Selfbuilder & Homemaker – July – August 2019

smooth transition wasn’t easy.”
While Mark was very hands-on throughout
the build, doing most of the heavy labour,
concreting the floors, fitting doors, cupboards,

bathrooms and stairs, Clare spent every spare

minute researching and purchasing the

building materials, fixtures and fittings.

“It was challenging because it took up so

much of our spare time – which was in short

supply bearing in mind we both work full

time,” says Clare.

There were a couple more hiccups along the

way. When the septic tank was delivered, it

arrived without any means to crane it off the

lorry, so it had to be sent back and re-ordered.

They also had to negotiate access with the

council as the main road was closed mid-build,

restricting access to the site.

“We moved into the house in October 2015,

before it was finished,” says Mark. “We were

desperate to get in.” By this time the Wren

kitchen units were fitted and they had

bathrooms, but the stairs were still a makeshift

affair until Mark had time to fit the new ones. It

was to take a further two years for them to

finally get the house completed internally and

CONTACTS/

SUPPLIERS

ARCHITECT

Paul Testa Architecture

paultestaarchitecture.co.uk

SIPS

Shire Timber Group

shiretimbergroup.co.uk

WINDOWS & DOORS

Green Building Store

greenbuildingstore.co.uk

KITCHEN

Wren Kitchens

wrenkitchens.com

FLOORING

Walls and Floors

wallsandfloors.co.uk

All the interior

walls of the original

cottage were

stripped back to the

original stone and

the roof – what was

left of it – was

removed

26www.sbhonline.co.uk july/august 2019