- 12 hours ago
Build Your Dream Home in the Country Season 1 Episode 15
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:01Have you ever thought about building your dream home?
00:03That's the dream. It's so exciting.
00:05We are actually building a house.
00:08With prices going through the roof, why spend a fortune buying?
00:12They're going to look out and see all of this, and it's worth it.
00:15It's absolutely cracking.
00:17When you can build a home you've designed yourself.
00:20I'm the boss.
00:23I'm Mark Miller, and I've been in the trade for over 30 years.
00:27What a beautiful way to build a home.
00:29Not a house, a home.
00:31In this series, I'm helping people achieve their new home dreams.
00:35What could possibly go wrong?
00:37As they say, Rome wasn't built in a day.
00:39It's arrived!
00:41Whether they're assembling a new kit house, building an extension, or rebuilding a crumbling wreck.
00:48It's a bit terrifying, because it's a lot of work, isn't it?
00:52Yeah.
00:53You don't have to be rich or a designer.
00:55We talked about it for so long, and finally...
00:59We're here.
01:00I'm going to show you how to create your forever home for your family.
01:04Ian and I are expecting another baby.
01:07If you're brave enough to take a leap and build your own.
01:12Guys, what a transformation!
01:15And wow, what an amazing place to live!
01:19Build your dream home in the country, with me, Mark Miller.
01:26This time, I'm in the beautiful Shropshire countryside, with a first-time project manager.
01:31I'm the boss.
01:33Oh yeah, you are the boss.
01:34Battling to build an eco-home on schedule.
01:37The tile, he's now booked up till after Christmas.
01:40Oh, you're joking.
01:42Having to solve new problems.
01:44Wow, it's soaking.
01:46It's certainly knocked us back.
01:47It is like cheese.
01:51Living and breathing the build.
01:52We don't have weekends.
01:54It's just another day at the plot.
01:56And going all out to create their dream and stay on budget.
02:00We just didn't know we would do this much of the work.
02:06I'm sorry, I'm in a bit of a rush.
02:08Here's to see Helen and Simon who are doing their self-build.
02:10But they've already started, because I was off on another job.
02:15Already started?
02:16Look, they've actually got a house up.
02:18What are they doing?
02:20They told me they started two weeks ago.
02:24Science teacher Helen and IT director Simon, both in their mid-50s,
02:28have been together 36 years.
02:31We met in the shooting club at university.
02:34They have two sons in their 20s, Peter and Andrew,
02:37and they're now planning to enjoy a quiet, empty nest.
02:41We want to both be retired, early retirement.
02:45So de-stressing is a key thing.
02:49While they're not going for the quiet life in the 16th century farmhouse,
02:53they spent eight years renovating.
02:55Life without central heating isn't for them.
02:59You'd be in what we called the snug,
03:01and you wanted to go to the kitchen at the other end of the house,
03:04and you had to put your coat on to go from one to the other.
03:08We had a dose of reality, basically.
03:10So they're going to the opposite extreme.
03:12They've sold their drafty farmhouse,
03:14and have decided to build their own brand-new home
03:17with their life savings.
03:19They got off to a great start and found the plot and land quickly.
03:23Just the views sold it to us.
03:25Everybody says finding the land is one of the hardest things to do,
03:29and we have just found the land.
03:31It also was great that it already had planning permission on it
03:35for a family house.
03:37They bought the land for £220,000 in 2019.
03:43Design and planning took two years,
03:45and now their self-built adventure is ready to begin.
03:48We've ripped the heart out of an old stone cottage.
03:52How much more difficult can it be building a house from scratch?
03:55How much more difficult could it be?
03:58Ah, famous last words, Simon.
04:01Professional project managers can cost 15% of your billed budget.
04:06So Helen is giving up her job teaching science
04:08to project manage herself,
04:10and basically learn on the job.
04:13I've never done this before.
04:14I am nervous about managing it.
04:17It's a huge responsibility,
04:19because this is our life savings.
04:21Simon is continuing to work
04:23whilst keeping a tight grip on the budget.
04:25It's set at £430,000 for the build,
04:29and not a penny more.
04:31I don't particularly believe in contingency.
04:34I've set a budget.
04:35I'm going to try and hit the budget.
04:37Their new house couldn't be more different from their last one,
04:40and will be packed with the latest eco-friendly
04:43and money-saving mod cons.
04:46The air source heat pump,
04:47the mechanical ventilation,
04:49the triple glazing,
04:51hopefully it's going to be a cheap house to run.
04:54I am looking forward to sitting in the upstairs snug,
04:59looking at the beautiful view,
05:01a glass of wine,
05:02fire going.
05:04Sounds perfect,
05:05and crucially,
05:06toasty warm.
05:08Grind work started in rather chilly February last year.
05:12We've now actually turned our field into a building site.
05:17They're giving themselves a year for the build,
05:19and they get the foundations and the block and beam floor down
05:23in a couple of months.
05:25Then things start really moving fast,
05:27as they're using a timber frame
05:29that is pre-cut in the factory before it arrives on site,
05:33which means it can be assembled incredibly quickly.
05:36This is what they've achieved in just two days.
05:40They're living in a rental house nearby,
05:41but have an office on site.
05:44I'm here every day,
05:45checking that the builders want everything they need.
05:48I've got all my files.
05:50It's a great start,
05:51and the structure flies up in just two weeks.
05:54The people in the village are looking,
05:55they're going,
05:56you'll be in me in a month's time,
05:57and we're going,
05:58no,
05:58don't think so somehow.
06:04By the time I get up to Shropshire in April,
06:06there's already a building there.
06:10Hello.
06:11Hello.
06:12I've come to see a new build.
06:14You've already got a front door.
06:17What's going on?
06:1915 days from foundation to what you see today.
06:23Look at this entrance hall.
