Impressive Innovation

The Self-Build Diaries:

Jonathan and Caitriona Hughes

Jonathan and Caitriona Hughes’ self-built three-bedroom, fourbathroom home is the epitome of coastal living. Perched on a picturesque coastline in a little fishing village in Dublin, which just happens to be Caitriona’s hometown, ‘Pebble Beach’ is the result of the Hughes’ three-year-long build journey. Here, i-Build’s Editor, Rebecca, catches up with Caitriona to learn more about her family’s self-build success.

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I absolutely would do it all again – in the morning....well, maybe not! I’m enjoying the break now after living and breathing this for the last three years. But it was a delightful experience for me and I 100% put that down to our team.

RK: What inspired you to embark on your own project rather than buying?

CH: We decided to build our dream home after discussing it for years – it was always really just in our life plan. We wanted to be able to create something where we had full control and input. Luckily, our timing just worked out when it did.

RK: What was the vision and inspiration behind your new home?

CH: We wanted a contemporary home, filled with light, with sea views and, ultimately, something just a little bit different.

RK: Did your project need to cater for any special requirements?

CH: The design had to be a fully functioning, practical home for a family of six – all while taking full advantage of the surrounding sea views, yet maintaining privacy from nearby dwellings.

RK: How and why did you choose this plot?

CH: An opportunity came up for a fantastic sea-fronted site in the beautiful fishing village that I grew up in. It’s close to my parents, and we jumped at the opportunity.

RK: How long did it take to gain planning permission?

CH: We received planning permission the first time around. We put this down to our architect’s detailed application and her thorough knowledge of our local council’s requirements.

RK: Were there any challenging aspects to the project and build?

CH: No. We were fortunate in the respect that the plot was a greenfield site with easy access and no challenges to navigate.

RK: Did you project manage the build yourself?

CH: We had a local construction management company take over our project. However, I was heavily involved in all aspects and was on site every day overseeing everything. I was lucky to be available to make all decisions and be involved in all discussions.

I am a stay-at-home mother; therefore, I was able, and happy, to facilitate this. However, my husband works long hours and would only get to site on the weekends.

RK: Tell us about the architect you worked with.

CH: We interviewed four architects. Each had a different approach to the house's design, but ultimately we went with the architect who we felt was the best fit. We credit her detailed knowledge surrounding the local planners' expectations – from design to receiving our planning permission the first time around.

RK: How did you approach material and product specification?

CH: We took all the advice from our architect. She outlined everything required, and they went into the bill of quantities.

RK: Did you install any renewable systems?

CH: Yes, we have a 4000-litre precast concrete rainwater harvester, which is attached to a pump and tap which we use in the garden. We also have an air to water heat pump.

RK: How does the property respond to Passive House principles?

CH: We have tried our best to keep our house as airtight and insulated as we could; however, I know it wouldn’t be as close as a Passive House’s standards. That said, we do have two mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) units and Aluclad triple-glazed windows. We have yet to have an airtightness test or Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate performed, and I’m interested to see the outcome of that!

RK: How long did the project take?

CH: From breaking ground to moving in, it was 10 months – this was mostly in line with our planned timeframes.

RK: Did you remain within the original budget?

CH: We did go over budget, but it was not for unexpected reasons. Instead, it was because we decided to upgrade certain things. For instance, late in the project, we decided to turn one of the attics (we have two!) into an office and walk-in wardrobe. Also, we increased the spec of our windows, bathrooms, kitchen and flooring.

RK: Please provide an overview of both the interior and exterior finished space.

CH: We have a one-part, single-storey living side and another one-part, two-storey sleeping division of our home. It is divided by a natural stone spine wall that runs through the house and about 5m outside the front and back.

We have three bedrooms, four bathrooms, a den that doubles as a guest room, a porch, a laundry room, toy room and boot room. And, as mentioned, have a walk-in wardrobe and office in our attic.

RK: How does the property respond to its surrounding landscape?

CH: I believe the house blends in well with the surroundings. Due to the sea-fronted site, we are blessed to enjoy a sea view from every room. There are four very cleverly designed, angled windows that ensure exceptional views of the sea.

RK: What does the local community think of the new property?

CH: The feedback that I’ve been given regarding our new house has been extremely positive. People have been so kind with their encouragement and praise!

RK: Is the final property everything that you hoped it would be?

CH: The house is everything we could have dreamed of and more. I can’t count the number of times every day myself and Jonathan are stopped in our tracks by the stunning views we have. Every time we enter a different room, it is just breathtaking – we are still pinching ourselves!

RK: What’s your favourite thing about your new home?

CH: It has to be the sea views – every day you see something different. Also, I am paying so much more attention to the position of the sun as it moves through the different seasons (we moved in during late spring). I barely noticed before, and now I am obsessed with following the changing path the sun is taking. I just love that we have a place outside to sit for each time of the day regardless of the season.

RK: Is there anything that you would have done differently?

CH: No, I wouldn’t do a single thing differently. It’s all very new to us now in fairness, and I hope that won’t change!

RK: Would you do the whole thing again?

CH: I absolutely would do it all again – in the morning.... well, maybe not! I’m enjoying the break now after living and breathing this for the last three years. But it was a delightful experience for me and I 100% put that down to our team.

