Tash South and her husband built their own home in Archway, London, for around £1 million. The property is now valued at between £1.6 and £1.7 million, a rise of roughly 70%.
Building from scratch
The couple, unable to find a home in their price range, bought a plot of land from neighbours. Inspired by another self-build on their road, they took on the project, which took almost five years from start to finish. They moved into their home in 2018.
Tash, originally from South Africa, worked as a graphic designer before renovating her first flat. She now works in interior design and renovation consultancy, and hosts a renovation podcast.
Finance and costs
The land cost £310,000, and the build cost between £600,000 and £700,000, bringing the total to around £1 million. They sold their flat for £675,000 to buy the land outright. A specialist building loan from BuildStore released funds in stages.
Their mortgage and bills together cost around £2,100 per month. Tash noted that the process was not necessarily cheaper than buying a house, but it allowed them to break the cost into sections.
Living through the build
While building, the couple moved in with Tash's in-laws and then rented in Crouch End. On the day they took over as project managers, Tash discovered she was pregnant with her second child. They moved in four weeks before she was born.
The couple had to find their own tradespeople for electrics, plumbing, and finishing. They planned everything meticulously, a process that influenced Tash's career shift.
Design and future plans
The home features open-plan living, a large dining table for entertaining, exposed brick, and beams. Tash added cabinetry, plants, and items from her African heritage to give the new house character.
The property has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a guest loo. Tash said the open-plan layout is getting trickier as her eldest daughter is now a teenager.
Looking ahead, Tash said the term 'forever home' fills her with dread. She would consider a big renovation in the future, though she is unsure about building another house.