06:24Yeah.
06:25It's absolutely incredible.
06:27It's about 7.7 metres up to the top of it.
06:3115 days.
06:33I must be dreaming.
06:34And it's huge.
06:37They are building a four-bed red brick house
06:40that is pretty traditional on the outside,
06:42except for its huge windows,
06:44which will open onto a covered veranda at the back.
06:48But on the inside,
06:49it will be super modern
06:51with a large contemporary kitchen living space
06:53with huge windows at one end.
06:57There will be a separate utility room
06:59with a section specially
07:00for the latest sustainable heating solutions.
07:03Next door to a vast entrance hall,
07:06dining space with more huge windows.
07:09And a downstairs bedroom
07:11with ensuite and walk-in shower for guests.
07:14And when Helen and Simon grow older,
07:17and an office space for Simon to work from home,
07:20upstairs there will be a snug living room
07:23for them to relax in,
07:24with more huge windows to enjoy the views.
07:27A large family bathroom
07:29along with two other guest bedrooms,
07:31and a vast master bedroom
07:33with a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite.
07:38And everything is in their own design.
07:41We've designed the house ourselves.
07:43We didn't have an architect.
07:45It's a huge saving,
07:46having your knowledge and cutting the architect out.
07:48We just wanted our ideas,
07:50not someone else's version of our ideas.
07:53A little risky,
07:54as couples don't always see IDI.
07:57For example, upstairs,
07:58there are still some details to be agreed.
08:02Simon wants the bed looking directly at the glazing.
08:06Yeah.
08:07Which we were all for
08:08until my next-door neighbour came up
08:10and had a look here.
08:11And she said,
08:11oh, I'll stand at the bottom of her paddock
08:13and wave at you.
08:14And I just feel like, oh, I...
08:16So, my vote's the bed this way.
08:19Right, tell you what, lay down.
08:21Come on, let's all get in the bed.
08:23On the nose.
08:23On the bed.
08:23On the nose.
08:24Right, we're over there.
08:25Down you go.
08:27In you get, Simon.
08:29So, yeah, the...
08:30Where are you going?
08:31Get in.
08:31Three in the bed.
08:32Three in the bed.
08:33Three in the bed,
08:35and the little one said,
08:37roll over, roll over.
08:40It's just a straight,
08:41lovely view across the hills to Wales.
08:43As if we were down the case,
08:45all down.
08:46So, and then you'd go,
08:47oh, what's the weather like out there?
08:49You're like, oh, oh,
08:51that's nice, that's nice.
08:53I'm not going to stay in bed today.
08:55I like it like this.
08:59I can see I haven't quite settled that argument.
09:02Back downstairs, I get a clue about who'll come out on top.
09:06Who's project managing it?
09:08Helen's project.
09:09I'm the boss.
09:11Oh, yeah, you are the boss.
09:12These two rooms at the back,
09:13what are they about?
09:15Right, we have a utility and a plant room.
09:19It's a big plant room, isn't it?
09:20We've got to get in the
09:21mechanical heat ventilation systems,
09:23the cylinders for the heat recovery,
09:27batteries, et cetera, et cetera.
09:28So, you're going to love that room, aren't you?
09:30I am going to love that room.
09:31That technical room.
09:33What we're hoping is that once this is done,
09:35this is done for us for the next 20 years.
09:37Right.
09:38It's low running costs,
09:39low maintenance while we own the house.
09:41Yeah, hopefully we're going from
09:42pounds per day to run to pence per day to run.
09:45That's the idea.
09:46I tell you what, you two don't need me here.
09:49You've got it all worked out.
09:50It's perfect.
09:54I have to say, Helen and Simon are pretty incredible.
09:57And so is this build.
09:58It's 17 days.
10:00And this has happened.
10:01It's absolutely amazing.
10:04But today, the builders leave,
10:06and it's all over to Helen.
10:08I wonder if she's going to be smiling when I come back.
10:10She probably will.
10:14Coming up, tough conditions in the office on site.
10:17We have electricity.
10:18We don't have water.
10:20And a little bit compact.
10:23The toilet doesn't flush.
10:25Disaster with the kitchen floor.
10:27Wow, it's absolutely soaking.
10:30It is like cheese.
10:32And the schedule and budget goes out the window.
10:35Pitting had to be knocked back.
10:37The tiler, we lost the slot.
10:38He's now booked up till after Christmas.
10:41Oh, you're joking.
10:51Science teacher Helen and IT director Simon
10:54are putting their life savings into building their dream
10:57high-tech retirement home
10:59in the beautiful Shropshire countryside.
11:02Helen has given up teaching to project manage full time,
11:06meaning she's now leaving home early
11:08to be on site every morning.
11:10I am definitely not a morning person.
11:13Up on an average day, about quarter to seven.
11:16Back into the work clothes.
11:18Quick breakfast and out the house.
11:21She's spending her days managing the build
11:23in her on-site office.
11:26We have electricity.
11:27We don't have water.
11:28And it's a little bit compact.
11:31The toilet doesn't flush.
11:33Simon is working from home in their rental property.
11:36I should have those new figures for you
11:39in about 10, 15 minutes.
11:41He's in charge of the budget,
11:43which they are both determined to stick to.
11:45I power up my workstation,
11:47see where we are with the budget,
11:48tell Helen before she leaves
11:49she's only got X number of thousand pounds left to spend.
11:58At the end of April, according to Simon's calculations,
12:01they have already spent £270,000
12:04off their £430,000 budget.
12:08And they're almost watertight.
12:11The windows are being installed
12:13just a couple of weeks after the walls started going up.
12:17The beauty of a timber frame and panel build like this
12:20is that you can get on to the internal first fixes
12:22at a very early stage,
12:25while the exterior brickwork is only just beginning.