RK: What advice would you offer to anyone looking to self-build?

CH: I would say, educate yourself as much as possible before you even start the design process. I found a tremendous amount of information on Instagram on self-builds. It is really taking off, and people love to share their tips.

I am taking part in an online course for this very purpose by RIAI RBI (@stauntonhenderson.com), which I believe will be hugely beneficial to people beginning the process.

Find the style you are looking for and unearth your priorities – going to an architect with as much information as possible will give them a clearer picture to design your dream home. Also, I would try and always be a few steps ahead of yourself. Use the quiet times to narrow down flooring, tiles and windows. Leaving those decisions to the last minute causes unnecessary stress.

What’s more, using local tradespeople has given us such reassurance in our home. Anything that arises; they can get to us quickly – and word soon travels fast about the excellent quality of their work.

RK: What was your vision for the exterior?

CH: For the outside, the main things we wanted to have done this year were the site fenced, gate installed, driveway stoned, and all our terraces tiled.

We have completed this and have undertaken a small portion of the planting – just a couple of beds to the front of the house. As this site is so exposed to the elements, we had to be sure what we chose would survive the harsh weather. We also left a sloped mound to the front of the house, which is in front of a busy road, so it conceals traffic noise and gives us privacy. Here, we are going to sow some grass.

We didn’t use a landscaper; however, my parents are practically professionals at this stage – tending to their exquisite garden over the last 40 years. So, essentially, we piggybacked and took all of their advice.

One of the main features of the house is that is there is a terrace for each time of the day, so we always have a spot to sit in the sun if it’s on offer.

We chose an outdoor matching porcelain tile to our inside tiles to give us that inside-outside living room feel. We also built a small planter wall around the back terrace that has little seating squares incorporated – it defines the areas nicely. We are just dying to have a party; if we will ever be allowed again!

Making sense of the Green Homes Grant

Victoria Brocklesby, COO at Origin, a UK-leading manufacturer of aluminium doors and windows, offers her insight into the Government’s Green Homes Grant and explains how homeowners can get the most out of the scheme.

What is the Green Homes Grant?

The Green Homes Grant is a new scheme that has been introduced by the UK Government to help homeowners and landlords in England to upgrade their properties with energy-saving features. The Government will supplement the cost of these upgrades with vouchers that will cover a proportion or, in some cases, all of the cost.

The aim of the scheme is both to help homeowners by reducing their energy bills, and to promote energy efficiency in order to improve the carbon footprint of the UK. It is also hoped that the scheme will boost the economy by creating jobs following the coronavirus pandemic.

When is the grant available?

Applications for the grant opened in September and will remain open until the end of March 2021.

What will the vouchers cover?

The Green Homes Grant will cover a variety of energy-saving home improvements. These have been split into two categories – primary measures and secondary measures. To qualify for vouchers, applicants must be installing at least one primary measure. These include wall, underfloor or roof insulation, air or ground source heat pumps, and solar thermal systems.

If you have applied for vouchers to use towards a primary measure, you will also be eligible for a grant towards secondary measures. These include double and triple glazing, energy-efficient doors, draught-proofing, hot water tanks and smart heating controls. You can apply for vouchers for secondary measures up to the same value as those that were claimed for the primary measures.

The scheme will fund up to two-thirds of the cost of the improvements, up to the value of £5000 per household. For example, if you were to install a cavity wall and floor insulation that cost £4000, you would only pay £1320, whilst the Government would cover the remaining £2680.

For low-income households, the scheme will fund up to £10,000 and cover the entire cost of the work.

How can I apply for a voucher?

Anyone who owns their own home or is the landlord of a private rented or social sector domestic property is eligible to apply for vouchers.

You can apply for vouchers via the Government website before choosing an approved tradesperson to carry out the work. Once the work has been agreed, vouchers will be issued to cover a percentage of the cost.

How can I benefit from the scheme?

It is estimated that up to 600,000 homeowners in England could benefit from the scheme, and those who do take advantage could save up to £600 a year on energy bills.

The grant will also offer the opportunity to do renovation work that you may not have been able to consider previously due to cost, helping you to enjoy each room in your home all year round.

Those looking to get the most out of the scheme should consider using the grant to fund both primary and secondary improvements, in order to maximise the value of the vouchers they are eligible for. The amount that you can claim towards a secondary measure will be capped based on the value of your primary measure. For example, if you receive £2500 in vouchers for insulation, you would then be eligible for a further £2500 towards glazing.

What property types will the grant apply to?

There are no restrictions on the property types that are eligible for improvements using the grant. However, because only properties with single glazing can apply for vouchers to fund glazing work, it’s likely that the majority of homes that will benefit are older properties.

If you are looking to replace the glazing in a period property, it is important to carefully consider how the new windows and doors will fit with the original features. Flush casement designs are very versatile and work well in all styles of homes. At Origin, we also offer Georgian bar-style options, which look fantastic in traditional homes.

What traders can I use?

Once you have applied for vouchers, you will be offered a list of accredited tradespeople in your area who are registered with the scheme to carry out the work. To be part of the scheme, tradespeople must register for TrustMark or the Microgeneration Certification Scheme accreditation.

To discover more about using the Green Homes Grant towards energy-efficient doors and windows, visit the website below. www.origin-global.com