0:00:02 > 0:00:08We all dream of owning the perfect home, but finding the right property isn't easy. I have a solution.
0:00:08 > 0:00:13Stop searching for something to buy and consider somewhere to build.
0:00:13 > 0:00:20Every year, 20,000 people make the journey of a lifetime and opt to build their own home.
0:00:20 > 0:00:25We'll be following some of them from foundations to finishing touches.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28It's certainly been relentless!
0:00:28 > 0:00:33Along the way, our brave self-builders will experience amazing highs.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37It's been a dream. And it's starting to come together now.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39And some frustrating lows.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43How many more things can go pear-shaped?
0:00:43 > 0:00:50But if they can overcome these trials and tribulations, they'll have the home they always desired.
0:00:50 > 0:00:57So if you're looking for your perfect pad, the question is simple: to build or not to build?
0:01:01 > 0:01:04'Coming up today:
0:01:04 > 0:01:09'we follow the trucker and his wife on their self-build journey.'
0:01:09 > 0:01:13I thought it had altered that way, not that way.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17'The kitchen's key to a tasty family home in the Scottish borders.'
0:01:17 > 0:01:23When we were thinking about designing the house, the house came from the kitchen.
0:01:23 > 0:01:28'And when it comes to learning tiling, I'm struggling to make things stick.'
0:01:28 > 0:01:34All you need to know about tiling is one on top of the other, shiny side out. OK?
0:01:34 > 0:01:36- Thank you.- You can't go wrong.
0:01:38 > 0:01:45An industrial estate in Bradford may not seem the most salubrious setting for a self-build project,
0:01:45 > 0:01:51but I'm here to meet long-distance lorry driver Andy Scott and his wife Carol. Like Andy's job,
0:01:51 > 0:01:57their dream home has been a bit of a long haul, but after three years of waiting, it's underway.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03For trucker Andy Scott, moving isn't the problem.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07It's finding somewhere to call home that keeps driving him crazy.
0:02:07 > 0:02:12As a long-distance lorry driver, he's used to carrying his life around with him,
0:02:12 > 0:02:17but as retirement beckons, fulfilling a lifetime's ambition
0:02:17 > 0:02:21to build his own home means shifting up a gear.
0:02:24 > 0:02:30I guess when you're on the road, you get plenty of time to dream up your self-build?
0:02:30 > 0:02:36Yeah, spending a lot of time out of the country, in Germany, Switzerland, Austria,
0:02:36 > 0:02:41seeing all the different styles, what you can achieve and what's available.
0:02:41 > 0:02:47With all the will in the world, you're not here.
0:02:47 > 0:02:54- You're in a different country. - That's probably the best thing! I don't get the earache from Carol!
0:02:54 > 0:03:01'To fund the work, Andy is going to have to keep on trucking, leaving Carol, who works in a bank,
0:03:01 > 0:03:05'to project manage the site and make sure it adds up.'
0:03:05 > 0:03:11That is an awful lot to take on. You're left holding the baby when your man's away on the road.
0:03:11 > 0:03:16I've had a few sleepless nights. Originally, I was working full-time.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20Now I'm only part-time so it gives me time to go over there.
0:03:20 > 0:03:25- It's working out OK at the moment. - Well, we'll be the judge of that!
0:03:25 > 0:03:30I suppose in a way you said she was left holding the baby.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34I left her holding three kids under five when I was in Italy,
0:03:34 > 0:03:40- so she copes very well. - So this is easy then, isn't it? - I don't know!
0:03:40 > 0:03:46- Compared to looking after three kids? Got to be easier! - It's another challenge.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50I think you're in capable hands. You have a certain calmness.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53- Yeah...- Don't you be laughing!
0:03:53 > 0:04:00- No, you do. You have a very calm aura.- I suppose I come home to the whirlwind!- Mm.
0:04:02 > 0:04:08'And the centre of that whirlwind is the village of Cridling Stubbs in North Yorkshire,
0:04:09 > 0:04:13'where they bought this plot of land for £102,000.
0:04:13 > 0:04:20'It's here they're planning to build an energy-efficient home, flexible enough for their later years,
0:04:20 > 0:04:26'with bedrooms on both the ground and first floor. They're spending £150,000
0:04:26 > 0:04:30'using a bang-up-to-date system of ultra-light polystyrene blocks,
0:04:30 > 0:04:35'which are bonded together with concrete. The estimated total budget
0:04:35 > 0:04:41'is around £250,000, around 50 grand cheaper than similar-sized homes in the village.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45'Although this building method has been around for 50 years,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48'only 100,000 homes have been built worldwide.
0:04:48 > 0:04:53'The Scotts are happy to be among its pioneers here.'
0:04:53 > 0:04:55Wow!
0:04:56 > 0:05:00This is amazing! I've never seen this system before.
0:05:00 > 0:05:05- It's becoming more and more popular now with the heating costs. - Absolutely.
0:05:05 > 0:05:11Yeah. You're making a house out of Lego! That's what it is!