12:29Sometimes when I'm talking to people about timber frame,
12:31they're really quite unsure whether it's good enough.
12:33But I'm telling you now, it's brilliant.
12:35Timber frame has fantastic insulation properties.
12:38It goes up super quick.
12:40And the quality of it is second to none.
12:43And also, you're going to finish the building off
12:45in different ways.
12:49Timber is a natural, renewable and affordable
12:52building material.
12:53It creates a strong and durable structure
12:55that is quick and simple to put up.
12:58With easy-to-fit panels providing insulation
13:00for the walls inside,
13:02a timber frame house can be finished on the outside
13:05in a huge variety of materials and styles.
13:09Brick is traditional and can be very attractive.
13:13Timber looks great whether left natural
13:15or stained in a colour like black.
13:18And you can use natural stone too.
13:21Or you could go for a metal like steel, aluminium or zinc.
13:26But remember, all these materials
13:29cover up a simple and affordable timber frame.
13:33But whatever style you choose,
13:36you must remember to pass this
13:38with your local planning department.
13:40Helen and Simon are really focused
13:42on technology with this build.
13:44We've got ten solar panels going in here.
13:47These are 330-watt panels.
13:49And inside, they're adding an extra layer
13:51of insulation themselves.
13:53So we marked out on the floor
13:56where all of the battens are
13:59so that we can actually find them again quite easily
14:01when we're just screwing through.
14:03They're using six different types
14:05of insulation bore on the build.
14:07This one is reflective.
14:09So this is infrared reflection of heat.
14:12There we go.
14:13Right.
14:14Shall we measure the next one and mark it?
14:16Yes.
14:17As you'd expect from a science teacher,
14:19Helen has done her homework
14:20and been thorough in researching
14:22all the materials.
14:29In June, they are six months in
14:31and £250,000 into their build budget.
14:35The Brickies are on holiday
14:37and so is Simon.
14:38Well, a working holiday.
14:40It's great to actually be contributing
14:42and knowing that you're actually
14:44doing something useful.
14:45Helen is starting a crucial job
14:48fitting an airtight membrane
14:49throughout the whole house.
14:52She mustn't leave any gaps
14:53for the air to leak out
14:54as the membrane will be tested
14:56at a later date.
14:58The more airtight the property,
14:59the more energy efficient
15:01their home will be.
15:02It's a fiddly job
15:03and there's a lot for one woman to do.
15:05You don't want folds in the membrane
15:08because that can cause air leakage
15:09but trying to get two membranes
15:12to fit at a corner
15:13is really frustrating.
15:16Downstairs, the screed
15:18for the underfloor heating system
15:19is being poured
15:20and guess what?
15:21The schoolteacher is proving
15:23to be a stickler
15:23for on-site organisation.
15:25We've put our room plans
15:28with where we want,
15:29ceiling lights.
15:31It's all colour-coded.
15:33Light switches are the blue triangles.
15:35Data points for TVs.
15:37We've got data points
15:38for the internet for computers.
15:41All the bathrooms,
15:42we need shaver points.
15:45Powered mirrors,
15:46so those all need electric points.
15:48I am seriously impressed
15:50with the way Helen is running this.
15:52She's even managed to win the argument
15:54about where the bed goes.
15:56You've got beautiful views
15:57out to the Welsh hills that way.
15:59There's now loads of room.
16:00Although I hate to admit it,
16:02it actually works better
16:03with the bed here.
16:04It makes you look more spacious
16:05and it's actually more functional as well.
16:17I'm back a couple of months
16:18after I first visited Helen and Simon.
16:21The roof is being tiled
16:22and the brickwork is up.
16:24This is going to be really interesting
16:25because it's a timber frame build
16:26that went up super quick
16:29and then it was handed over to Helen
16:30because she's going to project manage
16:31the whole thing.
16:33Curious to see how she's getting on.
16:35How are you doing?
16:36We're very well, thank you.
16:38Nice bricks.
16:38We tried to get the bricks
16:39to actually match in
16:40with the old carriage house.
16:42It looks great.
16:43I love it.
16:44Excellent.
16:44Simple build.
16:45There has been a bit of a bump in the road.
16:48Of course there has.
16:51Three weeks ago,
16:52the screed was poured in the kitchen.
16:53It should be hard and dry
16:55to the touch by now,
16:56but they don't understand why it isn't.
16:59Here you go.
17:00And the first thing I see
17:01is a powdery screed.
17:03Yes, unfortunately,
17:04this is the issue we've got
17:06with just this section
17:07of the screed pour.
17:09I can feel how damp it is.
17:11Yeah, and this is about 21 days
17:13since it was poured.
17:16Wow, it's soaking.
17:18It's absolutely soaking.
17:20It's incredibly powdery.
17:21Look at that.
17:23It is like cheese.
17:26Their options are to seal off the room
17:27and use dehumidifiers for a few weeks
17:30or speak to the company
17:32about coming back to remedy.
17:34But until it is sorted,
17:36nothing can happen in here,
17:37which is a disaster
17:39for Helen's carefully planned schedule.
17:41This has been mentally
17:42as well as emotionally
17:43a big stumbling block this year.
17:45I bet.
17:45It's certainly knocked us back.
17:47The electricians were booked,
17:48tile has booked,
17:49kitchen fitters booked,
17:50all of this sort of thing.
17:51And if this is going to be a big issue,
17:54it's going to have a knock-on effect.
17:56It's vital on any bill
17:58to have trades lined up
17:59and jobs scheduled in advance.
18:02Helen wants to show me
18:03her master plan on a whiteboard,
18:05as you'd expect from a teacher.
18:08Ta-da!
18:10Just a few things to do,
18:11and that's not everything.
18:13This is your jobs?
18:13This is all our jobs.
