The Self Builders Podcast

Building your own home sounds like the dream. But what actually happens once you buy the plot and start the build? In this episode of The Self Builders Podcast , we speak with Sanjay, who shares the story behind building his 6,000 sq ft self-build home near Woburn , from spotting the perfect plot and paying over the guide price to managing trades, materials, and planning changes along the way. San...

In this episode of the Self-Builders podcast, host Sam Taylor and Mike Pawley welcome Andy Howes, who shares his journey of building his dream home. Andy discusses the challenges and decisions he faced, from choosing the right construction method to navigating the mortgage process and making design choices. He emphasizes the importance of understanding ground conditions, managing the construction...

In this episode of the Self Builders podcast, host Mike Pawley discusses the concept of custom-built homes with guests Janet Nuttall and Joe Higginson. They explore the unique offerings of Wellbank Park, a custom-built site in the Lake District, emphasising the importance of community, well-being, and the personalised journey of building a home. The conversation covers the process of purchasing a...

In this episode of the Self-Builders Podcast, hosts Sam Taylor and Mike Pawley explain what lenders are really looking for when you apply for a self-build mortgage. If you’re planning a project and want to avoid delays or rejected applications, this episode breaks down the key documents and preparation lenders expect before they approve funding. Sam and Mike walk through the most common issues len...

In this episode of the Self Builders Podcast, host Mike Pawley speaks with Gavin Wilkes from Dynamic Build Group about Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and its growing relevance in the self-building sector. They discuss the various services offered by Dynamic Build Group, including education and training for clients new to MMC, the benefits of using MMC for self-build projects, and common myth...

In this episode of the Self-Builders Podcast, host Sam Taylor speaks with Matthew Jones, who shares the story of building his own family home after nearly two decades working in the construction industry. Matt explains how years of experience in building projects led him to take on his own self-build, and what it was really like managing the process while balancing work, family life, and the reali...

In this episode of the Self-Builders Podcast, host Sam Taylor speaks with Adam, who shares the story of his first self-build project in North Hampshire. Adam explains how he and his family found their plot, how an existing outbuilding is being transformed into a three-bed family home, and the realities of managing a self-build while living nearby in temporary accommodation. Adam walks through the...

Our latest self-build client to share their journey is Laurence, who is here to chat about the inspiration behind their self-build, and exactly how their project went. Covering everything from navigating conservation conditions, construction and material choices, involvement in the project, project timeline and challenges, resilience and problem-solving in building, costing and budgeting, favourit...

This week we welcomed one of our clients, Charles, who took on an ambitious barn conversion project with the support of Mayflower Mortgage! Together we chat about the challenges and considerations involved in a barn conversion project, from finding the ideal property to navigating planning, financing, and unforeseen construction challenges. Charles also emphasises the importance of professional co...