0:05:11 > 0:05:15- Did you have Lego when you were little?- Ah, the kids did.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21- It is a bit...- Amazing. Once the builders know what they're doing,
0:05:21 > 0:05:26- it must be a fantastic system for them to use.- Yeah. It's very quick.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30'The blocks may look like child's play,
0:05:30 > 0:05:35'but they don't come cheap. At seven grand, they're paying twice as much
0:05:35 > 0:05:40'per square metre compared to using traditional materials,
0:05:40 > 0:05:46'but because this is a quicker building system, it means they'll reduce the amount spent on labour
0:05:46 > 0:05:50'and there's less chance of being delayed by the climate.'
0:05:50 > 0:05:57- They can put this up whatever the weather.- There's no fear of frost spoiling the mix. It just goes up.
0:05:58 > 0:06:04'The Scotts began work on their three-bed dormer bungalow a week before my visit.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08'The footings went in smoothly ahead of schedule and now they hope
0:06:08 > 0:06:13'this will turn into their own personal paradise in 6 months.'
0:06:13 > 0:06:19- So £150,000 on your build, about 100 grand for the site? Is that right?- Yeah.
0:06:19 > 0:06:24- How many bedrooms?- Three double, plus a bedroom study.- Big footprint.
0:06:24 > 0:06:29- It's going to be very salubrious, very spacious.- It should be!
0:06:29 > 0:06:33That's the beauty of self-building. We can design it as we want it.
0:06:33 > 0:06:39You get more house for your money. Don't you? You can put in the things that you want
0:06:39 > 0:06:45and hopefully you build a house that has less running costs at the end of the day.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47And it suits your lifestyle.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51'And that change in their lifestyle can't come soon enough.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55'Although they sold their house quickly enough to pay for the plot,
0:06:55 > 0:07:01'long delays in getting the right builder means they've been forced to live with their son Gareth.
0:07:01 > 0:07:07- Tea or coffee? - Usually if anything is to happen, the kid moves back with the parents,
0:07:07 > 0:07:13- not this way round.- Normally, yeah. - How long did they say when they said they'd stop off?
0:07:13 > 0:07:15It was meant to be six months.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18And that was...
0:07:18 > 0:07:20over two years ago.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23We had to get some revenge back!
0:07:24 > 0:07:30- I bet you're looking forward to this house going up more than they are. - I want to get my bedroom back!
0:07:30 > 0:07:36'Don't worry, Gareth, if it all goes according to plan, the parents will soon be out of your hair.
0:07:41 > 0:07:47'Now the build is underway. Carol is juggling her job of working part-time in a bank
0:07:47 > 0:07:49'with her days overseeing the work.
0:07:51 > 0:07:57'The polystyrene blocks are being used for the exterior walls only and builder Andy Pierce,
0:07:57 > 0:08:03'one of the few people with experience of this, knows how critical the first stage is.'
0:08:03 > 0:08:06Once we've got the initial level and set of the building,
0:08:06 > 0:08:11and get it right, the rest of the building will fly up.
0:08:11 > 0:08:16Once you get the square in the right place, it's just one on top of two.
0:08:16 > 0:08:23They're so light that every block you're effectively laying a metre of wall.
0:08:25 > 0:08:32'It's Month 2 and it's time to get the downstairs rooms on a firm footing.
0:08:32 > 0:08:39'Andy casts a professional eye as the concrete beams to underpin the house arrive on site.'
0:08:39 > 0:08:43These are the beams for the flooring on the ground floor.
0:08:43 > 0:08:50Everything's just beginning now to come out of the ground and we can see where we're going.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53It's quite exciting, in a way.
0:08:54 > 0:08:59'But today's arrival will put novice project manager Carol's skills to the test.
0:08:59 > 0:09:05'She needs to be sure all the measurements for the floor and foundations are perfect
0:09:05 > 0:09:11'or it could cause major problems. And straight away there's an issue with the plans.
0:09:11 > 0:09:18'It seems the house is slightly wider at one end, which will have repercussions for the floor.'
0:09:18 > 0:09:22It appears we've gained a little space we didn't know we had.
0:09:25 > 0:09:31'Builder Andy's solution is to add an extra beam to the floor.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35'However, Carol thinks she's spotted another measurement that's wrong,
0:09:35 > 0:09:39'but no one's too sure which measurement it is.'
0:09:39 > 0:09:43I thought it altered that way, not that way.
0:09:43 > 0:09:49'But a re-examination of the blueprints reveals Carol was worrying unnecessarily.'
0:09:49 > 0:09:54I've checked and checked and double-checked. Measure twice, cut once.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57The sooner it's built, the better!
0:09:57 > 0:10:00'With everyone happy, the team can move on,
0:10:00 > 0:10:05'but with Andy about to go abroad, the next time the build throws up an obstacle,
0:10:05 > 0:10:10'Carol might have to come up with a solution on her own.'
0:10:10 > 0:10:16Carol's not doing a bad job. It's the communications to get her to realise what is involved.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20We just had a case in question with the concrete beams.
0:10:20 > 0:10:26- She didn't know where... - How they all fit together.- ..the insulation goes and what have you.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30It just needs a little bit of explaining.
0:10:30 > 0:10:35That's why I leave the technical things to you, dear.
0:10:37 > 0:10:43'With the foundations and floor fixed, the following few days see the house start to flourish.'
0:10:50 > 0:10:53I think this is recording.
0:10:53 > 0:10:54Yep.
0:10:55 > 0:11:02We're getting to the exciting bit now. This is going to be the corner of the lounge and study.
