Welcome

T he Build It team was recently lucky

MEET THE TEAM

SANDER TEL is Build It’s digital editor. Alongside

Sustainable retrofit to sandstone home

JIM STEPHENSON Loader Monteith carefully restored and extended

FIND YOUR DREAM BUILDING PLOT

PlotBrowser.com is Build It's free-to-use plot and

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February issue on sale 31st December

Creating effective transitional spaces

Adrian James , managing director at Adrian James

NSBRC launches retrofit hub

The National Self Build & Renovation Centre (NSBRC)

5.5%

of UK homeowners are heating their homes with

FMB president calls for licensed trades

The new FMB president has highlighted the immediate

What’s on?

DIY IN A DAY: DRILLS 18TH JAN £225,

need to know

Tracking your consutructions costs

product news

Great shopping ideas for your custom home project

spend v save

£111.06 per m 2 This engineered oak flooring

3 of the best DESIGNER RADIATORS

1 Radox Inka designer radiator in matt black,

interiors notebook

Bring depth to your home with a burnt orange and burgundy colour palette that evokes a rich and timeless charm

Amazing OAK FRAME HOMES

Blending natural charm, warmth and strength, oak remains a versatile solution for self builders. From rustic retreats to contemporary family homes, Scarlett Deamer looks at eight inspiring real-life designs

SEEING THE LIGHT

Nathan and Kelly Davis designed and self built their sustainable curved home in response to both the tight site and Kelly’s loss of vision, making light a top priority

EXTENDING THE OLD MILL

When a storm left their home flooded, Susan and Rob Caslake took the opportunity to turn a negative into a positive by taking on a major home improvement project

DOUBLE UP

Peter and Sophie Hill bought a 1960s bungalow with the intention of extending. But after being quoted just 10% more to knock down and rebuild, they took the plunge and now live in a new energy-efficient home

BUILDING WITH SIPS

Scarlett Deamer explores the benefits, costs, design potential and key considerations for this offsite construction method

CHOOSING THE RIGHT INTERNAL DOORS

From timber doors to pocket systems, sliders and frameless designs, Amandine Lefevre has handpicked a range of internal doors to elevate your design scheme

Extension or conservatory?

These two routes to adding more space to your home each have their pros and cons. Scarlett Deamer explores the key factors that could point you towards the right fit for your needs

Planning a great construction timeline

Project manager Mark Stevenson sets out what you need to know to develop a self build construction programme you can rely on

DEFINING AN ECO HOME

Energy efficiency and airtightness should come as standard when building from scratch in 2026, so what truly makes a project ‘eco’? Here, Nigel Griffiths explores the sustainable solutions we should be integrating in our new homes and how you can push things further

THERMAL ENVELOPE

Pay attention to insulation, airtightness and thermal mass, and you can achieve a home that’s comfortable, efficient and future-ready

Future-ready eco build

Explore the Stewarts’ low-energy, low-impact home – constructed with R-Wall ICF

Windows & doors for new eco homes

Fenestration has an important role to play in your house, both in terms of style and energy efficiency. Emily Batesmith investigates how to get it right

Energy-positive family home

ecoHaus glazing has helped deliver one of the UK’s few Passivhaus Plus self builds

Heating, ventilation & cooling

From heat pumps to smart ventilation, here’s how to achieve consistent, low-bills and future-ready home climate control

Stoves for modern homes

What you need to know when specifying a stove or fire for your low-energy home

RENEWABLE POWER

SOLAR, WIND & WATER

Water efficiency & sustainable drainage

Top tips to bring your water and waste strategy in line with other elements of your project

Choosing sustainable materials

Amandine Lefevre looks at a range of eco-conscious building products – some already mainstream; others more recent innovations – that could help you achieve a stylish, healthy and low-impact home that performs over the long term

Designing for biodiversity

Scarlett Deamer investigates how you can create a property that respects and nurtures the surrounding habitats

DESIGNING A SUCCESSFUL BARN CONVERSION

Architect Opinder Liddar explores how you can transform rustic, agricultural buildings into stunning homes, fit for modern living

UNDERSTANDING PLANNING CONDITIONS

Planning expert Martin Gaine investigates how to avoid, manage, remove and discharge important stipulations from the council

Eco-friendly bricks

Could low-carbon bricks and blocks be contenders for a sustainable self build? Nigel Griffiths investigates the innovative options entering the market

External wall insulation options & costs

Installing an exterior insulation system to a solid wall property can improve both its energy efficiency and the facade all in one go. Lindsay Blair looks at the key considerations and material choices available

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

Staircases

Looking to add more flair to your flight? This month, check out our selection of specialist stair designers and suppliers who can offer the experience and technical know-how to elevate your home’s interior architecture