Lynne and Steve Woolley (Video case study)
Norfolk 2000 00-323
DOUBLE YOUR MONEY WITH SELF BUILD
Thanks to the on going craze for renovation projects that will make money and property development, there are now fewer and fewer properties available requiring proper renovation.
It was this lack, which spurred on one Norfolk couple to take the plunge into self-build. Steve and Linda Woolley were looking for a property within a limited budget, which they could renovate and turn into a family home for themselves and their two children Daniel, 10, and Victoria, 7. But after months of searching and being unable to find anything they liked within their price range, they decided their only option was to start from scratch and build a home themselves.
Little did they realize they would be rewarded with a beautiful four-bedroom country home and garden and a £250,000 profit – a staggering 100% return on their initial outlay!
The Woolleys found their plot of land from a two line advertisement in the local paper. Set in an idyllic village in Norfolk, the L-shaped 1 ½ acre plot was just what they were looking for and after a tense time waiting for the results of a sealed bid they were delighted to be told the plots was theirs.
The couple first came across timber-frame self-build experts Potton while browsing the Internet. A quick scan of the company website and they discovered Potton have their very own show centre in Bedfordshire, complete with 3 show homes, and decided on a visit to get some guidance and advice.
It proved to be just the inspiration needed. Linda said: “We both love houses that have character and as soon as we saw the beams, bricks, inglenook fireplaces and vaulted ceilings of the Gransden range, we just fell in love with it straight away.”
The Woolleys were also keen to take advantage of Potton’s additional services for self-builders, particularly useful if like the Woolleys you have no previous experience of the self-build process. Linda said: “The planning service was good and helped us make the changes we wanted to the plans in order to get the home of our dreams. We also attended the Potton seminars and everyone was so friendly and helpful and the atmosphere very relaxing.”
While building work got underway, the Woolleys moved into a mobile home on-site, which for the children was a great adventure although not so enjoyable for Linda. With Steve just starting a new job, the couple decided to employ the services of a builder to do the majority of the work, but it was up to Linda to oversee the day-to-day management of the project.
She said: “The Potton team who came to erect the timber-frame were fantastic and went out of their way to help in any way they could, a great bunch of men and any minor problems were dealt with immediately and without fuss.”
The build lasted just nine months and the end result is a testament to the Woolleys commitment. Being big fans of older-style traditional houses, the Woolleys have kept the feel of their house as traditional as possible both inside and out.
Linda said: “We chose a flint exterior to blend in with the other houses in the village and we’ve got solid oak flooring inside with an inglenook fireplace and log burning stove. One of the best things about our house is that while the master bedroom is the largest, the other three bedrooms are all spacious and the same size. With most four bed houses you end up with one or two much smaller bedrooms.”
The Woolleys now plan to stay put and relax and enjoy the fruits of their labour. Linda said: “The whole process is challenging, but we are rewarded with a fantastic home. I would definitely do it again when the kids have left home and we want to downsize. I’ve already got a vision of a little cottage with a court yard garden somewhere!”
