HBXL User Case Studies...

Steve Leake, Self Builder

08/10/2008 15:24:00

Having completed a number of restoration projects Steve and Karen Leake decided it was time they fulfilled their ambition and build from scratch their dream home.

Many people across the country have a life long ambition to build and then live in a home they designed and built themselves.So having completed a number of restoration projects, including their current home in Berkshire, Steve and Karen Leake along with their daughter Rachel, decided it was time they fulfilled their life long ambition and go the whole hog and build from scratch their dream home.

Having spent the past 18 months searching for the ideal plot, the Leake’s have now secured some land, through auction, in the village of Brinkworth, Wiltshire.

Reputedly the UK’s longest village, the rural setting is something the Leake’s wanted when looking for the ideal setting and has set them off on the right footing.

The family now plan to design and build a 2 ½ storey, three-bedroom house, incorporating numerous eco-friendly and sustainable features such as ground source heating and rainwater harvesting systems.

The property will comprise three, en-suite, double bedrooms, with a study/fourth bedroom being downstairs. The property will also include a handy basement.

Commenting on the project, Steve said: “We’re thrilled that we’ve now found and bought a plot of land. Once we made the decision that we really wanted to build our own home, it seemed like an age before we found the right plot.

However, now that we’ve got over this first hurdle things have started to move very quickly indeed.

And to make sure the project runs as smoothly as possible, Steve and Karen have purchased three of the country’s most powerful and easy to use building software packages.

Developed by HBXL, the building software specialist company, the three packages include PlansXpress, EstimatorXpress and Health & Safety Xpert.

It now means the Leakes can design and plan their new home, work out exactly how much the project will cost right down to the last screw and make sure all their health and safety paperwork is right up to date.

Launched only a year ago, PlansXpress is a CAD based software that allows users to quickly and easily draw building plans and elevations without the need for employing the services of an architect.

Unlike anything else on the market, all Steve has to do is lay out the plans on-screen using intuitivedrag and drop tools, selecting as he goes using the software’s comprehensive library of
construction and architectural symbols.

At the click of his mouse, he will be able to accurately place walls and roofs, staircases, doors, windows, electrics and plumbing, drainage, kitchens and bathrooms, landscaping and more.

And once his plans are complete PlansXpress then links directly to EstimatorXpress, which calculates the cost of the project based on the drawings. It means the Leakes will know exactly how much the project will cost and how much any alterations will cost them.

The final aspect of the software is that all the health and safety paperwork will be automatically produced, through Health & Safety Xpert, again based on the plans.

It means the Leakes won’t fall foul of the Health & Safety Executive. Steve added: “We’ve just started using the software and have been very impressed. It allows us to fiddle around with the design of the house which then gives us an instant and accurate idea on cost. That way we’ll be able tokeep a very close eye on the budget.”

Hoping to be on site in Spring 2009, the Leakes aren’t setting themselves any rigid deadlines. And by buying the majority of plant and equipment means they won’t be pressured by suppliers.

Steve continued: “This is a life long ambition so we’re going to make sure we do it right and enjoy the project. If it means a few weeks delay then so be it but hopefully we’ll be in by Christmas 2009.

HBXL