Selfbuilder & Homemaker – July – August 2019

(lu) #1

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

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