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Published by nick.gillam, 2019-11-07 10:14:10

BuildIt_Pkg Home Bible_2019

BI_Pkg Home Bible_2019_noSpine

PACKAGE HOME

BIBLE 2019

The stress-free route to BuildItBROUGHT TO YOU BY...
designing, building
& completing your
dream individual home
on time & on budget

54

60 EDITORIAL ADVERTISING SALES
Supplements editor Emily Smith Advertising manager
48
Editor Chris Bates Nick Gillam 020 3627 3245
BuildItBROUGHT TO YOU BY...
Digital assistant editor Account manager
www.self-build.co.uk
Sofia Delgado Sophie Gardiner 020 3627 3263

Editorial assistant Gallery/specify sales

Charley Ward Richelle Rimmer 020 3627 3251

Art editor David Flint Emily Neil 020 3553 2378

Contributors Emily Brooks,

Rebecca Foster, Mike Hardwick Business development director

PUBLISHING Sarah Wilcock 020 3627 3247

Managing director Calum Taylor Published by

Finance director Katherine Taylor Castle Media Ltd,

Marketing director Claire Drakeford Peasemore House,

Accounts Sinead Charles Newbury,

Berkshire,

020 3627 3253 RG20 7JH

Cover image: Welsh Oak Frame (see this project on page 72)

© Castle Media Ltd. All the content in this book is governed by copyright
and may not be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of
the publisher. Information published in this book is intended to provide general
guidance only, and the publishers do not accept liability for any loss or damage
arising from use of this information. Anyone contemplating building their own
home should seek appropriate professional advice before commencing.

Contents 3

Articles 24 Advice & inspiration
52
34 Baufritz
34 36 D&M Homes
38 Dan-Wood
4 What is a package package supplier MBC Timber Frame 40 English Brothers
home project? for the timber frame of their new 42 Facit Homes
Passivhaus home in Bedfordshire 44 Feeling Homes
Discover how this route to a bespoke 46 Fleming Homes
property can suit all varieties of self 22 Route 2: House 48 Frame Technologies
builder, from those wanting to be design & shell build 50 Hanse Haus
hands-on through to anyone keen 52 Lakeland Timber Frame
to completely hand over the reins Discover how working with a package 54 MBC Timber Frame
firm’s in-house architectural team is a 56 Oakwrights
6 Designing your home great way to create a bespoke design 58 Potton
for your self build project 60 Scandia-Hus
Translate your vision into reality by 62 Scandinavian Homes
working alongside a package specialist 24 R eal life project: Oak 64 Scotframe
to create a property tailored to you frame masterpiece 66 Sylva
68 Turner Timber Frames
10 Structural options Find out why Richard and Pamela 70 Weberhaus
for package builds Pearse found working alongside 72 Welsh Oak Frame
specialist Oakwrights the best way
It’s one of the first decisions you’ll to design and engineer their home
make and will influence the rest of your
build, so it’s an important thing to get 28 R oute 3: Turnkey
right. Here are your main choices
Learn how having one company deliver
16 Route 1: Shell build all aspects of your project, from design
through to internal fit out, is an efficient
If you’ve got a design drawn up and and cost certain way to self build
just need a company to supply the
structural components, this could be 30 R eal life project:
the best package solution for you Seven week self build

18 Real life project: With a plot in the bag, Jon and Yvonne
Eco excellence Easter wanted a quick build solution
for their project. Dan-Wood’s turnkey
With the design already in hand, package offered the perfect result
Paul and Belinda Wilson approached

4 Whether you’re entering the
world of self build for the first
What is a time or you’re a seasoned pro
package looking for a hassle-free route
home? to your new bespoke home,
engaging a specialist company
to guide you through the design
and construction process
makes a lot of sense

In terms of services, most firms will deliver
a bespoke wind and weather-proof shell
ready for you to finish using your preferred
follow-on trades (find out more on page
16). But the options can stretch right up to
what’s known as a turnkey route, where the
company manages the build in its entirety
and hands over the keys on completion,
ready for you to move in (page 28).

Which route you choose depends on a
number of factors, such as how involved
you wish to be during the process, whether
you are looking to project manage your own
scheme and if you’d like to be fully in charge
of sourcing the finishing touches.

Above: Ian and The list of questions a self builder What do package Do I need an architect?
Lisa Milne worked has to answer before starting a suppliers do?
with Oakwrights’ scheme can feel endless – from One of the key allures of partnering with
in-house team to architectural design and planning Think of these firms as a one-stop shop these firms is that many of them have
come up with the through to budgeting and project managing – solution for your building project. Typically, outstanding designers on their books, so
design for this and the process may seem mind-boggling to they will undertake the design process you don’t need to engage your own architect
vernacular-style a beginner. But the truth is that most people (whether for planning purposes or just (unless you want to). Package suppliers will
home. The firm (even serial self builders) need to call in the structural design element), supply the work with you to create a bespoke concept
then erected the expert support to help them realise their materials for part or all of the scheme and according to your requirements and then
oak frame on site, goal of creating a high-quality, tailor-made help you source the labour required to provide the materials for you to build it.
before Ian project property. The good news is that many of the complete it (or provide it themselves). Off-the-shelf plans are available, too.
managed the rest answers to those challenges can be found
of the scheme in the form of package home specialists. Timber frame is perhaps the most popular The first step is to arrange a consultation
construction method offered, but some will to establish exactly what you are after and
also work with masonry and other systems. what’s possible within the constraints of
planning, the plot and your budget. As these
companies have extensive experience of
seeing through a variety of projects, they
will be able to inject some realism at this
stage – very useful for first-timers, who
otherwise could turn flights of fancy into
costly mistakes. Find out more about how
to design a package home on page 6.

5

IN THIS
ARTICLE

Fleming Homes
page 46
Oakwrights
page 56

Will I have to find my management for your scheme; although this wrong on your project over to them – and Left: First-time
own builders and trades? is often via trusted third parties. At the top- that is rightly reflected in the price you pay. self builders Paul
end, working with a turnkey specialist means But the biggest factors in your costs will and Rhian Bates
That depends on who you partner with and their professionals team will put together all inevitably be down to specification decisions, partnered with
how you choose to manage the project aspects of your new dwelling – so you can such as the house size and the standard of Fleming Homes to
beyond the design and construction of be totally hands-off with the works and let fixtures, fittings and finishes you go for. design and erect
the weathertight shell of your home. Most them see the scheme through to completion. the timber frame
package suppliers have a large database of Many package companies offer a shell of their
contractors and project managers they’ve How much does it cost? fixed-price option for their portion of the 317m2 house in
worked with successfully in the past, and work, which is a real boon for first-time self Carmarthenshire.
will be happy to put you in touch with them. It’s fair to say that using a package company builders, as it means you know exactly how “They took us
is not the cheapest route to self building. much you’ve got left to spend on the rest of through planning
Sourcing trades and materials yourself However, low cost rarely equates to great the project. It’s worth mentioning that one and Building Regs,
can seem like a budget-friendly option, but value for money – and value is exactly what aspect that’s usually excluded from fixed and offered a
the onus is on you if something goes wrong these specialists are able to add in spades. prices – whether you’re going for a shell- fantastic service
(you would have to sort it and bear the only package or a full turnkey build – is the as the build
cost). So it’s perhaps worth paying extra for Due to their extensive experience, design foundation works. As ground conditions vary progressed,”
someone else to take on this risk, particularly and supply firms have a very strong grasp on enormously from site to site and can involve says Paul
if you’ve never done a big project before. budgets and they’re able to offer structural expensive engineered solutions, these
services at competitive rates. You will be are usually costed separately or left to the
Some firms are set up to supply follow- transferring some of the risk for stuff going customer to arrange before works start.
on materials and corresponding project
Are there any other perks?
QUIC K GUID E Common package services
The experts delivering these dwellings are a
Some package suppliers focus predominantly on engineering and assembling the mine of information and enjoy helping their
shell, while others might be able to partner with you from initial design right through clients. You will usually have a member of
to completion. Here’s an idea of some of the key areas in which you may be able to staff allocated as your mentor during the
seek support, ranging from standard options (left) through to rarer services (right): project, who you can contact for advice
on just about any build-related issue.
Core package Common options Additional services
There are certainly no daft questions –
l Structural design l Plot appraisal l Land finding you either know or you don’t in this game
l B uilding control l Architectural design l Groundworks – and for the beginner it is crucial to have
l P lanning & building someone skilled by their side. Starting with
drawings & foundations little or no knowledge, soon you’ll gain an
l Materials supply control applications l Kitchens understanding of all the key stages and
l Shell assembly onsite l P roject management l Landscaping trades involved, which should arm you for
l F ollow-on joinery (may future projects. One phone call, email or
services and/or turnkey piece of advice could save you a fortune.
be supply-only) delivery of your home

6

Designing your
new home
Whether you choose to partner with a supplier’s in-house team or
commission your own architect to create the plans, here’s how the
package route can deliver the right home for you at the right price
There’s no doubt that employing a
professional to design your home detailed knowledge of project feasibility – construction phase (and pay a pre-agreed
is a good idea. It’s a highly specialist from satisfying Building Regs to what will price for the whole lot). Alternatively, you can
field, requiring not just creative flair be acceptable to local planners. choose to work with an architect separately
and a sense of how to turn your lifestyle needs – and then take your finished, approved
Many package companies offer you plans to a package supplier, who will then
the opportunity to include the design

into a practical, economical floorplan, but also and planning side with some or all the price up what it would cost to build. There’s

Scotframe provided the timber frame shell for this architect-
designed Passivhaus clad in timber, glass and zinc

7

IN THIS
ARTICLE

D&M Homes
page 36
Potton
page 58
Scotframe
page 64
Welsh Oak
page 72

also a middle ground, where the package What can I build? Above left & inset:
firm works with an architect that you’ve D&M Homes was
found (or that it has recommended) to The first step to any good house design is assessing commissioned to
develop ideas in tandem. the viability and potential of the plot. Build It’s top tips design and build
at www.self-build.co.uk/plot-checklist will help this new brick and
In-house design you gauge, in principle, whether a site might be able block house on a
to support the kind of home you want. garden plot. The
If you’re self building, the chances are 270m2 project
you’re looking for choice and individuality Once you’ve got land with planning potential in was completed
from your project. The good news is that the bag, a full on-the-ground design assessment in 10 months
many package companies put significant is critical so that the scheme can respond to the
emphasises on their ability to draw up and constructions and opportunities the site presents. other challenges that might impact on build costs?
deliver truly bespoke homes. What’s the best orientation to maximise natural light Is planning consent likely for the kind of scheme you
and views, for instance? Is there a slope or any have in mind? Whether you’re using an external or
There’s a number of advantages to having in-house design service, all these considerations,
a single supplier for the design and build and more, must be fed into the plans as they develop.
side. It may save time, for instance: the
traditional route (having an architect plan “We generally get involved when the plot’s been
something, then putting the construction obtained and we have assessed the likelihood of a
out to tender, then waiting until the right build taking place, but if a client is local we can offer
contractor is available) can be slow going. advice on whether we think planning can be secured
on a certain site,” says Lucy Karpinski of Vision
If a single company coordinates Timber Frame (www.timber-frame-suppliers.co.uk).
everything, the process tends to be more
streamlined, and you won’t have the often-
cited problem of an architect designing
something that’s unbuildable on the given
budget. With a dedicated point of contact
you shouldn’t have to mediate in any

8

Welsh Oak Frame worked closely alongside owners John and
Sue Lawson’s architect to deliver this characterful project. The
frame was loaded into 3D software so the couple could take a
virtual walkthrough of their new house before finalising the design

disputes between designer and builder, £2,000 refunded if you subsequently go company specialising in offsite, turnkey
either. What’s more, most firms offering a full ahead and build your home with them). homes – turn to page 28 to find out more).
design package can also take care of seeing Design fees are usually even less if you
your planning application through to approval. only want to change an existing plan in the External architects
portfolio. For example, Potton charges a
Another consideration that attracts many keenly-priced £3,200 to develop a bespoke Some self builders will have already
self builders is that in-house services are scheme with one its architects or designers, commissioned and gained approval for
usually cheaper than hiring an architect or £1,800 to adapt one of its existing plans. their new home’s plans before they move
separately. For example, Solo Timber Frame on to appoint suppliers. If you’re in this
(www.solotimberframe.co.uk) offers an This can be a win-win situation: if they do category (or if you would simply prefer to
architectural package for £5,000 (with a good job, you’ll have a great design at an use your own designer) you can still work
affordable price, and the chances are you’ll with a package house supplier; but in this
then go on to take up some of their follow- scenario, their role will be more focused on
on services – whether that’s commissioning working with you and the original designer
a house shell, project managed build or even to optimise and value-engineer the scheme,
full turnkey delivery of your new home. before delivering their element of the build.

Many package companies are keen for “We try to keep things simple and cost
you to use their in-house service because effective for construction. For example, on
they believe that their own architects and large open-plan spans we’ll integrate steel
designers are best-placed to get the most into the wall sections rather than have a
out of the structural system they offer. separate larger steel frame that’s much
Good green oak framing requires a proper more expensive to build,” says Trevor Walsh,
understanding of how the wood will move operations manager of Svenskhomes
as the house dries out, for instance, while (www.svenskhomes.co.uk). “You can still
methods such as closed panel timber frame have something a bit different, it’s just that
tend to involve a lot of design and decisions we take the drama out of it by designing
upfront (especially if you partner with a something achievable, for a fixed price.”

