PLANNING Mike Dade is a land and planning specialist. He is a contributing editor of Build It, a plot hunting expert and author of several books on planning and plot issues. He is one half of Speer Dade consultants (www.speerdade.co.uk).

FINANCE Rachel Pyne is director of financial services at BuildStore (www.buildstore.co.uk). She has worked in self build finance for over 10 years and deals with a diverse portfolio of lenders across the whole market as well as on exclusive self build and renovation mortgage products.

SUSTAINABILITY Nigel Griffiths is director of the Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance (www.stbauk. org) and a consultant working mainly on energy efficiency policy and evaluation. He is the author of the Haynes Eco House Manual.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT Chris Bates is the editor of Build It magazine and project managed Build It’s real-life Self Build Education House from conception to completion. Find out more and book your visit to the Education House at www.buildit.co.uk/ourhouse

SELF BUILD & RENOVATION Tim Doherty was the founding MD of the National Self Build & Renovation Centre and a founding member of NaCSBA. He runs Dobanti Property Consultants (www. dobanti.com), a specialist surveying & building consultancy for the residential and commercial sectors, including project management and custom build solutions.

DESIGN Opinder Liddar is a director at Lapd Architects (www.lapdarchitects.co.uk). The practice specialises in residential projects from extensions to new builds, making him the ideal person to answer all your home design questions.

SURVEYS Andy Butchers is director of Build-Zone Survey Services, providing 10-year structural warranties for self builders. He is an experienced building surveyor with over 25 years in both residential and commercial property.