A young couple from Somerset are on track to save more than £100,000 by constructing their own detached house using an innovative building method involving polystyrene blocks.
The Ambitious Self-Build Project
Hannah Bird, 26, a travel blogger, and her husband Charlie, 26, a professional golfer, purchased a 0.25-acre plot of land in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, for £70,000 in June 2022. Faced with local new-build prices starting at £375,000 for a two-bedroom property, they decided to take on the challenge of building their own home from scratch.
They began construction on the empty land in April 2024, after receiving planning permission for a two-bedroom home with an office. To avoid approximately £30,000 in labour costs, the pair have undertaken around 80% of the work themselves.
Building with Polystyrene 'Lego'
The couple opted for a modern construction system known as Insulated Concrete Framework (ICF), which uses hollow polystyrene blocks that slot together like Lego and are then filled with concrete.
"It's literally like Lego," Hannah explained. "It's idiot-proof. For what a bricklayer took a week to do, together we could do in an hour. We did the up to DPC (damp proof course) level in a couple of days."
They submitted their house plans to the block supplier to calculate the quantities needed and had a representative guide them through the initial installation process. Their 140sqm home is currently about halfway complete, with the roof installation imminent and utility tunnelling nearly finished.
Sticking to a Strict Budget
The couple have meticulously planned their finances, having saved money throughout their seven-year relationship. Their total projected costs, excluding the land, are approximately £190,000.
The breakdown of their costs includes:
- Plot preparation and groundwork: around £18,000
- ICF structure, concrete and steel: approximately £40,000
- Roof and windows: approximately £22,000
- Plumbing, electrics and heating: approximately £18,000
- Internal works and finishes: approximately £22,000
Their future home will feature two bedrooms, one office, a garage, and eight parking spaces. They plan to include heated floors and even a laundry chute, a particular request from Charlie.
The couple, who are currently living with their parents, anticipate completing the build and moving in by the summer of 2026. While they don't plan to stay there forever, they intend to remain for a significant period, mindful of tax implications if they were to sell within two years.
Hannah reflected on their achievement: "We're making a lot of profit doing it ourselves. I suppose it's no different to doing a renovation, but the fact is essentially we're making more money doing it from scratch. We're taking the time to save more money."
