Welcome

Last month, just a couple of days after

Contemporary contrast to historical home

ALEX PARNELL The owners of this grade II

Timber infill home

Constructed from cross-laminated timber (CLT), this new build

Mortgage interest rates start falling

New research by property lending experts Octane Capital

Starmer pledges to deliver 1.5m homes

Following swiftly on from a Conservative party conference

What’s on?

STARTING YOUR SELF BUILD JOURNEY 2ND NOV £40,

Most valuable home improvements revealed

Adding a home extension or loft conversion will

need to know

Government to delay planned boiler ban

spend v save

£98.00 For an ultra matt finish, this claybased

product news

Great shopping ideas for your custom home project

3 of the best TIMBER-EFFECT WINDOWS

1 Residence 9 timber alternative in Irish Oak,

interiors notebook

Warm brown, earthy green and wood textures come together to create a clean, simple yet snug feel for your living space

Ask the EXPERTS

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

Self build & custom build mortgage table

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

FIND YOUR DREAM BUILDING PLOT

PlotBrowser.com is a 100% free-to-use plot and property finder, packed with 1,000s of home building opportunities. Here’s a taster of the fantastic self build plots, renovation properties and conversions currently for sale near you

Designing a good open-plan layout

Director at Barc Architects, Caroline Shortt, reveals how to effectively incorporate open-plan living into a new build or renovation

TWO -STOREY EXTENSIONS

GEORGE SHARMAN If you’re able to, doubling up

HEART & SOUL

A heartfelt speech to the planning committee and some hard graft were key to Matt and Sarah Switzer ’s self build project – which they’ve since extended to achieve their ultimate dream home

HILLSIDE ESCAPE

When Calum & Sally Land found a run-down bungalow in Bath, they decided it was the perfect spot to knock down and rebuild their new home

A HOME WITH HISTORY

Christine Hamilton successfully transformed a church hall in the Scottish Borders into a three-bedroom house

Renovation & building

SELF BUILD + RENOVATION + EXTENSION + CONVERSION + IMPROVEMENT

ICF DESIGN POSSIBILITIES

Georgina Crothers uncovers the innovative ways insulated concrete formwork can be used to create striking architectural features

RADIATORS FOR MODERN HOMES

New homes are becoming more and more efficient, so are these traditional heat emitters still a practical choice for self builders?

UPGRADING LOFT INSUL ATION

Want to cut energy bills this heating season? Make insulating the attic top of your to-do list

HOW TO CREATE A QUIET KITCHEN

Struggling to keep a lid on noise in and from your kitchen? Check out these top design and specification tips to ensure your family can enjoy the quiet life

WHAT MAKES A GREAT WINDOW?

Emily Batesmith shares some expert insight into choosing the best windows for your home

CHOOSING INTERNAL DOORS

From picking materials and styles through to what to budget, Annabel Dixon’s guide to specifying internal doors has you covered

EV CHARGING BEGINNER’S GUIDE

Regulations introduced in 2022 mean if you’re building a new home, you’re now required to install an electric vehicle charging point. Here’s what you need to know

REUSING OLD FIREPLACES

Lindsay Blair takes a closer look at how you can add instant character to your living spaces by rediscovering an original heating feature

Expert help

SELF BUILD + RENOVATION + EXTENSION + CONVERSION + IMPROVEMENT

DESIGNER’S GUIDE TO RENOVATING & EXTENDING A 1970S HOUSE

Properties constructed during the ‘70s often present great refurbishment opportunities for creating your dream home. Architect Opinder Liddar lists some of the improvements you could make and how best to execute them to meet your goals

10 REASONS WHY YOUR BUILD COSTS ARE SO HIGH

10 Self build project management expert James Bryden takes a look at the top reasons why your build cost quotes are coming in more pricey than you’d like

WHAT TO DO IF PLANNING PERMISSION IS EXPIRING

So, you’ve got consent from the council for your building project – but did you know you have to start work within a certain timeframe, otherwise it will expire? Planning consultant Julia Riddle explains the options if you’re getting close to the deadline

HOW TO HEAT A SMALL HOME

Eco heating expert Nigel Griffiths takes a look at what tech setup works in smaller properties

SOLAR PV costs & savings

Considering solar electric panels for your project? Chris Batesmith looks into how much PV costs to install and what you can expect when it comes to payback