0:11:03 > 0:11:08So, um, it's really good that all the floor is in now
0:11:08 > 0:11:14and we're really starting to see the house go up.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22'And soon there's plenty going on inside, too.
0:11:22 > 0:11:28'Now the polystyrene shell is up, the builders can get cracking with the interior walls
0:11:28 > 0:11:32'and the Scotts' dream home is beginning to take shape.'
0:11:38 > 0:11:44The chance to design and build that dream home is the culmination of years of planning and hard work
0:11:44 > 0:11:46for the majority of self-builders.
0:11:46 > 0:11:52However, for kitchen designers Gerry and Shona Ponder, building a ranch-style house in Scotland
0:11:52 > 0:11:55came completely out of the blue.
0:11:57 > 0:12:03'Stretching out over 20 rooms and proudly standing in a complex of its own paddocks
0:12:03 > 0:12:09'this eye-catching mansion in the Scottish borders is a prime candidate for Monarch of the Glen.
0:12:09 > 0:12:15'But while it may look like the local laird's latest luxury, it's a happy accident it's here at all.
0:12:16 > 0:12:22'Reluctant self-builders Gerry and Shona Ponder weren't really thinking of moving.
0:12:22 > 0:12:29'Then somebody made the mistake of showing them the plot and their lives took an unexpected twist.'
0:12:29 > 0:12:33It looked a fabulous place, really. A wonderful place to build a house.
0:12:33 > 0:12:39So we decided to try to negotiate the purchase, which we did privately, and build a house.
0:12:39 > 0:12:45- And have a bit of a life change. - We have six children and need lots of space
0:12:45 > 0:12:49and lots of areas to live without falling over each other.
0:12:49 > 0:12:56The kids can be one side and we can be the other. They can have 20 friends in and we don't hear it.
0:12:58 > 0:13:04'It's the perfect example of how being brave enough to self-build can be an unforgettable mystery tour.'
0:13:04 > 0:13:10There were quite special circumstances. We found a plot, then decided to build a house.
0:13:10 > 0:13:15Most people probably do it the other way around.
0:13:19 > 0:13:25'The timber-framed house draws on Scottish, Canadian and Victorian influences and took 13 months.
0:13:25 > 0:13:33'Gerry and Shona run a kitchen design business and cooking up the right eating space was crucial.'
0:13:33 > 0:13:39This is probably our favourite room. When we were thinking about designing the house,
0:13:39 > 0:13:42the house came from the kitchen.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46We've got these lovely views. The last thing I wanted was
0:13:46 > 0:13:52to be standing looking at a wall. I wanted to look out from the island, over the views,
0:13:52 > 0:13:56and everybody sitting round the table. It's a family kitchen.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02'While family get-togethers and parties are in the kitchen,
0:14:02 > 0:14:08'complete with a walk-through bar, the house is flexible enough to include separate lounges
0:14:08 > 0:14:13'for both adults and children, letting the gap fit the mood.'
0:14:13 > 0:14:17This room is, I suppose, my room. It's a "me space" room.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22I come here in the evenings and I love it. It's very relaxing after a hard day
0:14:22 > 0:14:25and no children in here!
0:14:25 > 0:14:30'And the children value their independence in the other room.'
0:14:30 > 0:14:33We definitely use this room more.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37They have their peace and quiet and we have ours.
0:14:37 > 0:14:42'The huge hall provides a welcoming link between the two.'
0:14:42 > 0:14:47The beauty of this house is it's quite long and quite big, but you never feel
0:14:47 > 0:14:50as if you're isolated in a corner.
0:14:50 > 0:14:56Everybody can see everybody and even in the sitting room I can see through the windows
0:14:56 > 0:15:00and into the kitchen and into the family room. A big, open space.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07'The house spreads over 20 rooms.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14'This includes six spacious bedrooms and five luxurious bathrooms.
0:15:16 > 0:15:22'And while the house is certainly large, the Ponders were keen for it to have a cottage-y feel.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27'Self-building was the only way they could achieve their goal.'
0:15:27 > 0:15:32I don't think we could have afforded a house like this just to buy on the open market.
0:15:32 > 0:15:38And that's even assuming we could have found the right house that suited us and our lifestyle.
0:15:38 > 0:15:44That's the beauty of self-building. You can customise for every need and want.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48'And that goes for the extended family, too.
0:15:48 > 0:15:53'By building a second home next door, they got friendly neighbours.'
0:15:53 > 0:15:58This is my mum and dad's house, which is like a lodge house to the main house.
0:15:58 > 0:16:04And, you know, it's quite pretty and it's lovely to have them at the bottom of the garden.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07It's the outlaws living here.
0:16:08 > 0:16:14'Including the plot, the cost of these two unique houses came to £800,000,
0:16:14 > 0:16:18'but with the estate recently valued at £1.2 million,
0:16:18 > 0:16:21'their spur of the moment decision
0:16:21 > 0:16:25'to self-build certainly has paid off.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36'In North Yorkshire, and four months into their build,
0:16:36 > 0:16:41'polystyrene pioneers the Scotts watch their building take shape.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45'Trucker Andy is back home after another long trip abroad
0:16:45 > 0:16:50'and is catching up on progress with his wife and project manager, Carol.'