18:14And also,
18:16this job's done here
18:17are for outside contractors,
18:18talk to outside contractors, etc.
18:20I love this sort of organisation.
18:22So, how far down on this are you?
18:24So, the big one at the moment
18:26is this, the mechanical...
18:28Yeah, the mechanical vent.
18:30Are you doing the mechanical heat system yourself?
18:32Yes.
18:33The heating system they're installing
18:34is efficient and ecological.
18:37It circulates earth through the home
18:38and improves the air quality,
18:40making it healthier too.
18:42We'll have to get it commissioned
18:45because it's part of the building regs
18:47to make sure all the air flow.
18:49And the air flow
18:49and the air tightness
18:50of the building as well.
18:52Well, that's another thing
18:53we've got to have measured.
18:54What's this about?
18:57Well, it's stressful.
18:59Yeah, it's stressful.
19:00But why is it so far down the list?
19:03Let's hope they can stick to this schedule.
19:05I also take my hard hat off to Helen
19:07for putting in the heating system herself
19:09with all the pipes.
19:11I just hope it passes
19:12the strict building regulation test.
19:21By August, the composite roof tiles
19:23have been fitted,
19:25leaving them to fit and test
19:27the guttering system.
19:28And that looks very much like water
19:29is running this way.
19:31Lay the underfloor heating boards
19:34and see that the skylight
19:35is fitted in the utility room.
19:37Let me have a go of it.
19:40But there's a huge job
19:41waiting to be started.
19:43With the ducting now on site,
19:45Helen and Simon
19:45are about to take on
19:46their biggest challenge yet.
19:49Installing the pipes
19:50for the mechanical heat recovery
19:52ventilation system.
19:54It's an integral part
19:55of their house design
19:56and a really brave job
19:58to take on
19:59for two inexperienced people.
20:00This has got to go up.
20:02This is the first of the ones
20:03going up to the first floor.
20:04Slowly, because I'll have to
20:05unwrap it as you go.
20:07By doing it themselves,
20:08it saves them
20:09around £4,000.
20:11Right, blocked.
20:13Our first one.
20:15It works by circulating
20:16air through the home,
20:18taking out excess moisture
20:20and using heat
20:21from the old air
20:22it's pumping out of a room
20:24to warm up the new air
20:26it is pumping in.
20:27I know,
20:28complicated to get to grips with
20:30while try installing it.
20:32In here is going to be
20:33an output valve.
20:34It's going to allow
20:36fresh, warm air
20:37into the room.
20:38But for the moment
20:39everything has to
20:41stay sealed up.
20:42Helen will have to lay
20:43400 metres of ducting
20:45throughout all the rooms
20:46before it can be tested.
20:47This is what I'm following
20:48to actually install
20:50all the duct work.
20:51The ducting
20:52and the airtight membrane
20:54that Helen installed
20:55are crucial jobs
20:56that if Helen manages
20:58to do correctly
20:59will make their house
21:00super energy efficient
21:02and save them
21:04between 25% and 50%
21:06a year
21:06on their heating bills.
21:16It's late summer,
21:17five months
21:18since I first met them
21:19and they have just
21:20under £100,000
21:22of their billed budget left.
21:24They spend
21:25all of five weeks
21:27fixing the screen problem
21:28themselves
21:29scraping a layer
21:30off the top
21:31by hand
21:31all over the downstairs
21:33which is 150 square metres.
21:37What happened in the end?
21:38It contained clay
21:39within the sand.
21:40Yeah.
21:41It was contaminated.
21:42It was contaminated.
21:43We were worried
21:44we were going to have
21:44to try and pull it all up.
21:45We actually manually
21:47scraped off
21:47about the top
21:48two mil of it
21:49with a hand scraper
21:51across all of the downstairs.
21:53Whoa.
21:54So that knocked you back?
21:54Yes, five weeks.
21:55Five weeks?
21:56Yeah, and the kitchen
21:57fitting had to be
21:58knocked back.
21:59The tiler,
22:00we lost the slot.
22:01He's now booked up
22:02till after Christmas.
22:04Oh, you're joking.
22:05It really,
22:06our schedule just went
22:08They had to fix the screen
22:09before they could start
22:10the kitchen flooring
22:11but a five weeks delay
22:13is a huge blow
22:15for Helen and Simon.
22:16Another thing
22:17holding them up
22:18is they don't know
22:19how to fit
22:19the airtight membrane
22:21around the roof light
22:22in the utility.
22:23Right,
22:24utility room.
22:26And what have you
22:27got to do in here then?
22:28Seal off this.
22:30So we've got
22:31airtight membrane
22:32on the roof
22:33and we've got
22:33on the ceiling
22:34but it's all got to go up
22:35and join around the window.
22:37Once the membrane goes up
22:39then you've got to
22:40cross-batten it?
22:40Yes.
22:41So the cross-batten
22:42have got to come across
22:42and catch on a beam
22:44over here
22:44to support the ceiling.
22:46Yep.
22:46So we need to put
22:47a new beam in
22:48on top of this.
22:50But while I'm up here
22:51I spot another problem.
22:55That doesn't look very level
22:57so we've got
22:59Oh dear.
23:00I don't like Oh dear.
23:02No.
23:02Over a couple of feet
23:03that's dropping
23:04about 10, 12 mil.
23:07By the time you get over there
23:08it's probably around 20 mil
23:09over the whole ceiling.
23:11You'll see that.
23:12Especially if you've got
23:12units and stuff going in
23:14you'll want it level
23:15won't you?
23:15My OCD-ness will want it level.
23:17Yeah I thought you might
23:19actually.
23:20The ceiling needs a new
23:21beam to support it
23:22and keep it level.
23:24Right.
23:25Could you cut me a piece
23:26at
23:271,830?
23:291,830.