SeQttUinIgCaKbGriUefIDE Setting a brief 9

A key ingredient in any project, the briefing process will help your designer of neighbouring buildings and those in the vicinity. These will help your
shape the scheme to deliver on your requirements. In these initial stages, architect or designer come up with initial sketches for something that feels
think more about the practicalities than the aesthetic side – whether that’s right for the broader location as well as for your own tastes and lifestyle.
how much storage you’re likely to need, where the kids are going to find
quiet space to do their homework, or whether you might want to annexe It’s also important to be realistic about how much you can afford to spend
off a granny flat for relatives in a few years’ time. (minus a contingency fund of around 10%-15%, and whatever design fees
are being charged). There’s no point asking for a high-spec six-bed house
Work out what you think is non-negotiable, from the minimum number if your budget can’t stretch to it – so a frank discussion about finance is
of bedrooms to a good-sized utility for all the washing, or a separate snug crucial, and the design must be cost-checked back against your budget.
for working from home. Then think about what you would love but might
be able to do without. A dressing room off the master bedroom? A big Lucy Karpinski’s advice to get the best design outcome is do as much
hallway with statement staircase? A glazed balcony? research as possible. “Read Build It magazine to see how others have
gone about the process, speak with suppliers of the style or method
Style is a personal matter (although the planners will always have a say), of construction you’re considering, and be careful when approaching
and many people choose an architect based on liking the look of what architects with your ‘grand designs’ unless you are certain of the costs that
they’ve done before. When you go to your initial meeting, take along lots may be involved.” For more advice on designing your dream home, check
of references of features you like from other homes, as well as images out our beginner’s guide at www.self-build.co.uk/house-design

Above: Potton designed and constructed this 200m2 home
in Peterborough, which cost £365,000 to build; in-house
architect Vicky Corbett created the modern design

It’s worth noting that not every package practice. “They’ll know the planners and conversations can form part of your brief –
company offers an in-house planning service what they are looking for, and we believe and from here, an architect can work up the
(some work purely on a structural design that’s really quite important,” he says. final design alongside the package company
and erect basis – find out more on page 16). to make sure it works in an optimum way
Even if they do, they may still be happy to If you’d prefer to appoint an external with the construction method.
introduce you to architects and designers architect, it’s still worth getting in touch with
they know and trust. Trevor says that he’ll your house shell supplier early on: “We can So, even if you have commissioned
recommend names if the site is in range help you get an idea of what you want, be the design and build sides of your project
of his East Anglian base. Further afield, that grand vaulted ceilings or gable-end separately, a collaborative approach between
he suggests that self builders find a local glazing, so you’re not starting off with a the two is always best if you want to get the
blank piece of paper,” says Trever. These most out of your package home.

10

Structural options
for package builds

Every construction system has something to offer – but no single method
scores a perfect 10 on all fronts. Find out what the key options are and
how you can select the right solution for your project

Above: This project Selecting the right structural system Perhaps you’ve heard great things about it, or want a quick build on site to keep a lid on
by Scandia-Hus is one of the major decisions that maybe you simply found a package company rental or mortgage payments? Do you plan to
extends to 416m2 needs to be made on the journey to who came up with a design you love and manage the build yourself? Can the system
(excluding the creating your ideal home. There are you’re using their system to realise it. deliver the design you want at the right price?
basement). The client strong arguments to support every solution
managed the project on the market, so how can you choose the For others, the decision might be less The best place to start is to speak to
after the main shell best fit for your needs? clear-cut. Your architect may have suggested several package home companies and seek
was erected. The a building method, but you need to spec guidance on how their system can meet your
design features Ultimately, the joy of self building is that the right supplier for your project goals. Or design goals and project priorities. At the end
clever use of oak you get to choose everything that goes into perhaps you have some loose ambitions of the day, if you like the design they come
detailing to achieve your project – and some people are sold on for your scheme that ultimately nudge you up with, are happy with the price and feel
a heritage look the idea of a particular method from the start. towards one option over another. Do you that it meets your lifestyle needs, then you’re

11

IN THIS
ARTICLE

D&M Homes
page 36

Frame Technologies
page 48

Hanse Haus
page 50

Oakwrights
page 56

Scandia-Hus
page 60

Welsh Oak
Page 72

most of the way there! Some firms offer The most common among design and build frame provider,” says Simon Orrells, director Left: This modern
access to a range of solutions, so they can specialists, however, is factory-produced at Frame Technologies. “Putting these parts 188m2 property
recommend the one they believe will be the panelised frames. In many ways this method of the process together can help ensure in Hertfordshire is
best fit for your scheme. To help you make sparked the rise of the package home route, your project stays on track, for instance, as by Oakwrights. It
your selection, here’s a quick guide to the because it makes sense that the company some of the timber frame design can run features expansive
main structural systems: designing and fabricating the house shell parallel with the detailed engineering.” glazing at the rear
should be the one to erect it on site. to create a strong
Timber frame While you can go for open panel solutions connection with its
“There are a lot of advantages of bundling (where the inner studwork is left open so surroundings, with
Popular across the UK, this structural together the detailed structural design and insulation etc can be installed on site), most more of a traditional
solution comes in a few different guises. Building Regulations package with a timber timber package homes are now completed appearance from
as closed panel builds. This means more of the street
the work is done offsite, with insulation pre-
fitted and openings for fenestration already Left: A pre-glazed,
cut – allowing the house shell to be erected pre-insulated
in as little as a week. With some systems, timber frame panel
vapour membranes, windows, doors, being craned into
external cladding, service channels, internal position as part of
plasterboard and more can be factory-fitted. a self-build project
by Hanse Haus
The idea is that you get to specify exactly
what you want, while reducing the amount
of stress, labour and management required
on site – giving you a speedy and, perhaps
most importantly, predictable build phase.
This factory-guaranteed certainty you get
with offsite manufacture is a key reason
package companies are able to offer their
services on a fixed timescale and budget.

“Pre-insulated timber frame is a complete
solution,” says Simon. “The self builder puts

12

Top & above: Thin- in the foundations and the package supplier One of the benefits of SIPs is that it So a masonry package can give you all the
joint masonry was does the rest – all the external and internal can provide a straightforward route to benefits of cost certainty, expert assistance
used in this scheme walls, the floor system, roof structure and achieving a high-performance home, with and the potential to access extra services
by D&M Homes to sometimes more, all under one budget and great insulation coverage and excellent such as planning application support, project
help achieve good with one point of responsibility.” airtightness as standard. What’s more, the management and – with some firms –
airtightness. The panels are so strong that they can be used turnkey delivery of your new home.
project reached Structural insulated panels to create an instant pre-insulated roof space
weathertight stage – so they’re great for achieving double- Masonry construction is a wet system,
in just 16 weeks, Known as SIPs, this is another timber-based, height zones or ready-to-convert lofts. with all the work done on site. While it will
despite the use of factory-made system. Suitable for both take longer on the ground to get the project
natural stone for the walling and roofing, the panels consist of a “With our system, all the design and to weathertight shell stage than with prefab
outer leaf layer of insulation sandwiched between two engineering is included as part of the options, some of that time can be offset
sheets of oriented strandboard. They look service,” says John Langley, director of as you don’t need to wait for the house to
a lot like closed timber frame panels, and SIPs specialist JML Contracts (www. be manufactured. One option to speed the
are erected in a similar way, but they don’t jmlcontracts.co.uk). “Once it’s erected, the process up is to opt for thin-joint, which uses
rely on studwork to give them strength. SIPs house shell is fully wind and weathertight, oversized aircrete blocks put together with
offers build speeds and low wastage rates and ready to fit-out internally and externally quick-set adhesive rather than thick mortar.
on a par with closed panel systems. – so it’s a good point at which to hand over
to the client’s contractors to finish it off.” What’s more, brick and block houses are
bread and butter to most trades – so if you
Masonry do want to appoint your own contractors,
you shouldn’t have any trouble finding good
While many package home companies use labour. It’s also more flexible than some of
timber-based systems, they do not entirely the alternatives: if you really want to move a
dominate the market. The same principles window or internal wall mid-build, this will be
of bundling together the structural design, a little easier than with offsite-manufactured
materials supply and erection of the house builds. And some people simply prefer the
shell on site can be very successfully applied solidity of masonry walls and floors.
to solutions such as brick and block, too.
Brick and block can rival any system
for energy performance (partly because
the heavyweight construction offers good
thermal mass) but the walls may be thicker
and the process relies more heavily on good
attention to detail on site. The plasterer’s
work, for example, will be important for
achieving good airtightness. Working with a
package company on your masonry project
can give you assurance that the as-designed
performance will be achieved on the ground.

Oak frame

Building with oak can give a house instant
charm and character, so it’s a great option for
adding wow factor and value to a new home.
Oak frames are made offsite in a factory
or workshop and then craned into position
and pieced together, often using traditional
craftsmanship to achieve a high-quality result.

The system lends itself well to a package
approach, because it can take professional
experience to get the very best from the
material – both at the design stage and in
construction. This is partly down to the fact
that, unlike other structural solutions, the oak
is a tactile element of your new home that
will be permanently on show internally. The
frames also need to be carefully detailed to

13

Shown prior to the concrete allow for the movement and shrinkage site, fitted with internal steel reinforcement
pour, this basement build by ICF that occurs as the wood dries out, as well and pumped full of concrete to give you an
Supplies (www.icfsuppliesltd.co.uk) as factors such as maximum span sizes. extremely solid and highly-insulated walling
uses Nudura blocks system. The method is gaining traction
Most package companies also offer among self builders, who are attracted to
prefabricated encapsulation systems for its inherent airtightness, fast construction
the walls and roof, designed to provide times and the possibility of getting hands-on
modern-day energy performance. For should you wish (if you’re of a practical bent,
instance, Welsh Oak offers two timber panel you just need some straightforward training).
options, as well as a SIPs wraparound. So
this element of the work can be completed Design-wise, the system’s solidity offers
as part of your structural package, giving you the opportunity to easily create features
the same predictability and cost certainty such as cantilevers and full-height glazing.
you’d expect with a timber frame project. But the mix of concrete and steel means it’s
Some providers have also developed their not easy to make adaptations once built –
own in-house systems for trickier elements so you need to nail down your plans in detail.
of the build, such as direct glazing.
ICF packages are usually provided on
Turnkey options also exist with oak a structural design and materials supply
framing. Oakwrights offers its Your Home basis, with recommendations available for
full build service, for example, or you can contractors who specialise in the method.
ask the company to complete your project in Generally, it’s best to get your provider on
close partnership with its approved suppliers. board early in the design stages, so that
your architect can account for standard
Insulating concrete block dimensions in the drawings. While the
formwork polystyrene units can be easily cut on site,
this will inevitably slow down the work, so
With ICF, modular hollow blocks (usually it’s best to keep this to a minimum.
made of polystyrene) are locked together on

Top tips to consider

A broad range of factors goes into working out the best structural l Value for money is a key ambition for most self builders. As the most
system for your project – and the balance could be tipped towards one prevalent systems in the UK, masonry and timber frame tend to be cost-
or the other by combination of these or just a single influence. Here are effective – but the alternatives may offer benefits in other areas that support
some considerations that might help you identify the best option: the look, feel and energy performance you want to achieve on your project.

l Unless you want to create an oak home, the look of the house can have l Highly prefabricated methods can offer greater certainty in terms of
surprisingly little to do with the decision on structural systems. Timber finished costs, build quality and energy performance – but they won’t
builds can be clad in brick slips, for instance, while blockwork walls can come cheap, and don’t tend to offer much flexibility for changes on site.
be hung with wood cladding. Self builders therefore tend to be guided
by four big factors: cost; how long the project will take; energy efficiency; l T imber systems tend to be cashflow-heavy at the start of the project.
and how the construction work will be managed on site. This is because more of the work is done in the factory, and the frame is
bespoke-made to suit your individual requirements – so you’ll need to lay
l T hat said, some design features might suggest the use of one system down a deposit. It’s important to factor this into your spending plan.
over another. SIPs can bridge further than timber frame, for example, but
dramatically large spans can only be achieved with steel. If you want some l Masonry’s solidity means it offers plenty of flexibility for where you hang
curves, masonry is ideal and ICF can cope with a few, but it may cost more cupboards, TVs etc – plus you can get great sound performance between
to achieve with a factory-produced system. storeys by opting for beam and block floors. This takes a little more thought
with timber systems, but is eminently achievable (plasterboards such as
l I f you want to manage your own project, a prefabricated system can be Gyproc Habito can be screwed directly into, for example).
helpful, as there’s less on site labour and materials to sort out. But you can
access fixed price packages for masonry or ICF house shells, too – so it l Sometimes more than one system is used. For example, ICF might
may be more about how you want to organise the follow-on works. be specified for a basement, with another technique from the ground
up. Meanwhile, oak frame homes might be wrapped in SIPs or similar
l Y ou can mix any system with any external material, but if you’re using a swift insulating panels in order to achieve the desired energy performance and
method like timber frame or SIPs, you may decide it makes sense to pair it airtightness. And builds will include some steelwork to support dramatic
with quick-to-apply finishes such as wood cladding, render or brick slips. design features such as wide spans of glazed doors.

14 Looking to get the most out of
a timber package build? Check
Building with out these top tips from the
timber: How to Structural Timber Association
get the best
quality & value There are many considerations to take into account when
on your project you embark on the journey of building your dream home.
One of the most important specification areas is choosing
the right structural system, which you can only do if you
have all the relevant information prior to making your decision.