0:16:50 > 0:16:55- Our bedroom.- It's beginning to look nice and large.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58What eventually will be the ensuite.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03'The couple have been living with their son Gareth
0:17:03 > 0:17:09'and at last Carol can start dreaming about somewhere other than a suitcase to store her clothes.'
0:17:09 > 0:17:14- Wardrobes down this wall.- You're stood in them.- The whole wall!
0:17:14 > 0:17:17- So...- 4.5 metres of female clobber.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22We've sort of been living for two years with just, like, a rack.
0:17:22 > 0:17:27And I daren't buy anything new because I've nowhere to put it.
0:17:27 > 0:17:35So I'm going to have a really good sort-out and then there may be a few new clothes coming!
0:17:35 > 0:17:37- If you've got any money left!- If!
0:17:37 > 0:17:44- It's beginning to come together. - And it's what we envisaged.- It is. - It's all going to work.
0:17:44 > 0:17:51- It's all coming together a lot better and a lot faster than I anticipated it would.- Yeah.
0:17:51 > 0:17:58'It's taken them four months to get to this stage and today they hope for a giant leap forward.
0:17:58 > 0:18:04'The thick wooden blocks which make up the first floor have arrived and these, known as cassettes,
0:18:04 > 0:18:07'and the roof trusses are about to go up.
0:18:07 > 0:18:13'It's a major part of the build and a big moment for project manager Carol.'
0:18:14 > 0:18:16- Yeah.- A little bit nervous.
0:18:16 > 0:18:23- Mainly being up on this scaffolding. - I'm always nervous when a crane is taking things off a wagon!
0:18:23 > 0:18:26That's when things can go wrong.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31You've just got to make sure they're all in exactly the right place.
0:18:31 > 0:18:37'Each of the cassettes has been engineered to fit a particular part of the house
0:18:37 > 0:18:42- 'and watching makes anxious viewing.'- Just lift it up a touch.
0:18:42 > 0:18:49John and Mike at the moment are checking the plans to see which goes in which pre-ordained order.
0:18:49 > 0:18:56- 'But eagle-eyed Carol notices a problem.'- At the end is where the fireplace goes.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00They're not coming off in the right order, are they?
0:19:00 > 0:19:07'They've been put on the lorry out of sequence and careful plans have been thrown off kilter.'
0:19:07 > 0:19:14Had they been loaded in a set order, we'd have been able to lift them straight off the wagon - 1, 2, 3, 4.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18And they would have fit all together at the same time. Hasn't happened.
0:19:18 > 0:19:24They're having to drop them in different places and when the last few go in they'll have to
0:19:24 > 0:19:31shuffle them up to make sure they're all in the right spot for when the roof trusses come.
0:19:32 > 0:19:37'It all means a bit more work for the crane driver,
0:19:37 > 0:19:44'but builder Andy seems unruffled and eventually all the major wooden bases are carefully in their place.'
0:19:46 > 0:19:51- Down a touch more. - The last piece just going in now.
0:19:51 > 0:19:57You always get snags in construction, but you work it out. It's a bonus when it goes right!
0:19:59 > 0:20:04'Phase one of today's transformation is now complete
0:20:04 > 0:20:11'and after a minor stumble with the floorboards, conducting the timber trusses is trouble-free.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13MUSIC: "The Blue Danube"
0:20:14 > 0:20:18'With builder Andy orchestrating affairs,
0:20:18 > 0:20:25'the frames soon glide gracefully into their allotted roles in a performance that raises the roof.
0:20:43 > 0:20:49'Fitting the floorboards and roof has been a waltz. It's taken just four and a half hours
0:20:49 > 0:20:54'and Andy and Carol's project has definitely reached a new peak.'
0:20:54 > 0:20:59We're beginning to see now where the roof's going to go, the height of it.
0:20:59 > 0:21:05- All the trusses are going in and everything's falling into place. - It's quite a big step forward.
0:21:05 > 0:21:11- It's a massive step forward.- Yeah. - I look forward to sitting in the garden with a glass of something.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Heaven.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22'Over the next few weeks, the site is buzzing again
0:21:22 > 0:21:27'as the house is made watertight and the concrete flooring is laid.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32'Five months in and with the house protected from the elements,
0:21:32 > 0:21:37'I'll check up on what Carol is making of her tough site manager's role.'
0:21:37 > 0:21:41- How do, guv'nor?- Hiya.- How are you? - Fine, thanks.- Where's Andy?
0:21:41 > 0:21:45- Oh, he's working today. - What, he's on the road?- Yeah.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- Shall we have a look then? - Okey-doke.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51I'll get my hat on.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58- Well, I am very, very impressed. - It's not doing so bad.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00- It's doing great, innit?- Yeah.
0:22:00 > 0:22:06There was this theory that when you went for the polystyrene block system,
0:22:06 > 0:22:10it would make it easier to construct and it's gone up at a good rate.
0:22:10 > 0:22:15- It has. There is a lot more to it than you think. - Isn't that always the way?- Always.
0:22:15 > 0:22:21I were thinking two weeks up, what have you, but then by the time they've built it all up
0:22:21 > 0:22:26and they've sealed it all off and then made it solid, so they can put the concrete in,
0:22:26 > 0:22:30obviously, you know, all that takes time.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34- We can't go in here. It's all been screeded.- You must leave it a week.
