0:00:02 > 0:00:04We all dream of owning the perfect home,
0:00:04 > 0:00:07but finding a property that suits your wallet and way of life isn't easy.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09Well, I have a solution.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13Stop searching for something to buy, and consider somewhere to build.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18Every year, 20,000 people make the journey of a lifetime
0:00:18 > 0:00:22and opt to build their own home, and we'll be following some of them
0:00:22 > 0:00:25as they go from foundations to finishing touches.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27I was gobsmacked,
0:00:27 > 0:00:31and I'd never realised it would be the wow factor that it actually is.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37Along the way, our brave self-builders will experience amazing highs...
0:00:37 > 0:00:42We never would've been able to afford to buy what we built, and that's why we built.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44..and some frustrating lows...
0:00:44 > 0:00:47Spoken to the council, they can help me pull it down
0:00:47 > 0:00:50if I have to pull it down, simple as that.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52..but, if they can overcome these trials,
0:00:52 > 0:00:56they'll end up with the home they've always desired.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59So, if you're looking for your perfect pad,
0:00:59 > 0:01:02the question is simple - to build or not to build?
0:01:06 > 0:01:08Coming up...
0:01:08 > 0:01:12The family finding out that building a dream home isn't always fun.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15Just a really awful time at the minute, to be honest,
0:01:15 > 0:01:19I just want to get to the other side of it now and building again.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22The seaside self-builders riding the crest of a wave.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26I think when you look around it's just such a shame
0:01:26 > 0:01:29that we all live in boxes and we can do something more unusual.
0:01:29 > 0:01:34And I come unstuck learning how to wallpaper.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37- There you go, boss. - Yeah, that's not bad.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43If you're in need of a bigger house but don't want a mortgage to match,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46it could be worth considering building your own
0:01:46 > 0:01:48rather than buying someone else's.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51I'm here on the edge of York to meet an expanding family who want
0:01:51 > 0:01:56to build a big six-bed house on a teeny tiny budget in this lovely village.
0:01:56 > 0:02:01Sounds good, but you know what? I smell conservation area.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07When it comes to historic buildings,
0:02:07 > 0:02:09York certainly has its fair share.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12With its magnificent minster and muddle of medieval streets,
0:02:12 > 0:02:16the city is one of the oldest and busiest tourist attractions in Britain.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Just outside the city walls is the village of Huntington.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24Part of it is classified as a conservation area,
0:02:24 > 0:02:28which means any new development must fit in with the surrounding area.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34And that's the challenge facing self-builders Steven and Becky Worboys,
0:02:34 > 0:02:37who are about to build a large, detached family home for them
0:02:37 > 0:02:40and their four young children in the heart of the village.
0:02:40 > 0:02:45But getting the go-ahead to build in protected areas is never straightforward.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47I live in a conservation area.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51The house I live in I renovated within that conservation area
0:02:51 > 0:02:54and, to be quite frank, it was a nightmare.
0:02:54 > 0:02:55Have you found that?
0:02:55 > 0:03:00- It's not been easy. - Second time round, these plans are.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02Second time round's been easier.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05The first original plans we had,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08basically we ended up withdrawing them.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10We're bang slap in the conservation area,
0:03:10 > 0:03:13so we have to be really careful about the design of the house
0:03:13 > 0:03:15and that everybody's happy with it, the council
0:03:15 > 0:03:18and local residents need to like it, as well.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20Website designer Becky and accountant, Steve,
0:03:20 > 0:03:23are now waiting for their second application
0:03:23 > 0:03:26to be approved by planners to build on this paddock
0:03:26 > 0:03:29which they bought from Rebecca's parents for £125,000.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34They're building a substantial red-brick, six-bed home
0:03:34 > 0:03:37that will include lots of open-plan living areas
0:03:37 > 0:03:40perfect for enjoying family get-togethers.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43The design also includes a large conservatory,
0:03:43 > 0:03:46which means they'll still be able to make the most of their rural views.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50But while their dream home will be big, the budget to build it is tiny.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55They're planning to spend a total of just £160,000.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59This bargain build budget would have been even cheaper
0:03:59 > 0:04:03but for extra expense caused by being in a conservation zone.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05Properties in protected areas have to conform
0:04:05 > 0:04:08to demanding architectural specifications,
0:04:08 > 0:04:11and this often means the materials end up costing significantly more.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14There's a lot of extra cost based on where we are.
0:04:14 > 0:04:19Because of the specification, you can't have man-made roof tiles,
0:04:19 > 0:04:23but also, the houses are worth a lot of money down here.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25There are houses in the village
0:04:25 > 0:04:28that are smaller than ours will be going for like 450,000.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30Which is the other reason we are self-building.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32Yes, to house a large family,
0:04:32 > 0:04:35but also to get a house which you would never be able to afford
0:04:35 > 0:04:36in such a lovely place.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40- Absolutely.- It would be impossible, actually, for us.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43We're probably looking at 40-50% cost savings.
0:04:44 > 0:04:50With similar-sized properties in the area valued at the half million pound mark,
0:04:50 > 0:04:53if Becky and Steve can stick to their £285,000 budget,
0:04:53 > 0:04:57they could be seriously quids in.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00The family are currently renting a home from Becky's parents
0:05:00 > 0:05:04that's just yards away from the build site.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07The three-bed cottage had proved more than adequate
0:05:07 > 0:05:10until the recent addition to the Warboys brood, Baby Jamie.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12This little fella is basically the catalyst
0:05:12 > 0:05:15- that's really got things going. - Yeah, it's all you fault, Jamie.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18'With a family of six, size matters,
0:05:18 > 0:05:22'and in their current home there's simply not enough room.'
0:05:22 > 0:05:25It must be bursting at the seams.
0:05:25 > 0:05:26That's one word for it.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29We've got two girls with an OK-sized bedroom,
0:05:29 > 0:05:31the third little girl's got a tiny shoebox room,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34and she's nearly four and is wanting to play
0:05:34 > 0:05:37and hasn't got room to play in her room, and Jamie's in with us,
0:05:37 > 0:05:40which is all right when he's this size, but he hasn't got a wardrobe,
0:05:40 > 0:05:43and I've had to give up a lot of clothes space.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45He's going to end up sleeping in a wardrobe!
