The £100,000 Saving Self-Build Project
A resourceful young couple from Somerset are on track to save a staggering £100,000 by constructing their own home using an unconventional building material: polystyrene blocks. Hannah and Charlie Bird, both 26, decided to take on the ambitious self-build project after becoming disillusioned with the high costs and potential issues of both renovations and new-build estates in their area.
From Land Purchase to Lego-Like Construction
Their journey began in June 2022 when they purchased a quarter-acre plot of land in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, for £70,000. Faced with local two-bedroom new builds starting at around £375,000, they chose a more hands-on and cost-effective path. The pivotal moment came at a building show in December 2023, where they discovered Insulated Concrete Framework (ICF) – interlocking polystyrene blocks that are filled with concrete.
Hannah, a travel blogger, described the system as being "like Lego" and "idiot proof". The efficiency was remarkable: "For what a bricklayer took a week to do, together we could do in an hour," she explained. The couple reached the damp-proof course level in just a few days, handling about 80% of the building work themselves to avoid an estimated £30,000 in labour costs.
Budget Breakdown and Dream Features
The couple have meticulously budgeted for their 140-square-metre home, with a total projected cost of £190,000. Their detailed cost breakdown is as follows:
- Land purchase: £70,000
- Plot preparation and groundwork: Around £18,000
- ICF structure, concrete, and steel: Around £40,000
- Roofing and windows: Around £22,000
- Plumbing, electrics, and heating: Around £18,000
- Internal finishes and fixtures: Around £22,000
This strict budgeting, funded largely through savings from their university years, allows them to incorporate deluxe amenities like heated floors and a laundry chute. The finished property will boast two bedrooms, a dedicated office, a garage, and parking for eight vehicles.
Currently, the build is approximately halfway complete. The roof is expected to be finished shortly, and tunnelling for essential utilities is almost done. Prior to construction, the couple prepared the land by clearing it, installing fencing, and replacing a narrow driveway with a recycled tarmac surface, also adding trees and shrubs.
While they await their projected move-in date of summer 2026, Hannah and Charlie are living with parents in Burnham-on-Sea, eagerly anticipating the completion of their unique, cost-effective dream home.
