Most people have an idea of what their perfect property would look like but some have a great deal of trouble finding it. KERRY ANN EUSTICE talks to a couple who took the matter into their own hands.
What is your idea of a perfect home? Are you a fan of traditional period properties with Victorian-style features? Or do you prefer ultra-modern apartments complete with all the latest gadgets? Maybe you would like a mixture of both.
Whatever your preferences, an ideal way to get the home of your dreams is to build it yourself and this option is becoming increasingly popular.
Around 20,000 people self-build their home every year 12 per cent of all houses built in the UK and it is an industry worth £2bn.
Attracted to the concept after being inspired by television shows such as Grand Designs featuring properties such as futuristic havens which utilise space to make matchboxes feel like mansions people are willing to go further than just renovating to create a home they can truly call their own.
Judith and Clive Yarnold from West Kingsdown are among the rising numbers tackling their own property projects. They are in the middle stages of their self-build after three-and-a-half years of planning applications and design drafts.
Judith said: "After my father-in-law died we were fortunate to have the opportunity to buy the farmhouse, farm yard and 20 acres of land. On the site there were a number of scruffy, tumbledown buildings for light industrial use"
"We thought we could knock them down and build a home of our own which was large and exciting to look at.
"As the plot is on the downs and part of the area's green belt we were worried we'd come across problems getting planning permission, but on the other hand thought we had a good case as we were tidying up the site and wanted to plant trees, not cut them down."
It turned out, aside from taking a bit of time, Judith and Clive had very few problems gaining consent for their plans and she says the planning authority was a great help.
After consulting with the rest of the family the couple have three daughters the vision for the house finally came together.
The Yarnold home will be a six- bedroom home with a traditional barn-style front to fit in with the rural surrounds, as Judith says they were conscious of achieving a Kentish look.
Planned features include an oak roof with exposed internal beams, a contemporary-looking, south-facing rear facade made mostly from glass to make the most of natural sunlight and insulating stone floors over underfloor heating all to satisfy the family's environmental leanings.
The overall finish will be a blend of traditional aesthetics and modern function.
Judith added: "The design is exactly what I wanted for my family.
"The family areas are largely open-plan to give a sociable feel to the house, as we like to talk to each other.
We've also planned for a downstairs bedroom in case we need somewhere for an elderly relative to come and stay. My daughters could design their own bedrooms too. It's been a real family effort."
As well as being able to create a tailor-made place to live, self-builds also bring satisfaction from the level of input owners can put into the process.
Although the Yarnolds consulted an architect on the design, who happened to be a family member, and will bring in specialists to carry out the electrics for example, they have still shaped the property themselves and this is something they are, and will continue to be, incredibly proud of.
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