The importance of upgrading existing homes

Welcome

C ongratulations!By opening this weighty tome, the annual

MEET THE TEAM

GEORGINA CROTHERS is Build It’s editorial assistant. She

Self build news

Build It merges with SelfBuild & Design

Cost of living crisis fails to put off self builders

Those looking to build or renovate their dream

How to keep a lid on costs during your self build

Peter Johns, CEO of NaCSBA, shares his tips on managing a budget when building your own home

Homes England reiterates government support for self and custom build

The government’s housing and regeneration agency, Homes England,

Scotland’s successful self build loan fund reopens

DAVID BARBOUR Self builders in Scotland can now

Councils discouraging self builders from signing up to Right to Build

Established as part of the Self and Custom

Is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme doing enough to promote heat pumps?

Heating and energy expert David Hilton gives his

Highest number of renewable technologies installed in homes in eight years

SolarWatt’s MyReserve battery installed at the Build It

Big players promote lowcost heat pumps

Following the government’s efforts to drive uptake of

Energy efficient homes more likely to retain value

According to a survey from the Royal Institute

Cost of a renovation project revealed

Research by insurers Alan Boswell ( www.alanboswell.com ),

Build It Live shows you won’t want to miss

Watch in-depth seminars and workshops, meet with 100s

EDITOR'S PICKS INSPIRING REAL-LIFE SELF BUILD HOMES

COUNTRYSIDE DREAM HOME House size 241m2 LocationDorset ArchitectOrme

THE BUILD IT EDUCATION HOUSE

RICHARD GADSBY Build It magazine’s innovative Self Build

10 STEPS TO YOUR NEW DREAM HOME

Thinking about self building your next house from scratch? Following these steps will help to make your project a success

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

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

BUILDING ON TIME & ON BUDGET

Build It editor Chris Batesmith sets out his top tips to help you enjoy a smooth journey to completing your dream home

QUICK GUIDE TO PACKAGE HOMES

Having one company look after multiple phases of your self build removes a great deal of the risk and uncertainty from your hands. Here are the basics of what this route offers

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

What is custom build?

Discover whether this enabled route to creating a bespoke home could be the right fit for you

DESIGNING YOUR HOME

Architect Julian Owen gives his top tips on developing a successful scheme for your dream house, from the initial concept to getting your design through to planning

PLANNING PERMISSION GET APPROVAL FIRST TIME

Obtaining consent to create your own house can present one of the most challenging parts of the self build journey. Give yourself the best chance of success with these top tips from Build It’s planning experts

Building Regs & technical design

Discover how to ensure your dream home project meets the Building Regulations, and why developing key structural details at the design stage will enable a smooth journey

CHOOSING A STRUCTURAL SYSTEM

With several construction methods to choose from, how do you know which is right for your home? Here’s a rundown of the options, along with their strengths and things to consider

INSULATION OPTIONS

Nigel Griffiths explores different insulation materials, their advantages and disadvantages, and what their implications are for your choice of building system

FOUNDATIONS getting it right

From organising services through to soil surveys, groundworks are a critical stage of any self build, and one that can reveal hidden costs. Here’s what you need to know to get off on the right foot

SPECIFYING ROOF & FLOOR STRUCTURES

When we think of build systems, the focus is often on walling techniques – but the roof and floors play a vital role in achieving the design and performance goals you want

10 REASONS TO BUILD WITH AIRCRETE

From on-site practicalities and thermal performance to the comfort and safety of your home, H+H technical manager Ali Riza shares the benefits of using aircrete for your self build

TOP TIPS FOR TIMBER FRAME SUCCESS

Self builder and MD of Fleming Homes, Sarah Mathieson, shares the inside track on ensuring your project goes smoothly

Finding good builders

Brian Berry from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) shares his top tips for finding and hiring a high-quality builder to deliver your dream home project

CL ADDING & EXTERNAL FINISHES

From design to costs, durability and more, here's your no-nonsense guide to finding the best material for your home's exterior

GUIDE TO ROOF COVERINGS

The right roof has the power to elevate a build to something special. No longer simply serving as protection against the elements, in many modern builds, roofs are playing a crucial role in creating a standout profile that can complement, enhance and integrate with the surrounding environment

FRONT DOORS THE OPTIONS

With a wide choice of materials and designs available, figuring out which front door type is best suited to your needs can be tricky. Georgina Crothers explores the options

CHOOSING WINDOWS

From configuration to glazing type, there’s a multitude of factors to think about when specifying your home’s fenestration. Here, we explain the key considerations for choosing which units will best suit your self build

BUYER’S GUIDE TO GLAZED DOORS

Not sure which patio door style will best suit your home building project? We set out the pros and cons of the main options

IS A HEAT PUMP right for me?

We look at the basics of this popular renewable technology, including which type might best suit your project and how it compares to gas-based heating

Can heat pumps be quiet?

Build It has partnered with Quiet Mark to bring you an in-depth guide to how efficient modern heat pumps can deliver a comfortable, low-noise living environment in your home

QUICK GUIDE TO BOILERS

Although we are in the age of renewables, boilers are still a premier heating and hot water choice. Here’s what you need to know before you specify a system

Stove s & fires

Woodburning, multi-fuel, gas or electric – our handpicked selection of stoves and fires demonstrates the range of styles and fuel sources available to add heat and cosy ambience to your home

SOL AR WATER HEATING

Is solar thermal worth the money? Eco expert Nigel Griffiths weighs up the costs and expected payback

BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Find out how this energy-efficient form of central heating works and how to design the most effective setup for your home

SOLAR ELECTRIC PANELS

Generating electricity from sunlight via solar PV is a popular renewable tech – but how can you balance sustainability versus efficiency? Nigel Griffiths takes a look

HOW TO CREATE A HEALTHY HOME

Rebecca Foster explains why well-designed ventilation is critical for a comfortable house with a fresh internal living environment

CAN SMART TECH make your life easier?

Find out how automating your home’s core functions, including lighting, heating and security, can simplify your lifestyle

BUYER’S GUIDE TO STAIRCASES

Whether you love the idea of a marble helical flight or want a set of straight timber steps, we cover all you need to know when choosing your stairs, from design options to costs

INTERIOR FLOORING OPTIONS

Choose the best-suited flooring for your self build or renovation project with our in-depth guide

PLASTERS, PAINTS & WALL FINISHES

From natural plasters to gleaming high-gloss, internal wall decoration is about more than simply a lick of paint. Sander Tel takes a look at a range of stylish and innovative solutions

KITCHEN DESIGN & COSTS

There’s plenty to consider when developing your plans for this multi-functional zone. From decisions on basic design and layout, to how much you can expect to pay for your perfect space, we sum up the essentials

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO INTERIOR LIGHTING DESIGN

A well-planned lighting scheme could transform your home in ways you might not have imagined. Jane Crittenden takes a look at what can be achieved

5 DESIGN IDEAS FOR YOUR BATHROOM

Want to plan a zone that’s both practical and aesthetically pleasing? Follow Rebecca Foster’s top tips for some ideas to inspire your scheme

Internal doors & sliding partitions

From traditional hinged setups to contemporary pocket designs, discover the options for how to divide your home’s internal space

TOP TIPS FOR LANDSCAPING

Landscaping plays an important role in bringing your self build to final completion – but what should you pay attention to when planning a scheme? Read our guide to find out