Finally we're ont'elly... how did that happen?

11 months from when we first put a hole in the ground to start the foundations, we managed to move in and along the way build our dream home with the help and skills of some fantastic, friends, family and trades. We managed to do quite a bit of the work ourselves, found skills we didn't know we had, build it on budget (which was good, because we didn't have an extra few million to cover an over spend) and on time - not bad for someone who fixes cars!

Over the last few weeks I have contemplated what we have achieved (with the help of a quite few others) and it feels amazing to finally be living in our house. We poured our hearts and souls into the build and with the exception of the garden there isn't that much left to sort out. On the whole, I think we managed to stay pretty positive throughout the build with the relatively small issues experienced paling into insignificance when we look at what we've managed to do. Managing the build alongside working has been very challenging, emotional, sometimes frustrating, really exciting, great fun and at times very tiring, but extremely rewarding. Every success and imperfection we've had a significant part in. Not many people are lucky enough to build their own house and we feel very privileged to have done so. If anyone gets the chance, is prepared to make sacrifices and put in some hard work they should jump at the opportunity!

We were lucky enough to have our build recorded by the talented (not just with the camera) and generally nice fellow Lee Chapman. Thanks to Lee's filming along with the input from the rest of the True North Production team our house build will be visually documented forever. Lee who was on site with us regularly throughout -  helped us to adapt to being filmed with a massive lense in our little faces, keeping it relaxed and interesting and without impacting on progress. It is nice to think we have made a friend through one of the most significant 12 months of our lives and I am sure we will keep in contact in the future. Charlie, Christian, Stokey, Sally, Hayley among others at True North made our self-build journey fun, kept us (and some of the trades) on focus and on time along with providing us with some fantastic improvements to our home, which we wouldn't have thought possible and/or affordable - thanks for that Charlie, we didn't see it initially but in most cases you (and Fliss) were right.

While building, Fliss also managed to plan our wedding and while I moaned and groaned about help with the house on times, she managed to pull off a perfect day and the start of the next (hopefully slightly more relaxed) chapter of our lives together.

A massive thank you to everyone at True North and the friends, family, work colleagues, companies and trades who made it all possible. Here are some sneaky pics of our house which will be on later today, Tuesday 21st October 2014 - 9pm on More4 "Building the Dream."

 House designed, frame and shell erected by Border Oak with design drawings tweaks by Owen Hicks Architecture 

Open plan living space

Oak stairs made by Courtyard Designs, brushed Nickel handrail from Ironmongery direct and glass  from Balustrade UK

Liv's wardrobe handmade by Stuart Carter Furniture and painted by us

 Josh's bedroom not too messy yet

Bathroom tiles from Devant Designs, Hereford, Bathroom suit etc mixed and matched from various suppliers including reclaimed.

We love our new home. I hope you enjoy the programme as much as we enjoyed being part of it...

I will compile a list in a future blog with links where possible of the trades, companies and suppliers who we used along the way. Bye for now...