23:31Quick cut later
23:32and we're nearly done.
23:34So that's going to go in
23:36up there.
23:37You've got a batten in now
23:38that your roof battens
23:39will now come across
23:41and they will catch
23:42this batten
23:43and support the ceiling.
23:45All you've got to do
23:45is pack your battens
23:47all the way through
23:47till you meet the plant room.
23:49Good.
23:50On the level.
23:52There you go guys.
23:53You've got to follow suit.
23:55That's one job
23:57ticked off the list
23:57for Helen and Simon
23:58but when you're
23:59five weeks behind
24:00on a scientifically
24:01precise schedule
24:03hmm
24:03that's a lot
24:05of catching up to do.
24:07Coming up
24:08Helen and Simon
24:09go all out
24:09to save money
24:10and stay on budget.
24:12We knew we would do
24:13some of the work.
24:15We just didn't know
24:16we would do
24:17this much of the work.
24:19There's more bad news.
24:21When do I tell him
24:22that the stairs
24:22aren't going in
24:23until the middle of January?
24:25Have you told him?
24:25No.
24:26And it's test day
24:27for Helen's
24:28eco-heating system.
24:29It's nerve-wracking.
24:31It really is.
24:39It's September
24:40five months
24:41after the house
24:42started going up.
24:43With winter fast
24:44approaching
24:44science teacher
24:45Helen
24:45is feeling
24:46the pressure
24:47of being
24:47full-time
24:48project manager.
24:49There's so much
24:50to think about.
24:51I wake up
24:52in the middle
24:52of the night
24:53and I can be awake
24:54for a couple
24:55of hours
24:55just going
24:56through problems.
24:58From day to day
24:59they seem to sort of
25:00merge into each other.
25:01We don't have
25:02weekends
25:03and really
25:05it's just another
25:06day at the plot.
25:07With only husband
25:08Simon's income
25:09between them now
25:1055-year-old Helen
25:12is also taking on
25:13more and more
25:14manual labouring jobs
25:16to keep the build
25:17on schedule
25:17and on budget.
25:19We knew we would
25:20do some of the work.
25:23We just didn't know
25:24we would do
25:24this much of the work.
25:27She installed
25:28a layer of sound
25:29insulation
25:30on the upstairs
25:30floors herself
25:31and fixes the level
25:33of the utility room
25:34ceiling.
25:35That's dead flat.
25:38And she's starting
25:39to apply the first
25:40coat of paint
25:40to the freshly
25:41plastered bedroom
25:42walls.
25:43There's no stopping her!
25:44It certainly saves
25:45your gym membership.
25:47And Simon is joining
25:48her every day
25:49after he finishes
25:50his day at work.
25:51We were there
25:52working on the plot
25:53until about
25:53nearly eight o'clock.
25:55That looks very tight.
25:57Yeah.
25:58Yeah, too tight.
26:02More adjustment.
26:03More adjustment.
26:04So, got back here
26:05say half-eight
26:06collapsed
26:07got ourselves
26:08some wine
26:09went to bed
26:10repeat.
26:11That's basically
26:12how it's going
26:13at the moment.
26:14Determined to keep
26:14on budget
26:15they've downgraded
26:16expensive features
26:17like opting to go
26:18for a budget staircase
26:19costing 10,000
26:21instead of a statement
26:22one that would have
26:23cost them over
26:2420,000.
26:25That seems better.
26:26And they're saving money
26:28by labouring themselves
26:29but it's hard work.
26:31I think we're on
26:31day 212 now
26:34of the build
26:34since the frame
26:35went in
26:36and in that time
26:37we've had
26:37less than seven days off
26:39I think
26:39and it's starting
26:40to wear a bit
26:40I must admit.
26:48I'm back in November
26:50seven months
26:51since my first visit
26:52and Helen and Simon's
26:53budget is now
26:5430 grand away
26:55from being fully spent.
26:57I think they're
26:58expecting it to be
26:59on wood
26:59when it sets
27:00really quickly.
27:01Hello.
27:02Hello.
27:03What are you doing?
27:04We're having
27:05an oak porch fitted.
27:09Lovely.
27:10Huge.
27:10Look at that
27:11that's a beauty.
27:12As with most of the build
27:13Helen is using
27:14local trades
27:15like Chippy's
27:16Paul and Mark
27:17who are making
27:17the oak front porch.
27:19Can I give you
27:19a hand with this
27:20today then?
27:21Yeah sure.
27:21No problem at all.
27:22Can we nice?
27:23Did you make it?
27:24Yeah.
27:24Yeah yeah yeah
27:24it isn't bought
27:25and it's all
27:26made yet.
27:27It's all sourced
27:28locally the timber
27:29is and made locally
27:30only a couple
27:30miles away.
27:31Exciting.
27:32Nice working
27:32with a bit of oak.
27:33Let's get it up.
27:34Yeah.
27:35This porch will
27:36transform the look
27:37of the front of the
27:38house and help it
27:39fit in with other
27:39houses in the area.
27:41That one there
27:42has to go over
27:43so that one's
27:45as you look out
27:46that's against the
27:46wall.
27:47Oak is very
27:49durable and needs
27:50very little
27:50maintenance and
27:51it's solid.
27:53See even that's
27:5425 kilo
27:55wouldn't it?
27:55Yeah.
27:56I'd say a lot
27:57of it's water
27:57as well.
27:58That's a nice
27:59finish isn't it?
27:59It just comes in
28:00finishes off with
28:01that.
28:02The whole porch
28:03structure weighs a
28:04tonne but that'll
28:05reduce to half that
28:06as it dries out
28:07and hardens over
28:08time.
28:09Good lordy
28:10be.
28:12Do you want me to
28:13go up and you
28:14guide them in then?
28:15Yeah.
28:16Go on if you
28:16want to go up there.
