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Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine
September 2025
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Other Articles in this Issue


Homebuilding & Renovating
FROM THE EDITOR
M aking significant changes to your home is
MEET OUR EXPERTS
From extension advice to the best ways to plan your kitchen layout, our expert team is here to help…
INSIGHT
Steel City self-builds
A round-up of the latest self-build and home renovation news, products and events.
REAL PROJECTS
Made to measure
Sue and Greg Smith only wanted to build their own oak frame home if it could match their exact requirements – luckily, help was at hand
Treetop retreat
Nestled in the middle of a secluded woodland site, Marie Greene’s contemporary timber-clad home has become a local landmark
Rising to the challenge
Taking on the restoration of a run-down Grade II-listed property and transforming it into a character-filled, energy-efficient home was an opportunity Amanda and Warren East couldn’t resist
Wooded bliss
Rachel and Liam transformed a dated Victorian terrace into a modern, sustainable home perfectly suited to their lifestyle
BLENDING INDOORS & OUT
Blending indoors and out
A well-designed garden project can prove almost as much work as building or renovating a house but it will extend living space outdoors and improve the outlook, as these projects demonstrate
KEEPING YOUR NEIGHBOURS SWEET
KEEPING YOUR NEIGHBOURS SWEET
Navigating planning approval for an extension or self-build is likely to mean getting your neighbours onside. Here’s how to build a harmonious relationship with them
14 TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY ON AN EXTENSION
14 tips for saving money on your extension
A well-designed extension can add value and floor space to your home without breaking the bank. Discover the best strategies for clawing back costs on your project
HOW TO DESIGN YOUR KITCHEN LAYOUT
How to design your kitchen layout
Galley, U-shape or island? Open shelving or full-height cupboards? Get the answers to your kitchen layout dilemmas with our expert guide
BUILDING A HOUSE ON AGRICULTURAL LAND
BUILDING A HOUSE ON AGRICULTURAL LAND
It might look like the perfect plot with enviable views of open fields and an idyllic countryside location, but just how easy is it to construct your new home on farmland? Our expert shares his advice
SOLAR PANELS FOR SWIMMING POOLS
Solar panels for swimming pools
If you’re thinking about using solar panels to heat your swimming pool, here’s some advice on the different types available
GUIDE TO RENOVATING: STRUCTURAL CRACKS
PART 9 GUIDE TO RENOVATING
Don’t let a few cracks send you running in the opposite direction to what could still be a dream renovation project – not all faults spell disaster
5 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR CEILING A FOCAL POINT
5 ways to... MAKE YOUR CEILING A FOCAL POINT
If you’re building an extension, here’s how to ensure the space above your head shares the same wow factor
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT LOFT CONVERSION
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT LOFT CONVERSION
If you’re not sure on the best way to add a room in the roof, these are the most popular options for extending your space. Which one is best for your home?
VENTILATION SYSTEMS
VENTILATION SYSTEMS
Adding one of these systems to your self-build or renovation could solve excess humidity and improve the overall air quality inside your home
USING A BILL OF QUANTITIES
USING A BILL OF QUANTITIES
Discover why this practical method of costing your building project is an effective way to keep a tighter control of your budget and prevent overspending
LANDSCAPE LIGHTING
LANDSCAPE LIGHTING
Discover where to position your garden lighting for a design that is functional and adds atmosphere when the sun goes down
ASK THE EXPERTS
ASK THE EXPERTS
Got a burning question about your self-build, extension or home renovation project that you need answering? Why not drop us a line by emailing homebuilding@futurenet.com and your question could be answered by one of our magazine experts
ARE SOLAR PANELS WORTH IT?
ARE SOLAR PANELS WORTH IT?
When looking at renewable energy, it’s perfectly reasonable to question whether solar panels are worth it. Renewable energy expert David Hilton explains what could turn a ‘yes’ into a ‘maybe’
SINGLE-STOREY EXTENSIONS
Single-storey extensions
If you’re looking for a stylish, light and characterful partner for your home, here are some ideas to inspire your design plans
ECO-FRIENDLY FLOORING
CHOOSING ECO-FRIENDLY FLOORING
Whether you’re planning to extend or renovate your home, a key decision is choosing the right floor – here are the options that have the lowest impact on the environment
SELF-BUILD FOR BEGINNERS: HIGH IMPACT, LOW BILLS
Self-build for beginners
HOW TO DESIGN A HOUSE THAT’S CHEAP TO RUN
AMAZING HOMES
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PHOTOGRAPHY: JIM STEPHENSON A s square houses go,
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