Hannah Bird and her husband Charlie, a professional golfer, are breaking the mould with their budget-friendly approach to building a home in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset. Instead of bricks and mortar, the 26-year-old couple are constructing their two-bedroom house using insulated concrete form (ICF) blocks made of polystyrene — a method they liken to assembling Lego.
In June 2022, they purchased a 0.25-acre plot of land for £70,000. Determined to keep costs low, they have taken on approximately 80% of the building work themselves, thereby avoiding £30,000 in labour expenses. This hands-on approach, combined with the efficiency of ICF blocks—which easily slot together and are then filled with concrete—has allowed the couple to save more than £100,000. They anticipate their total investment, including land, will not exceed £200,000.
Hannah explains, “We initially wanted to renovate an existing property, but renovations around here were £200,000 and often lacked a roof. New builds were even pricier—starting around £375,000 for a two-bedroom house—and we heard too many stories of faults shortly after moving in.” Faced with limited options, they decided to build from scratch, investing time and effort but gaining control and significant savings.
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The process has been surprisingly straightforward. Hannah describes the blocks as “idiot-proof” and says they relied heavily on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to troubleshoot during construction. “It seemed almost too easy at first,” she admits.
Their 140-square-metre home is about halfway through construction. The roof installation is imminent, with installations for electricity and water nearly complete. The couple expects to be ready to move in by summer 2026, having officially started work on the blank plot in April 2024 after securing planning permission for a two-bedroom plus office layout.
In addition to the innovative building method, the couple have improved their plot with recycled tarmac on the driveway, new fencing, and landscaping featuring trees, bushes, and flowers. They have kept a strict budget, saving throughout their seven-year relationship, and have planned modern amenities such as heated floors, a stylish kitchen, bathrooms, and even a laundry chute—Charlie’s personal preference.
Hannah is optimistic about the financial benefits of their DIY build: “While renovating is one thing, building from scratch means we’re essentially making more profit by saving money upfront. We hope to invest in this home for a few years before considering future projects.”
Currently staying with their parents, the couple eagerly awaits the day they can finally move into their custom-built home. Their innovative, hands-on approach serves as an inspiring example of how young couples can achieve homeownership affordably in today’s challenging housing market.