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Sleeping in a drawer at the bottom, maybe, yeah.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50He needs a bedroom, he really does.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56'Becky grew up in Huntington, and it's easy to see why
0:05:56 > 0:05:59'she was keen to build her own home in this gorgeous location.'
0:05:59 > 0:06:01This is a really, really lovely plot.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05I can completely understand why you want to start your family home here.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08We're in love with it, I've loved it all my life,
0:06:08 > 0:06:09we need to be here.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13It means so much to me to live here, it really does.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Won't be that quiet in a couple of weeks though, will it?
0:06:16 > 0:06:20Once all the mixers are started and you're causing chaos back here...
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- Upsetting the neighbours. - Absolutely, yeah.
0:06:23 > 0:06:24It'll be worth it though.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27Yeah, and we're looking at a really fast build,
0:06:27 > 0:06:29that's one of the benefits of what we're doing.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32Our fantastic builder said he can do it in 15 weeks.
0:06:32 > 0:06:33Great, OK, fantastic.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37Fast build, on budget, because we have an accountant on board...
0:06:37 > 0:06:39We shall see.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41I will leave you to enjoy the peace for a moment,
0:06:41 > 0:06:45- because all that, I'm sure, will be shattered very soon.- Thank you.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48And a pleasure to meet you, young man. He's waking up.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50- See you later.- Bye now.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57And while this building lark might seem like child's play to Jamie,
0:06:57 > 0:07:00it's not long before Becky's best laid plans are coming unstuck.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04Right, 1650.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07The builders have been allowed on site to stake out the plot,
0:07:07 > 0:07:11but despite three months of negotiations with the council,
0:07:11 > 0:07:15Becky hasn't been given the planning permission which would let them build.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18The delay is a major blow to her hopes.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22I did not have a clue when I started this
0:07:22 > 0:07:25how difficult the planning process would be.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28You think, "Yay, we've got a lovely plot,
0:07:28 > 0:07:30"we'll build a house on it, get planning permission,
0:07:30 > 0:07:32"how hard can it be?"
0:07:35 > 0:07:39Most planning applications are processed in about eight weeks,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42but the tough restrictions on what can be built
0:07:42 > 0:07:45in a conservation area and protection given to the mature trees
0:07:45 > 0:07:48on the plot mean Becky's been forced to change
0:07:48 > 0:07:50some key elements of her plans.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53We've got a few little quirks and changes to do for the council.
0:07:53 > 0:07:58Like, Highways wanted a slightly bigger drive, otherwise they were happy,
0:07:58 > 0:08:02but the tree people didn't want the driveway to encroach too much on the root protection area.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05Meanwhile, the conservation officer didn't like the way
0:08:05 > 0:08:09the garage was situated, so we've had to move the garage slightly,
0:08:09 > 0:08:13without affecting the trees, and with Highways getting a bigger driveway.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Stressed much? No!
0:08:18 > 0:08:23All these extra issues means Becky's original budget of £160,000
0:08:23 > 0:08:25has already gone up by 25 grand
0:08:25 > 0:08:29and, ominously, building work's yet to begin.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35Two months later, the Warboys become fed-up of waiting
0:08:35 > 0:08:37and allow the builders to start work,
0:08:37 > 0:08:41even though all their planning issues haven't been resolved.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46While this isn't illegal, it is a risk -
0:08:46 > 0:08:49if permission isn't granted, they could be ordered to restore
0:08:49 > 0:08:53the plot to its previous state, costing time and money.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57And within hours of the diggers getting busy,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00there's a rather nasty shock for Becky to deal with, too.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07Yesterday there was a large tree stump that had to be taken out of the ground,
0:09:07 > 0:09:10which we knew about and had permission to take it out,
0:09:10 > 0:09:12it's from an old protected tree that died a few years ago.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15When they removed the tree stump, they didn't realise
0:09:15 > 0:09:19it was along with a mains electricity cable as well.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Pulled it up, the mains electricity cable got snapped
0:09:22 > 0:09:25and, basically, I think we must have taken out about 100 houses.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28The problem was so severe,
0:09:28 > 0:09:31parts of the village were cut-off well into the early hours.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35Problems with the pub, because all the food defrosted.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37So, it was a pretty dreadful day.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41And things only got worse - Becky's gamble to begin work
0:09:41 > 0:09:44without full planning permission also backfires.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47The council's Planning Department got wind
0:09:47 > 0:09:50and advised Becky to shut the site down
0:09:50 > 0:09:52until all the paperwork's in place.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55To be honest, it was like watching your house be repossessed,
0:09:55 > 0:09:58watching those diggers drive off this morning
0:09:58 > 0:10:01when we were so happy to see them come in, that's it really.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04And the early double disaster has left Becky questioning
0:10:04 > 0:10:08whether she's got the strength to see the build through.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12I've always said, even with the stress of planning
0:10:12 > 0:10:15it's always been a case of it'll be worth it in the end,
0:10:15 > 0:10:19but now, yesterday was the first day I really thought,
0:10:19 > 0:10:22"Is it worth it? Is it worth feeling this ill and stressed?"
0:10:22 > 0:10:24Because I felt ill yesterday with it.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Just a really awful time at the minute, to be honest,
0:10:27 > 0:10:30I just want to get to the other side of it now and be building again.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38There's something alluring about the sea,
0:10:38 > 0:10:40you just can't help but be drawn to it.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43And that's exactly what happened to Lesley and Rob Watson
0:10:43 > 0:10:46who upped sticks from the landlocked Midlands
0:10:46 > 0:10:49to self-build on the beautiful Devon coast.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54Britain's seaside towns certainly can play it safe
0:10:54 > 0:10:57when it comes to architecture.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00The odd splash of pastel as daring as it gets.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08But, when interior designer Lesley and her librarian husband Rob
0:11:08 > 0:11:11found a great plot in Seaton on the South Devon coast,
0:11:11 > 0:11:15they were determined to do something a little less conventional.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18I think when you look around,
0:11:18 > 0:11:21it's just such a shame that we all live in boxes
0:11:21 > 0:11:23and we can do something more unusual,
0:11:23 > 0:11:25and why wouldn't you if you've got that chance?
