- And neither would you get the stress!- No,
0:24:44 > 0:24:48- but we'd expected some of the stress.- I think it's fun.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53I love it. I like you two. Your glass is half-full, not half-empty.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56- Even in a half-finished house.- Yes.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58Because that's the thing, isn't it?
0:24:58 > 0:25:02You stand here now, going, "What colour will the walls be?"
0:25:02 > 0:25:04But there's still a long way to go.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08Yes, it doesn't have any plumbing. It has a few wires.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11A rat's nest of wires.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14But nothing attached to the end of anything yet.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17Ad infinitum. There's still a long way to go.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20That's the thing with self-building.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22There's always another job to do.
0:25:22 > 0:25:23I'd best leave them to it.
0:25:25 > 0:25:30It's been a matter of days since my visit and one project is finished with fantastic results.
0:25:30 > 0:25:35I've just popped in to the house to see what's been going on today.
0:25:35 > 0:25:40The fireplace has been finished and it's beautiful.
0:25:40 > 0:25:45The beautiful herringbone brick on the bottom is lovely.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48It's no wonder Wendy's excited.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52This fireplace will be a real showpiece in the cosy living room.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55However, as the build nears completion,
0:25:55 > 0:25:59the Blacks discover it's money they're burning at a rapid rate.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03- The number of nights I haven't slept.- Wendy worries about it.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05It's doing my head in!
0:26:13 > 0:26:16I fancy myself as a pretty handy DIY man.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20But have I got the skills needed for self-building a house?
0:26:20 > 0:26:25Time for me to go back to school to sample another trade at Leeds College of Building.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29Today, it's woodwork, with Mr Gibson.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43Right. Joinery. Mark, what have we got in store?
0:26:43 > 0:26:47Today we're going to fix a stud wall just like this one.
0:26:47 > 0:26:53Stud walls are lightweight structures that form interior walls and door openings between rooms.
0:26:53 > 0:26:57They're commonly used to quickly and cost-effectively alter the layout of rooms
0:26:57 > 0:27:00such as dividing one large room into two smaller ones.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02Looks simple enough to me!
0:27:02 > 0:27:05How do you do this right and how do you do it wrong?
0:27:05 > 0:27:08When you're measuring it, don't measure it too tight.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12You need clearance to pack it off in case your wall is out of plumb.
0:27:12 > 0:27:19You need to determine where you'll have openings, like here we'll mark out for a door opening.
0:27:19 > 0:27:24How long are you giving me to replicate this fine structure here?
0:27:24 > 0:27:28- Half an hour.- Half an hour? - Maximum.- Maximum half an hour.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32- I'm not here to make it easy for you!- Thanks very much!
0:27:32 > 0:27:35The sleeves are getting rolled up. Right.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39Seeing as he's only given me the time this would take a pro,
0:27:39 > 0:27:43Mark's agreed to do some cutting for me while I handle the measurements.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Two 1475, please, Mark!
0:27:46 > 0:27:51If he's not measured it right, it's going to really show. Really show.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00I need to fit the wall into this bay and craft enough space for a door.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03I wish I'd paid more attention in Maths!
0:28:03 > 0:28:08- It's wrecking my head already, this! - You'll need half an hour to measure it out!
0:28:11 > 0:28:14I know what I need to do now. OK. Think, Simon. Think, think.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16Think. Think.
0:28:16 > 0:28:21Things are going well until I found out that one size doesn't fit all when it comes to doors.
0:28:22 > 0:28:27The door we're going to fit. Measure that door against that wall first.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31- Write the measurement of the width of that door down first. - I measured that one there!
0:28:31 > 0:28:36You're not fitting one of those doors. You're fitting an internal door.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38I've measured it!
0:28:38 > 0:28:42You know what they say. If you're not sure, ask questions.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44Start again. OK.
0:28:44 > 0:28:48803. 803.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50Excuse me, sir!
0:28:50 > 0:28:54If the door's 803, what should I allow for the frame and casement?
0:28:54 > 0:28:59You should add a clearance of 2ml around the entire door.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02I've had enough of Maths!
0:29:03 > 0:29:05No, divided by two. Good lad. OK.