Delivering impressive environmental credentials along with cost
and programme certainty, structural timber solutions are a popular
choice among self builders. Intelligent, integrated timber systems
are now driving innovation and offering more choice than ever before.
But how can you ensure you’re getting a high-quality result and real
value for money? Here are six top tips from the Structural Timber
Association (STA) to help you maximise your project’s potential:

A contemporary 1 Opt for offsite space, for instance, you’ll want to go for
timber-clad project high-performance thermal insulation to
by STA member The term ‘offsite’ is now entering the self minimise the depth of the structural wall
Flight Timber build vernacular. The timber sector is moving panels while still achieving your targets
towards more advanced factory-produced for sustainability and running costs.
solutions, with increased use of technology,
which means there are greater levels 3 Pay attention to as-
of control. Offsite-manufactured timber designed performance
technology can help to optimise quality,
productivity and predictability on a project. Whilst renewable technology has its place,
The enhanced efficiencies of this approach there’s no doubt that the best way to achieve
ensure shorter construction timescales, an energy efficient finished property is by
guaranteed build quality and minimal wastage getting the design right from the start.
on site. So it’s clear there are compelling
reasons to specify pre-manufactured Taking a fabric first approach will help
timber systems for self build projects. you to optimise the thermal performance of
the building envelope. Bear in mind this isn’t
2 Incorporate high just about your architect stating they want
quality insulation to achieve a specific low U-value (a measure
of heat loss through structural elements of
We’re now truly realising the full capabilities a building) for the walls, floors and roofs.
of timber as a strong, sustainable and
technically-advanced structural solution. Increasingly, they’re recognising the
Innovations such as closed panel timber importance of good building detailing.
frame and structural insulated panels (SIPs) It’s vital that the design is accompanied
are delivering highly-insulated homes for by correct specification, installation and
self builders across the UK. detailing to avoid creating a performance
gap between what was predicted at the
There’s a vast array of options in the timber design stage, and what’s actually achieved
technology portfolio to help you achieve in-use once you move into your home.
a sustainable result, so it’s a question of
choosing the products that best suit your Specialist timber systems suppliers can
project goals. If you want to maximise floor help you to optimise this part of the process.
They will use accurate offsite techniques in
order to deliver a cost-effective and reliable
route to energy efficiency.

15

Much of the insulation and airtightness Left: STA member
detailing can be completed under controlled Potton (page 58)
factory conditions, for instance, as opposed was commissioned
to traditional construction routes where this to design, secure
will always be done on site (which brings planning permission
a corresponding risk of human error). and erect the shell
of this characterful
self build home

4 Use innovative
techniques

With the government encouraging a You can also work with your design partner achieves the highest levels of quality
move away from conventional site-based team to cost-effectively accommodate the across a range of industry standards.
methods, the construction industry is potential for future alterations – perhaps
evolving and increasingly adopting a by ensuring service connection points are STA members undergo a rigorous
design-and-assembly approach. Homes run to where a later extension could be independent annual audit for the STA
can now be factory-manufactured and added, or using attic trusses or SIPs to Assure Membership and Quality Standards
rapidly assembled on site. Factory fitting ensure the loft space is easy to convert. Scheme. This provides the transparency,
of the insulation, doors, windows and other Building this into your structural plans now credibility and accountability to safeguard
elements is now possible – delivering could add long-term value to your home. self builders’ interests. Every STA member
enhanced quality together with considerable must also operate Site Safe procedures, so
time savings on site. So you get even greater 6 Work with the right your project is both safe and sustainable. Below left & below
cost and programme certainty. project partner right: This modern
Offering even greater peace of mind, home is bursting
In addition, engineered products such Creating your dream home is likely to be the STA Assure Membership and Quality with inspiring
as cross laminated timber panels and glue- the biggest venture you ever undertake, so Standards Scheme is recognised by the features, such as a
laminated (glulam) beams are now being it’s important to protect your investment. National Housebuilding Council (NHBC), full-height void with
specified by architects and adopted by self Working with an STA member for your along with seven of the industry’s leading glazed wall, enabled
builders to unlock greater architectural timber project means you can build with structural warranty and building control by the use of
freedom. These options can help you to confidence, knowing that your main project bodies – LABC Warranty, Premier structural insulated
easily achieve desirable features such Guarantee, Protek Warranty, Build-Zone, panels from STA
as large open-plan living spaces. Self-Build Zone, ABC+ Warranty and CRL. member SIPCO

5 Consider design
adaptability

When building with timber, the design ABOUT THE STA
possibilities are limitless – from traditional The Structural Timber Association’s mission is to enhance quality in home building and construction through
stone-clad farmhouses to contemporary research and guidance, underpinned by an independent assessment regime – the STA Assure Membership
homes with curves and slick white render and Quality Standards Scheme. To learn more about STA Assure and find a member to assist
finishes. Timber construction also allows with your project, visit www.structuraltimber.co.uk/self-build
great flexibility to suit different budgets
and meet the design requirements of the
most challenging building plots, including
those on a steep incline.

Another important area to consider at the
design stage is adaptability. Lifestyles are
changing, and the demands made on our
living space are challenging the traditional
layout of the family home. So it’s a good idea
to ensure the design is flexible enough to
respond to your changing needs over time.
Timber systems have always performed well
in terms of adaptability: removing internal
stud wall partitions and adding extensions
is straightforward, for instance.

16 foundations, floor slab and drainage works
yourself. This is simply because it’s difficult
PACKAGE ROUTES: to give a fixed price for this stage of a project:
SHELL-ONLY until that first shovel hits the ground, you can’t
be 100% certain what lurks in the soil.
Signing up to a single contract for the supply and build
of the superstructure of your new home can make it Bear in mind that the biggest variation in
easier to manage your budget and reduce stress final project costs tends to come down to the
quality of finishes used and your choice of
ANTHONY HARRISON second fix materials. With a shell-only route,
your contractor or package supplier isn’t
For their architect-designed home in Norfolk, Angie Robinson and Ed Devlin opted for a shell build, with the responsible for these elements – so they
house frame supplied by SIPs Eco Panels (www.sipsecopanels.co.uk). The couple chose to project manage won’t be included in the price.
the rest of the scheme themselves, with the building work on their 230m2 project taking a total of nine months
Fitting out the house
Fundamentally, the idea of a shell- lovely, weathertight but unfinished building
only package is that it puts one of that should be relatively easy to fit-out. So you The package company is doing all the heavy
the most important chunks of the or your main contractor will then coordinate stuff on a shell build. So you know that you’ll
construction work in the hands of the subsequent trades (windows, electrics, be left with a house that, on the outside at
a single specialist company. They assess the plumbing, plastering, floor finishes, kitchen, least, looks pretty much complete. Depending
buildability of your existing house design and decoration etc) through to completion. on the supplier, the roof and guttering may
then value-engineer their kit to suit – before be in place, as well as the windows.
delivering all the core components to site Some companies can undertake additional
and erecting the structural shell (either works beyond provision of the weathertight You may also have a front door (possibly
themselves or via a trusted partner). shell. MBC Timber Frame, for instance, a temporary one, to avoid damage during the
offers a Passivhaus package that includes its works) that you can lock to keep tools and
This is really the entry level service for insulated foundations. But in most cases you materials secure inside. Open that door and
package homes, and it leaves you with a will be expected to arrange the groundworks, you’ll see only bare blockwork or a vapour
barrier on the walls, while the floors will
consist simply of screed or decking – which
might be a little daunting for beginners. What
this gives you, though, is a blank canvas for
the follow-on trades to do their work.

There’s none of the mess, debris and
compatibility issues associated with
renovation projects. Under the shell build
model, your workers have a free hand to run
wiring and pipes where they will fit best
(according to the agreed plans). The whole
thing gets covered up with nice fresh plaster
and paint at the end, too, so they only have to
do things once. Unsurprisingly, contractors
love it because jobs like this are relatively
simple to plan and manage.

What to consider

Because you’re splitting the project up into
packages, it’s vital that the scope of work
you’re expecting from each party under their
contract is crystal clear and understood.

This is particularly important with things
like incoming services (gas, electricity, water
etc). The shell builder needs to know where
these should enter the house and where
pipework and connections will run internally,
so that the necessary service ducts and fixing
points can be installed to avoid any potential
clashes further down the line.

Ideally, there should be an opportunity Se5tttinhginagbsriteof con sid er 17
for the follow-on trades to meet with the
package supplier (and with fellow sub- l T his route gives you certainty that l Y ou get the opportunity to run your IN THIS
contractors) to discuss their requirements. the core shell of your build will be own scheme and potentially make cost ARTICLE
This will help to minimise any confusion completed at a fixed price and on savings. But be certain you’re prepared
about who’s doing what. If you’re partnering a fixed schedule by a single supplier. for the time, effort and risk of assuming MBC Timber
with a package company, they may well be this role. The buck will stop with you! Frame page 54
able to recommend good people in your l You are free to choose your own Scotframe
area who they’ve worked with before. architect and follow-on contractors. l O pting for a main contractor for page 64
the rest of the work may not be any
Is it worth it? l The package supplier may be willing cheaper than using additional services
to give you additional advice, but don’t from the package company.
The shell supply-and-erect route to a self expect a full project walkthrough.
build home provides control and balance
to your scheme. You can take on exactly as missed. But as long as the scope of works could be a complex project into a much
much or as little of the project management is agreed, you’ll have the chance to make more enjoyable experience. The things
as you feel comfortable with (perhaps even considerable savings on the overall cost of you’ll learn on this kind of scheme will leave
some DIY), and you can integrate your own your project while still retaining core quality you better prepared to take on the full
preferred tradesmen if you wish to. in the construction process. project manager role on your next scheme,
should you wish to, because you’ll have a
There’s no hard-and-fast definition of You’ll also find your stress levels are much better understanding of what needs
what is or isn’t included under a shell build, reduced to a manageable level, making the to be done, when and by whom.
so taut contracting and extensive pre- shell-only route a great way of turning what
planning is essential to ensure nothing is

Closer look Timber frame shell build

When Leanne and James Duncan decided to tackle their first
self build, they knew that they wanted to secure expert support to
help them make a success of their project. And they’ve certainly
achieved that: the couple managed to complete the construction
phase of their scheme in just 13 weeks, thanks in no small part to
the combination of specialists they involved along the way.

After identifying their plot, a recommendation led the Duncans to
contractors Cairnrowan Custom Homes, who in turn directed them
to Annie Kenyon Architects to draw up a design that fitted their
requirements. “We wanted a lot of timber and our main focus was
to bring as much natural light into the building as possible, as well
as enjoy the amazing views,” says Leanne. The new property would
also need to be highly sustainable and sit well in the landscape.

Key to the couple achieving these goals was the timber frame
superstructure at the heart of the building – a Scotframe Valu-U-
Therm Plus pre-insulated package of closed panel wall and roof
elements, alongside a posijoist floor. This was combined with
efficient NorDan windows and doors, an air source heat pump,
and a mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system. Scotframe
worked closely with Cairnrowan on the detailing of the shell in
order to ensure vapour barriers were installed correctly and
reduce air leakage from the building.

“It’s fantastic on a performance level,” says Leanne. “We’ve
barely needed the underfloor heating. I believe our home is one
of Scotframe’s most energy efficient houses to date.”

HOUSE SIZE 252m2 (plus 36m2 garage) BUILD COST £399,000 BUILD COST PER M2 £1,583 STRUCTURAL SYSTEM Timber frame
PACKAGE SUPPLIER Scotframe PACKAGE TYPE Shell build with main contractor

18 eExccoellence

FACT FILE A sustainable design and build has resulted in a high-
performing, award-winning Passivhaus home for Paul
NAMES Paul & Belinda Wilson and Belinda Wilson WORDS JANE CRITTENDEN PHOTOS ALISTAIR NICHOLLS
LOCATION Bedfordshire
STYLE Contemporary
PACKAGE TYPE Shell build
PACKAGE SUPPLIER MBC
Timber Frame (page 54)
HOUSE SIZE 230m2
BUILD COST £527,866
BUILD COST PER M2 £2,295
PROJECT STARTED May 2016
BUILDING WORK TOOK
Eight months

19

Arefused planning application brickwork. “The design became bigger and was free of charge, as the council waived
isn’t usually an outcome people bulkier than we wanted so we understood the fee on reapplications within a year of
are pleased about, but for Paul why the planners didn’t like it,” says Paul. refusal. This time there were no question
and Belinda Wilson the news “After the refusal they gave us a much marks and in October they had approval
triggered a chain of events that led them to clearer steer, which was basically a design for their new home. By now, the couple
building their ideal Passivhaus home. subservient to the house next door. It looked had begun researching how to construct
different and had something special about it.” their Passivhaus on a budget of £530,000.
“One of the guidelines in the council’s They’d spoken to a few kit house companies
feedback was to design something special, A fresh start abroad and even had the chance to see their
and they agreed that an energy-efficient facilities while visiting their daughter.
house might be looked on favourably,” The couple began to investigate green
Paul says. “We didn’t know anything about builds and, in mutual agreement, parted The couple were impressed with the swift
Passivhaus until we started researching ways with their first architect in search build methods and the competitive prices
ideas in 2014. Then we heard eco architect of a sustainable design specialist. That’s on offer. At the time the exchange rate
Alan Budden speak on an online podcast when Belinda found Alan Budden, from Eco was favourable, too. However, there were
and the concept really resonated with us.” Design Consultants, who was full of ideas. aspects of the service that didn’t appeal.
“Alan is a certified European Passivhaus “In a Passivhaus, the target for the number
The Wilsons’ self build story began nine designer and spoke enthusiastically about of kilowatts to heat 1m2 of useable floor
years before this, however, when they bought this type of build,” says Paul. “We realised area per year is 15 kWh/(m2a) or below,”
a detached 1940s house with nearly an acre
of garden. The grounds were some 30m The Wilsons were surprised by how light says Paul. “Some of the kit house firms we
wide with a gated side entrance, sloping and easy to maneouvre the triple-glazed spoke to said they could achieve 18-20
down away from the back of the house. windows and sliding doors are kWh/(m2a) but we aimed for lower.”
Time passed and Paul decided to take this was exactly what we wanted to do.
early retirement in 2012, prompting the When we met up we got on very well. Other issues were a lack of flexibility
couple to really think about how much time Alan produced a drawing that took all and the interpretation of Alan’s design
they spent looking after their large garden. the Passivhaus principles into account. based around modular components. “In an
“The idea to build was a slow burn,” says He was great at understanding how we early drawing, we felt one company had
Paul. “I began to play around with various wanted to use the house.” compromised our design, and they wanted
concepts and in early 2014 we moved onto
a house design with the architect who had In August 2015, the Wilsons submitted
previously created our extension.” their second planning application – this

With little guidance from planning at this
stage, the garden was divided into two –
with the new house designated to the side
of the plot so the original dwelling could
maintain its views. The Wilsons followed the
local vernacular of country farmhouse-style
properties built with timber cladding and

20

WE LEARNED...

