ENTERTAINMENT ROOM WITH POOL AND A WELL STOCKED BAR WHERE GARY HAS HOSTED MANY PARTIES. THIS IS THEIR FAVOURITE ROOM
Project costs
Overall cost of land: £200,000 Overall cost of project: £1.2 million Value of property now: £4 million
What was the high point of the project "The highest point was getting written confir- mation that all the planning regulations had been adhered to and had gone through."
The low point was: "The low point was being worried about whether we'd be able to succeed, having committed the money to the site. Employing the consultant really helped me through that though."
Contacts
• Builder: CL Plant Ltd 01702 551722
•Floors & Carpets: Epsom Flooring Ltd 0208 949 0453
•Blinds & shutters: Marc Holland & co Budget Blinds Florida: 001 239 770 3422
•Staircase & fitted bedroom furniture:
Gavin@vertdesign.co.uk
• Furniture: Baers (Naples SW Florida)
www.baers.com
land development or home renovation should be prepared to spend a good deal more than their estimated budgets. "Get ready to pay as much as 10 or 20 per cent more than expected. There are always changes, product prices may rise, others are imported, so that's driven by the rate of exchange. Certainly budget for everything, but expect an uplift on it." Aside from the monetary, more practical side, Gary urges people in the process of developing to picture the finished product – their dream home. "Focus on the end result, not on the day- to-day trivialities on the building site. Just imag- ine the place as a finished item, as opposed to
despairing at the hole in the ground in front of you. It's all worth it in the end." Though there were tough moments, Gary
asserts that his happiness in Bishops Farm out- weighed everything else. "It's very hard to be fighting a battle with the council, in a recession, while trying to sell your last house, while also trying to run a business and having one or two neighbours constantly complaining." Despite this, Gary would jump at the chance to do it again, and is looking forward to letting others experience Bishops Farm. "It's been a real pleas- ure to live there for all these years, I've loved it."
•Property Search: Bishops Farm, Stock, Essex
www.Rightmove.co.uk www.Fine&
countrry.co.uk
•Heating: Condensing Boilers Valiant •Windows: Crosby Joinery/custom made CL Plant Joinery Division
•Bathrooms: Porcelenosa/JI Bird designer BC Ceramics St Albans Herts
•Sundries: Shadrack & Wallace soft Furnishings Billericay Essex • Lighting: CL Plant/Wray lighting Chelsea/Home Depot USA/ Lucent Lighting Enfield
www.lucent-lighting.com
•Air con: Fujitsu •Glazing: Billericay Glass
selfbuilder & homemaker
www.sbhonline.eu
17
Gary’s TOP TIP Look into importing products
and materials from abroad to get the best possible prices.
Importing costs are not as high as you might imagine, considering the savings.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68