0:29:05 > 0:29:06I need to get building!
0:29:06 > 0:29:08OK.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12- I'm ready to go. - Are you confident?- No!
0:29:17 > 0:29:20Pre-drilling is for wimps and people with time.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22For me, it's straight in with the nails.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28Five minutes to go, Simon.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37I don't work well under pressure!
0:29:37 > 0:29:43- If you'd hit the nails as much as the wood, you'd have been nailed up five minutes ago.- Stop it, you!
0:29:43 > 0:29:48Never mind nails. I'm starting to wonder if I should hit the gym a bit more!
0:29:48 > 0:29:50I've gone off joinery.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53I think I might be a brickie.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01Let's see. The moment of truth!
0:30:04 > 0:30:07'Now, I don't like to blow my own trumpet...'
0:30:07 > 0:30:09That's not bad, that!
0:30:09 > 0:30:14'..but I can feel a big ten out of ten coming my way.'
0:30:14 > 0:30:15I'm happy with that.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19Just a couple of final nails needed.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21Right, Simon.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25- I give up, anyway.- You should have given up before you started!
0:30:25 > 0:30:28What? That's all right, that!
0:30:28 > 0:30:30What's wrong with that?
0:30:30 > 0:30:34These lips are nearly equal to your studs.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36They'd stop the plasterboard going flush.
0:30:36 > 0:30:42That's what plasterboard is for, to hide stuff like that! Everyone knows that!
0:30:42 > 0:30:47- Out of ten?- If I based it on how much you've got done
0:30:47 > 0:30:52and the fact that it's not very well fixed, to put it politely,
0:30:52 > 0:30:55I'd give you three or four out of ten on that.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02- Four out of ten?! Is that it? - Yep, that's it.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05I think it was better than that!
0:31:15 > 0:31:21Back in Polstead, it's four months since Wendy and Ray demolished an undesirable bungalow...
0:31:24 > 0:31:26..to make way for a period-style des res.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30And from the outside at least, it's starting to look like home.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32It's been quite exciting today
0:31:32 > 0:31:35cos the scaffolding's come down.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38So it's the first time we've actually seen the house
0:31:38 > 0:31:43without it having chunks of wood and metal surrounding it.
0:31:43 > 0:31:48The planners have got it right in that it's not too big, not too small.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52It fits in with the houses around it. We're very pleased about that.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55It looks like it's been there for ever.
0:31:55 > 0:32:01It's just lovely. It looks really textured and interesting.
0:32:01 > 0:32:06The house has come together quickly. Much of the credit must go to their builder, Tony.
0:32:06 > 0:32:11The importance of good foundations in this relationship really can't be underestimated.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14He is a perfectionist.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16He really is.
0:32:16 > 0:32:22We have absolutely no - nothing whatsoever - to quibble about
0:32:22 > 0:32:24with the finish of anything.
0:32:24 > 0:32:30We haven't got a builder we have to go behind, saying, "That's not right, this needs sorting."
0:32:30 > 0:32:37We never, ever come into here and say, "That isn't right. It has to be re-done."
0:32:37 > 0:32:41Well, there was a slight issue with one thing, wasn't there, Wendy?
0:32:41 > 0:32:45The only thing we've done it with is the colour of the door.
0:32:45 > 0:32:50If, at the end of the day, that's the only thing we've got to complain about, well...
0:32:51 > 0:32:54But with the house nearing completion,
0:32:54 > 0:32:58Wendy and Ray's funds to finish the project are running very low.
0:32:58 > 0:33:03Wendy's decision to fit high-spec IT and audiovisual wiring
0:33:03 > 0:33:06has added an additional six grand to the budget.
0:33:07 > 0:33:12Coupled with the earlier overspend on the drains and electricity, cash flow is in crisis.
0:33:12 > 0:33:17That's probably the worst bit. That bit of uncertainty.
0:33:17 > 0:33:21If money wasn't a problem, we wouldn't be having this discussion.
0:33:21 > 0:33:27If only this insulating floor tar could stop money as well as warm air escaping from the house.