0:11:25 > 0:11:29If you can do something different with curves or different angles,
0:11:29 > 0:11:31I think that's really nice.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34Originally, we wanted to have a conservatory.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36In the end, we decided to just build
0:11:36 > 0:11:39the whole conservatory idea into the house.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43So, that's why we've got these 27 windows here.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47And that's exactly what they've achieved.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51And all that glass means the interior's flooded with light.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54So this is our main living space,
0:11:54 > 0:11:57and what I really love about this is the height of the ceiling
0:11:57 > 0:12:03and the fact that you've got all this glass and the beautiful sea views.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07It's so light in here you feel like you're living in a conservatory,
0:12:07 > 0:12:10with all the light it's just so lovely.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14From the kitchen diner...
0:12:16 > 0:12:17..through to the lounge...
0:12:20 > 0:12:24..and then to the master bedroom, the wall to ceiling windows
0:12:24 > 0:12:27ensure the living area's always bright and welcoming.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38And even in spaces where you'd normally struggle to find natural light,
0:12:38 > 0:12:41Rob and Lesley came up with an illuminating design.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44I was a little concerned at first that it was going to be
0:12:44 > 0:12:46really dark-feeling as you come down this corridor,
0:12:46 > 0:12:51so our solution was actually to put these little slots through,
0:12:51 > 0:12:54and all the light comes through from the main windows.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57And of course, you can see through and have a chat with anyone
0:12:57 > 0:13:01who happens to be through there, as well, so it's quite fun
0:13:01 > 0:13:05that you can see what's going on as you walk down the corridor.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07From Lesley's walk-in wardrobe...
0:13:10 > 0:13:12..to Rob's music room...
0:13:14 > 0:13:17..the couple really have created their ideal space by the sea.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22The house is packed full of eco-friendly features,
0:13:22 > 0:13:26including a green roof that uses plants to provide extra insulation.
0:13:26 > 0:13:31But, before work even began, Rob, who project-managed the build,
0:13:31 > 0:13:33opted to get closer to nature himself.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35When we first bought the plot,
0:13:35 > 0:13:37I came down and camped here in my little tent.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41It was very important to actually get a feel of the plot before
0:13:41 > 0:13:43we did the final design of the house,
0:13:43 > 0:13:46because we wanted to feel that the house itself
0:13:46 > 0:13:49sat in the plot in a natural way.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55After spending £150,000 on the plot, and a night under canvas,
0:13:55 > 0:13:57building began.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02But, their tight £200,000 budget resulted in another extended spell
0:14:02 > 0:14:06camping on site while they built their curvaceous home.
0:14:06 > 0:14:11We lived in a caravan during the build, a very small caravan,
0:14:11 > 0:14:15and we just had literally a hosepipe attached to the tap,
0:14:15 > 0:14:20cold water, a tiny little port-a-potty, so washing your hair,
0:14:20 > 0:14:23all that kind of thing, was a complete nightmare.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26I can't say it was fun, but it was an experience.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30To save more money, Rob and Lesley did a lot of the work themselves,
0:14:30 > 0:14:34however this hands-on approach meant their build
0:14:34 > 0:14:36took a gruelling 17 months to complete -
0:14:36 > 0:14:39that's a long time with only a hosepipe for water.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44Getting stuck in meant they eventually came in
0:14:44 > 0:14:47just £5,000 over their original budget,
0:14:47 > 0:14:51and choosing to self-build ultimately made financial sense,
0:14:51 > 0:14:55compared to buying a ready built property by the sea.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59We had a valuation from the local estate agent
0:14:59 > 0:15:06which came in at about 600,000, so that's a big saving, actually.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Looking back now, that's a saving of a quarter of a million pounds,
0:15:09 > 0:15:12so, you know, we're quite happy about that.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16The valuation was music to their ears
0:15:16 > 0:15:20and made all the hard work that went into building
0:15:20 > 0:15:23this stunning home by the sea more than worth it.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28Even now, though we've been living in it a few years,
0:15:28 > 0:15:31you can't quite believe that you've actually done it
0:15:31 > 0:15:35and survived it, and how just wonderful it is to live here.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50Back in North Yorkshire and it's build month one - again.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52Come on, duck!
0:15:52 > 0:15:56And after five months of waiting and one false start,
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Becky and Steve have finally been given permission to begin building
0:15:59 > 0:16:02their six-bed home in a conservation area.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06But the good news has come at a price - the council have attached
0:16:06 > 0:16:0919 planning conditions with which they have to comply,
0:16:09 > 0:16:11including changes to the windows and roof,
0:16:11 > 0:16:15and Becky's budget is now coming under some serious strain.
0:16:15 > 0:16:21Every little thing they've changed has upped my bill, absolutely dramatically scarily.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24You wake up and think, "How much more is it going to cost today?"
0:16:24 > 0:16:26But at this stage, the builder assures me
0:16:26 > 0:16:30there should be no more surprises coming out of the ground,
0:16:30 > 0:16:34the footings are going in, we also know what the council are wanting,
0:16:34 > 0:16:37so hopefully the budget now is as static as I've had it the whole time.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39That's what I'm hoping for.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Despite the worries over the finances,
0:16:44 > 0:16:47Becky's just relieved work on the new home has finally started
0:16:47 > 0:16:50after so many trials and tribulations.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53It's really emotional, yes.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58It's difficult to be down here today without a massive grin on my face.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02You just feel so excited about it and so happy,
0:17:02 > 0:17:06and there's times when there have been emotional rollercoaster moments
0:17:06 > 0:17:08where you've cried lots of tears of sadness,
0:17:08 > 0:17:12and moments where your stomach's churned and you're so fearful,
0:17:12 > 0:17:17and there's still the fear of how we're going to pay it all back, but we will, it'll be fine.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20Builder Clive Scotter has promised them
0:17:20 > 0:17:24the house will be completed in an ultra quick 16 weeks.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28And after the disaster of slicing through an electricity cable...