• Going to self build shows was
time well spent. We focused on the
products we wanted and compared
price and quality from different
suppliers all under one roof.

• Embedding the underfloor heating
in the foundation slab cost £1,200
but was much easier than hiring a
separate trade to fit radiators or
using another UFH technique.

• A good relationship with your

contractors is a key factor for
a successful project.

£5,000 to finalise it before they’d commit to The master bedroom enjoys far-
a total price,” Paul explains. “They also said reaching countryside views
building to Passivhaus standards would add
15-20% to the cost, but we needed to work
to a fixed budget. We felt this route would
only be cost effective for us if we used the
in-house design services and were prepared
to accept their standard details.”

With more than 35 years of construction
experience behind him, Paul decided to
put together a package of contractors
himself. After more research, he began
talking to MBC Timber Frame. “What was
key for me is that MBC builds the insulated
foundations and the Passivhaus-standard
timber frame, including taking responsibility
for the airtightness of their finished shell,”
he says. “Some companies will only work off
prepared foundations, so the onus would
have been on me to get this right.”

The right match

Nick Hull Builders – experienced in
Passivhaus projects – provided the site
management and trades. Paul procured the
timber frame, windows, roof and mechanical
ventilation and heat recovery system. The
groundworks started in May 2016. They
were more expensive than expected, but the
couple managed to save in the finishes and
overhead costs to make up the shortfall.

In June, MBC erected the timber frame
in a remarkable four days and spent another
week making the shell waterproof and
airtight. When they fell a little bit behind,
the team worked over a weekend to finish
in time for the Monday delivery slot for the

21

BUILD COST BREAKDOWN
Elements Cost m2 Cost % Total cost

windows. Paul managed the trades, with their new home won in the sustainability Site works £260 11% £59,885
strict deadlines to keep control of the costs. category at the Bedfordshire Design and Groundworks £303 13% £69,587
Craftsmanship Awards in 2017. “Living here Drains & services £88 4% £20,289
An award-winning home is an entirely different experience from any Timber frame £356 16% £81,958
other property we’ve owned before,” says PV solar roof £199 9% £45,678
The couple’s project ran exactly to Paul’s Paul. “It sounds peculiar but thanks to the Doors & windows £113 5% £26,089
budget and timeline – with the exception planners, we have ended up with a much Wall finishes £230 10% £53,000
of a drawn-out delay from BT. Overall, the nicer and far more comfortable home than Flooring £37 2% £8,500
Wilsons found the self build experience we ever thought we wanted.” Internal doors £18 <1% £4,250
extremely rewarding and are delighted that Kitchen & bathrooms £140 6% £32,150
Heating & plumbing £152 7% £34,844
Electrics £109 5% £24,970
Services connections £41 1% £9,314
Site overheads £117 5% £27,000
Fees £132 6% £30,352

Grand total £527,866

22

PACKAGE ROUTES: Tying up the design and main
DESIGN AND construction phases of your
SHELL BUILD project in a single package can
make a lot of sense. Approaching
things this way means you’ll be working with
a dedicated specialist who can not only add
creative flair with a high-quality house design,
but also knows the structural system inside
out – helping to streamline the process and
potentially bring you benefits in terms of
cost certainty and savings, too.

These home building specialists are firmly
Appointing a single company to plan and construct the focused on providing the same bespoke
experience that you’d get if you sat down
shell of your new home can offer a range of benefits with a separate architect – with the added

benefit of knowing that the buildability of

the scheme, using that supplier’s system, is

being considered throughout. The likes of

Oakwrights and Potton count fully-qualified

architects among their in-house teams,

while others may be able to offer a similar

facility via long-standing partnerships with

designers they know and trust.

Many package home companies incentivise

their design service, potentially giving you cost

savings right from the start. The goal is to give

you value for money; so don’t equate cheap

design with a cheap service. It’s in the firm’s

interests to deliver a high-quality scheme:

after all, if you like it, you’ll be going on to use

their materials and construction services.

Ultimately, this route gives you just as

much control over your house plans as using

an external service. You’ll set a brief and

budget, and your designer will look to respond

with a scheme that suits your requirements,

makes the most of the site and works with

any planning restrictions on the plot.

Once the basic scheme is agreed, you can

develop and refine it until you have a scheme

that works for you. If you’re commissioning

Above & left: Amber a package company to create a bespoke
and Lee Wilmot scheme, they’ll usually also be able to take
commissioned care of securing your planning consent and

Scandia-Hus to Building Regulations approval.

help them come up Follow-on options
with a design that
would fit their needs If you wish, you can arrange a design and
and make through materials supply-only package; in fact, with
some tricky planning masonry or ICF, this is quite common, as the
issues. Impressed job of erecting the shell may well be handed
by their service, over to a main contractor. But if you’re using
the couple also a timber-based system, there can be big
engaged the advantages in retaining your package
company to deliver

the timber frame company to raise the house shell onsite.

Se5tttinhginagbsriteof con sid er From that point on, it’s up to you how many 23
of the company’s subsequent services you
l While you can adapt standard plans, many package companies now offer a completely take up. Some firms just stick to the nuts and IN THIS
bespoke architectural service – which might be available at a discounted rate. bolts of providing the main house shell, but ARTICLE
l You need to commit to the supplier’s construction package, but you get great cohesion others might offer a supply and install option
for roofing, bricklaying, plasterboarding and Oakwrights
between the architectural plans, structural design and what will actually be built on site. second-fix work, for instance. page 56
l It makes good sense to go for a design and shell build if you want to use a specialist Potton
If you don’t fancy spending your evenings page 58
structural solution. A prime example is green oak frame, which needs expert input to and weekends poring over spreadsheets, Scandia-Hus
get the best out of it. But every system has efficiencies and capabilities that can be negotiating deals on materials, and ensuring page 60
accentuated by the right design and build team. deliveries and labour turn up on time, the
l Once you get to weathertight stage, you are free to continue with a main contractor, company might be able to offer a project
project manager or coordinate individual trades and suppliers yourself. managed service. Or you could ask them
l Treat the process as you would with any house designer: be sure they understand to put you in touch with recommended
your brief and will work to your budget before signing on the dotted line. independent project managers.

Not the least of these is you’ll benefit from more, while they do, they’ll be in regular Enlisting the help of an expert for later
the supplier’s own construction team, so you communication with the designers back at parts of the scheme tends to be a sensible
know they’ll be experienced and comfortable the factory; giving you further reassurance choice if you’re planning anything complex,
with the construction technique – and will be that the finished house will achieve the innovative or unusual. In such cases, the cost
able to efficiently get on with the job. What’s performance standards you’ve specified. of a dedicated project manager can often be
offset by their ability to negotiate good deals
and keep your project schedule on track.

Closer look Shell build allows for hands-on approach he says. “The company’s technician quickly identified a mistake had been made
with the position of the steel beams in the basement. He saved the day for us by
When Richard and Chrissie Baker came across a 30m2 garden plot designing an additional laminated timber beam into the main frame.”
on the Isle of Man, complete with in-principal planning permission, the
couple moved quickly to discuss their ambitions for a contemporary Potton’s team went on to turn the couple’s concepts into the required planning
home with the local council before buying the plot. drawings and detailed sections for Building Regulations approval. “Their price
was a fraction of what we would have had to pay an architect, so it got the
Richard developed some initial design ideas himself, using 3D project off to a really good start,” says Richard.
software, before sending the drawings through to timber frame home
builder Potton for a feasibility study and to get a price for a supply- Digging out the ground and building the foundations and basement on this
and-erect package. “Thank goodness we spoke to them at this point,” sloping site took around four months to complete, at which point the couple
were ready to take delivery of the timber frame package. Access was pretty tight,
so Potton supplied the kit on eight rigid lorries, which meant the erection team

was kept pretty busy
unloading materials.

Despite this, the shell
of the Bakers’ 285m2
home (100m2 of which
is the basement) went
up in just six days – at
which point Richard and
Chrissie took over most
of the remaining works
themselves, turning
their hands to just about
everything on their four-
year self build journey.

HOUSE SIZE 285m2 BUILD COST PER M2 £1,397 STRUCTURAL SYSTEM Timber frame PACKAGE SUPPLIER Potton PACKAGE TYPE
Design & shell build package, with the owners completing the scheme via self-project management and hands-on work

24 Oak frame
masterpiece
FACT FILE
Richard and Pamela Pearse have self built a
NAMES Richard & Pamela Pearse characterful contemporary home, nestled in the
LOCATION Worcestershire Worcestershire countryside WORDS REBECCA FOSTER PHOTOS OAKWRIGHTS
PACKAGE TYPE Design & shell
PACKAGE SUPPLIER Creating a home from scratch
Oakwrights (page 56) had never been on the radar for
PLOT SIZE 0.2 acres Richard and Pamela Pearse. After
HOUSE SIZE 200m2 constructing a characterful oak
BUILD COST £528,587 frame garden room as an extension to their
BUILD COST PER M2 £2,643 current house, however, it wasn’t long before
PROJECT STARTED Feb 2015 the couple got the urge to tackle a bigger
BUILDING WORK TOOK project. They soon realised that they might
36 weeks already own the perfect patch of land to take
their scheme to the next stage. “Our garden
was originally surrounded by leylandiis, and
they were extremely overpowering,” says
Pamela. “It wasn’t until we’d cleared them
all back that we thought we might have
the ideal plot right on our doorstep.”

Starting the journey

For Richard and Pamela, oak frame was the
only option for their dream home. “There’s
something about the wood that we love,”
says Pamela. “Of course, it would have been
cheaper to go down another route, but if
we’d have done that we’d have literally
constructed the property and sold it on.”

The first step was to find a company to
design and engineer the oak frame house,
and an online search led them to Oakwrights.
“We went to see their stand at a self build
exhibition and visited their show house in
Hereford,” says Pamela. “We were really
taken with their passion and knowledge
– especially the enthusiasm of owner Tim
Crump.” From here, Oakwrights’ architectural
designer John Williams came up with a
scheme that took in the couple’s wants
and needs, along with the characteristics
of the triangular garden plot.

25

The open-plan living area features Early hurdles
characterful limestone floor tiles
The next step for the Pearses was to gain
Exposed oak beams form a prominent planning permission to go ahead with their
aesthetic feature throughout the interiors design proposal. After receiving promising
pre-application feedback from Redditch
Borough Council, the couple were eager to
crack on. “The planners were fantastic. They
were really keen on the nature of the build
and liked that it was oak frame, sustainable
and very energy-efficient,” says Pamela.

However, things didn’t prove to be as
straightforward as they’d hoped. “Some of the
neighbours were not in favour of the scheme
because of access issues,” says Pamela.
“But we had a planning officer come out, and
he said he could probably find half a dozen
properties with similar or worse concerns.”

In the end, the project was presented
at a planning committee meeting, where

26

BUILD COST BREAKDOWN foundation works. He did such a fantastic
Elements Cost m2 Cost % Total cost job during this phase, however, that Richard
and Pamela decided it made sense to keep
Preliminaries £81 3% £16,310 him on for the whole project. “His father and
uncle were part of the team, too, and they’d
Foundations £149 6% £29,743 been in the trade for years,” says Pamela.

External walls & windows £842 32% £168,361 Progress on site

Roof structure & covering £246 9% £49,240 With a good team of experts around to draw
on when needed, the Pearses were able
Internal walls £31 1% £6,195 to handle the project management side of
things themselves. “Richard was working in
Floor, wall & ceiling finishes £202 8% £40,379 London a lot of the time, so he concentrated
on sourcing most of the materials. I was
Joinery & fittings (incl. £219 8% £43,823 on site, so I was available to answer any
kitchen units & worktops) questions that came up,” says Pamela. The
couple’s friend, Kevin, also has a plant hire
Plumbing & heating £208 8% £41,674 company, which was a huge help at the
(incl. bathroom & kitchen) groundworks stage. “He came along with
all of his big machinery and whooshed
Electrics £107 4% £21,330 everything out,” she says.

