A BRITISH couple sold their troubled new-build home and moved to rural Canada to build their dream house mortgage-free after snapping up seven acres of land for £30,000.
Chris and Sarah Kennealy, both 41, left Basingstoke, , in August 2023 after growing fed up with the cost and frustrations of
Sarah and Chris Kennealy ditched the UK to build their dream home in CanadaCredit: SWNS
They managed to buy seven acres of land for just £30,000 and are building a three-bedroom homeCredit: SWNS
Beyond the house itself, Sarah says life in rural Canada feels vastly different from the UKCredit: SWNS
The pair had spent four years in their but say constant issues such as leaks and drafts in the house left them disappointed.
They decided to move to rural Nova Scotia and sold their three-bed new build for a £100k profit.
The two chose the area of as it was one of the cheapest available for them to get a start in buying land, due to it being more expensive to buy in places like Alberta and British Colombia.
This allowed them to buy seven acres of land for £30,000 – and use their remaining to build the three-bed home.
Sarah, an electrical apprentice, said their dream had always been to , something they felt was impossible back in Britain.
She said: “We bought a new build and from day one it just had issue after issue. We had tradesmen in for months trying to fix things.
“It got to the point where we didn’t even love the house anymore. We’d paid so much money for the tiniest little plot and just wanted more space.
“We decided, as you do, to buy land in and build our own house. There’s no way we could have afforded anything like this back home.
“We bought seven acres for 60,000 Canadian dollars, about £30,000. In the UK you’d be talking millions for that kind of space.”
The couple , who married in October 2018, sold their UK property in February 2023 for £500,000.
Trying to remain mortgage-free has meant building only when funds allow, stretching the timeline furtherCredit: SWNS
The pair had previously spent four years in their new-build property but say constant issues such as leaks and drafts in the house left them disappointedCredit: SWNS
By August 2023, they had relocated to rural Nova Scotia with just nine suitcases and their two , their Rottweiler, Thor, and Doberman, Loki.
Before leaving the UK, they spent six monthsto free up funds, later upgrading to an RV when they moved to Canada, which has now been their home for more than two years while they build.
The couple say the building process in rural Canada has been far simpler and cheaper than anything they experienced in Britain.
Sarah said: “Our building permit cost about 150 dollars. Back home you’d spend thousands just submitting drawings.
“Here, you apply for a permit, explain what you’re doing, and they either approve or decline it. We haven’t had anything turned down.”
When they first arrived, the land was heavily overgrown and took months to clear.
Sarah said their dream had always been to build their own home, something they felt was impossible back in BritainCredit: SWNS
They relocated to rural Nova Scotia with just nine suitcases and their two dogs, their Rottweiler, Thor, and Doberman, LokiCredit: SWNS
Sarah said: “It looked like a jungle. We spent weeks flattening it out and found an old trailer standing we could reuse as a base.
“We dug all the foundations ourselves. We hand-mixed cement in a mixer and I was carrying buckets back and forth. It’s just been the two of us doing everything.”
conditions also slowed progress, with frozen ground in and waterlogged land in meaning they could only lay foundations in early .
Trying to remain mortgage-free has meant building only when funds allow, stretching the timeline further.
But by the end of November 2025, the entire frame, roof, windows and doors were installed, making the structure watertight.
The finished home will feature cathedral ceilings, open-plan living and large front-facing windows to maximise natural heat from the sun.
They’ve also chosen metal roofing and siding to reduce maintenance and improve fire resistance.
The couple are living in an RV while they build their Canadian houseCredit: SWNS
Living in the RV may have been cost effective, but Sarah jokes it has made her appreciate the smaller things.
She said: “I cannot wait to have a bath, living in an RV for two years means you aren’t feeling as clean and glamorous as you would with a full operating bathroom.
“We’ve already bought two beautiful tubs ready to go in. They’re just sat there waiting for walls.”
Chris, a carpenter joiner, is looking forward to simple comforts too, more head height and finally having space for a king-sized bed.
Beyond the house itself, Sarah says life in rural Canada feels vastly different from the UK.
Sarah said: “People are so much friendlier here. There’s basically no crime where we are. People leave doors unlocked and don’t worry.
“It’s quiet. Our dogs get beach walks every day. It’s just a completely different pace of life.”
The couple say the building process in rural Canada has been far simpler and cheaper than anything they experienced in BritainCredit: SWNS
The couple estimated that the finished house could be sold for between £400,000 and £500,000.
So far, they have spent around £30,000 getting the structure to its current stage and expect to spend a similar amount again to finish it.
They also plan to sell five and a half acres of their wooded land to help fund the final stages of construction.
They hope to move in between September and October of this year, towards the end of the summer before the cold creeps in once more.
Despite the physical and emotional challenges, Sarah says they are proud of what they have achieved.
She said: “It’s been so hard at times, but everything has been done by us.
“We’ve gone from renovating furniture in to building our own home in Canada. That’s something we never imagined we’d be able to say.”
The rise of tiny homes
By Jonathan Rolande
Property expert Jonathan Rolande told Fabulous: The reason we are seeing more creative ways of finding a home: super-high property prices and rents. Younger people are remaining in the family home later in life to avoid paying high prices and to save for a deposit. With increasingly busy lives, staying within a larger family group makes sense, chores such as gardening and housework can be shared.
Garages are rarely used for their intended purpose as cars are far more reliable and less prone to rust and so are perfectly happy outside. On the other hand, the amount of property space per person has been shrinking – converting a garage can make great sense.
Things to consider. (the boring stuff)
Usually easier than building from scratch but still a lot to do to turn a garage in to a habitable space.
You’ll need to check if you need planning (more likely to be required if the garage is detached).
Building Regulations stipulate many things to make homes safe and secure. Consider
Walls, are they cavity?
Roof height
Windows
How will you get plumbing, electrics and drainage connected
Insulation – it will be cold!
Fire safety
Damp proofing
Also consider if, by converting, you are adding or deducting value from the main home. Garages can add value in busy urban areas where parking is limited.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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