0:22:34 > 0:22:40- The ground floor went to plan. I don't want to see that. What have you been changing?- Everything.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44- Go on, I'll foot the ladder. You go.- Oh, gosh.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47'The couple plan to live entirely on the ground floor
0:22:47 > 0:22:52'with a suite of bedrooms upstairs for occasional guests only.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56'No chance of son Gareth getting a permanent bed then.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03'Their original idea was to have just two rooms upstairs,
0:23:03 > 0:23:09'but they've had a rethink after seeing the size of the roof space and decided on three beds instead.'
0:23:09 > 0:23:13This one had an en-suite here, then the family bathroom was there.
0:23:13 > 0:23:20- OK.- But then we realised that the two bedrooms were actually bigger than our bedroom downstairs,
0:23:20 > 0:23:22so we can't have that.
0:23:22 > 0:23:28You changed your plans just because you can't have your guest bedrooms bigger than your master bedroom?
0:23:28 > 0:23:30Of course.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34'Although upstairs may not be used that often,
0:23:34 > 0:23:39'the decision to add an extra bedroom could put £25,000 on to the house's value.
0:23:39 > 0:23:46'With the couple's master bedroom downstairs, this is now turning into a substantial four-bedroom home.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49'It promises to be cosy too.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52'One main reason the couple warmed to this type of build
0:23:52 > 0:23:58'was because the polystyrene blocks are designed to ensure the house retains its heat.'
0:23:58 > 0:24:01- Can you tell how efficient this is? - Yeah.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05If you put your hand against it just here
0:24:05 > 0:24:07or lean on it...
0:24:07 > 0:24:10- Lean...?- Lean on it. - OK. All right. All right.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14(She's lost it!) OK, so we're just leaning on your wall.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17Yeah, and then you can feel the heat.
0:24:17 > 0:24:23- Blimey!- Your own heat is reflected back to your... - You really, really can as well.
0:24:23 > 0:24:28I can feel my hands now getting warm because none of my heat is going into that.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31- It's all being reflected back into the room.- Yeah.
0:24:31 > 0:24:36'But is the whole project enough to give Carol a warm glow inside?'
0:24:36 > 0:24:38You seem in fine fettle.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42Has it been as easy as you thought or has it been harder?
0:24:42 > 0:24:46Where are you sitting with this whole thing emotionally?
0:24:46 > 0:24:49I've had a few sleepless nights over it.
0:24:49 > 0:24:54What has been the one thing that kind of kept you awake, going, "Oh, no"?
0:24:54 > 0:24:59Probably the money side of it. As the house goes up, your money's going down.
0:24:59 > 0:25:05And it's just sort of hoping that one's going to match the other when it gets to the end.
0:25:05 > 0:25:10And have you felt added pressure because Andy's been away and back on the road?
0:25:10 > 0:25:14And has he felt pressure as well because of that?
0:25:14 > 0:25:17- He must be quite frustrated. - I think he is.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21It was his idea originally to build our own house.
0:25:21 > 0:25:28- I reckon that you're probably jealous of him and he's probably jealous of you.- Yeah, probably.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32He can get away from it all and it's not his responsibility.
0:25:32 > 0:25:37But the flip side of that coin is you're here in the heart of it, in the thick of it,
0:25:37 > 0:25:43watching it all happen with the excitement going on, and he's thinking, "I want to be there."
0:25:43 > 0:25:49- I think you should swap places. You get in the truck.- Maybe not a good idea.- OK, just a thought.
0:25:56 > 0:26:02'A few weeks later and Carol might have wished she'd gone for the job swap after all.
0:26:02 > 0:26:09'Although on the outside, everything looks good, the story inside is far from rosy.'
0:26:09 > 0:26:12We knew our job was going too well, really.
0:26:12 > 0:26:17We've had a bit of a disaster in this last week.
0:26:18 > 0:26:24On one day, we were expecting delivery of our ventilation unit.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27When it came, only half of it arrived,
0:26:27 > 0:26:30so...not too pleased about that, really.
0:26:30 > 0:26:36The same day, we thought the garage door was being delivered.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39It was supposed to have a two-week run-in
0:26:39 > 0:26:43and we'd ordered it at least eight weeks ago.
0:26:43 > 0:26:48They've told us it'll be another eight weeks before that's delivered.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51Unfortunately, it's held everything up.
0:26:51 > 0:26:56'The setback threatens to throw the couple's carefully laid plans off schedule.
0:26:56 > 0:27:02'And with money becoming tight, the danger is their finances could be blown off course as well.
0:27:07 > 0:27:13'Dabbling in DIY is a good way for self-builders, in fact any home owner, to save some cash.
0:27:13 > 0:27:20'But it helps if you know what you're doing, so I'm taking a crash course of classes.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25'Today, I'm trying tiling with tutor Paul Anderson.'
0:27:33 > 0:27:39- I'm ready for a night on the tiles or that should be a day on the tiles. Sorry, Paul.- That's terrible.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43I don't get any better. See if you can get me better at tiling.
0:27:44 > 0:27:51'Paul's marked an area he wants me to tile and the spirit level ensures I'll fix them in straight lines.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54'Time to pick out a pattern.'
