Welcome to our building site
We have a budget of £40,000 and a deadline of September 2008 to build an eco extension to our home in Perth, Scotland. Are we crazy? Quite possibly. Can we build it? Let’s find out…
When we moved into our 1930s two-up, two-down in December it was with the intention of extending immediately. Having worked as a CAD technician, Donald returned to college as a mature student and got his degree in Architecture last year (he’s returning to do his Masters in September – hence the deadline). He was eager to put his newfound skills into practice. We are both long-time environmentalists and were determined to do this in a low impact way, using the most sustainable materials we could source. Then we started pricing them…
Watching Grand Designs or reading some of the books on the subject of eco building could lead you to believe that this option is only available to people with limitless budgets. Many ‘eco’ companies seem to charge a premium precisely because they are pitching themselves at this market. We’re still trying to figure out how products with a high recycled content are more expensive than virgin materials despite being made from raw material which is essentially free. There are other aspects of putting a home together that seem to have fallen below the eco radar completely, such as kitchens. However, having done our research and reaching a few compromises between budget and dreams, we are on our way to having our eco home.
One of our reasons for putting this online is to share what we’ve learnt with people who are in a similar situation to us – high ideals, low income. Please feel free to comment, question, suggest and criticise constructively. Doomsayers and climate change deniers please find some other blog to play on.
Donald and Gill
Renee (Mother Metaphor) said,
June 18, 2008 @ 4:49 pm
How onederful to see your progress! I am so looking forward to the completion! Will stay tuned!
Erica Calder said,
June 19, 2008 @ 6:22 am
Fantastic! Really looking forward to seeing the progress of Grand Designs Perth Style. Well done!
Miriam said,
June 19, 2008 @ 11:21 am
Wow, brilliant!! Well done you lot! Looking forward to all the updates.
Miriam Connor said,
June 20, 2008 @ 8:04 pm
Yaboyas! Lookig forwaed to watching your progress. Loads of bods this way have managed cheaper versions. (And plenty with not so cheaper!) Shout if you want me to pick brains on anything. My nearest thing to an eco affordable option of kitchen was a bespoke kitchen made of local wood bought for £200 from Scot ads :O)
Love and very best wishes.
Dream big :O)
Love Mir
huffanpuff said,
June 20, 2008 @ 9:05 pm
We’re following your lead on auctions. Picked up a fab writing desk and office chair for £30 last week. At the moment though what we need is a roof! Know any good roofers who don’t charge a fortune???