Join MTBO
[52] The Hidden Risk of Doing Everything Yourself
Map data: Google, Airbus

Location

  • East of England

Build Start

  • 2005

Architect

  • UNKNOWN

Total Floor Area

  • 296 m²
  • [Source: Marketing ]
Kelly and Masako Neville built a highly bespoke hexagonal eco-home on six acres in the Cambridgeshire Fens for an unusually low construction cost, largely because Kelly supplied most of the skilled labour himself. His carpentry experience made the project possible, but it also concentrated an uncomfortable amount of risk into one person. When the sale of their previous home collapsed, cashflow dried up and the build nearly stalled completely. The result is an impressive example of what hands-on self-build can achieve, but also a warning about relying too heavily on your own labour, your own health and money that has not yet arrived.

Site Purchase Price

  • £ 323,400

Site Area

  • 24,281m²

Site Cost Per m²

  • £ 13

Initial Budget

  • £ 148,800

Total Spend

  • £ 487,100

Budget Overspend

  • 10.01%

Cost Per m²

  • £ 553

Site Coverage

  • 0.6%

Plot Ratio

  • 1.22%

Land V Build Costs

Land 66%
Build 34%
All Figures Indexed To
  • 01 Jan 2026

Construction Type

  • Concrete, Insulation, Plaster, Render, Timber Frame

Materials

  • Clay, Concrete, Lime, Oak, Straw, Wood

Features

  • Eco-Friendly, Underfloor Heating, Views

Kelly and Masako Neville built a highly bespoke hexagonal eco-home on six acres in the Cambridgeshire Fens for an unusually low construction cost, largely because Kelly supplied most of the skilled labour himself. His carpentry experience made the project possible, but it also concentrated an uncomfortable amount of risk into one person. When the sale of their previous home collapsed, cashflow dried up and the build nearly stalled completely. The result is an impressive example of what hands-on self-build can achieve, but also a warning about relying too heavily on your own labour, your own health and money that has not yet arrived.

Become a (free) member to keep reading

To help protect my work from web scraping, I've placed it behind this membership wall. Join today to get access to all content for free.

Already an MTBO Member? Log in to MTBO

Grand Review

  • 52

Lesson Learned

  • 1
Understand Your Limitations

Self-building is a massive undertaking that requires significant physical and mental energy. If you lack experience in construction, consider hiring an experienced builder or mentor to provide guidance throughout the process.

  • DIY, Professional

Grand Review

  • 52

Lesson Learned

  • 2
Plan Financially

Have a clear understanding of your financial limits before starting the build. Unexpected costs can arise, and having a budget and contingency plan is essential to avoid financial strain and reliance on credit.

  • Budget, Funding

Grand Review

  • 52

Lesson Learned

  • 3
Choose Materials Wisely

Selecting eco-friendly and locally sourced materials can enhance sustainability while keeping costs down. Research the best insulation and construction materials suitable for your climate and design.

  • Working With Others

Grand Review

  • 52

Lesson Learned

  • 4
Build With Nature

Designing your home around natural landscape features and using natural shapes can improve energy efficiency and aesthetic appeal. Incorporating elements like hexagonal designs can reflect natural patterns and enhance sustainability.

  • Design, Sustainability

Grand Review

  • 52

Lesson Learned

  • 5
Consider Your Support System

Projects can quickly become overwhelming, so having a reliable support system, whether it’s family, friends, or experienced professionals, can alleviate stress and provide assistance when necessary.

  • Working With Others

Grand Review

  • 52

Lesson Learned

  • 6
Embrace Flexibility

Be prepared for things to go wrong and have a flexible mindset. A willingness to adapt and devise alternative solutions, such as hiring extra help or changing methods, can keep the project moving forward when challenges occur.

  • Design, Time Management

Grand Review

  • 52

Lesson Learned

  • 7
Be Mindful Of Safety

Working on a building site can be dangerous. Prioritise safety measures to prevent accidents. If you are undertaking heavy lifting or risky tasks, consider hiring professionals or getting additional assistance.

  • Challenges, Construction

Grand Review

  • 52

Lesson Learned

  • 8
Test Before You Commit

Before finalising design choices or materials, perform small tests or look for local examples. For instance, ensure that the insulation or finish you choose performs well in your local climate.

  • DIY, Professional

Grand Review

  • 52

Lesson Learned

  • 9
Focus On Labour Division

Take advantage of community support or skilled friends for labour-intensive tasks. This not only speeds up the build but also fosters a sense of community and reduces strain on you as the primary builder.

  • Working With Others

Grand Review

  • 52

Lesson Learned

  • 10
Allow For Weathering And Aging

Understand that natural materials will change and age beautifully, and consider this in your design. Building with the intention that your home will evolve over time can create a deeper connection with the environment.

  • Materials

Grand Review

  • 52

Lesson Learned

  • 11
Keep The End Goal In Mind

Regularly revisit your initial goals for self-sufficiency and sustainability. This will help you stay focused and motivated throughout the long build process.

  • Reflections

Grand Review

  • 52

Lesson Learned

  • 12
Document The Journey

Keeping a record of your build can help in managing challenges and celebrating milestones. It can also serve as a useful guide for future projects or for others who are considering a similar path.

  • Reflections

Grand Review

  • 52

Lesson Learned

  • 13
Make Space For Reflection

Post-build, take time to reflect on your experience. Understanding what you learned, both technically and emotionally, can help inform future projects and improve your self-building philosophy.

  • Reflections

Acknowledgment:

This is a non-commercial review carried out for the purposes of study in developing an understanding of the requirements of self-build in the UK.

The views and opinions expressed are my own and is not affiliated in any way with Grand Designs or Channel 4.  All information on this page has been gathered from publicly available sources.

The plot/site information was located using Land Registry and The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities Data which contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

The lessons learned are derived from my interpretations and observations of a publicly disseminated case study and are in no way meant to be a substitute to the original.

Click here to view the original case study on the Channel 4 website.

More
Reviews

Log in to read this content

We'll email you a magic code to log you in without a password.