Decorating £62 2% £12,380 For Pamela, watching the erection of
the oak skeleton was the highlight of the
Garage £145 5% £28,975 construction process. “I was looking on at it
coming together from the kitchen window
Fees £73 3% £14,675 of our old house. It was fabulous to see Marble tiles have been
Oakwrights lift great chunks of the structure laid on the floor and walls
External works £278 11% £55,502 over the electricity cables and then into the of the master ensuite
site,” she says. “Richard was a little frustrated
Grand total £528,587 though, as he was away on business at the
time so wasn’t around to witness it himself –
the town councillors took a vote on how but I took lots of videos for him.”
to proceed. Richard and Pamela had three
minutes to put their case forward, after which It only took a week for the frame to go
a neighbour had the same amount of time up. The Oakwrights team then stayed
to state their views. “You only have that short on site for a few more weeks to fit the
slot to say your piece,” says Pamela. However, structure’s SIPs (structural insulated panels)
providence was on the couple’s side, and encapsulation system. “Our previous house
the panel voted in their favour. had felt cold, so we knew we wanted a
well-insulated dwelling that would keep
Change of plan the warmth in,” says Pamela. The SIPs
provide this in spades, along with excellent
Having already constructed an oak frame airtightness. In fact, the house is so thermally-
garage on the site, they were keen to use efficient that Richard and Pamela haven’t
the same builder for the new house. However, fitted any heating emitters on the first floor.
a disagreement over the approach to the Downstairs, underfloor heating and a small
works left the Pearses without a contractor, woodburner provide all the warmth they need.
just four weeks before Oakwrights was due
to deliver the structure to site. Fortunately, a A spectacular result
farmer friend of theirs, Kevin Allard, came up
with a solution. “He knew of a young builder The Pearses’ new property represents the
– a 26-year-old local guy,” says Pamela. “He best of both worlds; a traditional construction
came with high recommendations and it was system – oak frame – that has been used to
clear to us from the very first meeting that create an eye-catching contemporary home.
he was a nice, honest person.” In terms of the finishes, a low-maintenance
self-coloured render was specified for the
The initial plan was for this builder, Tom exterior, and works in harmony with the
Furber, to take care of the site clearance and

27

WE LEARNED... The light-filled master bedroom
boasts its own mini seating area
• Enjoy the process and try not
to stress too much. If you have
a good team around you, things
tend to work well. The people you
employ are experts at what they
do – it’s not your job to know
everything about guttering,
drainage and sewerage etc.

• Before submitting your design,
always have a pre-application
discussion with your local
planners. This can help avoid
going to all the expense of having
the new house designed, only to
be disappointed if it gets rejected.

• Always be polite when it comes
to dealing with your local
authority – and indeed your
neighbours. It’s good to keep
the lines of communication open.
If you end up getting frustrated
with your planner straight away,
it’s unlikely to be helpful.

Richard and Pamela’s new home timber boards that have been used to clad
has been built in what was the portions of the upper storey. Red roof tiles
garden of their previous property complement those of their previous house,
right next door, which was a stipulation of
the planning consent. Composite windows,
which feature sleek aluminium cladding on
the outside and a characterful wood surface
internally, complete the look.

Inside, the dwelling is just as impressive.
A neutral colour palette helps to accentuate
the characterful exposed oak beamwork,
and natural limestone flooring has been
fitted throughout the ground floor. The
modern, open-plan layout is the perfect fit
for the pair’s lifestyle. “It’s a great family
home, and has proven to be fabulous for
hosting parties,” says Pamela.

Now the house is complete, the Pearses
have no regrets. “We use every square inch
of our new property, because we planned
and designed it specifically for us,” says
Pamela. In fact, the couple haven’t ruled
out self building for a second time. “If we
were going to do another project round
here, I’d definitely want to go for oak frame
again,” she says. “The material is so beautiful
– and I know the property will be here for
a long time after we’re gone.”

28 are able to work with existing plans – but
if you want to enjoy the smoothest, most
PACKAGE ROUTES: cost-certain path to your new bespoke home,
TURNKEY then it makes sense to go for an integrated
DESIGN & BUILD approach and appoint the package supplier’s
in-house or partner architectural team.
If you want to take an integrated, stress-free approach
to creating your ideal home, then a turnkey package While you’ll be putting responsibility for
could be the right option for your project the delivery of your project in the package
company’s hands, you’ll still retain full control
over the design stages. Their team will assess
your plot and work with your brief and budget
to come up with a plan for review that’s
tailored to your needs. When you’ve agreed
on an overall scheme, they’ll typically go on to
arrange planning permission on your behalf.
Once this is in the bag, you move on to the
detailed design – everything from cladding
options and windows through to flooring,
sanitaryware and decorative finishes.

Some of the European prefab house
building specialists will bring you out to their
sampling centres so that you can select
everything first-hand before the house shell
is manufactured: right down to the position
of sockets and switches. Once it’s done and
the design is locked-down, you can sit back
in the knowledge that you’ve specified your
home to your exact requirements, ready for
the professionals to deliver it on the ground.

Specifying everything beforehand can be
an intense experience, but it’s vital to ensuring
you can agree a fixed price and timescale for
the completion of your self build home.

Jill and Lloyd Smith partnered with turnkey home provider Baufritz for their 280m2 contemporary self build. The What’s not included?
couple were flown out to the company’s HQ in Germany to select the house’s fixtures and fittings, before Baufritz
manufactured the shell and completed all of the construction and fit-out, except for the groundworks and basement This will depend on the company you’ve
chosen to partner with – but not every turnkey
When you’re embarking on to Building Regulations, service connections, specialist’s services extend to every part of
what’s likely to be the biggest foundations, the house shell, windows, the project. The most common exclusions
shopping trip of your life, it doors, roofing, cladding, heating, electrics are the groundworks and foundations, the
makes sense to enlist the and internal fit-out. Put simply, you agree a kitchen and the final landscaping.
experts to help ensure the process goes plan and a price, and they’ll look after pretty
as smoothly as possible. Partnering with much everything else – leaving you to pick This is because these areas tend to
a turnkey specialist means you get to pick up the keys and move in once it’s done. be most difficult to accurately cost and
the design and retain overall control of the coordinate. You can do all the surveys you
scheme, but the package home takes on Design options want, for instance, but until you actually dig
all the risk of constructing it. out the ground for your new home, you can
Turnkey providers generally operate as a one- never be entirely sure whether you might
Pretty much everything can be included stop-shop, so the foundation of this self build come across a problem that requires a more
with this route, from concept design through route is the design phase. Many companies expensive, engineered foundation solution.
So typically, you’ll arrange the groundworks –
with the turnkey provider supplying the rest of
the construction services (though they may
be able to recommend good contractors).

The reason most companies steer clear
of kitchens is that there’s a huge amount of

choice out there, and UK market is largely Se5tttinhginagbsriteof con sid er 29
set up on a supply-and-install basis. This is
also one of the most personal parts of a l Y ou get the assurance of a fixed cost l You get full control over the design IN THIS
project, and many of us are tempted to for the design, construction and fit-out and specification, so there’s just as ARTICLE
change the spec once the house shell of your bespoke home – making the much choice as with any other route.
is up and we see the room in the flesh. turnkey route the lowest-stress option Baufritz
Landscaping, meanwhile, takes time to for many self builders. l The service doesn’t come cheap, but page 34
bed in – and is a specialist skill in its own it can represent very good value for WeberHaus
right. That said, some firms do possess the l Not every design and build specialist money – particularly for first-timers. page 70
experience and contacts to coordinate will supply every part of the works.
these parts of a project on your behalf. Foundations, kitchens and landscaping l Leaving everything to the pros means
are the most common exclusions. you won’t have much chance to get
Is it right for me? hands-on with the project on site.

The turnkey route is well suited to people A turnkey solution won’t suit everyone, it’s expensive: think value-for-money, instead.
who are new to self building, or who don’t though, particularly those who want to get Completing a bespoke project is a complex
have the time and skills to put into planning hands-on with the building work. It’s also not process, and taking a fixed-price turnkey
and self-managing their projects. It gives you likely to come cheap, because you’re putting route will protect you against the costs and
full control over the specification of your all the risk of your project into the hands of a delays of mistakes an inexperienced self
finished home, but without the stress and single supplier. However, that doesn’t mean builder might make along the way.
risk of coordinating the works yourself.

Closer look High-spec home completed in six months

Precision-manufacturing helped to enable a good airtightness rating of
0.71m3/h.m2, giving the Davenports a draught-free dwelling. This energy
efficient building fabric enabled them to include a host of sustainable
technology, including a ground source heat pump, underfloor heating,
mechanical ventilation and heat recovery and solar electric panels.

The house features an open-plan kitchen-diner and living zone, complete
with 11m of glazing and sliding doors that effortlessly connect indoors and
out. A modern hand-finished oak staircase provides a statement feature,
and the project includes a high-spec basement area that plays host to a
media room, wine cellar and gym. Smart technology controls the lighting,
internal electric blinds and sound system. “We’re thrilled with our new
family home, which is light, airy and healthy,” says Jacqueline.

Paul and Jacqueline Davenport
appointed a combination of
a local architect and turnkey
specialist WeberHaus to
deliver a complete build
solution for their energy
efficient new home. The
couple wanted to work with a
company that could provide
exceptional quality, innovation, sustainability and speed throughout their project.
High-quality thermal and soundproofing performance were a top priority
for the couple, so WeberHaus’s factory-produced walling system was ideal.
Materials such as mineral wool insulation, condensed wood fibreboard
and triple glazing are all included as standard. “The build was quick and
straightforward, despite the fact our site had difficult access,” says Jacqueline.

HOUSE SIZE 470m2 STRUCTURAL SYSTEM Precision-manufactured timber frame PACKAGE SUPPLIER WeberHaus PACKAGE TYPE
Turnkey house build BUILDING WORK TOOK Six months (house shell erected in three days)

30 Building a
house in just
FACT FILE seven weeks

NAMES Jon & Yvonne Easter
LOCATION Shropshire
STYLE Contemporary
PACKAGE TYPE Turnkey
PACKAGE SUPPLIER
Dan-Wood (page 38)
HOUSE SIZE 231m2 (incl. garage)
BUILD COST £395,402
BUILD COST PER M2 £1,712

PROJECT STARTED July 2016

BUILDING WORK TOOK With limited time to manage a complex construction
Seven weeks

For the Easters, self building offered project, the Easters opted for a turnkey package route
the opportunity to escape the urban to complete their new countryside home on time and
rat race of Stockport in favour of a on budget WORDS & PHOTOS PETER DROUGHT
more tranquil way of life in rural
Shropshire. After 25 years of marriage, and
with their children now fully grown, the move
would be the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition.

Browsing for suitable plots, they found a
site near Shrewsbury that seemed ideal for

their requirements. With the land identified
and a price negotiated, they had to move
quickly. Thankfully, things worked in their
favour, as their house sold in just two days.
“I found the plot on Rightmove,” says John.

“We wanted something peaceful, with idyllic

views, but it needed good road access, as
my job in civil engineering regularly takes
me travelling around the country.”

Picking a build route The sizeable white rendered property makes a
grand statement when viewed from the front
Jon and Yvonne were keen to complete their
construction project swiftly, so they decided
on a turnkey route. This approach means the
design, materials supply and a large amount
of the construction work is all taken care of
by a single company. The Easters chose to
appoint Dan-Wood as their project partner,
allowing them to select an off-the-shelf
house plan – they picked the Classic 184E
– which could then be tweaked to suit their
individual living requirements.

When they were ready to start, the couple
opted to work with Dan-Wood’s nominated
architectural consultants, Wireframe Studios,
to adapt the layout. “We wanted to add a
fourth bedroom for visiting family, as well as

31

maximise the upstairs space by removing Above left: The
the hall void,” says Jon. “Making these living-dining-kitchen
changes considerably improved our use of area is a bright and
the house and added some extra value.” airy space perfect
for entertaining and
Securing planning relaxing in. Above:
Glazed doors open
The site Jon and Yvonne identified, set in the lounge onto the
a corner of an existing field, already had outside patio space
outline planning permission. So the scale
and nature of a proposal acceptable to
the council had already been established –
but the couple needed to gain full planning
consent for their exact scheme.

“The agent helped us to negotiate an
agreement that we’d go ahead with the sale
subject to full planning consent being given,”
says Yvonne. “This is important as it ensures
that, when you purchase the plot, you can be
certain it can be used as intended.”

Before they could put in their planning
application, there were a number of factors
that needed to be considered – including
the project’s impact on the surrounding
environment. The couple contracted SLR
Consulting to help with this particular aspect

32

BUILD COST BREAKDOWN of the scheme. They were able to assist with
Elements Cost m2 Cost % Total cost the location of the driveway, which had to be
changed to avoid damaging tree roots, and
Site insurance £4 <1% £812 in coming up with a plan for preservation of
wildlife in the existing hedgerow.
Site clearance £4 <1% £947
Access onto the highway also presented
Site setup £50 3% £11,443 a problem; and it was determined that a clear
triangular area would need to be carved out
Foundations £88 5% £20,213 to provide a visibility splay to allow oncoming
vehicles to be seen. “This could have been a
Electricity to site £15 <1% £3,521 complication, however the farmer who owned
the land was very helpful, and we were able
Water supply £22 1% £5,059 to make the necessary changes,” says Jon.

