Two first-timers, one budget.
We never set out to self build. We set out to find a simple project and then fell for a plot in a valley in the Kent Downs.
We live in an old listed house. With our youngest heading to university, it felt too big for the two of us so we began looking for something smaller and quieter. We imagined renovating an old cottage.
Then we found a plot in a quiet, south-facing valley with far-reaching views to the coast and fell for it. After a survey we realised the farmhouse on it needed far too much work, so we decided to knock it down and build new.
Then came the worry. Could we afford it? Were we putting our stability and long-term retirement plans at risk for a dream?
So we built what we both needed.
We've always managed our money carefully. But we couldn't build a spreadsheet that showed clearly where our budget stood. So we built a tool to manage it together. Then we go to site and remember why we're doing this. We'll be there for 20 years, we hope, and we want future generations of our family to enjoy it too.
It felt like we just had a big puddle of money, and what that means is we both try to spend as little as we can on everything, which isn't a terribly effective way to budget.
Who does what.
Simon builds the numbers
He is the one with the spreadsheets and the person who built Self Build Budget when the spreadsheets stopped being enough.
Jo runs the project
Day to day liaison with our builder, architect and timber frame company. She chases suppliers, makes the second-fix decisions, and puts quotes and invoices into Self Build Budget.
Patience and a sense of humour. The planning system is bonkers, and the sooner you laugh about it, the more your sanity will thank you.
Who is behind Self Build Budget.
Self Build Budget was launched by Simon and Jo Wakeman. When they're not wrangling architect plans or choosing build systems, they've got day jobs too. Simon's an independent consultant COO and Jo works as an HR Director in the education sector.