Smarter living

Welcome

We may have switched on to trends such as mindfulness

Sensitive design

This contemporary dwelling was built on a garden plot

Arbour House

This infill extension to a 1950s family home in south

Period properties beat identikit developments

UK residents would prefer to purchase a heritage dwelling

Wigan welcomes custom build scheme

A new community-focused custom home development has

What’s on?

Community Housing Fund to aid self build groups in England

Community Housing Fund to aid self build groups in

need to know

When I first read about government plans to extend

product news

Great shopping ideas for your custom home project

interiors notebook

Find inspiration in the many colours and textures in nature and adopt an African themed design style for your home

your views:

Got a funny story, a gripe or some superb self build advice? Write to us at buildit@castlemedia.co.uk or the address below for your chance to win a prize

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• Fantastic inspiration & expert advice for each

Self build mortgages

Looking for funding for your self build project? Each month we round up the best deals from leading lenders – and update you on what you need to know about securing the right finance

PERFECT POTENTIAL

Could the overgrown plot that Ray and Maya Kerr found on Google Maps be the right self build site for their dream home? Mike Dade takes a closer look

Land FOR SALE

It’s FREE to subscribe to PlotSearch – the UK’s premier land finding resource with over 8,000 genuine building opportunities, all with planning permission guaranteed. The plots collated here are a hand-picked selection, but you can find plenty more in the online database. To find out more and to subscribe call 0345 223 4499 or visit the website at www.plotsearch.co.uk

Ask the EXPERTS

Essential advice on your problems with building, budgeting, DIY & planning from the most experienced names in the self-build industry

next month…

Discover Annabel and David Jones’ stunning contemporary

focus on:

We ask Ted Stevens, Rural Urban Synthesis Society (RUSS) trustee, about an innovative south London community housing project that recently gained planning consent

A family affair

Brian and Donna Gavin worked with their son Stefan to design and build a low energy SIPs house suitable for their retirement

ARTISTIC LICENSE

Ceramic artist Dorienne Carmel and her husband Alan breathed new life into a Victorian gatekeeper’s lodge and created a sculptured garden to showcase her work

A stone’s throw

Val and Rory McGouran’s ideal plot was right under their noses, as their garden offered them the opportunity to build a new contemporary home

Expand AND evolve

After living in their 1950s home for a couple of years, Carole and Ben Hepburn decided the straightforward update they’d planned wasn’t enough, and instead took on a complete remodel and extension project

Getting the best out of brickwork

From choosing the right product to working out how to lay the material and what mortar to use, Sophie Vening’s helpful guide reveals all you need to know about specifying bricks for your project

Boosting your central heating’s efficiency

Get your system up to scratch now – well in advance of winter – and you’ll reap the benefits on your energy bills, says Chris Bates

Flooring Options for your home

Whether you’re self building, renovating or extending, your new floor will have a key role to play in the success of your finished home. Emily Smith takes a closer look at the main material options

Build cost basics: The hidden costs of self building

Get your budget on track and nip potential cash-draining issues in the bud before you buy a plot with these cost planning tips from the Build It Estimating Service’s Adrian Wild

Design details: guttering

Rebecca Foster explains how the right rainwater goods can boost your home’s kerb appeal

IN-DEPTH GUIDE TO Stove installation

From heat output to ventilation requirements, there’s lots to bear in mind when fitting your appliance. Rebecca Foster lays out what you need to know

Stove inspiration

A stove can add a cosy focal point to a room – check out our inspiring selection of eye-catching options

How sustainable are SIPs?

Rebecca Foster looks at whether this modern construction method could be the best fit for your ecofriendly home building project

SELF BUILDING a healthy home

the risks from pollution outdoors are well-known, but our dwellings’ design and the elements used to build them can also affect our health. Architect Julian Owen looks into how to choose products and materials that are better for us

Fire safety

Ensure your project meets the standards set out in the government’s guidance with Tim Doherty’s advice

Windows for heritage renovations

Not sure of the best approach to upgrading your period property’s windows? Alan Tierney lets us in on the secret to getting this project right, including when to repair and when to replace

Buying a plot at auction

Could you bag a real bargain in the bidding hall? Land and planning expert Mike Dade looks at the pros and cons of this route to buying property and reveals what you need to know before you get started

Water & drainage: how to reduce impact and keep bills low

Sustainability expert Nigel Griffiths reveals what you need to know to get your water usage in line with other eco elements of your home building project

Getting the most from your builder

Want to finish your project on time and on budget? then a good relationship with your contractors is crucial, says Mike Hardwick