0:27:54 > 0:28:00- OK...- I'd just like to point out that it's Paul choice of tiles, not mine. I wouldn't have gone for them.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02I've got them in my bathroom.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04Have you?
0:28:04 > 0:28:07'He's obviously joking... I think!
0:28:09 > 0:28:13'I've done tiling before, but today I'm getting great professional tips
0:28:13 > 0:28:16'from the wooden batten to keep the tiles in place
0:28:16 > 0:28:20'to only applying adhesive one row at a time.'
0:28:20 > 0:28:26You can put enough on for one square metre, but be careful of the water taking moisture out of the adhesive.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30- That's when you get loose ones after you've finished.- Falling off, yeah.
0:28:30 > 0:28:37- Have you had that before? - I just feel sorry for anyone who's bought a house off me.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40'I reckon Paul thinks I'm a bit of a cowboy
0:28:40 > 0:28:44'and my adhesive application doesn't win him over.'
0:28:44 > 0:28:47Have you ever decorated cakes? LAUGHTER
0:28:47 > 0:28:49'Paul shows me how it should be done.'
0:28:49 > 0:28:53- Then holding that at about 45 degrees to the wall...- Yeah.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57'And we're ready to tile.'
0:28:59 > 0:29:02Which way are they in your bathroom?
0:29:02 > 0:29:05- That way. - OK, I'm sticking with your missus.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09'To give me a helping hand, Paul kindly starts me off.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15'Between the tiles, two millimetre spacer pegs.'
0:29:16 > 0:29:20We don't use matchsticks as people seem to think.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23'Who would do that?'
0:29:24 > 0:29:29All you need to know about tiling is one on top of the other, shiny side down.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33OK? You can't go wrong.
0:29:33 > 0:29:38'Armed with those words of wisdom, this cowboy becomes the Lone Ranger.'
0:29:40 > 0:29:44- Next six tiles, how long are you going to give me?- Eight minutes.
0:29:44 > 0:29:48- Eight minutes? OK. Starting...? - Now.- Right, here we go.
0:29:49 > 0:29:54'If this was a game show, I'm pretty sure I'd be winning...
0:29:54 > 0:29:56'nothing.
0:29:56 > 0:30:01'And as a host, Paul is very much in the Anne Robinson mould.'
0:30:01 > 0:30:03You should have some tiles on by now.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09- Four minutes.- OK, OK.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13'Although to be fair, he does become the apprentice and cuts my tiles.'
0:30:14 > 0:30:17- There you go, boss.- Yeah.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19Whatever, yeah. Who's done that?
0:30:21 > 0:30:24- How did I do?- One minute...over.
0:30:25 > 0:30:30You were messing about with the cutting. I'd have been all right otherwise.
0:30:31 > 0:30:36'OK, so we've not left my handiwork for the recommended 24 hours,
0:30:36 > 0:30:39'but I'm not leaving without some tips on grouting.'
0:30:39 > 0:30:46I've done grouting plenty of times and I always make a pig's ear of it, so I'm willing to learn, definitely.
0:30:48 > 0:30:53'The first thing to do is clean off all the excess adhesive.'
0:30:53 > 0:30:56Put a bit of effort into it, if you want.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01Grout float, OK?
0:31:02 > 0:31:08- So this is the answer. - Yeah, yeah. Brilliant. - It's to have the right tools.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12- Just watch out for the spider holes. - The spider holes?
0:31:12 > 0:31:16- What's a spider hole?- Just a hole where spiders can come out of.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19But that is actually the...?
0:31:19 > 0:31:23You're having me on. You're making this up as you go along!
0:31:23 > 0:31:30'Ten minutes later, and with the grout smooth between the tiles, my work here is done.'
0:31:30 > 0:31:34- Out of ten?- Out of ten? Let's have a good, close look at it.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37He's serious here as well.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39Look at him.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43- I'd give that a nine out of ten. - A nine?- Yeah.- Yes!
0:31:43 > 0:31:48- Oh, spider hole! Could be eight. - There is a spider hole there.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52'Those flipping spider holes! They drive me up the wall!'
0:31:58 > 0:32:03'In North Yorkshire, the Scotts' build is a month behind schedule
0:32:03 > 0:32:07'and starting to creep over budget too.
0:32:07 > 0:32:14'Delays in equipment arriving have meant the builders have had to stay on the job for a few weeks longer.
0:32:14 > 0:32:19'To save cash, Andy and Carol have decided to roll up their sleeves
0:32:19 > 0:32:23'and tackle some of the interior plasterboarding themselves.'
0:32:27 > 0:32:29There we go, the whole piece up.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35It's taken us about 40 minutes, but, uh...
0:32:35 > 0:32:39From what I can see, we haven't done a bad job.
0:32:39 > 0:32:44'That's just as well because guess who's got to paint it all too!'
0:32:44 > 0:32:50It seems a bit of a daunting task because every single room is going to need decorating,
0:32:50 > 0:32:55but hopefully, we'll get the downstairs done, then we can move in
0:32:55 > 0:33:00and then finish the rest, you know, at our leisure sort of thing.
0:33:00 > 0:33:06'But the race to cross the finishing line is bringing its own pressures.'