28:18Flippin' heck.
28:20You're going to
28:21guide them in are you?
28:22Yeah.
28:23It may take a bit
28:24of muscle but it
28:25slots into place
28:26beautifully.
28:29Lovely.
28:31Lucky.
28:32What do you mean
28:32lucky?
28:33That's skill.
28:35Let me see your
28:36face Helen what do you
28:36think?
28:37It's not going to
28:37blow away in the
28:38wind is it?
28:39I'll grab the
28:40chance to catch up
28:41with Helen and see
28:41how she's finding
28:42project managing.
28:43At this point it's
28:44just an amazing
28:45building.
28:46You're good at this?
28:47We're about day
28:48233 now.
28:49Right okay.
28:50We work seven
28:51days a week,
28:5211 hour days.
28:53It's cold, it's
28:55wet, it's wearing
28:56us both out.
28:58How is young
28:59Simon?
28:59He's working from
29:00home still.
29:03Not particularly
29:04enjoying it, it's
29:05really stressful.
29:06Is it?
29:06And then I come
29:06home and start
29:07listing all the
29:08stuff that I'm
29:09dealing with and I
29:10try not to pass
29:11that on to him but
29:12in the end we're a
29:13team and he has to
29:14know what's going on.
29:15Yeah exactly.
29:16It's just trying to
29:16pick your times when
29:17you tell him.
29:18It's like when do I
29:19tell him that the
29:19stairs aren't going
29:20in until the middle
29:21of January?
29:22Have you told him?
29:23No.
29:24I only found out
29:25this morning.
29:26Well, maybe now
29:27he's Helen's chance
29:28as Simon has driven
29:29to join us during
29:30his lunch break.
29:32Hello there.
29:33There he is.
29:34The man himself.
29:35Good afternoon.
29:35Where have you been?
29:36Skiing?
29:37Ah, yes.
29:39You're getting there.
29:40It is coming on.
29:41In the last sort of
29:42weeks, ten days,
29:43a lot has been done.
29:45Yeah.
29:45A lot of hard work,
29:46a lot of late nights.
29:47How long do you reckon
29:48you get in through the
29:49door?
30:06Oh, we've...
30:07there was a date for the
30:08stairs today.
30:09What was the date
30:09for the stairs then?
30:1016th of January.
30:11All right.
30:12Ten weeks.
30:13I love how well
30:15Simon takes it.
30:16I can't tell you how
30:17important it is to keep
30:18your spirits up.
30:19And one thing that's
30:20guaranteed to do that
30:21is the kitchen arriving.
30:23You need to put your end
30:24down.
30:25That's if we can get it
30:27into the house.
30:27The corner cabinet in the
30:29kitchen is so wide that
30:31when you go to lift it up
30:32in the kitchen because of
30:33the ceiling height, it won't
30:35turn over and it gets
30:37jammed.
30:38We really don't want to
30:39have to dismantle this
30:40cabinet and reassemble it
30:42inside.
30:43Get it over like that.
30:47Keep coming to us, boys.
30:48Look at that.
30:54The weight of the cabinet
30:55is proving impossible to
30:57lift.
30:57We need a bit of muscle.
30:59I think we might need one
31:00more up this end as well.
31:01Right.
31:02You ready?
31:02Colin, you on it?
31:03Right.
31:03Okay, guys.
31:04Oh, that seems a bit
31:05light, huh?
31:05Yeah.
31:06Keep coming.
31:07Keep coming.
31:07Keep coming.
31:08Up, up, up.
31:09Keep your end down.
31:10Keep your end down.
31:12Despite the extra lifting
31:13power, things don't look
31:14good.
31:15It's not going to go,
31:16is it?
31:17It is.
31:18It's not.
31:19So, it's a dismantle
31:21and reassemble job.
31:23Frustrating, but for Helen,
31:24it's all in a day's build.
31:26You've had many more
31:29problems than this every
31:30single day, haven't you?
31:31To get over.
31:32It's been a problem-solving
31:34exercise.
31:35It really has.
31:41It's December when they
31:42had hoped to move in,
31:44but as Christmas approaches,
31:46there's no let-up on the
31:47build for Helen.
31:49I've got a door schedule
31:50that the timber frame
31:51company sent me, so I've
31:52got to go through that,
31:54find out all the different
31:55sizes of the doors, order
31:57the doors.
31:58I've got to look at the
32:00architraves that go around
32:01the doors, order those,
32:03skirting boards, got to
32:04order that, and all the
32:05different plug sockets and
32:07decide if we just want
32:08standard white, whether we
32:09want different colours,
32:11whether they've got to have
32:11USB sockets, light switches,
32:14do they match the plugs?
32:15But Helen's long to-do list
32:17will have to wait.
32:19Today is test day for her
32:20ecological heating system,
32:22and everything's hanging on
32:24our results.
32:25Today's a really important day
32:26for Helen and Simon because
32:27they're having the air test
32:28done on the property, and that
32:29is very important because they
32:31need to get a low reading.
32:33A low reading equates to a very
32:37energy-efficient house, and
32:39that's what they're after.
32:40We've tried to build as
32:41airtight a structure as we
32:43can.
32:44The house has been designed
32:45from day one to be as
32:46airtight as possible, as
32:47insulated as possible, and as
32:48draft-free as possible.
32:51There's a lot at stake here.
32:53Helen and Simon installed
32:54everything from pipes to the
32:56membrane themselves.
32:57It's all buried behind the
32:59walls now, so if the house
33:00isn't airtight, it's all been
33:03for nothing.
33:05Never done it before.
33:07It's turned into a bit of a
33:09labour of love, going around
33:11with my tape.
33:12I'm really, really hoping for
33:14a good score.
33:15To pass building regulations,
33:16they need a test score of five
33:19or below.
