Mischiefsmum

I’m not sure if this is the right place to post so apologies if not. I’ve fallen hard for rustic wood a-frames but I’m struggling to find a supplier in the uk. I’ve seen Avrame and MADi, both of which I like but have more of a sleek polished finished than I like. I much prefer the unfinished wood aesthetic and don’t need a premium finish or price. Is there anyone over here offering kits like that? Or any tips on searching for them? Also, I like the looks of these Cabins. They say they can be made fully residential with building reg friendly options. Any thoughts? Anyone used anything similar? i appreciate that while the building itself appears fairly reasonable costs will soon mount up with installation if needed, fitting out with electrics, plumbing, connecting services etc. But are these viable options? Am I barking up the wrong tree/timber build? Many thanks.

Wow you guys, so much to take in already. Will def check out the recommendations. In no particular order and not to deliberately leave anyone out, @TheMitchells I’ve come across Barbara Jones before, I’m not sure if she was involved in the straw bale visitor centre I ran, so long ago I can’t remember. Loving the look of the cassette system. Thanks for the link @Cambs For me I just love the feel of straw, cob, wood etc. I’m not into more conventionally built homes. Straw bales are also really good for people with allergies as they are inert being just the hollow stem of wheat etc and not the seed heads found in hay. I know bales are more expensive and larger than they were when the building o was involved in was built but they can still be had. Q @AnonymousBosch I hadn’t seen that one as hadn’t looked outside of the west county but would certainly be worth checking g out next time I’m up that way. Interesting to look at others, a few of us are in conversation about starting our own community. I love a bit of idea pinching and info sharing. Thank you so much @NSS for the lovely kind words. The past year (its a year this week he finally entered the terminal stages) has been hard beyond belief, not least as I was also threatened with court action as unbeknownst to me a car rental co refused to pay out to third party after an accident two years ago and my dad also had a health scare. However, I finally feel like I am emerging from the fog. Don’t get me wrong it’s going to be years in the healing but I can feel my old positivity making an appearance. I know being a landlord is full of risks but I have an advisor I trust in the form of an excellent letting agent. I know I will lose some of the income to fees but I can trust them to do me right. I couldn’t face having lodgers in my house. If it doesn’t work it doesn’t work but I’m not earning anything with money in the bank. Sorry if I’ve missed anyone but I’m so grateful to all who have chipped in with advice, suggestions and kind words. I honestly can’t see which way this will pan out but we’ll see. Thanks all, Helen

Thank you all so much for the warm welcome and advice already. I’m flexible and open to ideas. I’d love a round log cabin but sooo expensive. Second to that I have fallen for A-frames but struggling to find any uk suppliers. I like the look of Avrame but too polished a finish for me. I used to work in a straw bale building and we talked seriously for some while about that or cob but I don’t have the physical wherewithal for that anymore as it’s just me. I guess my vague idea is a kit house and a builder to put it together. But I'm also toying with the idea of community or co-housing to build an extended family for us. Or even a place for us and my folks. So so many options, just trying to put some facts to ideas to help with decision making. Is it naive to not worry too much about future mortgagebility (is that a word?) as this will be cash and I don't plan to sell on? I'm so sorry to hear of others effected in similar ways to us. Cancer is cruel and indiscriminate. I count us fortunate as he could have died at diagnosis as it presented violently or any one of several near misses after but we had six years so my little girl has memories of daddy. I’m now determined to make the life for her we always wanted her to have. I'll post some other specific questions in the timber frame section unless anyone tells me a better suited place. thank you all again.

Hello all, i stumbled across this forum whilst researching the possibility of self building. A little back story to explain why I’m here. My husband died earlier this year after six years of trying to treat his brain tumours. He left me and our little girl. I am now planning to move within a 20mile radius of Plymouth to be near my parents as apart from mother in law there is no other family. Money is tight and I’m selling our home to fund a small rental and a place for me and Mischief. We had always wanted to build our own place but staying close to our amazing medical team prevented us. I’m at the very start of my information gathering journey and trying to figure out if a timber cabin is an economically sound way of obtaining the home I want for us and facilitate the lifestyle I’m pursuing. I’m aware that it’s probably going to cost a lot more than I expect but wondering if in the end it will be a little less than buying a square box among other square boxes Thanks for reading and I look forward to chatting to you all. Mischiefs Mum