0:33:06 > 0:33:12Up to now, it sort of seemed quite calm. Every week, somebody's been coming, doing a bit,
0:33:12 > 0:33:19then just this last couple of weeks, everybody's been coming and so many things are having to be delivered.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22There's lots and lots of things happening all at once
0:33:22 > 0:33:27and it's just a matter of keeping all the balls in the air, juggling.
0:33:27 > 0:33:33'On the plus side, a complication with the garage door which caused part of the overrun is now fixed.'
0:33:33 > 0:33:38Today, we're having the garage door fitted, and after that, it will be sealed up.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41Hey!
0:33:42 > 0:33:46Good seal on there.
0:33:46 > 0:33:51'But while the ducting has been fitted for the all-singing, all-dancing ventilation system,
0:33:51 > 0:33:57'the main pump unit has still not arrived and its delay is causing a bit of a stink.'
0:33:57 > 0:34:00We've been told it's in Germany,
0:34:00 > 0:34:04but my husband goes to Germany every week.
0:34:04 > 0:34:09We've offered to bring it over, but we've not had any reply yet.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12It is becoming a little bit of an issue now.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14When we originally ordered the unit,
0:34:14 > 0:34:20seemingly, it hadn't been passed for the British building regulations,
0:34:20 > 0:34:22the new ones that have come in.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25It has now, seemingly,
0:34:25 > 0:34:28but whether that was something to do with the delay...
0:34:29 > 0:34:32'When ordering household equipment from abroad,
0:34:32 > 0:34:37'it's always worth checking it complies with British building regulations
0:34:37 > 0:34:41'or you could face potentially costly problems.
0:34:41 > 0:34:46'The Scotts have lost about £1,000 in delays and paperwork to do with their fresh air supply.
0:34:46 > 0:34:52'But will all these expensive hold-ups ultimately affect the final finish?
0:34:53 > 0:34:59'11 months after the polystyrene blocks arrived to signal the start of this build,
0:34:59 > 0:35:05'trucker Andy and his wife Carol's dream home has reached the end of the road.
0:35:05 > 0:35:10'They've moved in and I'm back to have a sneaky look over the wall to see what they've achieved.'
0:35:10 > 0:35:15The wall looks very familiar, but what's going on behind it?
0:35:16 > 0:35:19Well, something is looking very pretty in pink.
0:35:22 > 0:35:28'The four-bedroom home is a testament to the couple's hard work
0:35:28 > 0:35:32'and although there is still some tidying up in the garden to do,
0:35:32 > 0:35:35'all the major headaches are now behind them.'
0:35:35 > 0:35:37- Hi.- Hello, hello.- Come in. Hiya.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41- Is it warm? It should be. Hiya.- Hiya.- How are you?
0:35:42 > 0:35:48'Downstairs, the floor plan of kitchen, lounge and bedroom has been designed
0:35:48 > 0:35:52'to give them everything they need within reach as they get older.
0:35:52 > 0:35:58'Carol's done the majority of the decorating herself, but I've noticed one thing she's missed.'
0:35:59 > 0:36:04How can I put this diplomatically? I'm not sure about the rustic flooring.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07Well, you know, beggars can't be choosers.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11What do you mean by "beggars can't be choosers"?
0:36:11 > 0:36:15I think the money went elsewhere and we'll get round to it.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19We'll have to wait a few months before we do this
0:36:19 > 0:36:23because the piggy bank is empty at the moment.
0:36:23 > 0:36:29'That also means that some of the rooms upstairs are still works in progress.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33'However, they've finished the main family bathroom.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39'And one of the guest bedrooms is almost complete too.
0:36:39 > 0:36:44'For the moment, Carol and Andy are happy enough enjoying their downstairs living.'
0:36:44 > 0:36:46- Wow!- This is the kitchen-diner.
0:36:46 > 0:36:51Great space. You immediately gravitated here. Is this the heart of the home?
0:36:51 > 0:36:56- Without a doubt.- If ever we have guests or visitors, friends round,
0:36:56 > 0:36:59we always tend to end up in the kitchen,
0:36:59 > 0:37:03so we like it because nobody is cut off at all.
0:37:03 > 0:37:07- We're sat round the table. - It's 21st century living, isn't it?
0:37:07 > 0:37:12'The ventilation system which caused them so much grief has finally come up trumps,
0:37:12 > 0:37:16'especially as it comes with its own integrated vacuum system.'
0:37:16 > 0:37:23- You switch it on and then you get a brush. You can brush all your bits and things in there.- No!
0:37:23 > 0:37:26SOUND OF VACUUM SYSTEM DROWNS OUT SPEECH
0:37:27 > 0:37:29..into the garage.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34That's fabulously lazy!
0:37:35 > 0:37:40'The couple had been staying with their son Gareth for the last three years,
0:37:40 > 0:37:44'but at last, they've got their own bedroom back.'
0:37:44 > 0:37:48It must be such a delight to get all your own stuff out of storage again.
0:37:48 > 0:37:53It's wonderful, yeah. We've got our own bed and we can get a decent night's sleep.
0:37:53 > 0:38:00You forget what you've got. It was a while in storage and it was nice to unpack everything again.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04'And crucially, they are no longer living out of a suitcase.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07'The huge wall-to-wall cupboards Carol dreamt of
0:38:07 > 0:38:13'mean they've both got plenty of space to let their wardrobes breathe.
