Welcome

Our February edition is always an advice-packed magazine.

Upside-down living

This modern family home, designed by architects Van

Smart security can add value to home

Homeowners are willing to pay up to £2,500

What would your forever home be?

Research by window and door specialist Origin (

What’s on?

ECO WORKSHOP: DESIGN & PLANNING 18TH FEB FREE,

Scotland’s successful self build loan fund reopens

Self builders in Scotland can now apply for

need to know

Keeping a lid on costs during your self build

product news

Great shopping ideas for your custom home project

Brick Awards 2022

Chelwood scoops Individual Housing prize

interiors notebook

Combine copper fixtures with shades of blue for a rich, sophisticated modern take on heritage design

Introducing your bigger, better magazine...

The UK’s best self build and renovation magazines are merging to form Build It incorporating SelfBuild & Design! Here, Build It editor Chris Bates and Self Build & Design’s Gerald Cole look at how the union will deliver an even more valuable resource for readers, providing the most detailed, tailored and practical advice for people taking on a major home building project

STARTI NG THE JOURNEY

Launched eight years apart, Build It and SelfBuild

TOPPING OUT

Long-standing SelfBuild & Design expert and reader favourite, Gerald Coles, gives his take on the magazine’s roots and how Build It embodies the same values

PROJ ECT TOOLS

Powered by Build It incorporating SelfBuild & Design

SELF BUILD MORTGAGES EXPLAINED

Discover how self build mortgages work, and then check out our selection of leading lenders and products overleaf

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

THE HAYBARN

LOCATION Warehorne, Kent GUIDE PRICE £700,000 PLANNING Ashford

Ask the EXPERTS

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

next month...

March issue on sale 25th January

The Build It team

EDITORIAL Editor Chris Batesmith Deputy editor Emily

A combined approach to architecture and interior design

Debbie Humble, an architect, and sister Georgie Humble, an interior designer, discuss what engaging a company offering both design professions can bring to a bespoke home project

CONTEXTUAL DESIGN IDEAS

Many buildings are influenced by their context, but some go beyond suiting their setting to actively celebrate it. Homes designed with contextualism in mind are shaped to connect and respond to the surrounding landscape and local architecture. Here, Jennifer Grimble explores new houses that successfully use this approach

Character & charm

Tony and Jo Hogg’s new oak frame home in Somerset is packed with vibrant and playful details that bring wow factor and personality

MODERN REVISION

John and Susan Yates have transformed a bungalow into a contemporary home packed with amazing glazing and views

INSTANT CLASSIC

After struggling to find a suitable family home in their local area, Marie and Brian Carne realised the most cost-effective solution was to build their own

SELF BUILDING A NEW RECTORY

PART 1 THE DESIGN PHASE

10 STE PS TO YOUR NEW DREAM HOME

With the new year here, now’s the perfect time to get started on planningg that home building project you’ve been dreaming of. To set you off on the right track, Emily Batesmith breaks down the key steps to follow to successfully realise your self build goals

FRONT DOORS THE OPTIONS

With a wide choice of materials and designs available, figuring out which front door is best suited to your needs can be tricky. Georgina Crothers explores the options

KITCHEN DINER EXTENSION IDEAS

Want to add extra space and value to your home? A multifunctional extension could be the best way to do it, says Lucy Keech

CHOOSING A BUILD SYSTEM

From the solid feel of masonry to the speed and efficiency of timber frame, discover the benefits and key considerations involved in these mainstream construction methods 

10 RENOVATIONM ISTAKES TO AVOID

If you want a straightforward route to upgrading an older home, here are some common problems to be aware of

MODERN LIVING

Traditional architecture 

BUYING MATERIALS FOR YOUR PROJECT

Should you purchase your own building materials or is it better to let your contractor buy them? Project manager Charlie Laing explains how to select the right path for your scheme

STRUCTURAL WARRANTY CHECKLIST

Self-Build Zone’s Jake Fitness sets out what you need to know to arrange the right warranty protection for your home building project

INSULATION OPTIONS FOR SELF BUILDERS

Nigel Griffiths takes a look at the sustainability credentials of the main insulation options for your new home’s walls, floors and roof

Replacement dwellings

The best route for planning consent?

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