0:17:28 > 0:17:30I thought you weren't going to mention that!
0:17:30 > 0:17:33..he's confident he'll be able to deliver.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Everything's under way, everything's on target,
0:17:36 > 0:17:38we've done it before, it's not a problem,
0:17:38 > 0:17:41it's a dead straightforward brick and block structure.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44The groundworks are in, that's the difficult part over.
0:17:44 > 0:17:45The rest is plain sailing.
0:17:48 > 0:17:54And, for the next few days, the builders fly like the wind on the foundations.
0:17:57 > 0:18:02And by build month two, the size and shape of the house is becoming apparent.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05Watching the house come together's kind of therapeutic,
0:18:05 > 0:18:08because we've been through so much to get to this point,
0:18:08 > 0:18:12just worrying about everything, getting the planning permission,
0:18:12 > 0:18:18it's therapy just by standing there and watching it actually happening.
0:18:18 > 0:18:19It's a house!
0:18:19 > 0:18:23It looks like more than a hole in the ground now, doesn't it?
0:18:23 > 0:18:28And we've got block work on the inside, room divisions, insulation going in...
0:18:28 > 0:18:30It's really looking like a proper house of a sudden.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33It's quite a shock, really.
0:18:35 > 0:18:40Their home might be going up quickly, but their finances are going down just as fast.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43To ensure they can afford to keep building,
0:18:43 > 0:18:47both Becky and Steve have been forced to take desperate measures.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50I'm working at a supermarket 3am until 8am,
0:18:50 > 0:18:52as well as doing my normal day job,
0:18:52 > 0:18:56and Steve's working on an evening delivering pizzas, as well -
0:18:56 > 0:18:59accountant by day, pizza delivery boy by night.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01He comes in after midnight at some nights,
0:19:01 > 0:19:03but he's happy to do it, we're seeing the results now.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06As if two jobs aren't tiring enough,
0:19:06 > 0:19:09Becky's on site every day project-managing the build,
0:19:09 > 0:19:12as well as taking care of her four children.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14Making these sacrifices now is the only way
0:19:14 > 0:19:17they can be sure of realising their dream.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22It is the beginning of build month three,
0:19:22 > 0:19:27and another major milestone is reached on Becky and Steve's new home.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30The first floor is on, and to celebrate,
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Becky arranges a topping out ceremony for the builders.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Even Steve manages to break off from work to join the party,
0:19:36 > 0:19:40Unsurprisingly it's pizzas all round.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45With the roof beams now in place,
0:19:45 > 0:19:48the priority is to get the house watertight.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51The couple had hoped to get most of the work done in the summer,
0:19:51 > 0:19:55but the delay in the schedule is now having knock-on effects.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58Just a little bit concerned about my floor,
0:19:58 > 0:20:02which is covered with all these drips, since the building isn't watertight yet.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04We've had a load of rain last night.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08Not too happy, but Clive has assured me it'll all get skimmed over.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12I've trusted him on everything up to now and he's not let me down, so I'm sure it'll be fine.
0:20:12 > 0:20:17I'm trying not to look at it today, but it does look a bit... soul-destroying,
0:20:17 > 0:20:22to see all these holes in the fancy screed floor. We've had no rain, you see. We've been really lucky,
0:20:22 > 0:20:28and now, at this late stage, when the roof's nearly on, we're nearly watertight, the rain's coming.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31So let's just hope that's the end of it now and we don't get much more.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40'At least upstairs puts Becky in a much more positive frame of mind.'
0:20:41 > 0:20:44I just love it, and it's just going to be our home.
0:20:44 > 0:20:49And the children love it. They're excited. They talk about their new bedrooms all the time,
0:20:49 > 0:20:50so it's just amazing.
0:20:50 > 0:20:56You look down now and you can just see it all, and I can already see rooms and furniture
0:20:56 > 0:21:00and everything in it the way it's going to be. It's just going to be great.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Can't wait.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15'So, with this incredibly intense build halfway through,
0:21:15 > 0:21:20'it's time for me to see if this former paddock is turning into a potentially perfect pad.
0:21:20 > 0:21:25'And for once, Steve, who's working around the clock trying to pay for the build,
0:21:25 > 0:21:28'has been able to take a day off to join us.' Well, well, well!
0:21:29 > 0:21:33We do have a house! This is a really nice space, isn't it?
0:21:33 > 0:21:35So, come on - where are we?
0:21:35 > 0:21:39We're in the breakfast bar, between the kitchen and the diner.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41- So you can see it in your head now, can't you?- Yeah.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44That must be exciting, despite all the problems.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46You don't let them get you down.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50You carry on and you enjoy what you're going to be receiving at the end.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52I can see the excitement on your face.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55I just love being in here. I really, really do.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57You could almost cry sometimes.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00In fact, just when the foundations were coming in, I came down
0:22:00 > 0:22:04and I stood at this corner here, and there were no lads here -
0:22:04 > 0:22:08I like it when there's nobody here because I can wander and not look like an idiot -
0:22:08 > 0:22:11and I just looked around and I suddenly burst into tears.
0:22:11 > 0:22:16We were having a really stressful time and it was like, "Oh my God, this is where we're going to live!"
0:22:16 > 0:22:20Just how lucky we were. So despite all the stress, it was luck, really.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23'With the speed this thing's going up,
0:22:23 > 0:22:26'today's tour is going to be a bit of an eye-opener for Steve, too.'
0:22:26 > 0:22:29- And I don't see it because it's always dark. - SIMON LAUGHS
0:22:29 > 0:22:33Because of your two jobs. You'll only see it when it's actually finished.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37- Yeah, I'll see the finished object. - Don't moan - you're seeing it today!