0:38:14 > 0:38:20'So far, so good. But before the tour continues, there's one thing I need to ask Carol on her own.'
0:38:20 > 0:38:24- There's something I'd like to do with you upstairs. Excuse us.- OK.
0:38:24 > 0:38:31'Last time I was here, Carol and I had a rather unusual experience in one of the bedrooms.'
0:38:31 > 0:38:34- So we're just leaning on your wall?- Yeah.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36Then it all feels warm.
0:38:36 > 0:38:41'I'm keen to see if her affection for the upstairs rooms will remain the same.'
0:38:41 > 0:38:43OK, here we go. Are you ready?
0:38:43 > 0:38:49You are the only person I've ever met that made me hug a wall, so I thought we'd try it out again.
0:38:49 > 0:38:55'One of the reasons the couple chose their polystyrene block construction was to cut down on fuel bills.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59'The walls reflect heat and don't allow any warmth to escape.'
0:38:59 > 0:39:05- Upstairs in the house, there's no radiators or...- Or under-floor heating.- Or under-floor heating.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08- Yet it's just absolutely fine.- Yeah.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12Anyway, we'd better get back down. He'll be worried. Come on.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22'As the wife of a long-distance lorry driver,
0:39:22 > 0:39:26'Carol is used to a journey with a few twists and turns.
0:39:26 > 0:39:32'But steering this build through to delivery while Andy was on the road has brought unexpected rewards.'
0:39:32 > 0:39:38Carol, as this process has gone on, you started off... I wouldn't say unsure of yourself,
0:39:38 > 0:39:44but not too certain of yourself and now you're almost a different person, having managed this.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46- I'd agree with that.- It's true.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50At first, I didn't want to take it on. That was the worst thing.
0:39:50 > 0:39:56Then once I'd decided to, it was like, "Right, I'd better find out what I'm doing here."
0:39:56 > 0:39:59It was a case of that you had to take it on.
0:39:59 > 0:40:04We were looking at project managers and we just couldn't find anybody
0:40:04 > 0:40:07that would really give us what we wanted.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14'And it seems bank clerk Carol has definitely managed to do that.
0:40:14 > 0:40:18'But how has she fared when it comes to the finances?
0:40:18 > 0:40:20'The land cost the couple £102,000,
0:40:20 > 0:40:25'while the build came in at 180,000, including an overspend of 30 grand.
0:40:26 > 0:40:32'So with a total bill of £282,000, do the sums add up?'
0:40:33 > 0:40:37- We've had this place valued. - Right.- Right.- Yes.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40It's around 275.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42- So...- Right.
0:40:42 > 0:40:46I wouldn't say a small loss because you're not finished yet.
0:40:46 > 0:40:52- No.- When you've finished turfing and all that. So break even at least. What do you think?
0:40:52 > 0:40:55Actually, that's better than I would have thought
0:40:55 > 0:41:02- because anybody who bought a house three years ago would probably be losing a lot more.- Oh, yes.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06Or it wouldn't be worth what they paid for it at the time.
0:41:06 > 0:41:12'The plot was bought at the top of the market and to break even during the slump that followed
0:41:12 > 0:41:14'is no mean achievement.'
0:41:15 > 0:41:19- Stay there. I have a present for you. Don't you move.- Ooh!
0:41:19 > 0:41:25'The house might represent Andy and Carol's future, but they can't quite escape their past.
0:41:25 > 0:41:31'Their son Gareth, who has put them up for the past couple of years, likes the new house so much,
0:41:31 > 0:41:37'he might sell up and move in. Just in case he does, I've got a present to make everyone feel at home.'
0:41:37 > 0:41:41I know you're missing Gareth and everything, so...
0:41:41 > 0:41:43LAUGHTER
0:41:43 > 0:41:45When did you get him to do that?
0:41:45 > 0:41:47We just had a word with him.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50That's wonderful.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53All the gestures mean something. "Where are you?"
0:41:53 > 0:41:56- Yeah.- "Isn't it about time you moved out?"
0:41:56 > 0:41:59"Thank heavens they've gone!"
0:41:59 > 0:42:03- "Hello, I'm moving in with you!" - Yeah.- That is brilliant.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07- There you go.- Thank you.- That's for you.- Yeah, that's brilliant.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11- We shall have to find a spot for that.- I'll kill him.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15- Put it up in Gareth's new bedroom! - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:42:15 > 0:42:21'So even if this whole project means their family life goes back to square one, was it all worth it?'
0:42:21 > 0:42:27- Definitely worth it in the end. I can say that now.- If I need a project manager, I'll be calling, mate.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30Well, I'll tell you this much about you two.
0:42:30 > 0:42:36I have seen people collapse when they've just had the builders round to have their kitchen extended.
0:42:36 > 0:42:41In panic, in a sweat, and just can't organise that.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45So, to take it on, and I know you agree with me, Andy,
0:42:45 > 0:42:50to take this on, to be project manager and end up with this amazing result,
0:42:50 > 0:42:53it's hats off to you both, really.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00And also you having the trust in her to do that is just fantastic.
0:43:00 > 0:43:04Well done, you two. What a brilliant job you've done!
0:43:19 > 0:43:23Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd 2011
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