RYAN’S TOP TIPS


• An important factor in choosing a plot for your self-build is whether it is connected to services like the electricity grid and mains water.


• Having friends and family with the skills to pitch in can really help to keep costs down and we’ll aways be so grateful for that. I wanted to be very much hands-on with the build, so another benefit was being able to ‘pick their brains’ and be shown how to do things, but I’d say generally not to be scared to have a go yourself on some part of the build.


• Try to get as much as possible about the layout and design of your house decided before construction starts. Changes midway through the process can mean delays and extra costs.


side of the stairs that’s been cut to resemble a New York skyline. Says Ryan: “A lot of people would opt for oak or glass balustrades, which is contemporary, but we wanted something that would let in light but also be a feature in itself,” says Ryan.


The family have lived in their new home for some months now and their self-build is pretty much complete – apart from landscaping works that will include some tree-planting to soften the impact of the prevailing south-west winds. “We are being as sustainable as possible in


terms of upcycling, the site was formerly part of a farmyard and there is a lot of old ‘junk’ lying around that we intend to use for dividing up garden spaces and as features like planters.” The cost of the land plus a total of £360,000 spent on the build has been funded by savings, proceeds from the sale of the Urquharts’ previous home and a mortgage but, more importantly, the couple are delighted with the results of all that investment. Jemma says: “I couldn’t be happier with the


result. The dream was a unique home for what started off as the two of us, but soon became the three of us.” They wanted a space where they could relax and enjoy spending time with family and friends. Somewhere with no wasted


jul/aug 2023


space, high ceilings and a kitchen at the heart of everything – which is what they’ve achieved. “I played a minimal part with my paintbrush,” says Jemma, “but I look around and see the work Ryan and our family and friends did to help us. I’m so proud of Ryan for designing and building a beautiful home that we get to enjoy every single day.” Ryan agrees: “I’m happy with how everything’s


turned out. I just wanted something that we would like – I wasn’t too worried about what other people think. But quite a lot of people stop to have a look and, if I’m outside working, they tell me they love the house. There’s bound to be some that don’t love it, but you can’t please everyone!”


The icing on the cake is probably that the man who first inspired Ryans self-build dream, his dad, is also a fan: “He was very unsure to start with, his approach is more traditional and he was sceptical to say the least about the shape, style and the ICF. Like myself he was constantly looking for the ‘catch’ with ICF, he couldn’t believe how easy it is to build. But now its finished  think he admires what wee built and appreciates how well it sits in the landscape compared to a house with a standard pitched roof.” 


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