0:22:37 > 0:22:41You've got the chance - let's have a wander round.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45'Downstairs, the couple are planning large, open spaces to cater for their growing family,
0:22:45 > 0:22:49'and their kitchen-dining room will seat more than 20.'
0:22:49 > 0:22:51- So this is the lounge, yeah?- Yeah.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55And through the other way, you've got the garden room,
0:22:55 > 0:22:59with great big sliding doors so we can open it up or have it separate.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03He thought this room would be small, from the ground. He said, "I'm worried. It's not very big."
0:23:03 > 0:23:06But that is a hard thing to do. It's almost impossible,
0:23:06 > 0:23:09to put a slab into 3D.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13- Yeah.- But now it IS in 3D,
0:23:13 > 0:23:15- are you happy with your spaces? - Oh, yeah. Definitely.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19Obviously, that is a lot lighter at that end with the lack of roof,
0:23:19 > 0:23:21but there will be a couple of skylights,
0:23:21 > 0:23:25- so there will be plenty of light. - You've just got concrete walls.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29Once that's skimmed and everything, it'll brighten up again, and your ceilings,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32so you've got a lovely bright space here. Lots of windows.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35- Have a nose upstairs?- Yeah, sure. Definitely.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45'And it's here where they've laid out a corridor of six bedrooms
0:23:45 > 0:23:48'so they and their four children can have an bedroom each,
0:23:48 > 0:23:51'with an extra one when guests drop by to stay.'
0:23:53 > 0:23:57Right, upstairs, then. Where are all the lads having a brew?
0:23:57 > 0:24:01- They're having their butties in here. This is our bedroom.- Your bedroom?
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Fellas, come on! Some respect, please!
0:24:04 > 0:24:07Is this changing quickly as well?
0:24:07 > 0:24:09I'm in shock. This is the first time I've seen this.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12There were no stud walls in yesterday. This was an empty space.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16This is the first time you can see the layout of the first floor?
0:24:16 > 0:24:19- I'm just very, very excited. - Definitely.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22I think they're bigger than I feared. How fab!
0:24:22 > 0:24:26- And for six bedrooms, and the smallest one isn't even a box.- Yes.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29- I can't believe it. That's what I'm pleased with.- They're good sizes.
0:24:29 > 0:24:34Where do we go from here? You're going to be watertight pretty soon.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38The roofer's here today. However long the tiling takes, that'll be done.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41They're starting on that now, which is exciting.
0:24:41 > 0:24:46'For Steve, who's juggling his accountancy job with delivering pizzas,
0:24:46 > 0:24:50'a cosy place to snatch 40 winks can't come soon enough.'
0:24:50 > 0:24:53- You're trying to stay awake, aren't you?- Yeah.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56We're two contrasting...elements.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58Hyper and...
0:24:58 > 0:25:01- But I can still feel there's excitement here.- Definitely.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03I just do a good job of hiding it.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06- Steve will be excited when we're living in it.- Yeah.
0:25:06 > 0:25:11- And you're just beside yourself, aren't you?- Yeah. It just looks amazing. I'm really pleased.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13All right, well, listen. I'll be back.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17All right? I'll leave the lads to carry on, cos they are going on apace,
0:25:17 > 0:25:20when they finish their tea break in your bedroom!
0:25:22 > 0:25:25- Cheers, guys.- Thank you.
0:25:35 > 0:25:40'I've never built my own house, but I have renovated a fair few derelict properties in my time
0:25:40 > 0:25:46'and while I consider myself quite handy, it's always worth learning a few new skills.
0:25:46 > 0:25:52'And when it comes to basic DIY, decorating is the one most people are prepared to have a dabble at,
0:25:52 > 0:25:56'so it's on with the overalls and I'm off to see the teacher.'
0:26:04 > 0:26:08- Shaun, paper hanging - easy enough, isn't it?- Fairly.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11- What do we need? - Basic paper hanging kit -
0:26:11 > 0:26:15paper-hanging brush for applying the wallpaper, making sure it's smooth.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19- plumb-bob, for making sure the wallpaper's vertical. - Why use a plumb-bob?
0:26:19 > 0:26:24- Because of the weight on the bottom. - Because gravity always makes this spot-on.
0:26:24 > 0:26:29- It should ensure the wallpaper's plumb and it'll make your job a whole lot easier.- OK, right.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33A pair of shears, to ensure the trimming's nice and crisp.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36Crisp? Look at the st...! Come on!
0:26:36 > 0:26:39- We don't want to make it too easy for you.- Let's see yours.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Well, mine are nice and clean, and...
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Oh, I see! I see how this works!
0:26:44 > 0:26:47You're making this really fair, aren't you(?)
0:26:47 > 0:26:48What's my challenge?
0:26:48 > 0:26:51Your challenge today is to put a full piece of paper up
0:26:51 > 0:26:53and go round an internal corner,
0:26:53 > 0:26:55keeping them matching as much as you can.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58- We're on for ten minutes, are we? - Ten minutes?
0:26:58 > 0:27:03Even with my dodgy shears, I reckon I'll give you a run for your money. OK? Here we go.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05- Good luck.- Yeah, cheers.
0:27:05 > 0:27:06SHAUN LAUGHS
0:27:07 > 0:27:10'It's wall-to-wall, mano-a-mano,
0:27:10 > 0:27:13'and just like my real schooldays, I'm trying to copy.'
0:27:15 > 0:27:16What you doing there?
0:27:16 > 0:27:20I'm just rolling back the paper so it doesn't curl up when I'm pasting.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23Ah! But you've also cut the two pieces at once?
0:27:23 > 0:27:26Yes. Don't be looking for tips!
0:27:26 > 0:27:29Of course I am! What do you think I'm here for?!
0:27:29 > 0:27:32You're just worried, aren't you?
0:27:32 > 0:27:36- Talk paste to me. What do people do wrong?- Too thin.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39- Oh, right.- And lumpy. You're better off too thick than too thin.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41Aye, aye!