0:33:27 > 0:33:32Wendy had hoped to find the extra cash by increasing their current mortgage.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34But their lender is unwilling to extend the loan.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39Switching to a new mortgage provider is an option,
0:33:39 > 0:33:44but to do so, they'd incur an expensive penalty charge to ditch their current mortgage deal.
0:33:44 > 0:33:49We have a penalty of five per cent of the mortgage to be paid.
0:33:49 > 0:33:55It's 9,200 and that's money completely down the drain
0:33:55 > 0:33:57because we're needing to remortgage.
0:33:57 > 0:34:02The expensive early release fee is a bitter pill.
0:34:02 > 0:34:07But if it allows them to finish the build, it's one Wendy and Ray have to swallow.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11- The number of nights I haven't slept.- Wendy worries about it.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15Ray just says, "Oh, it'll be fine. It'll sort out. We can do it.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19- "What are you worried about?"- It's like playing tough games of sport.
0:34:19 > 0:34:26You've got to motivate, encourage. As she is, she worries about things
0:34:26 > 0:34:30and I'm more laissez-faire about them. Doesn't mean I don't care.
0:34:30 > 0:34:31It's doing my head in!
0:34:33 > 0:34:36But there are ways we could do it and do it differently.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40If we decide to do it differently, there's more money again!
0:34:40 > 0:34:42It's always...
0:34:48 > 0:34:53Three weeks later. Despite the financial stress, the site's extremely busy.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58In the spirit of economising, Ray takes on some of the work himself
0:34:58 > 0:35:02and is cutting costs for the couple, hopefully not corners.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06Ray's putting down the board that goes underneath
0:35:06 > 0:35:09the under-floor heating in the bathroom.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13We're doing it ourselves to save ourselves £1,000 putting it in.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15We think we can do this.
0:35:15 > 0:35:20This is rather nice, cos in reality, I'd rather have done the whole lot.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23Not using all these trades.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27But I'm trying to do a little job here that one, will save money,
0:35:27 > 0:35:30two, give me a bit of satisfaction that I can do it.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35It's all hands on deck, and in the space of a week,
0:35:35 > 0:35:38the kitchen arrives, there's plumbing and painting and finally,
0:35:38 > 0:35:43after all their problems with the utility company, power. It's coming together.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46Everything is just changing so quickly.
0:35:46 > 0:35:51It's incredible. Yesterday and today we've got everybody on site together.
0:35:51 > 0:35:57Yesterday, Ray called it Manic Monday. It's very busy and very exciting.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09Five months later, having given them time to finish the furnishings and settle in,
0:36:09 > 0:36:13I'm back to cast my eye over the finished cottage.
0:36:16 > 0:36:21Well, look at that. Something brand-new, that looks like it could have been here for ever.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27It's certainly a Suffolk stunner.
0:36:30 > 0:36:34- Hello, hello! All right! - Hello, Simon.- May I?- Come on in.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36Nice door!
0:36:41 > 0:36:45Wendy and Ray's home is a mix of old-world charm
0:36:45 > 0:36:48combined with simple, clean design.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52From the feature inglenook fireplace to the exposed beams throughout the house,
0:36:52 > 0:36:55this place certainly has got character.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02You're invited into this as soon as you walk through the front door.
0:37:02 > 0:37:07It's lovely. We love the width of the passageway, the corridor there.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10And it opens out. We just love this house.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13Ray, what do you like about this room?
0:37:13 > 0:37:18Space, light, things matching the oak beams.
0:37:18 > 0:37:23I like the brickwork. We love the brick because it's reflected throughout the house.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26We find that very pleasant and pleasing to our eye.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30- And the inglenook. - Yes, the inglenook is brilliant.
0:37:30 > 0:37:36It is huge, but it's a bit of a statement and it is just part of the house.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38It's great.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42There's a real open, light feel to this home
0:37:42 > 0:37:45and that continues in the kitchen.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51- So this is the kitchen. Obviously! - Yeah!
0:37:51 > 0:37:55I'm an expert in these things. I'd have spotted it, you know!
0:37:55 > 0:37:58- Just in case! - Great space again.- Yes.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00Once more, opens up to outside.
0:38:00 > 0:38:05Yes. I asked for French windows to be put in instead of just a window
0:38:05 > 0:38:09so that we could get out onto the patio from here.
