Sycamore Cottage is a traditional stone built detached cottage located on Village Road in Eccup, north Leeds in a rural village setting surrounded by farmland in the Conservation Area. With views to the front overlooking the Eccup reservoir in the distance it was a perfect setting, but the building internally was tired and dated. It was in need of refurbishment, but on a tightly sloping site with limited access to the rear and the road splitting the property's land to the front, access was always going to be an issue with any scheme proposed. Our clients, bought the property in 2013 with a view to creating a four bedroom detached home for themselves by carrying out a major refurbishment of the property including extending it as much as possible and ideally adding a double garage. With a scheme quickly drawn up, it was decided that we needed to firstly, get approval for the double garage under permitted development guidelines which we did. Secondly we submitted the application for the main house under a full application and this also gained approval without delay. Moving on to the detailed design and building works, Bill and Liz wanted a very much hands on approach and with regards the fixtures and finishes they would be sourcing everything directly and appointing contractors, sub-contractors and specialist craftsmen as required. This was therefore to be a self build project in that Bill and Liz would be project managing it from start to finish. A main contractor was appointed to carry out the initial stages of demolition, site clearance, and the building of the main new elements including the two side extensions and the detached garage up to and including roof level and internal floors including some first fix elements such as the studwork for the partitions and first fix electrics and initial plumbing under the direction of Bill, but following this, their involvement was curtailed. Moving on to the finishes, specialist sub contractors and craftsmen where brought in, also under the direction of Bill to finish off. This included the supplying and fitting of the windows and doors, the laying of the flooring, the painting and decorating, the sourcing, designing and installing of the main staircase, the supplying and fitting of the kitchen and bathrooms, and finally the completion of the electrical installation, final plumbing and externally, the landscaping. Bill and Liz have completed this project from start to finish in under 16 months having moved in at the beginning of the year while still maintaining their full time jobs. This project is more than just an extension to an existing property, it has been a passion to create a home that they love.