We have been toying with the idea of either a self-build or barn conversion for a few years now and when the opportunity arose to convert this beast into our forever home, we just had to snap it up! We are now a young family of five: our eldest daughter will soon be turning 13, and then we have two little girls aged 20 and 2 months! Many have called us brave (or stupid!) for taking on a self-build with a young family but we are excited about the adventure ahead and actually think it’s an ideal time before the youngest one is too mobile! I must say, though, that I’m already laughing at my possibly naive and idealistic view of the project ahead and sure I’ll look back at this when we’re in the darkest depths of the build and wonder what on earth we were thinking!
We are itching to get started on it but before then there’s a few hurdles to get through including selling our current home. We have decided to move into a static caravan on site while the build progresses (again: two under two…brave or stupid?!) to free up as much equity as possible and enable us to be close to the build to oversee it. We went on the market as soon as we found out the permitted development had been granted. Part of me wants it to sell quickly to avoid any hold ups with the barn’s progress, but on the other hand I am a big fan of creature comforts and want as little time in the caravan as possible!
We lived in a caravan on site with a 2 year old and a 5 year old during our build. It’s not too bad!
Definitely brave not stupid! Good on ya guys 🙂
Wow Naomi and what a fab project. I’d love to be in your shoes. A blank canvas, how exciting and so rewarding too. Wishing you all the best. You’ll have many happy memories building it and more living in it ? Xx
Hi Naomi, great to see your blog – a great read and exciting times. We’re doing similar things and we also have three daughters ;-). I shall be reading your blog. Best of luck! Kat X Restoration Girl 🙂
You have some excellent ideas.
We also have two young girls and are two weeks in to an atcost barn conversion. It is very exciting!!
If you want to see a bit of our building process have a look at my builder’s Facebook page yew tree construction- album little new barn farm. I haven’t seen many photos around of this type of barn conversion
Hope yours goes well, it looks amazing!!
We are currently looking at the possibility of converting an atcost barn, We have spent a lot of time trying to get as much information as possible especially with costs etc. Would really appreciate any advice or help. Thanks in advance