Welcome

Our annual Build It Awards gala evening saw

MEET THE TEAM

GEORGINA CROTHERS is Build It’s homes editor. Go

inspiration

Sympathetic coastal home design

PROJECT OF THE MONTH

Herne Hill Road

Solar panels on flat roofs to fall under PD

The government announced last week that permitted development

25%

is the percentage by which planning application fees

Self build provision on Scotland development

Ardbeg Homes has secured planning permission for its

What’s on?

HEAT PUMP DROP-IN CLINIC 6TH JAN FREE, SWINDON

Self build homes prove to be more energy efficent

NaCSBA’s ( nacsba.org.uk ) Right to Build Task

need to know

Self building in 2024

product news

Great shopping ideas for your custom home project

spend V save

£3,185 This sleek black glass finish induction hob

3 of the best ROOF WINDOWS

1 FPP-V/C in RAL 9005, £POA, www.fakro.co.uk

interiors notebook

For a luxury finish to your home, combine deep greens with wood textures and neutral tones

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

ENGLAND

BERKSHIRE HUNGERFORD Plot at Upper Eddington Full planning

DREAM BUILD DEEP IN DERBYSHIRE

LOCATION Osleston, Dalbury Lees, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire GUIDE

Sustainable Homes

In Focus

Self building in a conservation area

George Dawes, co-founder of Bindloss Dawes, gives the inside track on designing a contemporary home on aprotected site

IS 2024 YOUR YEAR TO SELF BUILD?

Whatever your motivation for creating a bespoke home, there’s no better time than the present, as Emily Batesmith outlines 10 ways that self build could be right for you and shares expert insight into what 2024 could mean for your project

THE BACK-UP PLAN

After his plans to build from scratch were rejected by the planners, Jamie Davison realised he could convert an existing barn under Class Q rules

Countryside harmony

Stephen and Ann Smith realised their long-held wish of self building after they found a secluded plot with permission to build a barnstyle home that sits perfectly in its rural Cotswold setting

TOWNHOUSE TRANSFORMED

Harry and Sara Montatt undertook a complete internal overhaul of this 1975 three-storey London terrace and extended it to create a space ideal for growing their young family

BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO EXTENDING

From budgeting to planning permission, Georgina Crothers takes you through the key considerations for any extension project

PREFAB CONSTRUCTION IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?

Prefabricated construction can offer quick build times and a high-quality, efficient house – but where do your goals sit on the scale of off-site manufacture? Sander Tel investigates the ins and outs of this route to a new home

Creative cladding options

Horizontal timber boards are a popular cladding choice – but what if you want to do something a bit different? Lindsay Blair looks at the ways you could add a bit of extra wow factor to your home’s exterior

BASEMENT WATERPROOFING

Want to build below ground as part of your new home project? Anna-Marie DeSouza outlines what you should consider in terms of options and costs

6 STEPS TO BRICKWORK REPAIR & REPOINTING

Heritage homes expert, Alan Tierney, shares his practical steps to repairing the bricks on your home’s exterior

How to find a GOOD BUILDER

Self build project management specialist, Mark Stevenson, shares his expertise on finding the right builders for your project

DESIGNING FLOORPLANS TO SUIT YOUR LIFESTYLE

Architect Opinder Liddar shares the inside track on configuring a functional, futureproof and family-friendly layout for your brand-new home

Solar water heating

Chris Batesmith looks at how much you should budget for a solar thermal system and what you can expect in terms of payback

ECO PAINTS & FINISHES

Build It’s eco expert Nigel Griffiths looks at the issues with conventional paints and finishes, and why eco alternatives are better for both your health and the environment

UNDERSTANDING A PLOT ’S POTENTIAL

Planning consultant Julia Riddle takes a look at the risk involved in buying land to build on, and how to identify its value