next month…

Welcome

Thirty years ago, a small but dedicated team launched

inspiration

This stylish rear extension provides the homeowners

product news

Great shopping ideas for your custom home project

interiors notebook

Combine blues and whites for a contemporary take on classic style

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

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 AND RENOVATION

How much does it cost to build a fully serviced private

TRANSFORMING THE FAMILY PLOT

Mike Dade explores the potential for a pair of derelict houses to be replaced with new family homes

focus on:

Yen Dai, director at solar energy specialist Environment Logic, tells us what can go wrong with solar panel installations and how to avoid the pitfalls

CELEBRATING 30 Years of Build It

Welcome to the 30th anniversary edition of Build It.

Where it all started: Looking back at the first issue of Build It

Editor Chris Batestakes a light-hearted look at the magazine’s roots

Self build timeline

1834 Institute of British Architects, RIBA, was founded

SELF BUILD PRODUCTS: THEN & NOW

In 30 years of Build It, we’ve seen heaps of innovation and improvement to the tech available to self builders and renovators. Emily Smith takes a look at some of the products covered in those first few issues of Build It and where they are now

The future of self build

Innovation is a hallmark of the self build sector – from creative architecture through to high-tech products and new routes to enabling projects. So what can we expect to see before Build It turns 40?

Welcome to the Build It Education House

Our innovative Self Build Education House is a home like no other – designed to give you a blueprint for the choices you’ll make on your own bespoke home building journey… and it’s now open to visitors!

House in the garden

On a sunny spot just outside a large village in Surrey

Layers of light

Sarah and Mark Stower were living in the suburbs of

The rendezvous home

An idyllic plot in the South Downs provided the perfect spot for Dennis and Rita Dixon's new home WORDS KATY DONALDSON PHOTOS JEREMY PHILLIPS

Future PERFECT

When their home of 26 years was no longer fi t for purpose, Ian and Sharon Moores got creative

Complete guide to renovating a house

Richard Webber reveals what you need to know when updating these core services in your home

How green is offsite construction?

Nigel Griffiths takes a look at how this route can deliver a sustainable bespoke home

Build cost basics: GROUND FLOOR STRUCTURES

Adrian Wild from the Build It Estimating Service sets out indicative costs for the main ground fl oor systems suitable for domestic extension projects

AMAZING OAK FRAME EXTENSIONS

Looking to add space, value and character to your home? Extending with oak frame could be the ideal route. Here’s a hand-picked selection of projects to inspire your next steps

How an architect can help you get planning approval

Julian Owen explores the skills and qualities your designer should have to give your project the best chance of planning success

A beginner’s guide to insurance & warranties

Understand how to protect yourself and your building project − whether before, during and after the works − with Tim Doherty’s introduction to these key elements

Does my period home need damp proofing?

An understanding of breathability and traditional construction is vital when it comes to dealing with moisture ingress in old buildings, says

Build quality & avoiding defects

If you want a new home that lives up to your expectations, you can’t just rely on Building Regs sign-off. Paul Kempton reveals what you need to know to enjoy a good-quality result

Creating an effective cost plan

Mike Hardwick explains how to create a realistic budget for your project and provides his top tips on how to stick to it

13 common planning misconceptions

Mike Dade debunks some widespread myths associated with the planning process