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PART 17 :

BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO RENOVATION

Whatever the budget for your renovation project, it is unlikely you will want to pay more than you have to. Our guide identifies the areas of your project where it is worth spending a little more and those where you can save money By Natasha Brinsmead

“I prefer to spend more on things I can’t make or modify, like sanitaryware and taps and quality facing bricks.

“These days you can mix Primark with high-end designer fashion, and the same principle applies to interiors. I’d spend money on high-end kitchen door furniture but use high street cabinets. The same is true across other areas. Spend the money on things you touch or see such as door furniture, kitchen knobs and handles, and wooden floors. Savings can be made on tiles, bathroom fixtures and kitchen cabinets.” 

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Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine
March 2021
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Other Articles in this Issue


Contents
EDITOR’S LETTER
While 2021 is still in its infancy, two
REGULARS
THE RISE OF THE SMART HOME
IMAGE: LOXONE Not only has the UK been
Self-build & renovation
SELF-BUILD COMMUNITY A first-of-its-kind eco self-build community, which
BREAKING TRADITIONS THROUGH INNOVATION
Green
Kitchens
GUILT-FREE IMPROVEMENTS The kitchen was the most decorated
Bathrooms
The Raimini cast iron bath from Aston Matthews
ADDING SPACE & VALUE
IMAGE: AMOS GOLDREICH ARCHITECTURE; PHOTOGRPHY RORY GARDINER PART
CHOOSING BIFOLD OR SLIDING DOORS FOR YOUR HOME
Kloeber helps you decide between these two popular options to connect any home to the great outdoors
FINANCING YOUR BUILD
Funding your project may require a specialist self-build mortgage…
HOMES
Homes
Inspiring self-build, renovation, conversion and extension projects from across the UK
COMING home
After living in Australia for three years, these self-builders returned to Warwickshire with grand plans to build a stand-out oak-frame home in the back garden of their family home
Modern redesign
Kate Turner faced a steep learning curve when she bought her first house and renovated it from top to bottom — on a budget of just £26,000
THE KNOWLEDGE
DEALING WITH LATH AND PLASTER WALLS 
Blending old and new
Looking for an escape after years of living and working in London, Jamie and Julie Le Gallez renovated and extended a Grade II-listed barn next to Jamie’s family home in Guernsey
THE BUILD
THE FLOORPLAN The main living spaces are arranged around
From top TO BOTTOM
A loft conversion and extension scheme has transformed Sarah and Adam Capes’ terrace into a light, spacious family home
THE BUILD
BEFORE PHASE 2: READY FOR AN EXTENSION DURING PHASE
GREEN VISION
When Christine and David Wetherell found a generous plot with views into  Wales over the River Dee, their dream of building an energy efficient home began to come true
THE BUILD
BEFORE: THE BUNGALOW ON SITE DURING: TAKING DOWN
THE KNOWLEDGE
CHOOSING A CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM
“We can’t wait to start our renovation project”
Joanne and her husband Andrew Seal are planning to extend and renovate a cottage in Gloucestershire. Here, they share their project plans
“The skimming begins”
Couples Charlie and Helen, and LB and Craig, are self-building side by side in Herefordshire. This month, they explain how they tackled the plastering and rendering of their homes
Great timber frame self-builds
This popular building method can result in stunning homes of all shapes and sizes. Here, we show what can be possible
3 WAYS TO ACHIEV E A BESPOK E OAK FRAME ON A BUDGET
Specialists in designing and building bespoke oak frame buildings, Welsh Oak Frame explain how oak frame homes can be achieved for those with more modest budgets
EXPERT ADVICE
Expert Advice
All the information you need to ensure that your project is delivered on time and on budget!  
EXPERT ADVICE
GREEN HOMES GRANT
A voucher worth £5,000 to improve energy efficiency? Sounds good. But what is the Green Homes Grant? What does it cover, who’s eligible and how do you apply?
14 W AYS TO FIND A BUILDING PLOT
Still trying to find that elusive perfect plot — or perhaps you haven’t started your search yet? Self-build expert Mark Stevenson offers some clever options
EXPERT ADVICE
NON-CONVENTIONAL M ATERIALS: How mortgageable are they?
Self-build homes of non-conventional construction risk being declined by mortgage lenders – with consequences for their market value, says chartered surveyor Ian Rock
NATURAL INSULATION Are we warmer yet?
Insulating with sheep’s wool, hemp or one of the other natural insulation materials may not be the cheapest route, but it makes good sense, says sustainable homes expert Tim Pullen
ASK THE EXPERTS
Whether you’re disposing of hazardous waste or want to know more about cavity wall insulation, our team of experts can help
ON THE COVER
RENEWABLES CLINIC
DAVID HILTON is an expert in sustainable building
Where should I put my air source heat pump?
David Hilton covers the factors that should affect your decision on where to position your ASHP unit outside, and busts a myth about one that shouldn’t
DESIGN
How to create a brief for your architect
The right architect can be the difference between a successful and enjoyable project and a disastrous one — a good design brief will ensure your self-build or renovation gets off to the very best start
CHARRED TIMBER CLADDING
HOW TO GET THE LOOK
EXTENSIONS:THE 25% GLAZING RULE EXPLAINED
To comply with Building Regs, an extension usually can’t have more glazing than 25% of its floor area. So how do you add windows and doors? Architect Lydia Robinson explains all
Clever Kitchen Island ideas
Make the most of this popular and practical feature
How to do open plan well
There can be few homes these days that don’t have open-plan spaces, with more and more of us embracing this type of layout as a way of enhancing social gatherings and family life. However, not all openplan spaces work — we show you how to get this style spot on
The latest RANGE COOK ERS
1 Everhot’s 100+ Series has three specialised cast
Beginner’s guide
Finding your self-build plot
It’s the starting point to any self-build dream. Here’s what to consider when plot hunting
Pre-build essentials
Here are some of the key things you need to consider before ‘going on site’ with your build
Choosing a build route
Self-build is a broad church — you needn’t lay a single brick if you don’t want to!
REGULARS
Signing OFF…
What the Homebuilding team have seen, recommend and love this month
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