Posted on: 27th November 2014

Jodie’s Self Build Timber Frame Blog

Jodie Kitto has just embarked on her own self build timber frame journey, here she takes you through her planning and build experiences…

Background

To start, I am a very lucky girl thanks to my Gran Kathleen and Auntie Edith. Without their help I would not be doing what I am doing now!

I bought a house in Dartmouth, at an auction in Feb 2012. With masses of help from my other half Andrew and his crew I renovated this property and sold it on earlier this year 2014. Selling this property enabled me to provide increased capital to build my oak frame farm cottage. The cottage was originally used as a gardeners cottage to the main house, Trevarth house.

My dad has let me (very, very kind of him!) build my very own house on the farm. Dad is the second generation to have our farm in Lanner, Cornwall. I’m very anxious to make this amazing house that I have in my mind with quite a small budget really. Also, majorly wanting my dad to see what can be done on a smaller budget as he insists that I cannot do the build for the amount of money I have. Now this may be true and I may have to borrow to finish the project but Andrew is pushing every quote down as far as possible!

March 2014 – Planning

New self build timber frame elevation plans.

Jodie Kitto’s new self build timber frame elevation plans.

I applied for planning on the cottage, complete mind field having not done anything like this ever before! How exciting. Reading through all of the forms, some of it just makes no sense at all!

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April/May 2014 – Show Home Visit

The Carpenter Oak Show Barn in DevonAndrew, having worked with Carpenter Oak on a previous build on the river Dart wanted to show me what is possible at the show home in Dittisham, near Dartmouth. Beautiful oak frame inside a smart, airtight and elegant build. Why would you not want to use oak?

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August/September 2014 – The Chase

Self Build Timber Frame - Demolition Stages

Self Build Timber Frame – Demolition Stages

Needing to get on with things now, Adam Milton and team are keen to get going having seen the farm and cottage for themselves. Very persistently ringing me and Andrew to pin down dates and get things moving. Adam, explaining how busy Carpenter Oak is, needs me to make a decision whether to take the slot available in November or next spring! So, this November it is then!

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October 2014

Self Build Timber Frame - Demolition Stages

Self Build Timber Frame – Demolition Stages

Discharge of Planning conditions…full planning!

Finally all set. Due to go down tomorrow to demolish the cottage so pretty close – very strange to think that the pretty, derelict building that has been there is to be taken down!

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November 2014 – Raising Of The Frame

Almost there with the oak frame construction

Almost there with the oak frame construction

So with the trench footings dug out and the foundations laid, the oak has arrived and it’s time for the frame to be raised. With Andrew on the crane and the Carpenter Oak crew on the ground, it took no time at all to put the enormous jigsaw together – just two days! Suddenly the outline of a home can be seen, and for the first time the spaces inside can be imagined.

The SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) have just arrived and are being installed at this moment – they should be done by next Tuesday (just under a week) and within a couple of weeks the building should be watertight.

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Carpenter Oak will be following Jodie’s self build timber frame journey, check back for updates! Or why not get in touch to talk about your plans? We’re happy to talk through you ideas at any stage – in fact the sooner your timber framer is included in your discussions, the smoother the rest of the process.

Jodie’s Self Build Timber Frame News