Foul & surface water drainage £60 4% £13,925 Smooth progress

SIPs house package £1,134 66% £261,949 With a turnkey service, once the design is
(incl. garage) frozen, the supplier manages the construction
process on your behalf. So apart from a few
Joinery & fittings £41 2% £9,524 finishing details, and unless you particularly
wish to be more involved, there’s very little
Carpet & underlay £12 <1% £2,875 need for input from the self builder, as you’ve
already made all the key design decisions.
Additional electrics £9 <1% £2,168 “Dan-Wood’s site manager was great and
their staff have a good work ethic,” says Jon.
Kitchen £115 7% £26,554
The build process was incredibly slick,
External works £85 5% £19,600 largely thanks to the fact the company
uses a prefabricated technique. The shell is
Structural warranty £13 <1% £2,922 constructed of structural insulated panels The hall provides an expansive reception
(SIPs) that are manufactured at the firm’s space with a statement oak staircase
Fees £60 3% £13,890 factory in Poland, before being transported
to site to be finally assembled. The panels also include elements such
Grand total £395,402 as pre-fitted windows, which speeds up the
The internal bathroom finishes were all process even further and helps to guarantee
provided as part of the turnkey service good airtightness at joints (this particular self
build project achieved an air permeability
rating of 1.1 m3/h/m2, which easily beats
the Building Regs threshold of 10).

“I was surprised at just how quickly the
structure went up,” says Jon. “Every time we
came on site to see it, things had noticeably
progressed.” In fact, the bulk of the build
process was completed over just a seven-
week period, starting on 30th January 2017
– although a few interior details and the
landscaping were completed at a later date.

Kitting out the house

Although Dan-Wood offers customers the
chance to self-finish their home’s interiors
should they want more control over the
final touches, the Easters preferred the
idea of going full turnkey. So the agreed
contract covered the plumbing and other
infrastructure, doors, stairs, tiling, flooring,
sanitaryware and the internal decoration.

The only thing that isn’t included is the
kitchen, largely because there’s so much

choice out there on the market already. “We The bedroom features a Juliette balcony 33
decided to use a Dutch supplier, Snaidero and stunning views of the surroundings
Concept Store, and installed one of their WE LE ARNED ...
stainless steel designs with appliances from
NEF,” says Yvonne. “I found the company by • Don’t underestimate the amount of time needed to
Googling for ex-display kitchens. We went
via a currency broker, purchasing the kitchen prepare your plot for the build – even with the package
in Euros, which meant that we were able to route. In particular, make sure you apply for services such
leverage the exchange rate at the time to as water and electricity as soon as you purchase the site,
help make our money go further.” as these take a long time to go through.

Among the other notable features of the • Watch out for the CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy),
fit-out is a PetWalk cat flap. This is designed which is a planning charge some local authorities impose
to preserve airtightness to the Passivhaus to help develop the local area. Self builds are exempt, but
standards and only opens on detection of you need to submit the right forms at the right times –
their own cats’ microchips. both in advance of the work and afterwards – to comply
and show that you’re not liable to pay this fee.
With the house now complete, it’s clear
the pair are delighted with their new country • It’s worth renting close to the site so that you’re easily
way of life. When asked what he enjoys
most about the house, Jon replies: “The light available to deal with any queries and maintain lines of
and the views.” Perhaps the best place to communication with your contractors. Although there is
experience this is the family room’s balcony, a downside to this: we moved house three times in 17
which offers beautiful vistas. “For me it’s months. It’s also important to plan for any potential
the silence,” says Yvonne. “Details like the language differences that might arise.
lips around the doors and windows, which
form part of the ventilation system, are also • Apply for the RHI as soon as your renewable heating
extremely soundproof. It’s so different to system is installed. The cashback is paid over a period
our old home. We love it here.” of seven years, but you only have 12 months to put in
your application after the tech is commissioned.

• Keep good records of your VAT invoices. You’re only

allowed to make one submission for the self build
reclaim, and this must be done within three months of
building control sign off. We’d suggest speaking to a VAT
consultant for advice on what exactly can be reclaimed.

34

Baufritz

Based in Girton near Cambridge, Baufritz uses timber construction to create ecological and healthy homes. The family-run
company has a reputation for building to exceptional quality in Germany for more than a century, and is a popular addition to
the UK market. Our vision is to create homes that combine comfort and luxury with an abundance of natural materials. Every
property is different, each individually designed through collaboration with in-house architects and interior design specialists.

DESIGN OPTIONS We specialise in timber frame houses,
Every self builder has different ideas about how their house with a consistent emphasis on eco-
should look and feel; our process means we can build these into friendly home building, committed to
a completed article. You’ll meet with our specialist consultant in providing you with the best solutions
Cambridge to discuss your requirements. Our experienced house for your new property
designers will then prepare plans for you and submit a planning
application on your behalf. Detailed drawings will be put together, DAGMAR FRITZ-KRAMER BAUFRITZ
including the calculations for the groundworks, structure and building
services. You’ll be invited to come to our state-of-the-art design 3GREAT 1
centre in Germany where you will specify the details of your house. DESIGNS
by Baufritz
CONSTRUCTION CHOICES Located on the edge of London, this family
Our high-tech factory enables us to deliver a wide variety of timber 1 home was designed to be distinctive yet
house designs, construction materials and finishes. You’ll be able
to choose all the details at the design stage, right down to the door sympathetic to the local architecture
handles. We can support you through all the elements of your build.
The groundworks and preparation for house assembly is performed 2 This sustainably built eco house maximises the
by our building partners, with all large construction elements efficient use of space, ideal for a growing family
prefabricated by Baufritz joiners and carpenters in our German
factory. Once delivered to site, our specialised team will assemble Built on a sloped coastal plot, this house has
the property ready for our craftsmen to complete the fit-out. been designed to only be visible from the sea.
3 It draws on inspiration from Scandinavian and
CONTRACT SCOPE
We understand that the contract and timelines vary from client to New England-style architecture
client, but our process enables peace of mind in knowing that a fixed
price and timescale has been agreed early on. Our quote reflects 23
your requirements, and our range of options allows for this tailored
approach. We can supply the shell only, where we deliver the walls,
floors and roof. Alternatively, our turnkey solution includes the shell
construction and complete interior fittings – we can even pre-install
the sanitaryware and electrics in our factory.

OTHER SERVICES
l S olar photovoltaic, heat pump and low energy build advice.
l Electro smog protection to eliminate home radiation.
l Allergen-free homes, to ensure the healthiest possible environment.

CONTACT BAUFRITZ

Tel: 01223 235632
Web: www.baufritz.co.uk

41

CASE
STUDY

Sustainable self build

PACKAGE SUPPLIER
Baufritz

LOCATION
Cotswolds

HOUSE SIZE
300m2

PACKAGE TYPE
Turnkey

BUILDING WORK TOOK
Four days to watertight, six
months for interior kit out

After living in his home in Gloucestershire for 12 years, position relative to the adjacent listed buildings. An elegant mix of
Richard Smith decided to seek planning permission to self stone and timber cladding looks striking alongside expansive floor-
build in the large surrounding grounds. Positioned within to-ceiling glazing. A small flat section of the roof features a sedum
an area of outstanding natural beauty, it was vital that the design covering, which works to align the property with the large detached
helped to conserve and enhance the surrounding landscape. garage. Inside, the rooms are generously proportioned, with large
bedrooms upstairs and calm living spaces below. A double-height
He decided to opt for a package build route and was drawn central hallway stairwell helps to fill the home with lots of natural light.
towards Baufritz’s turnkey solution, which offered a simple contracted
fixed price for the project. The timber frame was prefabricated offsite The structure was designed to create a healthy living environment
with closed wall and roof panels. Once delivered, it was erected in with low running costs. All materials within the built fabric of the house,
just a few days, minimising site wastage and any potential disruption including the high-performance wood shaving insulation, are 100%
to neighbours. “The most impressive part of the process was the biodegradable, enabling the highest standards of sustainability and
speed at which it happened,” says Richard. “Very quickly the house energy efficiency within the building. The heating system is powered
was up, the roof was on and it was watertight. The precision in the by renewable energy thanks to a ground source heat pump. “For me,
design and the build itself was fantastic; I think that’s what helped the Baufritz experience was excellent from start to finish,” says Richard.
to sell the idea of building a Baufritz house.”

The two-storey family home and double garage uses the same
traditional materials that areprominent in nearby properties. This,
alongside a simple, barn-style form, enables the house to fit
comfortably within its setting, whilst reinforcing its subservient

36

D&M Homes

We are one of the UK’s leading package suppliers for masonry homes, but we can also build in a wide range of other materials,
including thin joint blockwork, structural insulated panels (SIPs), insulating concrete formwork (ICF) and timber frame. We
can work with you to help decide on the best solution for your project. At D&M Homes, we pride ourselves on a high level
of personal service and sound, impartial advice at every stage of your self build journey.

DESIGN OPTIONS Every customer and budget is different,
We offer a free feasibility study for your site and then, for a modest but you get a truly bespoke build at
cost, can put together plans for your new home to your exact a final fixed price, with an experienced
requirements, taking your needs and budget into consideration. team to help you at every step
Our in-house design team is headed up by Beverley Pemberton –
recognised as one of the country’s leading house designers – and ANTONY KINGSTON D&M HOMES
will work closely with you to create a beautiful bespoke home.
3GREAT 1
CONSTRUCTION CHOICES DESIGNS
You can choose from a range of building methods that best suit your by D&M Homes
design. Before you commit to the construction phase, we will provide This traditional family home features a glazed
you with an all-inclusive figure for how much your new property is 1 sunroom. It is the second house the client has
going to cost – giving you the confidence to move forward. We will
be with you every step of the way, from the initial meeting to discuss developed with D&M Homes
ideas through to the day you move into you new home. Our expert
team will coordinate your project from start to finish. This means that 2 This stunning family abode is built in natural
when the scheme begins, our system ensures you have complete stone, paired with a slate roof
freedom to choose all the things that are important to you.
A large balcony is one of the design highlights
CONTRACT SCOPE 3 of this modern family home and allows the
You may be very busy in your daily life and think you don’t have the
time to build your own home – but at D&M Homes we strive to make family to enjoy scenic views
your scheme as stress-free as possible. Our comprehensive project
co-ordination service takes care of all the time-consuming red tape
and technical matters, leaving you free to focus on selecting the
all-important finishing touches that make a house a home. We provide
three simple packages for you to choose from: weathertight shell
(where you manage the internal trades); complete build (where you
oversee the final finishes); and turnkey (where we do everything on
your behalf, handing over the keys to a finished property).

OTHER SERVICES 2 3
l Free feasibility study for your site.
l Going through the planning process on your behalf.
l Building Regulations drawings.
l Development appraisals and strategy.

CONTACT D&M HOMES

Tel: 01909 531454
Web: www.dm-homes.co.uk

41

CASE
STUDY

Masonry marvel

PACKAGE SUPPLIER
D&M Homes

LOCATION
Hertfordshire

HOUSE SIZE
280m2 (incl. garage & balcony)

PACKAGE TYPE
Complete build

BUILDING WORK TOOK
12 months (excluding some
of the final finishes)

After living in an old rectory for 33 years, Warwick and Lyn wanted a classic envelope with open-plan modern living, as well
Wilson decided to downsize by building a new home in their as vaulted ceilings in some of the bedrooms. Another feature on
garden. Having never undertaken a self build project before, the pair’s wish list was a double garage. They wanted this element
the couple carried out careful research. They visited show homes, to come with accommodation above the ground floor, with the
read magazines and scoured the internet for ideas before they finally idea that it could double up as an art studio and annexe for when
decided to employ package company D&M Homes. any of their nine grandchildren came to stay over.

As Warwick and Lyn’s project involved a complicated planning and As the site is situated within a conservation area in a semi–rural
design process, with an emphasis on high quality materials as well setting, the dwelling had to be built from high quality materials to
as difficult technical and co-ordination requirements for the site, they ensure it blends in seamlessly with the adjacent property and the
opted to use the firm’s flexible package service. This provided them surrounding area. The result is a home that sits perfectly on the plot
with full access to all the benefits of the company’s experience. overlooking the village green, with stunning views of the church.

D&M Homes designed the new dwelling specifically to suit the “We absolutely love the house, it works really well for our lifestyle
Wilsons’ requirements. The couple were keen to create a modern, and is everything we hoped it would be,” says Warwick. “In hot
energy efficient abode with a solid upper floor and internal partitions weather it’s a great pleasure to step onto the large terrace for meals
throughout, filled with as much natural light as possible. They and drinks, enjoying the views of the garden and beyond.”

38

Dan-Wood

Our houses combine high quality design and construction, energy efficiency and choice with exceptional value for money. Once
you’ve chosen your design, our experienced and dedicated team of architects, designers and tradespeople use the best quality
materials and precision-engineering to build your Dan-Wood house in a matter of weeks. All you have to do is move in!

DESIGN OPTIONS Dan-Wood is a pioneer in building
Our process offers you choice and flexibility for your new home. We customised homes of the highest quality
have 50 standard house designs in a range of styles, both modern for exceptional value for money. I’m
and traditional – from compact, open-plan bungalows through to wow proud to say we already have almost
factor contemporary dwellings featuring balconies and mezzanine 10,000 happy customers
levels. Dan-Wood designs can be modified to suit your individual
lifestyle or design taste. Changes can range from the architectural
form itself through to details such as the fixtures and fittings.

CONSTRUCTION CHOICES PIOTR SZYKULA DAN-WOOD
All our properties are built to be exceptionally thermally efficient.

Once you’ve agreed your house specification, the wall components

are manufactured in Dan-Wood’s factory in Poland using structural

timber panels insulated with thick mineral wool.

