The Combes were among the UK’s first custom builders – working alongside a specialist developer to take some of the stress and risk out of creating their new home. Could their journey inspire your project?

WORDS SOPHIE VENING PHOTOS ANDREW WALL/THE HOUSE AGENCY

Nicola and Jim Combe had lived in and appreciated the qualities of new-build developments for many years. So when they started their search for their dream home and saw the brand new Aldcliffe Yard canal-side development in Lancaster advertised in a local newspaper, they jumped at the chance to find out more about the opportunity.

“We initially considered tackling a traditional self-build, but thought it would be too difficult,” says Nicola. “When we set up a meeting with housing developers H20 we didn’t even know there was a custom build route available. However, after learning more about the scheme we realised that it would be a good compromise between running your own project and buying off-plan.”

FACT FILE

NAMES Jim & Nicola Combe

OCCUPATIONS Self-employed consultants

LOCATION Lancaster

TYPE OF PROJECT Custom build

STYLE Contemporary

CONSTRUCTION METHOD Timber frame

PROJECT ROUTE Developer-enabled custom build

PLOT SIZE 260m2

SERVICED PLOT COST £141,250

BOUGHT 2014

HOUSE SIZE 90m2

PROJECT COST £129,918

TOTAL COST £271,168

TOTAL COST PER M2 £1,444

VAT RECLAIM £6,000

BUILDING WORK COMMENCED October 2014

BUILDING WORK TOOK 85 weeks

CURRENT VALUE £300,000

The custom build route is inspired by continental models, and aims to offer a reduced-risk path to creating your own home. Typically, schemes are enabled by either a specialist developer or a local council. Elements such as key services (electricity, water and drainage) and access are usually already in place (or easy to arrange) and accounted for in the plot purchase price. Different projects offer different levels of customisation in terms of the exterior design, layouts and interior fit-out.

Lay of the land

Working with sister company Plot, H20 already had outline planning permission for the development, which consisted of 14 new three four-bedroom family homes, as well as a smattering of conversion opportunities for a number of grade II listed stone canal buildings.