0:38:09 > 0:38:15- It seems you want to tie in all the house with outside space. - Yes. It's a fantastic property.
0:38:15 > 0:38:21- And it has a fantastic space outside.- Once more, you have the oak beam in here,
0:38:21 > 0:38:27- this theme running through.- We love wood. Wood is a theme right through.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29Lovely big kitchen. Great space.
0:38:29 > 0:38:33A view of the back. Absolutely fabulous room.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36More! Come on, more! After you.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42While much of the house is neutral in style,
0:38:42 > 0:38:45they have put their individual stamp on the place.
0:38:47 > 0:38:53Mainly with the carpets. From the tartan in the study to the zebra print deep pile in the guest room.
0:38:54 > 0:38:59But it's how they finished off the master bedroom that I'm interested in.
0:39:01 > 0:39:06I remember during my mid-point visit these beams were just going in.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09If I remember rightly, they're just for show, not load-bearing.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12- No, not load-bearing. - But they really add something.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15- Yes.- Yes, I think they give a big wow!
0:39:18 > 0:39:23With four spacious bedrooms, two en-suites and a family bathroom...
0:39:25 > 0:39:30..this place is certainly a world away from the house that stood on this plot.
0:39:32 > 0:39:36I distinctly remember when we looked round that gorgeous old bungalow,
0:39:36 > 0:39:43that you said what you wanted was a very modern house but that felt very traditional.
0:39:43 > 0:39:48- Have you achieved that?- The aim was to get something people might recognise as a Suffolk home.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51That looks a little bit old but isn't old,
0:39:51 > 0:39:56cos I didn't want all the draughts and the repairs that go with it!
0:39:56 > 0:40:01- So you've got your new house and I've got my old traditional looking. - Indeed.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04- And that's the marriage you were after.- Yes.
0:40:04 > 0:40:09We've had nice true compliments from people
0:40:09 > 0:40:12saying it looks like a traditional house.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14It sits well in the village.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17And yes, that's great,
0:40:17 > 0:40:19but we were doing it for us.
0:40:19 > 0:40:24But it's nice that we can actually add to it and it sits well.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33But there have been stresses along the way.
0:40:33 > 0:40:37From the unexpected costs of their drainage and connecting the electricity
0:40:37 > 0:40:42to the expensive remortgaging process to fund the final stages of the build.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46So has it been worth it?
0:40:46 > 0:40:49The couple bought their plot and original house for:
0:40:51 > 0:40:54They estimated £220,000 to complete the house.
0:40:57 > 0:41:02The final project budget, including landscaping, garage and fees was:
0:41:09 > 0:41:12That's more than they intended to spend.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15What would an estate agent value the property at?
0:41:16 > 0:41:20Our valuer is happy to give this place a market value at the moment
0:41:20 > 0:41:23of £700,000.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26- Really?- That's good. Better than I hoped!
0:41:26 > 0:41:31- Yes.- I like that. I thought he'd come in at about 625.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34- That's a fantastic result. - Yes.- Yes.- That's good.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37It's not good, it's brilliant!
0:41:37 > 0:41:40You're being very modest about this process.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43It doesn't matter because we're staying here.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46So at the end of the day, it doesn't matter if it's worth 700
0:41:46 > 0:41:50or if it's worth seven million - it's what it is to us.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54There's a bit of location, location about it. It's a great spot.
0:41:54 > 0:41:58£700,000 houses
0:41:58 > 0:42:03can be anywhere or special places and this is our special place and we've got it.
0:42:05 > 0:42:09You always said - we joked about the fireplace in the old bungalow -
0:42:09 > 0:42:14and in this place you've made a gorgeous inglenook the focal point
0:42:14 > 0:42:15of your lovely new home.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18So I've got a little present for you. Don't move!
0:42:26 > 0:42:30- Just as a little memento. - That's lovely. Thank you very much.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33It's something old and traditional,
0:42:33 > 0:42:38to go in your brand-new but traditional-style house.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41- It's lovely. Thank you very much. - That does the part.
0:42:41 > 0:42:43- Thank you.- Well done, both.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47It's been absolutely fabulous. A triumph of a house, this.
0:43:12 > 0:43:15Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd