Welcome

If you pressed the pause button on your home building

Exciting eco renovation

Scott Batty Architect updated this tired 1970s building

Modernist house

This unique contemporary home is located in a conservation

Brits avoid DIY tasks

New figures from MoneySupermarket show over half of

East Sussex self build plots could get planning

Wealden District Council are considering a planning

What’s on?

THE HISTORICAL USE OF TIMBER

Many councils guilty of thwarting your Right to Build

Following a Freedom of Information (FoI) request, the

need to know

I’m so looking forward to the end of this wet and miserable

spendvsave

Made of natural larvikite stone from Norway, this robust

product news

Great shopping ideas for your custom home project

3 of the best ALUMINIUM SLIDERS

1 Concept Patio 68 (CP68), from £2,300, www. todayco.uk

interiors notebook

Bright colours and funky patterns are the foundations of maximalism. Here’s some inspiring examples of this extravagant style

Self build & custom build mortgages

Looking to fund your bespoke home project? Each month we round up the best deals from leading lenders and update you on what you need to know to secure the right finance

Ask the EXPERTS

Essential advice on your problems with building, budgeting, DIY & planning from the most experienced names in the self build industry

BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO finding land

The first step in your self build journey is tracking down a viable building site. Keep yourself ahead of the competition with Build It’s top plot hunting tips

May issue on sale 25th March

Discover how Helen and Kieran Fisher created this rural

focus on:

Councils have had three years to adapt to the Right

From town to country

Clive and Linda Parry trated in the hustle and bustle of their home in town for a gorgeous new self built property in the country

Enchnted house

Michael Moore’s romantic streak came to the fore when designing this Arts & Crafts home, inspired by the fairy tale glamour of the lost garden beneath

Character & craftsmanship

Steven and Kayleigh Harp’s period home makes clever use of an 8m2 extension, adding personality and bespoke details

One of a kind

After eight long years of searching for the perfect

COASTAL HOME

Pauline and Nick Clarke dramatically overhauled this 1930s house to create the perfect space for their retirement

Heating options for extensions

Looking for an efficient, value-for-money system to ensure your new addition delivers a comfortable living environment all year round? Here’s what you need to know

DESIGNING an ICF HOME

Anamika Talwaria investigates how you can create a bespoke property using insulated concrete formwork

Can an old home be an eco home?

Sustainability expert Nigel Griffiths reveals how to upgrade your period property’s thermal performance without harming its character

Myth-busting guide to smart home technology

Anamika Talwaria debunks the 10 most common misconceptions around installing the infrastructure to automate your heating, lighting, AV & more

15 Kitchen renovation

Looking to give your kitchen a refresh? Emily Smith shares some inspiring examples of how to jazz up this zone

Timber special

The natural strength and character of wood has been

TIMBER FRAME

Your questions answered about this popular method of construction

A bespoke timber home

Offsite construction has allowed the Macalisters to create their dream property on a windy hilltop

6 REASONS TO BUILD WITH SIPS

Could structural insulated panels be the right solution for your project?

BUILDING WITH OAK FRAME

Oak homes are filled with character and wow factor - here’s how this method works

Oak frame self build home

Lyn Bullock was after a property filled with character and enough space to run her business from home

CHOOSING TIMBER DOORS & WINDOWS

Chris Bates takes a look at the key design and specification options that will help you add character and style to your home’s fenestration

10 ways to use TIMBER in your home

Lucy Aplin explores the many different and exciting ways you can incorporate timber finishes into your home

Inspiring timber outbuildings

A separate structure in your garden could provide space for a range of uses, from home office to guest bedroom

DESIGNING a better home

Architect Julian Owen reveals why self building a bespoke property is the best route to a high-quality house

ORDERING materials

Mike Hardwick shares his top tips for this important part of any major building project

Do you need a quantity surveyor?

If you want to avoid project costs spiralling out of control, then engaging a professional QS could be a worthwhile investment. Tim Doherty explains the benefits

BASEMENT WATERPROOFING: HOW TO GET IT RIGHT

Building surveyor Andy Butchers reveals what you need to know to ensure you achieve a high-quality, leak-free basement

10 Signs you shouldn’t buy a building plot

ink you’ve found the perfect site for your self build? Mike Dade shares his tips to avoid a money pit

SUBURBAN SPOT

Mike Dade investigates whether this corner plot could be right for Simon Bell’s coastal retreat

InFocus ARCHITECTS & DESIGN SERVICES

Featured on pages 18-24

Specify The self-builder’s guide to sourcing products and information

Perfect for making the most of a view out, or for maximising