33:20The lower the number, the less
33:21of the heated air is leaking
33:23out of the structure.
33:25It's nerve-wracking.
33:26It really is.
33:28After all the windows, doors,
33:30and any openings to external
33:31air have been sealed, an
33:33extractor fan is installed, and
33:35then it's time for the
33:36technical bit.
33:38Listen carefully.
33:39So we're going to
33:40depressurise the building.
33:42There's not enough to make
33:43your ears pop.
33:44And with that, combined with
33:46the envelope area, we can work
33:48out then how much air leaks
33:49at that pressure on this
33:52building.
33:54A score above five means the
33:57system is not fit for purpose,
33:59and they'll have to install
34:00another form of heating.
34:01A score under five means the
34:04system works, and the lower the
34:06number, the less money it will
34:08cost to run.
34:09Having all the skin stripped
34:10off my fingers by the air
34:11tightness tape, maybe it was
34:12worth it.
34:13Yeah, it's not nice, is it?
34:15No, it's really strong stuff.
34:16It's really strong stuff, yeah.
34:19Twelve minutes later, Simon
34:21joins to wait nervously for the
34:22results.
34:25So.
34:26Yes.
34:27We are looking at a score of 1.27.
34:39Wow.
34:40Fabulous.
34:41Well done.
34:41Thank you very much.
34:43Yay.
34:44Well done.
34:44We're absolutely done with all that
34:47hard work.
34:48Yeah.
34:49That's pretty good going for my
34:50first time.
34:51Very good going.
34:52Pretty good.
34:53It's amazing.
34:55And will mean that Helen and
34:56Simon's dream of minimal running
34:58costs for their retirement will
35:00now become reality.
35:02Down at 1.27, that's just
35:05phenomenal.
35:06Ecstatic, I think, is the word.
35:08Yes.
35:09Justification for all the hard
35:11work.
35:12Coming up.
35:14With the end in sight, can they
35:16come in on budget?
35:17It's going to need to come this
35:18way a little bit.
35:19And I get to see what their dream
35:21cutting edge home looks like.
35:25Hello.
35:34After passing the air tightness
35:35test with flying colours, Helen
35:37and Simon go all in to finish.
35:39The budget staircase goes in.
35:42Thank you very much.
35:43Wow.
35:44They put on skirting boards.
35:46It's going to need to come this
35:47way a little bit.
35:50And Helen's everywhere, moving
35:52furniture and overseeing final
35:53kitchen details.
35:55About here, this is my natural
35:58arm height.
35:59Okay.
36:00If that's okay.
36:00That's fine.
36:01It is starting to feel more real
36:03because it's starting to look more
36:05like a house.
36:11It's now late January and I'm back
36:13to see if they've managed to build
36:14their countryside home in a year
36:16and on budget.
36:20On the outside, their traditional
36:21red brick house blends in locally,
36:24though with a special oak porch and
36:26extra large windows for light and
36:28the views.
36:32Hello.
36:33Hello.
36:34I don't want to come in yet.
36:36Look at this.
36:37I know.
36:38Yes.
36:38Isn't this beautiful?
36:40Yes.
36:40Come on in.
36:41Come on in.
36:44Oh, my God.
36:46It's incredible.
36:51The huge ceiling space and large
36:54windows with the porcelain floor
36:55give this place a wow factor as
36:58soon as you walk through the front
36:59door.
37:00They've created a stylish
37:01masterpiece here with a calming
37:04and relaxing feel.
37:05This isn't just a hallway.
37:07This is actually not a dining room.
37:09It's really comfortable.
37:10Yes.
37:11Yes.
37:11Beautiful, it's spacious.
37:13It's gentle.
37:15Off the entrance hall and dining
37:17room sits the equally impressive
37:19kitchen living area.
37:23Nice.
37:27Helen and Simon have designed a
37:29space that feels uncluttered,
37:31stylish and filled with natural
37:33light.
37:34The kitchen design is sleek with
37:36generous space to move around,
37:38while the dark, flamed oak-style
37:40units add a feel of warmth and
37:43homeiness that flows into the
37:45living room.
37:45After all the hard graft and the
37:48pain of the floor, everything that
37:51you've done, look at the result.
37:54Yeah, you dug a hole in the floor
37:55just over there.
37:56You've created a beautiful space.
37:59We love it.
38:00I love the flooring running all the
38:02way through.
38:02Your wraparound worktops, absolutely
38:06huge.
38:06It's the space between everything.
38:08I wanted at least 1.2 metres.
38:10Yeah.
38:11So that's the minimum, and we've got a
38:12bit more than that.
38:14By having such large windows positioned
38:16throughout, they have made a living,
38:18ever-changing picture in every room.
38:21It's so well thought out.
38:23No matter where you turn, I'm getting
38:25views out into the garden.
38:27Yes.
38:27Everywhere.
38:28You know, you come through these
38:29doors, you look out through there,
38:31you walk from the kitchen up into here.
38:33Imagining it with the patio out there
38:36with some nice tables and chairs.
38:38Nice weather.
38:38Imagine that.
38:39Open up the bifolds, then it becomes
38:41an indoor-outdoor space.
38:42You've thought of every detail.
38:45Can't get over how immaculate it is.
38:49Just every little bit of finish.
38:51We try.
38:52Yeah, and it just works.
38:53It's also incredibly quiet.
38:57Yes.
38:58It's one thing you really notice with
39:00the amount of insulation, the triple
39:01glazing, et cetera.
39:02Only little, you can hear a very faint
39:04hum of the mechanical heat ventilation.
39:06And speaking of their high-tech
39:07heating system.
39:08Some people say the kitchen is the
39:10heart of the house, but for us,
39:11it's the plant room is the heart of
39:12the house.
39:13Why is the plant room the heart of
39:14the house?