0:27:41 > 0:27:45- Give us a chance, will you?! - Come on, soft lad!- Oh, no!
0:27:45 > 0:27:48Shaun, here's a question for you -
0:27:48 > 0:27:51how do you know where to start decorating in a room?
0:27:51 > 0:27:54It's usually where there's the most natural daylight.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57If there's a big patio door,
0:27:57 > 0:28:01or a big window, you want to start as close to that as possible, then work away from it.
0:28:01 > 0:28:06So basically, start at the focal point and put your pattern where you want it and work out from there.
0:28:06 > 0:28:11'Shaun's already well ahead of me but I've come up with a cunning plan.'
0:28:11 > 0:28:15How's he doing? 'Chatting will slow down his papering.'
0:28:15 > 0:28:21- How long you been decorating, mate? Anything, just to keep him busy. - Since I was 16-and-a-half.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24'To speed up mine, I'm relying on old pencil marks
0:28:24 > 0:28:30'on the wall, rather than the crucial plumb-line to keep my paper straight.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33'It seems Shaun's got some shortcuts of his own.'
0:28:34 > 0:28:38- What are you doing?! - Just a little trick of the trade.
0:28:38 > 0:28:43- What little trick of the trade?! - Just marking my paper, for my internal angle.
0:28:43 > 0:28:48You don't need that! You just bang it on and push it in with a brush. Everyone knows that!
0:28:50 > 0:28:52Just a couple of minutes left!
0:28:52 > 0:28:55- A coup...? What?- Yep.- Argh!
0:28:55 > 0:28:56- Oh! - HE LAUGHS
0:28:56 > 0:29:00I think I'm short on that! Ah, it'll be all right. A bit of patching.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03It's away from the natural light.
0:29:03 > 0:29:07- You've actually cut that into the corner, haven't you?- Yeah.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10- You should always cut into an internal corner.- Why?
0:29:10 > 0:29:13To make sure there's no trapped air behind it.
0:29:13 > 0:29:18'Trapped air's always been a problem for me. Anyway, back to the papering.'
0:29:18 > 0:29:22- It looks like you're having fun, there.- Yeah. This is the old school, this, mate.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24Is it a bit short at the top?
0:29:24 > 0:29:25HE LAUGHS
0:29:25 > 0:29:29The problem was, it's not my measuring that was wrong - your ceiling's too high.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33- Ten more seconds.- Ten seconds?!
0:29:33 > 0:29:35Five...
0:29:35 > 0:29:36four...
0:29:36 > 0:29:40three, two, one. Time up.
0:29:40 > 0:29:44I'm just allowing for these dodgy shears you gave me.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47'I might have got away with this!'
0:29:47 > 0:29:49- There you go, boss. - Yeah, that's not bad.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51'Or maybe not.'
0:29:53 > 0:29:57That's what you're going to get when you've trapped an air bubble in.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00'The paper's ripped, thanks to those pesky trapped air bubbles.'
0:30:00 > 0:30:02Whereas, if you look at mine...
0:30:02 > 0:30:03HE MOUTHS
0:30:03 > 0:30:07- The matching isn't half as important as the plumb line.- Yeah.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10- If this isn't plumb, the rest of your wallpaper's out.- Yeah.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12- You can afford for the pattern to be slightly out.- OK.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15That has got to be plumb. Plumb is everything.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17- That's not going to be plumb.- Yeah.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21That's never going to be plumb in a month of Sundays.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24You can't go round into a corner and keep that plumbness in.
0:30:24 > 0:30:29'It's marks-out-of-ten time, and the writing's on the wall.'
0:30:29 > 0:30:31I'll have to be honest...
0:30:31 > 0:30:35- Four-and-a-half.- Four-and-a-half?!
0:30:35 > 0:30:39I'm sorry. That's as good as you can get. I'm being generous here, as well.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43Your score...
0:30:43 > 0:30:48is far more cutting than your shears. Thank you very much.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56'Back in North Yorkshire,
0:30:56 > 0:31:00'the snow has settled on the picturesque village of Huntingdon.
0:31:00 > 0:31:05'As the third month of Becky and Steve's build nears an end, their windows are due to be fitted
0:31:05 > 0:31:09'but the big freeze is threatening to put the skids under their plans.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15'The hazardous conditions mean the lane to Becky and Steve's building site
0:31:15 > 0:31:17'is like an ice rink.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20'The driver delivering the windows has battled through the snow
0:31:20 > 0:31:23'but there's only so far he's willing to go.'
0:31:25 > 0:31:27It's too dangerous with the big wagon.
0:31:27 > 0:31:33The scaffolder's offered to bring his van up to put these windows on. It's like solid ice.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36Just lash a rope around the side of them.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38It is just to balance.
0:31:38 > 0:31:43'The windows have been specially chosen to fit in with the other properties in the conservation area,
0:31:43 > 0:31:47'and there is £20,000 worth of glass on here.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51'With the panes now on the smaller van, they ever-so-gently manoeuvre down the icy lane.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57'A slide here could be catastrophic.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03'And the driver inches towards the site.'
0:32:03 > 0:32:06Brilliant. No damage done.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14'However, it seems the builders' careful handling of the windows
0:32:14 > 0:32:17'has been in vain.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21'The first one they inspect is badly damaged.'
0:32:21 > 0:32:23There. There.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26- There.- It's everywhere, isn't it? - There.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29It's just everywhere.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32The first window that we've actually come across unwrapped
0:32:32 > 0:32:35is damaged in five places.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39'And precious time is wasted trying to get hold of a replacement.'
0:32:39 > 0:32:42Lovely, thank you. Bye, now. Bye.
0:32:44 > 0:32:45Hello.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49'Despite the freezing conditions,
0:32:49 > 0:32:53'builder Clive and his team are battling the elements to keep
0:32:53 > 0:32:56'Becky's tight 16-week build schedule on track.'
0:32:59 > 0:33:02I feel really bad, cos these builders,
0:33:02 > 0:33:04they've been in, working through all conditions.
