Welcome

Rishi Sunak’s latest reshuffle has seen yet another

MEET THE TEAM

GEORGINA CROTHERS is Build It’s editorial assistant. Check

inspiration

Classic meets contemporary

Waterloo House

The owners of this former late- Georgian workers

New eco self build mortgage launched

Suffolk Building Society (suffolkbuilding society.co.uk ) has introduced

9 months

is the length of time the latest housing

New school opens at Graven Hill site

The UK’s biggest self build development Graven Hill

Number of demolish and rebuild homes increases

Research by estate agent comparison site GetAgent.co.uk has

need to know

Could custom build be the right approach for you?

spend v save

£1.2k Manufactured from bespoke high-grade aluminium in the

product news

Great shopping ideas for your custom home project

3 of the best WOODBURNING STOVES

1 Purevision PVR with pedestal, £3,325 incl VAT,

interiors notebook

Pair classic patterns and textures with rich colours to bring contemporary flair to a traditional interior design scheme

Ask the EXPE RTS

Essentialadvice 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

BARN LIVING IN THE MIDLANDS

LOCATION Lower Quinton, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire GUIDE PRICE £385,000

Celebrating 25 years of the Accelerator mortgage

Launched in 1998, the Accelerator mortgage revolutionised self build finance, unlocking the market and making the dream of creating a bespoke home an achievable reality for more UK self builders. This issue, we chat with Raymond Connor –CEO of BuildStore and the brains behind Accelerator – to celebrate this milestone anniversary

AMAZING SELF BUILDS FOR UNDER £300K

Creating a tailor-made property that meets all your needs is a dream for many – but can you build a home that fits the bill with a limited budget? Sander Tel highlights a selection of fantastic new houses constructed for under £300,000

COASTAL HOME

First-time self builders Chris & Mary Noon created a stunning oak frame home in Dorset, with unbeatable sea views

MATERIAL MATTERS

Nicky and Gemma Kirk undertook an affordable renovation on a dated 1930s home. The result doesn’t scrimp on style – or surprises

Comfortable living

It was on her own land that Fiona Henderson carved out perfect plot to build a comfortable, modern forever home

EXTENDING A LISTED BUILDING

If you want to build on a listed property, you’ll need to navigate the consents protecting its history. Alan Tierney delves into how to successfully add space to a heritage home

10 WAYS TO ADD WOW FACTOR WITH YOUR FRONT DOOR

Whether you’re self building or renovating, turn your home’s entrance into a striking focal feature to boost overall kerb appeal

FOUNDATIONS

NEED TO KNOW

ROOF LANTERNS the complete buyer’s guide

Overhead glazing is ideal for those wanting to add a timeless, architectural statement to their home while ensuring a light-filled interior. Sander Tel reveals how to specify the right product for you

UPDATING STAIRS

Turn this practical and structural element into a stand-out design feature, with Lindsay Blair’s tips on how to renovate your staircase

Choosing your driveway

What surface will suit you and your new home? Here’s our no-nonsense guide to the main driveway options

Updating airtightness at the Education House

Build It House Revisited

Designing with your build system in mind

Architect Julian Owen explores the design scope for the main structural options and explains how to utilise their strengths to optimise the scheme of your bespoke home

Should you replace a boiler with a heat pump in an old house?

Thinking of installing a low-carbon heating system in an existing boiler-run property? Eco expert Nigel Griffiths looks at the pros and cons

Questions to ask your package home supplier

Are you considering a package home for your self build project? Georgina Crothers reveals the key questions to put to suppliers and what to look out for to find the right company for you

The rise of specialist planning reports

Planning consultant Martin Gaine shares what you need to know about specialist reports and how you can play the game smartly

SELF BUILD COST CALCULATOR

Want to understand how much it costs to build your own home? Our ready reckoner, powered by the Build It Estimating Service, will help you gauge what size, style and quality of house you can achieve on your project budget