39:14Because that's where all the
39:15technology is.
39:16It makes everything else work.
39:17If that doesn't work, this house
39:19doesn't work.
39:20I've got to check out their eco
39:22version of a boiler room.
39:24So this is the hub.
39:25So fresh air in with this one.
39:27Yep.
39:28Stale air out with that one.
39:29Yep.
39:29There's two boxes above you.
39:30The one that you're touching at the
39:32moment, that's sending the fresh air
39:35back into the house.
39:36Okay.
39:37And the one behind it is pulling in the
39:41stale air.
39:42So this is where it all happens.
39:44Yep.
39:45Upstairs, there are three bedrooms that still
39:48need work, but the main bedroom certainly
39:51doesn't.
39:52The bedroom, beautiful.
39:56Helen and Simon's bedroom is stunning.
39:59It continues with the grown-up style of
40:02downstairs, but with added colour and a
40:04softer, comfier feel to the furnishings.
40:07All complemented, of course, by tonnes of
40:10natural and beautiful views.
40:13Luxury.
40:13It's the look we were going for.
40:15Comfort.
40:16Yep.
40:18This is very nice indeed.
40:21It's just got enough warmth in the metallics.
40:24This is a beautiful room.
40:25And again, views.
40:27Yep.
40:28Yes.
40:28I absolutely love it.
40:30The colours.
40:31And again, it's just so quiet.
40:34In here.
40:35En suite.
40:36En suite.
40:36Finished?
40:37Yes.
40:38Yep.
40:38Your pride and joy?
40:39This is my room.
40:41Is it?
40:41Yes.
40:42Do you not wash?
40:42He can use the other one.
40:43No.
40:43No.
40:47Whoa.
40:49Yes.
40:51The en suite is a nice surprise.
40:53Although it keeps the grown-up feel, it uses
40:56contrasting colours to the bedroom, and it
40:58really hits you when you walk in.
41:01Beautiful.
41:01Lovely.
41:02This is very different from the rest of the
41:04house.
41:04You've gone for a very monochrome.
41:06Yes.
41:07Feel in here.
41:08Dark, luxury.
41:10Yeah.
41:10But with a bit of bling.
41:12And these tiles, if I turn around, I can see
41:16little glints of copper in them.
41:17Yes.
41:18It's like a fleck.
41:19It's a fleck.
41:20Yeah, definitely a fleck.
41:23It's beautiful.
41:24Well done, guys.
41:25This house is a perfect example as what
41:27designers would talk about is flow.
41:30It is stunning.
41:31Once again, another incredibly beautiful room.
41:34And then there's their upstairs snug living room.
41:37Oh, this is beautiful, isn't it?
41:40The snug.
41:41This is the one.
41:43It's goodbye world.
41:49They have created an oasis of calm in this upstairs sitting room.
41:53With its striking color choice, super comfy large sofas, wood burner, and of course, the
42:00stunning views.
42:01It's simple, but extremely effective.
42:05This is stunning.
42:06Straight out over the fields.
42:08It's the advantage of putting a lounge area upstairs.
42:11You just look across right the way to Wales, basically.
42:14The whole build was really about that view.
42:18This is gorgeous, isn't it?
42:21Proper snug.
42:22Hold on.
42:23Yes.
42:24Yeah.
42:24Snugs are all about getting cozy, getting the depth of the room, you know, and you've done
42:29that with this really strong color.
42:31The first sort of few paint strokes on the bright white wall, we're like, ooh, and then
42:36we thought, yeah, go for it.
42:38Well done.
42:40What a beautiful home you've made.
42:43Timing-wise, how long did it take you?
42:46We're now 289 days into it.
42:49You've got it to the day.
42:51You've sailed this ship really tight.
42:53You've researched absolutely everything.
42:55Yeah.
42:56Budget-wise, the land was 220,000.
42:59Yes.
42:59The build was 430,000.
43:01That was what we estimated.
43:03So you've got a 650 package.
43:06Did you manage to keep it in that?
43:07We've spent 436,000.
43:12But...
43:13There's over 20,000 of that reclaim on that to come back.
43:16On the VAT?
43:17Yeah.
43:18So we're actually probably about 15,000 under budgeted.
43:22I knew it!
43:23I knew it!
43:24You knew how many people are ever going to do it!
43:28I'm so impressed with what they've achieved here.
43:31And they've got one more surprise up their sleeve.
43:34We recently had it valued.
43:36What did you have it valued at?
43:37900,000.
43:38Bingo!
43:39Let's get down and get the wank out.
43:41Pop a cork.
43:42Right.
43:42Just before I go, I want you to do one thing.
43:45Something you probably know nothing about.
43:47It's called putting your feet up.
43:49So you just go and sit down over there.
43:50Yeah?
43:51Sit down over there.
43:52We'll bring this over to you.
43:53Yeah?
43:54I think we've managed this one.
43:55Yeah.
43:55Relax!
43:56Put your feet up.
43:57That's it!
43:58That's it!
43:58It's not difficult, is it?
44:03What an amazing build.
44:05Helen and Simon have built their dream home in 289 days.
44:09And on budget.
44:11Who needs a builder to build a dream home?
44:13All you need is a scientist and an IT geek.
44:15Perfect.
44:17Next time, I'm helping a couple transform a listed 200-year-old wreck
44:22into their dream Cornish home.
44:24Which is just like a bombshell!
44:28Look at the side of that hole.
44:29You get about 20 rats in that one.
44:31But they struggle to control the build.
44:34You need to sit the guys down and say,
44:35Look, we're running out of money.
44:37And we need to live in this house.
44:39And we need to live in here soon.
44:40As they give their dream everything they've got.
44:43I am exhausted, yeah.
44:45Yeah.
44:46Mentally.
Comments