Should we build again?

In 2008 we decided to buy a plot of land and build a house, in July 2010 we moved in. Those two years packed a lot of energy and activity, we enjoyed the process and want to do it all over again.

Working a demanding global role, often having to be in London or the US didn’t hinder building. We worked and played hard, building being the play. When not travelling I’d be racking up to 30 hours a week at the building site. The build took nine months from breaking ground to moving in.

Always thinking about the build, we could watch over and direct remotely via a hi-res IP camera, for example, I’d take a call from the builder’s merchant and direct the driver controlling the Hiab where to drop the loads, another time the technical architect was watching the site camera, and reported an internal wall being built in the wrong location!

By the end we had personally played more than 70% of the following roles; architect, heating engineer, electrician, plumber, painter, tiler, joiner, accountant and project manager, and site labourer. The only skills we avoided being plastering and groundwork.

Choosing to resource each trade vs using a general builder, my wife and I had to be in sync, to manage everyone onsite. Over the course of the project we had more than 80 contractors onsite. I was hands on leading the project, while Claire did most of the admin, always available to take calls, managed who was on-site, ordered materials, and logistics for deliveries.

This time we’re ten years older, and to add to the mix have two children and two dogs. Our children are soon to be seven and nine we see this as a family affair and plan to involve them in the design through to site activity.

Should we build again? Our minds are made up, our first build The Warren is for sale and we are hunting for land.