Welcome

T he March edition of Build It magazine

MEET THE TEAM

SANDER TEL is Build It’s digital features editor.

inspiration

Elegant low-carbon family home DAVID GRANDORGE Wilkinson

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

Ask the EXPERTS

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

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

next month...

April issue on sale 26th February

Developing your colour scheme

Co-director of Office S&M, Hugh McEwen explores the key considerations for incorporating colour into your design to create a unique, eye-catching home

PROJECT OF THE MONTH

Hartley House

EPC ratings rise compared to 2024

Analysis from epIMS, the EPC and energy efficiency

400%

is the amount some councils have been ordered

Self build properties proposed in Suckley

An application has been lodged to Malvern Hills

What’s on?

DIY & HOME MAINTENANCE 17TH-18TH FEB £250,

Government to scrap 2035 ban on gas boilers

As part of its Future Homes Standard (FHS),

need to know

Understanding the party wall process

ANDREW MURTOUGH

Andrew Murtough is the owner and director of

spendvsave

£189.99 Thanks to easy application, these panels

product news

Great shopping ideas for your custom home project

3 of the best EXTERIOR WALL LIGHTS

1 Dorchester solar wall light, £49.99,

interiors notebook

Add a touch of playfulness to your design scheme with some blush pinks and rose tones

FANTASTIC ICF HOMES

Insulated concrete formwork is an innovative structural system that can be used to create impactful architectural features and ultra-efficient homes. See what’s possible with Sander Tel’s roundup of eye-catching examples

Home to roost

Self builders Rick and Julie Anderson replaced a former chicken shed in the Kent countryside with a beautiful, contextual two-storey home

Creative connection

The galleried staircase Julie, Rick, and architect James

MODERN INTERVENTION

After buying a modest bungalow, Darren Young undertook a dramatic and lengthy renovation project to transform it into a contemporary family home

Sunken lounge

Stepping into the view This feature is undoubtedly

DESIGNED FOR LIVING

Rhodri and Meinir Jones took a DIY approach to transforming their tiny one-bedroom barn conversion into a light-filled family home

Maximising space & volume with SIPs

After deciding against more traditional building methods, Rhodri

STARTING YOUR SELF BUILD IN 2025

Simplif y the journey to creating your dream home this year, by following Mark Stevenson’s top tips on ever y thing from tracking down the perfect plot of land to finding a great builder

Garages & outbuildings

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your work from home setup or create a spacious, two-storey garage, Erika Chaffey explores some popular solutions that will add value to your property

FRAMING VIEWS

Whether it’s a picturesque landscape or a charming garden, find out how to make the most of your site’s unique features with Erika Chaffey’s guide

Pros & cons of wood fibre insulation

With impressive green credentials and a range of applications, wood fibre could be a fantastic choice for your project, says Nigel Griffiths

EXTENSION IDEAS FOR LISTED BUILDINGS

From contemporary forms to traditional additions, extending a listed building offers you a chance to create a characterful home that’s tailored to modern living. Scarlett Deamer shares a hand-picked collection of outstanding designs to inspire your project

DEVELOPING A BUILDABLE HOUSE DESIGN

Successfully taking your self build from concept to completion requires you to consider the different design features that can both help and hinder the building process. Architect Julian Owen takes a closer look at the key areas to note

HOW TO INSULATE suspended ground floors

Nigel Griffiths discusses how to retrofit this element of your home to ensure improved warmth and reduced energy bills

TIMBER FRAME COSTS & WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR MONEY

Keen to understand what your timber home will cost to build? We look at the underlying costs and how your choices can impact on frame prices

Structural surveys

Period property expert, Alan Tierney , sets out why this stage of a renovation is key to the success of your finished project

FOCUS ON Permitted development

Are you looking to enhance your property but unsure whether you need planning permission? This could be the answer, says Julia Riddle , allowing you to undertake certain works without a full application

Build It Live

Every month, we round up some of the UK’s best products and suppliers for self builders and home renovators. Over the next few pages, we put the spotlight on what’s in store at Build It Live South East on 22nd & 23rd Feb