0:33:04 > 0:33:09They worked through the rain, but they've been working knee-deep in snow, literally.
0:33:09 > 0:33:13They were digging trenches cos the services are due to go in
0:33:13 > 0:33:15and they just haven't stopped at all.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20'With the house becoming more watertight by the day,
0:33:20 > 0:33:25'the builders can begin to focus on the layout of the space downstairs.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27'For Rebecca and daughter Daisy,
0:33:27 > 0:33:30'the rooms are really starting to come to life.'
0:33:30 > 0:33:33Ooh, Daisy, look, we've got sockets.
0:33:33 > 0:33:34Sort of.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37It's that great big pantry cupboard going in, look.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42- Why do we have a pantry? - To put all the extra food in.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46When we play hide-and-seek, I'll be looking in there, I warn you.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56'It's build month four and, as soon as the temperature rises,
0:33:56 > 0:33:58'the snow begins to thaw.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03'The finishing work comes out of hibernation, too.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05'First the plasterwork adds to the feeling
0:34:05 > 0:34:09'that this is turning from a building site into a home.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11'Then, there's another boost.'
0:34:11 > 0:34:13Oh! We've got a front door, Daisy.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16Oh, look. Shall we go and have a look?
0:34:16 > 0:34:18'It's a magical moment as Rebecca realises
0:34:18 > 0:34:22'their house is finally secure.'
0:34:22 > 0:34:24REBECCA LAUGHS
0:34:24 > 0:34:28Why is that so exciting? It's only locking a door.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30Wowee!
0:34:30 > 0:34:32Doesn't it look good?
0:34:32 > 0:34:36So, upstairs looks really different. We've got all our plasterboard up.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39I haven't really seen it finished off until now.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43Cos they've just plastered it so fast, it just looks incredible.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46Are you going to show us your room, then, Daisy?
0:34:47 > 0:34:50Here it is, Daisy's room!
0:34:50 > 0:34:53- This is Daisy's room, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55'And a few weeks later,
0:34:55 > 0:34:58'when Daisy sees her room painted for the first time,
0:34:58 > 0:35:00'she's still jumping for joy.'
0:35:00 > 0:35:02YEEEEEEESSSSSS!
0:35:06 > 0:35:10'But, though outwardly the Warboys family have something to celebrate,
0:35:10 > 0:35:13'the build has led to some painful friction within the village
0:35:13 > 0:35:16'which has come to as a surprise to Becky.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19'Within eight months of setting out on her journey with excitement...'
0:35:19 > 0:35:21We're in love with it, I've loved it all my life.
0:35:21 > 0:35:26We need to be here, it means so much to me to live here, it really does.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30'..she's having second thoughts about whether her battle with the planners
0:35:30 > 0:35:34'and the disruption it's caused the village has been worthwhile.'
0:35:34 > 0:35:36It's been absolutely awful.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39People have said some really, really dreadful things.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42I just...I can't really understand it.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45People saying the house is monstrous, hideous,
0:35:45 > 0:35:48we should never have been allowed permission.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50I can understand the neighbours feeling it's hard
0:35:50 > 0:35:54and we've tried to be as appeasing to the neighbours as we can be
0:35:54 > 0:35:57but it's making me feel vulnerable when I'm down there
0:35:57 > 0:35:58because it's all opened up.
0:35:58 > 0:36:03You feel like people are looking at you and thinking not very nice things about you,
0:36:03 > 0:36:05which is just really, really awful.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09The sad thing is, I've lived here for, you know,
0:36:09 > 0:36:12the vast, vast majority of my life, since I was a little girl.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16And I love that piece of land and I love the plot and I love the village.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18And it made me, the other day, think,
0:36:18 > 0:36:22"Do I really want to actually live in it? After all we've done."
0:36:22 > 0:36:25'All Becky can do now is get the house finished
0:36:25 > 0:36:28'and hope the storm over their new home will eventually blow over.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34'Two months later and I'm back in Huntington
0:36:34 > 0:36:37'to find out if the troubled waters at Riverside House
0:36:37 > 0:36:39'are at last starting to subside.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45'From the outside, the house looks magnificent.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47'There's no doubt they've achieved their aim
0:36:47 > 0:36:50'of making sure it fits into the rural village mould.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55'But to build all this and move in in just over four months?
0:36:55 > 0:36:58'Surely it's too good to be true.'
0:36:58 > 0:37:02- Hello, hello, hello. - Come on in, nice to see you.
0:37:02 > 0:37:07- I cannot believe this is finished, it's unbelievable.- Thank you.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12'Not only is the house finished,
0:37:12 > 0:37:15'it's almost completely furnished inside.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18'There's a sense this is already a functioning family home,
0:37:18 > 0:37:22'quickly developing a history of its own.'
0:37:22 > 0:37:24This is absolutely brilliant!
0:37:24 > 0:37:27Good for entertaining, good for the kids.
0:37:27 > 0:37:32'The kitchen is a huge communal space, flooded with light.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35'Becky wanted a room which could safely seat 20
0:37:35 > 0:37:39'and this is certainly a massive contrast from the cramped cottage they left behind.'
0:37:39 > 0:37:43There's just space, we can both move around the kitchen.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45It was strange the first time we sat the kids down there.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48I was over there, I thought, "They're all the way over there!"
0:37:48 > 0:37:49It was so nice.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53You get used to the space, though, you get used to it very quickly.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55- But we love it, don't we? - I bet you love it.
0:37:55 > 0:38:00This is it just an absolutely brilliant space. Favourite room? Do you think this would be it, or...
0:38:00 > 0:38:04Do you know, I've got all of my rooms in the whole house.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08- I'm excited to see some more. Can we?- Definitely, this way.
0:38:09 > 0:38:13'Downstairs, all the rooms are huge.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15'The living room is split into two distinct areas,
0:38:15 > 0:38:17'linked by a retractable door.'
0:38:17 > 0:38:21We wanted somewhere nice to sit just to chill out and relax,
0:38:21 > 0:38:22- so we had the garden room.- Yeah.
