Case Study
Self build, Laurencekirk
For Gary, building his own home had always been a dream, but the right opportunity had never come up, until now. When the perfect plot became available, the couple knew it was now or never. Working closely with the team at Fotheringham Homes, they turned their vision into a reality, creating a beautiful house they are proud to call home.
With their children having flown the nest, Maureen and Gary knew it was time to downsize. Having lived in Laurencekirk all her life, Maureen wanted to stay in the area, and when the plot right next door to their current home became available, they both knew it was the perfect opportunity to finally build their forever home.
Once they had secured the plot, the first step of the self-build process was to choose an architect. They decided to work alongside Crawford Architecture in Montrose, who guided them through the planning applications and various surveys required to get the project underway.
From the very beginning, Maureen and Gary were actively involved in their new home’s design: “We loved having a say in the layout and features, it makes such a difference knowing our home was made just for us.” Maureen recalled.
Their key priorities included a spacious and welcoming hallway, a utility room and open-plan living areas - with every detail carefully considered for their needs. Crawford Architecture took all of their requirements on board and created a design that fit them perfectly.
The next step was selecting a builder to bring their self-build vision to life. After gathering three quotes, they ultimately chose Fotheringham Homes. “I think we always wanted Fotheringham Homes to build our home, their reputation goes before them and we always heard great things about them.” Maureen recalled.
Once construction was underway, Maureen and Gary worked closely with Fotheringham Homes’ Project Manager, Tracey, to explore different design options, drawing inspiration from other Fotheringham Homes.
“Seeing real homes rather than just floorplans helped us immensely. We wanted a lived-in feel rather than something that looked like a showhome and Fotheringham Homes understood that, they fully understood us as a customer.” Maureen stated.
With Tracey’s expert advice and guidance, they selected finishes, flooring and bathroom fittings to fit their style and complement their home. “Tracey was a godsend, she was absolutely out of this world, she was so easy to deal with, responded quickly to queries and we never felt like a nuisance.” Maureen said.
Maureen, Laurencekirk resident
From initial planning to moving in, the project spanned three years, with the actual construction of the property taking just 15 weeks to reach a wind and watertight stage. “We were amazed at how quickly the construction all came together. The team at Fotheringham Homes kept us updated every step of the way, which really put our minds at ease.”
As first-time home builders, Maureen and Gary relied heavily on the expertise of all the professionals involved. From the electricians and joiners, to the plumbers and decorators, every contractor played a crucial role in bringing their vision to life. “Everyone we worked with was fantastic, so professional, reliable and always willing to offer advice, which made the whole experience so much smoother.” Gary said.
While there were minor delays with utilities and service connections, the new homeowners found the overall experience to be seamless: “Any queries or issues we had were handled quickly and the process was not cumbersome. The communication was excellent, we always knew what was happening.” Maureen recalled.
Sustainability was also an important factor for the couple, and they opted for energy-efficient features such as underfloor heating and solar panels which were added later in the process.
For Maureen and Gary, the investment into a self-built home was worth every penny. “It's always been a dream of mine to build my own home. While building is definitely more expensive than buying an existing home, you just can't beat having a home exactly how you’d want it.” Gary remarked.
With just a few finishing touches left to complete, the couple are now enjoying their new bespoke home. “It’s everything we hoped for and more,” Maureen said. “The team at Fotheringham Homes made the whole process so smooth, their reputation goes before them, and we couldn’t recommend them enough.”
As they continue settling in, they are looking forward to making memories in their one-of-a-kind, dream home with their children and grandchildren.
Fotheringham Homes Director, Michael reflected on the project: “It’s always a privilege to help bring a client’s vision to life and working with Maureen and Gary was no exception. Self-build projects like this, allow us to tailor every element to our customer's exact wishes and seeing them so happy in their new home is exactly why we do what we do. We wish Maureen and Gary many years of happiness in their beautiful home.”
Maureen & Gary, Laurenckirk resident
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"Working with Fotheringham Homes on our self-build was a fantastic experience. Their reputation for quality and customer service drew us in, and they exceeded every expectation.
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Maureen & Gary, Laurencekirk resident
