Welcome

If you’re planning on building your dream home,

Timber-clad multi-pitched extension

JULIET MURPHY The full-width rear extension to this

Cliff-top perch

PROJECT OF THE MONTH Situated on top of

House prices dip, but still up year-on-year

Nationwide (-0.2%) and Halifax’s (-1%) house price indexes

New building control application service

This spring, Planning Portal will introduce an updated

What’s on?

FINDING A SELF BUILD PLOT 10TH MAY

Self build registers lowball demand for plots by two-thirds

Local authority custom and self build registers have

need to know

What do the BNG laws mean for self builders?

interiors notebook

Freshen up your interiors by combining cool, cornflower blue with light , natural 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

A DREAM HOME IN A QUIET CORNER OF CORNWALL

LOCATION Scorrier, Redruth, Cornwall AREA 1.5 acres GUIDE

Making the most of structural timber

This issue, we put the spotlight on the benefits of working with an STA member to deliver the weathertight shell of your home build –and the valuable services they can offer on your project

next month...

July issue on sale 29th May

Maximising space in a small build

Matthew Wood, director of MW Architects , shares

product news

Great shopping ideas for your custom home project

Get Free Advice & Ideas for Your Project at Build It Live

8th & 9th June: Maximise your chances of self build, home renovation or extension success with a visit to our next Build It Live show, in Oxfordshire

AMAZING GLAZING

Increased daylight, architectural wow factor and maximised views are just a few headline benefits of structural glazing. Sander Tel shines alight on eight amazing projects that show how you can use glass creatively in your home’s design

EXPERTVIEW MAKING A STATEMENT

JAMES CATTLE from Snell David Architects puts the

THE LONG GAME

Pauline and Frank Mace took their time to build this efficient timber frame home, taking care of as many jobs as they could themselves to save on costs

REMARK ABLE RETROFIT

Camille Brayer undertook a deep energy retrofit to transform a dark, draughty Victorian terrace house into a stylish and sust ainable s anctuary

MINIMALIST STYLE MAXIMUM POTENTIAL

Seamus and Lucy Shanks escaped the city to rescue a modernist home in Scotland – an architectural gem set against a stunning woodland backdrop

DESIGN & BUILD PACKAGES

If you are looking for a helping hand with your self build project, employing the ser vices of a package home company could prove to be the ideal solution. Here’s what you need to know about this route to a bespoke property

PART 3: CHOOSING PRODUCTS THAT FEEL GOOD

It’s the little things that elevate a project beyond simply being a house and instead make it ahome that’s enjoyable to be in. Lindsay Blair looks at products and innovations enhancing our day-to-day lives and introducing long-lasting, sustainable moments of enjoyment

SPOTLIGHT ON ROOFLIGHTS

Overhead glazing can be a great way to bring natural light into your home. With a range of options on the market, Erika Chaffey looks into what you need to know about specif ying the right rooflight for you and your project

CHOOSING A KITCHEN STYLE

Your kitchen’s cabinet doors will have a big impact on the look and feel of the space. Lindsay Blair looks at the different options and what unique characteristics each one could bring to your home’s design

FINDING A RENOVATION OPPORTUNITY

Alan Tierney gives his expert insight on how to best conduct your property search and what to look for when choosing a house suitable for refurbishing into a home

DAYLIGHT V SUNLIGHT

Architect Julian Owen discusses the importance of designing your home with access to natural light and shares his tips for avoiding the effects of overexposure

HIRING & WORKING WITH TRADES

Find the right contractors for your home building project with our in-depth guide

KEEPING YOUR COOL

Solar glass with a protective coating can ensure

BIFOLD DOOR

Thinking of installing an eyecatching span of glazed bifolds? Emily Batesmith looks at how much you should be budgetting

WHAT IS GROUP SELF BUILD?

Clubbing together with other prospective self builders to create your new homes on one site could save you money on plots and construction. Planning consultant Julia Riddle looks at how this approach works