Our Self-Build Journey
From a difficult start to a home taking shape
We’re Grace and Brendan, first-time self-builders in the North East of England. Our aim is to create a new home that combines the character of an old country house with the ease and performance expected of a modern one.
The route here has been far from straightforward. Our first planning application was refused, we appealed, and a later condition attached to our permission put the project at risk. Before construction could properly begin, we also had to spend a hefty sum on piling.
We’re still on the way to the finished house. This is where we’ll record what happens next: the practical decisions, unexpected costs, difficult moments and small signs of progress that make up a self-build.
The house we’re designing
The exterior will use reclaimed stone, a slate roof and the balanced proportions associated with a traditional country house. Inside, we’re planning bright, comfortable rooms that work well for everyday life.
We also want the house to feel as though it belongs on its site, while benefiting from the insulation, heating and energy-efficiency measures available in a new build.
Turning that idea into a workable design means making choices at every stage. Some features will deserve extra investment. Others may need to be simplified, postponed or removed altogether once the figures and technical details are clear.
How we reached this point
We came into the project without experience of working in construction. Since then, we’ve had to understand the planning process, coordinate professional advice and get involved in decisions that were completely new to us.
A few moments have had a particularly significant effect on the project.
Refused, appealed and finally approved
Our first planning application was refused. We appealed the decision and continued working through the process before eventually securing permission for the house.
That was not the end of the planning work. A condition attached to the permission later threatened the viability of the project, so we worked with a planning consultancy to have it removed.
The experience taught us how important it is to understand the detail behind a permission, not just the headline decision. Knowing what we could build—and what still needed resolving—was essential to moving forward.
What we’ll share
This page will follow the thinking behind the build, rather than simply listing milestones.
We’ll show the alternatives we considered, explain the advice we received and be open about the financial implications where we can. We’ll also record the compromises, unanswered questions and decisions that may need to be revisited later.
Every project has its own site, budget and priorities, but the process often raises familiar concerns. How do you decide where to spend? When should you seek specialist advice? Which changes are sensible, and which will create problems later?
We hope our experience gives you useful context for making those decisions in your own project.
Our current position
We’re bringing together the information needed for the main build, including design details, quotations and the practical arrangements for working on site.
The design has continued to develop. We’ve reviewed the windows and room layouts, considered heating options and reassessed what might be possible with the loft bedroom. There is still plenty to settle, but the drawings are becoming a clearer reflection of the house we want to build.
We’ll update this page as the project develops.
Follow the build
A house can exist for years as an idea on paper before it starts to feel tangible. We’re looking forward to seeing that change as the work progresses.
We’ll share the decisions and discoveries along the way, from the parts that go according to plan to the moments that require a rethink.
Follow our journey and learn from us on Instagram
Planning a self-build of your own? Start here.