MEET THE TEAM

EMILY SMITH is Build It’s deputy editor and

Bright rear addition

inspiration

PROJECT OF THE MONTH

Scandi-inspired extension by James Dale Architects A

need to know

What’s in the Heat & Buildings Strategy?

product news

Great shopping ideas for your custom home project

interiors notebook

Vibrant colours and statement tiles are key to creating a home with a Moroccan feel

Self build & custom build mortgages

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

Home extension cost calculator

Want to add space and value to your home? Our ready reckoner, powered by the Build It Estimating Service, will help you gauge what size and style of extension will deliver the best result for your budget

Ask the EXPERTS

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

next month...

February issue on sale 29th December

Creating the best floor plans for your home

Jane Duncan OBE shares her tips for designing the perfect house layout

New England Dream

First-time self builders Simon & Julie Gibson have created their perfect family home thanks to a Potton design & timber frame package

Coastal chic

This characterful holiday home in Cornwall has been transformed from a lacklustre bungalow into a luxurious retreat

RELOCATION & RESTORATION

Sas and Ashley Petherick moved from London to Bristol to lovingly revive and extend a characterful Victorian terrace

Arts & Crafts character

This historic London home was given a new lease of life with a clever upgrade and extension scheme for modern living

THE CONTEMPORARY REPLACEMENT

Sarah & Barry Phillips swapped the country life for a striking and modern self build development close to Canterbury

10 of the best offsite-manufactured homes

Discover the speed and quality benefits of this route, and find inspiration for your project

WHAT IS HYBRID HEATING?

We take an in-depth look at the emergence of intelligent setups that combine boiler and heat pump technology in one costand carbon-saving system

Creating characterful interior architecture

Anamika Talwaria investigates how to achieve a dream home that delivers wow factor living

SMART HOMES MADE EASY

Home automation is the way forward but how can you keep things simple while benefitting from modern tech? Jane Crittenden finds out

EXTENSIONS HOW TO ADD VALUE

Plan a successful scheme that makes the most of your time, effort and money, says Rebecca Foster

Kitchen worktops

Struggling to decide which surface to pick? Be inspired by our gallery of designs in a range of materials, colours and patterns

HOW TO FRAME VIEWS

Close attention to detail is essential when it comes to maximising the outlook from your house, says architect Julian Owen

Alan Tierney’s LISTED BUILDING RENOVATION

We touch base with Build It’s heritage property expert to see how his listed building project is progressing

Understanding the Party Wall Act

Tim Doherty sets us straight on the much-misunderstood rules designed to safeguard owners on both sides of a project

DO I NEED AN ECO BUILDER?

Nigel Griffiths reveals whether hiring a specialist contractor is the best way to achieve your green goals

BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO finding land

The first step in your self build journey is tracking down a viable building site. Keep yourself ahead of the competition with Build It’s top plot hunting tips

URBAN CONVERSION OPPORTUNITIES

Keen to create a bespoke city home? Mike Dade explains how to identify potential candidates for transformation, plus the key planning factors to bear in mind