An Eaton Socon couple who risked their savings to build a dream home on a budget starred in BBC2’s The House That 100K Built on Wednesday (October 9).

Tom Allen, 34, and Zoe Godbold, 31, of Cunningham Way, fulfilled a life ambition by taking on the challenge of building a house, creating a home which Zoe described as “modern, fresh, with a homely feel”.

After buying a plot of land for £70,000, the couple had a strict budget of just £90,000 to bring the project to fruition – which they kept to by meticulous planning and doing as much work as possible themselves.

Although planning restrictions meant the outside of the three-bedroom detached home remained in keeping with the appearance of other houses on the estate, the couple have made a statement with the interior through the use of diverse materials and bold colour choices.

These include a bright green, orange and yellow colour scheme in the living room and perspex screens between the hall and lounge.

Throughout the eight-month building process they were regularly visited by a camera crew for the programme in which architectural journalist Kieran Long and architect Piers Taylor follow self-builders on modest budgets.

Mr Allen, a regional business manager, said: “The crew make you feel very relaxed – it’s almost like you forget about the cameras. It was really fun to do and really inspirational for us.”

While they hired professionals for the main parts of the project, they also worked on the house late into the night from last November until June this year, before moving in at the end of September.

The couple, who have been together for six years, were inspired to set about building their home together as Mr Allen is involved with self-build projects in his role at a timber frame company.

He said: “Seeing other people and knowing the experience that they go through and how exciting and rewarding it is really made me want to do it.”

They hope the programme will encourage other aspiring homeowners to consider building their own homes.

Mr Allen said: “It’s a bit of an emotional rollercoaster but when you have finished and you look back and reflect on it, it’s just fantastic – I’m so proud. It’s the most amazing thing you can do.”

Miss Godbold added: “It was exhausting but worth it. I would absolutely do it again and I would recommend building your own house to anybody.”

The episode can be found on BBC iPlayer at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03d0ql8/The_House_That_100k_Built_Tom_and_Zoe