snapped up immediately, while others were too rural, which compromised commuter times.” Finally, the couple discovered a picturesque two-bedroom bungalow that was both within budget and perfectly located. Offering a mature quarter-of-an-acre garden, it was also within easy reach of the train station. They opted to live in the property for a few years, in order to consider their next move. “We got to understand how the building, garden and sunlight could work together, if we designed the house properly,” Darren explains.
BACK TO BASICS
As well as its idyllic setting, the bungalow also benefited from having planning permission in place for a large five-bedroom development, but due to budget constraints, Darren and Juliet decided to amend the plans. “We scaled back the application to reduce costs, but also because we wanted the house to sit on the plot, rather than dominate it,” says Darren. Looking for a modern and efficient home that could be constructed in a short amount of time, the pair decided to commission timber frame specialist design and build firm, Benjamin Allen. “We’d subscribed to self-build magazines for years, gathering inspiration about build options and internal design,” says Darren. “We were attracted to Georgian architecture and homes with lots of natural light and functional, open- plan layouts.”
Benjamin Allen had previous experience of designing and building traditional Georgian farmhouses, while the timber frame method allowed for certainty of the schedule and cost. “People tend to overcomplicate things when self-building,” says Darren. “So we wanted to go back to basics, using modern materials and well- established building techniques.” As such, the amended planning application
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was relatively straightforward, and the couple had no difficulties obtaining consent. “Before we submitted the application, we also approached our neighbours and asked for feedback,” says Darren. “We now appreciate how invasive the building process can be, so we were lucky to have such supportive neighbours.”
GETTING UNDERWAY
Once plans were approved, Benjamin Allen carried out the demolition of the original bungalow. “The beauty of working with Benjamin Allen was that we could contract them to do as little or as much as we desired,” says Darren. “We wanted to be heavily involved and so we agreed to carry on with the work after the first fix stage, using sub-contractors.” Since Darren was keen to have a hands-on role, he took on project management duties, becoming responsible for everything from the budget to the deliveries. “It was always my ambition to project manage the build,” he says. “I was attracted by the challenges, and ultimate rewards, of managing a self-build project.”
Prior to construction starting, Darren approached various sub-contractors that had each come recommended by Benjamin Allen. “This was one of the wisest decisions we made,” he says. “Hiring trades who had worked together before was a considerable benefit. They helped me, and each other, to plan the schedule and all had previous experience working on projects of a similar size and style.”
STAYING IN CONTROL
As a qualified accountant, Darren knew that financial discipline would be key to the success of the project, but one of the biggest financial hurdles came during the very first month of the build, when there was a significant overspend on
nov/dec 2020
EXTERIOR
The use of heritage-inspired bricks from York Handmade gave the facade a beautiful Georgian aesthetic
HIGH POINT
When the timber frame was complete, you could stand on the ground floor and look up at the natural beauty of the wood. Every beam was cut and installed by hand – it resembled a
cathedral-like structure. – Darren Milgate
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