0:38:22 > 0:38:27And somewhere nice and large for everybody to sit, relax and watch telly together.
0:38:27 > 0:38:28It's large, it's a massive room,
0:38:28 > 0:38:32but I guess, with the doors closed, it must feel quite cosy, as well.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35It feels a lot cosier. It's quite dark in there,
0:38:35 > 0:38:38it's like a little cosy cave feeling in there, isn't it? It's lovely.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Then this room is a contrast,
0:38:40 > 0:38:45- cos you've got quite a dark room and a bright room.- You're just beaming.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47- You can't believe it.- Love it, it's just the dream.
0:38:47 > 0:38:51You build a house and it was more building the lifestyle for us, wasn't it?
0:38:51 > 0:38:55This has been the dream for such a long time, five years,
0:38:55 > 0:38:59and we're just so grateful to finally be here, really, definitely.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01It's everything we hoped it would be.
0:39:01 > 0:39:02'With four young children,
0:39:02 > 0:39:05'Steve and Becky's main motivation for self-building
0:39:05 > 0:39:08'was to get a house with more bedrooms.
0:39:08 > 0:39:13'This has six, and their three daughters are jumping for joy.'
0:39:13 > 0:39:15Is it OK if I come and look round your bedrooms?
0:39:15 > 0:39:17- ALL: YEAH!- Yeah!
0:39:17 > 0:39:20Let's have a look around your bedrooms.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22Come on, let's have a look. Here we go.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24THE GIRLS GIGGLE
0:39:24 > 0:39:28Wow! Look at your room.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32Daisy, what do you like about your room?
0:39:32 > 0:39:34- Flowers.- Fantastic!
0:39:34 > 0:39:38'All the girls' bedrooms continue with the pink theme.'
0:39:39 > 0:39:42So, girls, do we love our new house?
0:39:42 > 0:39:44YES!
0:39:45 > 0:39:47'Becky and Steve love it up here, too.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51'Their spacious bedroom comes with an en-suite bathroom
0:39:51 > 0:39:55'and, in addition to a house bathroom, there's an extra bedroom for guests.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00'For the Warboys, the house is clearly working both inside and out.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04'But the build has definitely left them with one or two scars.'
0:40:04 > 0:40:05In all seriousness...
0:40:08 > 0:40:11..you kind of had, how can I put this,
0:40:11 > 0:40:14mixed reactions along the way from the community.
0:40:14 > 0:40:19- How has that process been?- That stress has been the worst part of it.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22I don't want to get emotional on-camera
0:40:22 > 0:40:27but I didn't expect the hatred that I feel has been thrown at us about having a house built.
0:40:27 > 0:40:28You know, the direct neighbours,
0:40:28 > 0:40:31we all talked about our concerns
0:40:31 > 0:40:33and everybody seems to have been grateful.
0:40:33 > 0:40:37'Sadly, some passers-by haven't been as complimentary about the Warboys' new home.'
0:40:37 > 0:40:40People have been saying to the builders it's the most
0:40:40 > 0:40:43ugly house they've ever seen in their lives and, you know,
0:40:43 > 0:40:46just like we're trying to harm people by building.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49Was there a time when you thought, "You know, let's just forget this"?
0:40:49 > 0:40:52I've always gone through it, as in,
0:40:52 > 0:40:56it's going to be worth it in the end and people will move on,
0:40:56 > 0:40:59things will change, and, looking at what we have now,
0:40:59 > 0:41:03we're extremely happy with what we've done and glad we went through it.
0:41:03 > 0:41:08- Proud, proud of ourselves for putting up with the comments. - Just what we've achieved, really.
0:41:08 > 0:41:12'But while that might take the edge of their dream,
0:41:12 > 0:41:14'has building made firm financial sense for the family?
0:41:14 > 0:41:20'The total build cost, including the plot, has come in at £305,000.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22'That's 30 grand over their original budget.
0:41:22 > 0:41:27'But what price would an estate agent put on the finished home?'
0:41:27 > 0:41:29We've had this place valued.
0:41:29 > 0:41:35And its current market value is around £500,000.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39That's rather nice, isn't it?
0:41:39 > 0:41:40Not bad.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43- That's more than we'd been told, yeah.- It is, yeah.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45That's nice, that's really nice. Not bad, is it?
0:41:45 > 0:41:47Not bad for a four-month build.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49But it's not about the money for us,
0:41:49 > 0:41:52it was about the lifestyle.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55But the fact that you haven't made a stupid investment on top of that
0:41:55 > 0:41:58is really, really helpful.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01We've definitely done it, we've changed our lifestyle, haven't we?
0:42:01 > 0:42:04We didn't do it for the money, we did it for the family.
0:42:04 > 0:42:09As well as being a massive money saver, it's also a record breaker.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11From foundations to finishing touches in 17 weeks
0:42:11 > 0:42:16makes it To Build Or Not To Build's quickest construction
0:42:16 > 0:42:18and that deserves its own award.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20There you go, that's just a little keepsake.
0:42:20 > 0:42:25- Fastest Finisher Award. - Oh, my gosh! That's amazing!
0:42:25 > 0:42:27Your solid brick house.
0:42:27 > 0:42:32Aw, I'm going to cry! I never win anything.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36And testament to your hard work and your builders' hard work, really.
0:42:36 > 0:42:38Well, we shall cherish our brick.
0:42:38 > 0:42:42I can't tell you how much I admire your work.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46- 'But was it worth it?'- I wouldn't do it again, not in a million years.
0:42:46 > 0:42:51- Well, we don't want to move so there's no reason to do it again. - I'd do it again to get this house.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53What doesn't break you makes you stronger.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56In that case, you must be very strong indeed now.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58You proud of yourself? You should be.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00I feel proud of us, I think it's been teamwork.
0:43:00 > 0:43:04Definitely, although you've made the team leader, shall we say?
0:43:22 > 0:43:24Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:24 > 0:43:27E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk