ATTOE BUILDING DESIGN CONT .
What were the common mistakes that you managed to avoid ?
From the beginning we wanted to be deeply involved in creating our home , from design to finish , having a good working relationship with our architect and project manager , and regularly visiting the site , meant we were able to visualise how each element would look when it was finished avoiding any unpleasant surprises after construction was complete .
Did anything go wrong ?
No major errors , aside from understanding what we actually needed and could afford to build , as opposed to what we ’ d like to have . Budget went out of the window .
What was your biggest surprise ?
A self-build isn ’ t something that should be approached lightly ! While it was very rewarding and totally worth it , I did question this a few times along the way . However , I have learned a lot in the process ; having watched the house come together , I ’ ve seen where every pipe , wire and steel is located . I wouldn ’ t say I know how to fix stuff if it goes wrong , but I know where holes can be drilled , or not !
What are you most proud of ?
I am really proud of how the house looks from that train-line ! The back elevation features floor to ceiling sliding doors and glass balconies over three floors , encapsulating that eye-catching ‘ Grand Designs ’ vision we had from the beginning .
What are your hints and tips for those looking to embark on a property renovation project ?
Having a good working relationship with your architect and learning to trust them is important . A good architect will easily pay for themselves and give you a project to be proud of .
Also , be present on site as much as possible to ensure things are going to plan and are moving along in a timely manner .
What ' s next ?
The initial plan was certainly not to create something to sell on in a few years for a profit , but despite the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and imminent economic recession , we had heard how house prices were rising at the fastest annual rate in more than four years back in October . My husband and I decided to capitalise on this opportunity and opted to sell our beautiful home , well exceeding the ceiling price of our road . Had this been the plan from the beginning , the project probably should have been approached with more of a developer mindset , focusing on adding value for minimal outlay . Which if I ’ m honest , doesn ’ t have quite the same appeal !
So , we are excited to be commencing project number two , our forever home , or maybe not ... Again assisted by Attoe Building Designs . The project will commence early next year , another railside property with huge potential . We will document the journey via our home renovation Instagram , linked on @ AttoeBuildingDesign when we ’ ve moved in .
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