Building the Dream

Charlie meets Adam and Vicki Nicholl, who plan to self-build a new, barn-style home in the garden of Adam's mum's home. Vicki is a tax advisor and Adam works in marketing. The 30-somethings have grown tired of life in the city and are planning to move back to the village of Pirton, where they grew up. Doing the building themselves is the only way they can afford to get the house they want in the village, and they could potentially save around £100,000 by doing it this way. After having a close look at their plans, Charlie's got some bright ideas, but can he convince Adam and Vicki to alter the designs of their dream home?

Charlie goes messing about on the river with Bill and Angie Jenkins, who plan to knock down their cold, old bungalow on the banks of the Thames and build a new home to match the stunning location.

Andrew and Vicki Dodden live in the village of Cannington, near Bridgwater, Somerset. The Doddens own a loft conversion company and Andrew wants to build his own eco-home.

Charlie meets Ian and Steph Shaw, who are self-building an oak framed cottage in West Sussex. But is this what Steph really wants?

Josh and Rhian Cooper plan to knock down a 1960s detached house and replace it with a stylish home high on the cliffs overlooking the pretty seaside town of Aberdovey.

Charlie meets Pete and Jen Chumley, who are building a five bedroom family home in rural Perthshire for themselves and children Niamh and Miles.

Charlie heads for Over in Cambridgeshire, where he meets Sally and John Lane, who are planning to save £125k by building a kit house from Germany.

Charlie meets Liz and Robin Leonard, who plan to build a three bedroom home with views over the Sussex coastline.

Charlie goes to the West Country to meet Kevin and Liz Davies, who want to build a new family home. Tired of arguing over what's on TV with their kids, Kevin and Liz are building a five bedroom house that has enough room for everyone, from two separate lounges to a big kitchen diner.

Mark and Abigail Smyth want to build a barn style home and by choosing to self-build hope to save around £130,000. Charlie has several ideas on how Mark and Abi could adapt their plans. As well as Charlie's suggestions, Mark and Abi visit architect Jeremy Spratley, who's converted and extended a similar size barn in Buckinghamshire.

Charlie visits Andy and Mandy Boylett in Yarm, in the north east of England, where the couple are building a huge bungalow, complete with basement and sunken garden, as they pursue the dream of living mortgage free. If Andy and Mandy can stick to their budget, they could save more than £130,000. But the build soon becomes more disaster zone than dream home, as the couple battle one huge problem after another.