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Welcome

We’ve got a treat for you this issue. Build It’s Self

inspiration

A couple came to AR Design Studio with a contemporary

product news

Great shopping ideas for your custom home project

interiors notebook

New England style interiors, with their beachy nautical influences, are perfect for creating bright and breezy living spaces that still feel homely and cosy

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

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 top plot hunting tips

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

TAKE A CHANCE

Could this patch of land on the edge of a housing estate make the perfect site for Larry Nixon’s new family home? Mike Dade investigates

Family affair

Victor Day took on his first oak frame self build with the help of his brother, resulting in the award-winning cottage he now shares with wife Helen and his in-laws

Dramatic TRANSFORMATIN

Jackie and Rhod Finn have taken a dated seventies property and added some Miami-Beachinspired design flair, turning it into a polished family home

Industrial inspiration

Michael Hammill pulled out all the stops to turn a dilapidated former mechanical garage into a fabulous urban home

Hidden gem

Sandra and Huw Watkins’ cleverly concealed self build home delivers open-plan living and panoramic views

Ocean-view HOME

Adam Laskey and Daisy Sawle embraced the unique quirks of a sea-view property in Falmouth to create the perfect home for their young family

Getting the First Fix Work Done

A lot goes into the fi rst fi x infrastructure of a home before the walls can be plastered. Chris Bates reveals the lessons we’ve learned during this crucial phase of our build

Complete guide to renovating a house

Finalising your ideas and having plans drawn up for transforming an existing property into your dream home isn’t something to rush, says Emily Smith

A beginner’s guide to Solar PV

The financial incentives for home electricity generation may not be as attractive as they once were – but it still makes sense to install technology that captures the sun’s energy. Emily Brooks explains the basics

CHOOSING A GARAGE for your home

Jane Crittenden outlines what you need to know to choose the best garage design for your home

What’s new in timber frame?

With self builders seeking cost certainty and long-term value for money, timber build systems have come of age. Emily Brooks surveys the latest developments

Do wood burning stoves make sense for modern homes?

Sustainability expert Nigel Griffi ths takes a look at whether the fl icker of real fl ames can still make a viable and eco-friendly contribution to space heating

SASH WINDOWS: REPAIR OR REPLACE?

Rebecca Foster weighs up the pros and cons involved in restoring tired-looking sash windows versus installing new ones

Putting together a tender pack

Architect Julian Owen explains how to present these essential documents to any prospective construction workers

Barn conversions: Where are the opportunities?

From tracking down a property ripe for transformation to developing the design, conservation expert Alan Tierney summarises what you need to know

WARNING SIGNS when not to buy a plot

Your self build project can only start once you’ve found the right site. But what are the red flags that could signal an expensive mistake? Mike Dade shares his expert insights for getting this important purchase right

Myth-busting guide to hiring an architect

Opinder Liddar takes a closer look at some of the common misconceptions associated with engaging a professional designer for your bespoke home building project

10 ways a project manager could help you

While the costs associated with hiring a project manager may give you pause for thought, a decent professional can more than make up for the fee incurred in multiple ways, says Mike Hardwick

DECIDING ON YOUR HEATING SYSTEM: the basics

Tim Doherty shares what you need to know to get this crucial element of your new home right