The roof sections are finished in either concrete tiles, clay pantiles

or slates, and are thoroughly insulated using 220mm mineral wool. 3GREAT 1
Internal partitions have enhanced sound-proofing, and exterior walls DESIGNS 3
can be covered with render or wood cladding in a choice of colours. by Dan-Wood

CONTRACT SCOPE
Our turnkey service always comes at a fixed price. This means
that everything in your new home from the foundations upwards

(except the kitchen) is overseen by a dedicated project manager. Despite bad weather during the construction,
This professional will organise everything from the utilities, heating 1 this spacious, open-plan three-bedroom

and ventilation system installation through to interior decoration, bungalow was built in just over six weeks
fixtures and fittings. Any modifications you request will be included Space was important for this self build home,
in the contract and our fixed price is guaranteed for 12 months, so 2 so an extra metre of width was added to the
you don’t need to worry about any increases in your budget. one-and-a-half-storey Point 239E design
Even a Dan-Wood house of this size can be
We have a network of agents who we can put you in touch with to 3 eco-friendly and energy efficient thanks to
gain advice and guidance on other aspects of the self build process exceptional construction techniques

that we aren’t directly involved in. These include foundations and Positioned 2on a slope, this contemporary
groundworks, planning permission and Building Regulations. six-bedroom home in Buckinghamshire was
featured in Channel 4’s Impossible Builds

CONTACT DAN-WOOD

Tel: 01896 752271
Web: www.dan-wood.co.uk

41

CASE
STUDY

Masonry marvel

PACKAGE SUPPLIER
Dan-Wood
LOCATION
Dunfermline, Fife
HOUSE SIZE
185m2
PACKAGE TYPE
Turnkey
BUILDING WORK TOOK
Six weeks from delivery to site

When Bill and to supply the underfloor heating. This sustainable power source
Jess Ogg qualifies for the government’s renewable heat incentive (RHI)
decided cashback scheme, which Bill and Jess are already recieving.
to self build, they were
lucky enough to already Dan-Wood’s Classic 184E design features a large open-plan
own a plot of land. This living-dining area measuring over 56m2 in size, which opens to the
was the location of their outside via glazed doors. Bill and Jess’s version of the template has
livery stable business, a double-height hallway with a wow factor open-tread staircase, a
which they run with their master bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe area, a family room and
daughter. When they a sitting room with a balcony that overlooks their garden.
saw the Dan-Wood
three-bedroom, two- Although the Oggs were involved in the design and management,
storey Classic 184E they were pleased to have a dedicated Dan-Wood project manager
design, they knew who kept them up-to-date with each stage of the build process.
immediately that it was Once the components were delivered to the site, the house was
right for their needs. constructed in six weeks. “The structure was wind and watertight
within an impressive three days of the work starting,” says Bill. “We
“We didn’t really wanted the house built quickly and weren’t disappointed.”
have a vision for our
ideal home,” says Bill,
a retired industrial
chemist. “But Dan-
Wood caught our eye
straight away and, as
well as offering plenty
of different designs to choose from, we were very impressed with
the energy efficiency and construction quality.”
The Oggs wanted a house that was light and airy, with plenty of
room for family gatherings. They were also keen to keep their utility
bills to a minimum, which was achieved with the installation of a
ground source heat pump both to provide domestic hot water and

40

English Brothers

Having first marketed timber frame homes back in 1924, English Brothers is an extremely well-established, family-run business
with a proven pedigree for delivering high-quality bespoke homes. We have won several prestigious industry awards and are
regarded as one of the UK’s most experienced and innovative companies in all aspects of bespoke timber frame design and
manufacture – whether working with your existing drawings or via our network of trusted architectural partners.

DESIGN OPTIONS Our experience and heritage means
English Brothers specialises in one-off bespoke timber frames. we’ve been given the chance to work on
If you already have a plot with detailed planning permission and some amazing self build projects covering
drawings by an architect of your choice in place, you can rest assured a wide range of architectural styles
in the knowledge that we can create a frame to perfectly match your and performance targets
design needs – whatever they may be. Alternatively, if you require
design support, we work with a network of trusted architects across JAY HUBBARD ENGLISH BROTHERS
the UK who can help you bring your ideas to life, as well as steer
you through the planning and Building Regulations process. 3GREAT 1
DESIGNS
CONSTRUCTION CHOICES by English Brothers
We manufacture, supply and erect each structural frame to bespoke
specifications, so we’re able to provide a building to exactly match This new home combines all the benefits
your goals. Whatever you want, we’ll make it happen – whether it’s 1 of modern timber framing with the natural
curved walls, vaulted ceilings or exposed structural oak beamwork. Our
breadth of experience allows us to go above and beyond the baseline beauty of an oak frame gable end
performance of timber homes. In fact, our highly experienced design
and manufacture teams relish the opportunity to contribute to complex 2 This contemporary, energy efficient house
bespoke projects, bringing the architectural intentions into reality. provides a bright and airy living space

CONTRACT SCOPE This 285m2 home is the result of close
Our fully flexible range of on-site services starts with the supply and 3 collaboration between English Brothers and
erection of your timber frame. However, it can also include anything
from the groundworks and drainage all the way through to roofing, the self build owners, architect and engineers
bricklaying, drylining and the installation of second fix joinery, such
as staircases and doors. If you would like to stay in control of your 23
self build but not get bogged down with day-to-day supervision of
the work, we can also offer full project management services.

OTHER SERVICES
l A rchitectural design and Building Regulations drawings,

along with guidance from a trusted network of partners.
l We offer various levels of project management specifically

tailored to suit your budget, time and experience.
l F ree advice, support and that all-important second

opinion on all self build matters.

CONTACT ENGLISH BROTHERS

Tel: 01945 427985
Web: www.eb-bespoke.co.uk

41

LIZZIE ORME CASE
STUDY

Modern home packed
with character

PACKAGE SUPPLIER
English Brothers

LOCATION
Hertfordshire

HOUSE SIZE
193m2

PACKAGE TYPE
Supply and erection of
weathertight house shell

BUILDING WORK TOOK
14 months (three weeks for frame)

With retirement on the horizon for Richard and Madeleine consent was granted in April 2015 – ideal timing, as it would allow
Harman, the couple were keen to create a better lifestyle the project to get on site in the summer. The couple enlisted a local
for themselves – and they knew the best way to do it would company to carry out the groundworks and foundations, and selected
be to build a state-of-the-art home that was flexible enough to suit English Brothers to erect the timber frame superstructure.
their needs both now and in the future. The couple were keen on the
idea of downsizing to a tailor-made, open-plan property with a great It was speedy work, with the house’s structural shell completed in
connection between indoors and out. “Now all our kids had been just three weeks. As soon as the building was upright and watertight,
through university, we thought it was the right time,” says Richard. work started on the insulation and cladding, with DIY-hungry Richard
spending several days surrounded by Celotex insulation.
A former quantity surveyor, Richard decided to design the house
himself. He found the local planning department very helpful, and The highly-insulated timber frame works alongside triple-glazed
windows to minimise the need to heat the finished house. While the
Harmans installed a gas-fired boiler and underfloor heating system,
the home’s performance means a woodburning stove in the open-
plan zone is powerful enough to provide most of their warmth.

What’s more, the couple managed to stick almost exactly to their
original budget – and they’re delighted with the results. “It’s pretty
much exactly as we wanted,” says Richard.

42

Facit Homes

Facit Homes is one of the UK’s most innovative home manufacturers. We use digital manufacturing technology to create
individually designed, high performance houses. Our progressive approach combines total design freedom with a guaranteed
level of quality, sustainability and value for money – giving you peace of mind that your build will be delivered on schedule
and on budget. The result is a low energy, modern property that is perfectly tailored to you.

DESIGN OPTIONS Our innovative approach has moved
Everyone’s idea of what makes the perfect home is different – house building in to the digital
and we’re interested in yours. Our in-house architects will work age, creating beautifully designed,
closely with you from the start of the self build process, using precision made homes and putting
their skills and your ideas to develop a design like no other. By the customer in control of their budget
responding sensitively to the site, and being beautifully detailed and the decisions that matter
and filled with natural light, your bespoke home will be elegant,
welcoming and perfect for modern living. RHYS DENBIGH FACIT HOMES

CONSTRUCTION CHOICES 3GREAT 1
The Facit Home is an innovative product that offers a turnkey DESIGNS 3
solution for realising your ideal project. Each house we create by Facit Homes
is precision-built from a series of highly engineered systems This Build It Award-winning, eco-friendly
and components (including our advanced structural system, the 1 home is set in a gorgeously secluded,
unique Facit Chassis) which can be endlessly customised and
configured to suit you. Outstanding environmental performance leafy backland plot in south London
comes as standard, with passive house levels of insulation and
triple glazing, meaning that you get incredibly low energy bills 2 This large, modern house for a growing family
and a healthy environment in which to live. makes the most of its constricted site. It even
has a swimming pool in the basement
CONTRACT SCOPE
Building your own home is a once in a lifetime experience for A contemporary take on the vernacular, this
most of us – and an exciting opportunity to achieve something 3 light-filled property stands out in its suburban
truly special. But it can be a daunting prospect, too, filled with
uncertainty and risk. Facit Homes offers a simpler way to realise street for all the right reasons
your dream by combining all of the necessary skills and knowledge
into one company that does it all, even the foundations. This means 2
that you can focus on enjoying the journey and planning for life
in your high-quality new home. Our assisted self-finish option is
available, too, should you want to get your hands dirty.

OTHER SERVICES
l Experts in achieving planning permission.
l Hyper-real 3D visualisations.
l Digitally designed and manufactured.
l Complete end to end service.

CONTACT FACIT HOMES

Tel: 020 3034 0720
Web: www.facit-homes.com

41

CASE
STUDY

High performance home

PACKAGE SUPPLIER
Facit Homes
LOCATION
Hertfordshire
HOUSE SIZE
368m2
PACKAGE TYPE
Turnkey
BUILDING WORK TOOK
10 months (complete house)

After finding a tired old bungalow in need of demolition on are combined with feature shading that has been positioned above
a beautiful rural site, Henry and Christine Jarvis had the to protect the property from overheating in the summer.
perfect canvas on which to finally build their own family
abode. The plot’s location within an area of outstanding natural Future-proofing was important to Henry and Christine, too, so
beauty meant that the architecture needed to be of the highest they installed a state-of-the-art CAT7 data network and a bespoke
quality. Having spotted another Facit Homes property nearby, the entertainment system. There’s even a soundproof music room for
couple were instantly taken with both the contemporary design the future rock stars in the family; the pair’s two teenage sons.
and prospect of a complete end-to-end service.
Christine has a great eye for materials and textures. She worked
The brief was to create a house that was both high performance closely with the architects at Facit Homes to create the aesthetic
and high-tech. With iPad-controlled underfloor heating (UFH) and feel she wanted. Her influence can be seen throughout, from
automated windows, alongside a super-efficient MVHR system, the the raw concrete-effect interior wall finishes and rough-sawn
team at Facit Homes incorporated the Jarvises’ love of technology timber floorboards, to the corten steel external cladding. A central
into a low energy dwelling. The long, south-facing front elevation also connecting space, with flowing curved walls, softens the raw
allowed the couple to harness the sun’s warmth for free in the winter. materials’ hard edges and contains a bespoke steel staircase.
Large swathes of triple-glazed windows help achieve this goal, and
The result is an award-winning home that sits comfortably
in its environment, providing all the space the family needs.

44

Feeling Homes

We specialise in designing and building homes that are just as individual as you. We’re not restricted to using one structural
system over another and instead are able offer our clients multiple routes to creating their dream home – including masonry,
timber frame, insulating concrete formwork (ICF) and more. We’re therefore excellently-placed to give impartial advice on
the best and most cost-effective solution according to your requirements and budget.

DESIGN OPTIONS Our team loves working with
We believe that if you’re building your own home, it should reflect self builders, helping to bring
your lifestyle and personality. With this in mind, each of our clients their plans to reality. This is
can individually tailor their property so that it meets their needs, reflected in the care, attention
as well as responding to the unique features of the plot. to detail and quality we
produce on all our projects
All of our projects are designed using the latest cutting-edge
3D modelling software so that you can visualise your new property GARETH BROWN FEELING HOMES
in context before you have even broken ground.
3GREAT 1
CONSTRUCTION CHOICES DESIGNS 3
Unlike some package suppliers, we’re not limited to one type of build by Feeling Homes
system. Our experienced team specialises in masonry, insulating 1 This elegant masonry self build home is
concrete formwork (ICF), timber frame and thin-joint blockwork, so cut into a bank and surrounded by trees
we’re well-placed to provide clients with an impartial view on which
method is best-suited to their needs and the characteristics of their Set into a sloping site, this contemporary
plot. We are also specialists in constructing basements. 2 house was built using an insulating concrete

CONTRACT SCOPE formwork structural system
Each client’s requirements are different, and that’s why we tailor
our packages to suit their needs. Our services range from design 3 This double gable design makes a modern
and erect to watertight stage, through to full turnkey solutions. We statement on its countryside plot
also offer a project management service for customers who don’t
want to take a hands-on role in their scheme. 2

The chosen route is generally influenced by the level of
involvement the client wishes to have, and our flexible approach
allows them to select the path that they’re most happy with.

