Episode Information Newhaven, Timber Frame Kit House

Date Published:

19/05/2008

Tim and Julia designed their new house for a beautiful setting on the Newhaven cliffs in East Sussex, which they stumbled on by chance. The location was crucial in their decision to build their own home, though the couple also wanted more space for their children - they have two each from previous marriages and now a new baby.

Tim and Julia bought their half-acre of land for £80,000 and spent about £75,000 - £8,000 more than they had budgeted - on the build. The overspend was mainly due to the fact that the foundations had to be a lot deeper than had been anticipated. 'I did a bit of everything but it's a false economy to try to do skilled work yourself,' says Tim. Julia also has some crucial advice: 'I would recommend building your own house, but you have to retain your sense of humour - and buying in a good supply of wine helps!'.

Julia did most of the designs but a qualified architect translated them into proper plans. The house is based on a timber frame with cedar boarding on the outside. It came as a kit, so the shell went up in about three days.

Inside the design incorporates a 30-foot L-shaped space combining living room and kitchen, making the most of the views with patio doors and lots of windows.

Julia was also keen to have a big utility room and a huge airing cupboard "because, if you've got those, even with five children you can keep the rest of the house reasonably clutter-free". The house has no mains drainage, using a biological system to purify used water enough to allow it to be discharged into a ditch, and rainwater is used to flush the toilet. Heat comes from wood-burning stoves and underfloor pipes, but because the house is south-facing and well insulated, relatively little heating is required.