How to get the best out of solar water heating

Welcome

Research by the National Custom & Self Build Association

A modern update

Lynn Palmer Architects was tasked with giving this

Cheam house renovation

This large detached dwelling in south London was unique

need to know

Common sense wins the day

product news

Great shopping ideas for your custom home project

interiors notebook

80s-style designs, with their clashing colours and bold textures, are enjoying a serious revival right now. Bring some peppy nostalgia into your home with fittings and finishes in eclectic patterns and fun pastel shades

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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 & 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

Land FOR SALE

It’s FREE to subscribe to PlotSearch – the UK’s premier

DIAMOND FIND

Could this plot provide the perfect party pad for this cosmopolitan couple? Mike Dade takes a closer look

next month…

February issue on sale 27th December

focus on:

Julia and Robert Adams had a lucky escape during their second self build, when they narrowly dodged buying a substandard plot under shady circumstances. Here, Julia shares their story… and how you can avoid the same thing happening to you

Building a house in just seven weeks

With limited time to manage a complex construction project, the Easters opted for a turnkey package route to complete their new countryside home on time and on budget

A lesson in sustainability

Architect Ian Armstrong specialises in building energyefficient homes for his clients, but had to put his skills to the test when creating his own contemporary abode in Cornwall

Monarch of the Glen

Colin White and Annette Siddle have transformed the rear of their period house in rural Kincardineshire with a contemporary extension that has contributed to the improvement and streamlining of the ground floor living spaces

Digging deep

When Rob Hall’s dreams of building a unique coastal home hit an unexpected snag, lateral thinking was the only answer

ROAMING FREE

Mandi and Tim Horwood have reconfigured their 1960s bungalow, perched on the side of Gloucestershire’s leafy Slad Valley, to give it a c ontemporary facelift

Part 2 The Design Stage

In the second instalment of our groundbreaking new series, editor Chris Bates explains how the design for the Build It Education House evolved – and the lessons we learned along the way

Style guide: Stoves & fireplaces

Get the right look with Charley Ward’s pick of the most gorgeous heating design ideas

How to get the best out of solar water heating

Nigel Griffiths reveals what you need to know to optimise the performance of your solar thermal setup and maximise savings

10 great timber frame projects

Whether you’re looking to create a sleek new home or a traditional extension, this construction method could be the perfect solution for you, says Rebecca Foster

Budgeting for key trades: a guide to labour rates

The Build It Estimating Service’s Adrian Wild shares the typical hourly pay rates tradespeople apply to their quotes

Adding value to a period home

Alan Tierney explains how to boost what your property is worth without damaging its authentic historical charm

DESIGNING bathrooms & ensuites

From planning the layout to choosing products and finishes, Julian Owen summarises what you need to know to plan a zone that’s both stylish and practical

The benefits of serviced plots for self builders

Like the idea of buying a viable, build-ready site, with planning permission already in place and easy connections available to utilities? Then this could be the route for you, says Chris Bates

What are piled foundations?

If standard strip or trench fill foundations aren’t suitable for your site, deep piled ones may be needed instead. Tim Doherty takes a closer look at how these work

Does demolish & rebuild MAKE SENSE?

Project management expert Mike Hardwick takes a look at the benefits of this popular route to a self build plot – and what you need to consider before you buy

BEATING OVERLOOKING ISSUES

It’s a common reason given by councils for refusing planning applications, but how can you get around overlooking? Planning expert Mike Dade explains the options

BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO 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 plot hunting tips