OTHER SERVICES
l W e can provide full turnkey packages, watertight structures

or individual elements of work on any project in south England.
l W e are able to carry out all pre-commencement reports,

including topographical, environmental, geotechnical, bat,
asbestos and highways surveys, and more.
l W e offer cost and budget analysis services prior to planning
submission stage to ensure that the scheme is viable, based
on the funds you have available.

CONTACT FEELING HOMES

Tel: 01243 885085
Web: www.feelinghomes.com

41

CASE
STUDY

Bold & beautiful

PACKAGE SUPPLIER
Feeling Homes

LOCATION
Kent

HOUSE SIZE
285m2

PACKAGE TYPE
Complete build

BUILDING WORK TOOK
12 months (excluding some
of the final finishes)

After seven years of planning – and having gone through a wellness centre, large games/TV room and a study. On the ground
number of architects – David and Debbie engaged Feeling floor is an impressive open-plan kitchen-diner with family area, plus
Homes to redesign the existing plans for their long-awaited a snug, utility and WC. The top storey hosts the master suite and
self build in Sevenoaks. This was to include changing the elevations, three further bedrooms, all served by ensuites.
fenestration and layout to be more in keeping with their requirements;
all of which was swiftly approved following a simple application to the The basement was constructed in concrete. It features tall ceilings
local authority. Feeling Homes’ approach and experience in delivering and five large glass floor units, which borrow natural light from the
value engineering made them the ideal partner, as the couple’s large lift-and-slide doors above – creating a bright, airy space. As
project required significant rationalisation. What’s more, it was set these light sources are internal, there were no issues with planning.
at the bottom of a valley, with a well that was higher than the lowest The superstructure above was completed using Flemings’ advanced
part of the planned basement. This meant David and Debbie required timber frame system, which has been clad in Western Red cedar.
the services of a team with a proven track record of successfully
achieving underground accommodation on wet sites. “I will be recommending self building to all my friends,” says David.
“Feeling Homes alleviated so much of the stress. We worked hard
The living space in the 285m2 house is split equally across the on the specification, which meant they just got on with the work. Our
basement, ground and first floors. The lowest storey contains a gym, only delay was due to a band of running shingle below ground, which
couldn’t have been accounted for as it didn’t show up on the survey.”

46

Fleming Homes

Building your own house can be a life-changing experience. That’s why there’s nothing more rewarding for us than doing a great
job and seeing our clients happily settled in their new home. Our aim is to help you get there as smoothly and enjoyably as possible,
with our flexible services, superb designs and products, and outstanding expertise and skills. Fleming Homes has over 30 years’
experience in the design and manufacture of bespoke, award-winning timber frame kit houses.

DESIGN OPTIONS Self building can be a daunting
Developing the plans for a bespoke home is easier than you think. prospect. At Fleming Homes we aim
Our experienced timber frame house designers will work with you to be there for our customers every
to shape your ideas into something that’s realistic and unique to you. step of the way, offering as much –
Whether that’s a breathtaking combination of space and luxury or or as little – support as they need,
a small family home designed to cut the cost of living, the team at when they need it
Fleming Homes will help translate your aspirations and deliver your
dream abode. We can also manufacture and supply timber frame SARAH MATHIESON
kits from existing architectural drawings. FLEMING HOMES

CONSTRUCTION CHOICES 3GREAT 1
Our prefabricated timber frame products are manufactured in- DESIGNS
house by our highly trained team. Each panel is hand crafted by an by Fleming Homes
experienced maker, using treated wood sourced from well-managed, 1 A stunning stone-clad, four-bedroom family
sustainable forests. Our structural components are carefully checked home designed for outdoor living
for compliance with our own quality assurance procedure, which
is based on the toughest industry best practice and compliance 2 This generous 849m2 classic New England-
standards. Each one is hand-signed by the maker, giving you style dwelling incorporates spacious verandas
a personal guarantee of pride in the quality of work.
3 A harmonious combination of oak and timber
CONTRACT SCOPE frame lies at the heart of this new home
If you plan to manage your own project from initial design to
erection, we offer a range of services to save you time and money.
Our experienced planning team will help you over some of the
hurdles associated with planning consent and Building Regulations
approval. Plus, if you’re looking to minimise the number of contractors
you work with, our experts can streamline the process for you.
We also offer a comprehensive package specification that can
be adapted to match your individual requirements exactly.

OTHER SERVICES 2 3
l S ER engineering and site investigation carried

out by our team of affiliated engineers.
l We are able to carry out Standard Assessment

Procedure (SAP) calculations.
l Air tightness testing.

CONTACT FLEMING HOMES

Tel: 01361 883785
Web: www.fleminghomes.co.uk

41

CASE
STUDY

Eye-catching eco house

PACKAGE SUPPLIER
Fleming Homes
LOCATION
St Andrews
HOUSE SIZE
180m2
PACKAGE TYPE Manufacture, supply
and erection of wind and watertight shell
BUILDING WORK TOOK
10 months to full completion of house

Having completed their sixth self build project in April
2018, Aileen and Dave Downie have amassed a wealth of
knowledge over the years. If there’s one thing they’re clear
on, it’s that if you’re lucky enough to build your own home, you should
always push the boundaries of what’s possible. “This applies both in
terms of performance and aesthetics,” says Aileen. Plus, the pair don’t
believe in a bells and whistles approach. “It’s too easy to get carried
away with fancy new ways of building and lots of toys,” she continues.

When the couple relocated from York to St Andrews, they
were keen to move into a bespoke home designed to meet all their
unique requirements. They chose timber frame on the basis that it’s
a system that’s been tried, tested and incrementally improved over
hundreds of years. From the outset of the scheme, their philosophy
was to construct the new property, Front House, using a fabric first
methodology. They prioritised high levels of insulation, both in the
structural skeleton and in the floors and ceilings.

The Downies took a future-proof approach to the build, investing
in additional structural elements that may be a priority for occupants
in years to come. For example, a structural wall and changeover
switches have been integrated into the plant room, allowing the
house to be powered by batteries if desired. This forward-thinking
strategy acknowledges the rapid pace of technological change.

Achieving a healthy house was a key priority for the couple, who
specified materials such as timber windows clad with aluminium,
hardwood floors and low VOC (volatile organic compound)
surfaces. Plus, they have installed whole house water filtration,
air to air heat pumps with plasma filters, and a heat recovery unit
in response to remarkable 1.3 air pressure test results.

“We love living here,” says Aileen. “The finished property is easy
and cheap to run, and to maintain. Working with Fleming Homes
was a pleasure. They clearly love what they do and seek to deliver
the house of your dreams. Who could ask for more?”

48

Frame Technologies

Specialising in beautiful bespoke homes, Frame Technologies is at the forefront of innovation in timber frame construction.
Through a wealth of experience gained over two decades in the industry, we can help you through every stage of your design
and construction journey. We have been independently audited for the Structural Timber Association’s membership and
quality standards scheme, STA Assure, and were the first to achieve Gold status.

DESIGN OPTIONS Building your own home can be
Achieving excellent consistency and quality of design, every rewarding and challenging in
project we work on is bespoke and developed to the individual equal measure – and our personal
requirements of our clients. Our team takes a flexible approach to service will help you make the
your goals and needs by taking full advantage of timber frame’s most of your opportunity
clear benefits to successfully realise your ideal home.
SIMON ORRELLS FRAME TECHNOLOGIES
CONSTRUCTION CHOICES
Timber frame is a hugely popular system among self builders, giving 3GREAT 1
you the option to create specific layouts and select the finishes DESIGNS
that best suit your needs. Our range of structural timber systems by Frame Technologies
is created in our own factory, ensuring we can deliver exceptional The Tech-Vantage E timber shell that lies
quality and project efficiency with low levels of construction waste, 1 at the heart of this modern self build was
alongside faster and safer onsite working practices. What’s more,
our pre-insulated external wall solutions provide cutting-edge energy erected in just four days
performance, reducing the lifetime costs of running your home.
2 An energy-efficient 200m2 demolish and
CONTRACT SCOPE rebuild project on a countryside site
We understand that every self build project is unique, and our range
of services is designed to meet your individual needs. We design and Constructed with the advanced Tech-Vantage
manufacture a wide range of bespoke timber frame solutions, including 3 S system, this traditional-style home provides
our own Tech-Vantage systems. There will be times during the project
when you simply need support. As a family business, our services go exceptional airtightness performance
above and beyond the norm. From a friendly chat and reassurance
to expert technical advice, we work closely in partnership with self 23
builders to establish your objectives and achieve your aspirations.

OTHER SERVICES
l W e enjoy a superb relationship with a private building control company

and can manage Building Regs applications across the UK.
l Our team is highly experienced in achieving as-designed thermal

performance and we supply a full range of insulations that can
be factory-fitted into our timber frame panel systems.
l T his may be the largest investment you ever make, so we’re
only a phone call away for technical support on anything from
groundworks through to scaffold specifications.

CONTACT FRAME TECHNOLOGIES

Tel: 01544 267124
Web: www.frametechnologies.co.uk

41

CASE
STUDY

Award-winning home
on a sloping plot

PACKAGE SUPPLIER
Frame Technologies

LOCATION
Sheffield

HOUSE SIZE
183m2

PACKAGE TYPE
Design, manufacture, supply & erect

BUILDING WORK TOOK
Eight days to erect timber frame

From the core structural solution to the timber roof tiles, the The company then manufactured all the structural timber elements
natural beauty of wood is evident throughout this highly offsite in its own factory, delivered the frame to site and installed
individual self build project, which has been sensitively carved the superstructure of the house. “This end-to-end service provides
into the hillside. Featuring a 50° gradient, the steep wooded plot consistency throughout the process,” says managing director Simon
presented a real challenge, both in terms of design and construction. Orrells. “Using the advanced Tech-Vantage E system means that
From the road, the finished house appears to be single storey – with finished U-values are much easier to predict.”
the true scale of the property only visible from the rear.
This became important because, having visited some completed
Usually, Frame Technologies likes to get on board with a project projects on open days, the clients decided to set a target of a fully-
at the early design stages in order to help maximise the potential of functional Passivhaus (a standard that focuses on creating an ultra-
offsite-manufactured timber technology. On this occasion, however, efficient structural envelope to minimise energy use). “The owners
the company’s specialist services were called upon later in the are delighted with the final building and that we helped them achieve
process, when it became clear that the traditional build methods their dream of constructing a new, sustainable home that is fit for
originally proposed simply couldn’t deliver on this difficult site. The future generations,” says Simon. The project, named Hen House
team responded with a modern, sustainable design that maximises because the site’s previous inhabitants were chickens, picked up
views and natural light in the interior spaces without compromising the Best Timber Frame Home gong at the 2018 Build It Awards.
on energy efficiency and beautiful architectural detailing.

Working in collaboration with the project architect, engineers
and mechanical and engineering consultants, Frame Technologies
designed and fully tailored its Tech-Vantage E system to the scheme.

50

Hanse Haus

Since it was founded about 90 years ago, Hanse Haus has built over 33,000 ultra high-efficiency, pre-manufactured
homes. Each project is totally tailored to fit your exact specifications. Our homes are noted for their masterful design
and impressive energy performance levels, which far surpass UK regulations. Hanse is also an experienced builder of
certified Passivhaus projects, which lose almost no heat thanks to their extremely high levels of thermal insulation.

DESIGN OPTIONS Based out of Bavaria, Hanse Haus
A Hanse Haus home is as diverse and individual as you are. builds beautiful, efficient homes,
We build special, bespoke houses and have a network of open, tailor-made to the tastes of our
approachable and imaginative designers who will help you get clients. Since 1929, we’ve delivered
the most from your self build experience. We offer a variety of over 33,000 exquisite, high-
routes, from creating a new design from scratch, to marrying your performance turnkey projects
needs with one of our many pre-designed homes. Our recommended
designers will work with you until planning submission, at which point SEBASTIAN GENSICHEN HANSE HAUS
our team of technicians and interior consultants guide you through
the finer details – even handling building control. All the while, you’ll 3GREAT 1
have the reassurance that your dream home will be flawlessly built DESIGNS
to the highest technical standards and to a fixed budget. by Hanse Haus
With its elegant lines and mix of materials,
CONSTRUCTION CHOICES 1 this barn-style home in Oxfordshire combines
Achieving excellence in house building is all about eliminating
variables. To guarantee quality, Hanse Haus homes are pre- contemporary style with historical relevance
manufactured in a dry indoor environment by expert, highly-trained
staff. This is where German precision comes into play. Once your Nestled on a Perthshire hillside, this modern
bespoke timber frame has arrived onsite, the wind and watertight 2 vernacular home stands out for its design
shell can be erected in just three days.
sophistication, energy efficiency and innovation
CONTRACT SCOPE
Before you build with us, we hope to have already worked with you 3 This stunning project is designed to maximise
as design consultants. We offer a number of free services, such as the connection between house and garden
site appraisals, logistical advice and quotes. Design work is charged
separately by one of our known partners (if you appoint us, we can 23
reimburse much of this fee). Many clients like to visit us at our factory
in Bavaria; we can share this cost and refund it upon commissioning.

Once instructed, Hanse Haus will detail and deliver a house that, in
addition to the structural shell, includes flooring, paintwork, underfloor
heating, electrics, heat recovery ventilation and sanitaryware. We only
stop at the kitchen, as we think it’s important for you to have maximum
choice in this space – though we will coordinate with your supplier.

We do not undertake groundworks, foundation slabs or service
connections ourselves, but we have longstanding working relationships
with contractors in this area to help you get your project underway.

CONTACT HANSE HAUS

Tel: 0800 302 9220
Web: www.hanse-haus.co.uk


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