As this month’s mag hits the shelves, we’ll be just a few days away from the first Build It Live shows of 2018. The South East edition takes place at the Kent Event Centre on 3rd & 4th February, followed by the North West exhibition at EventCity in Manchester on 17th & 18th February. The shows are a must-visit for anyone who wants to self-build, renovate or extend their way to a truly individual home – off ering the perfect opportunity to meet suppliers, see products up close and get free one-to-one expert advice from the Build It magazine experts. They’re also a really exciting time for us, as we get to hear all about your project plans and have a hand in helping you realise them. Head over to www.builditlive.co.uk to find out more about the shows.
Alongside putting the finishing touches to the exhibitions, there’s still an inspiring, advice-packed edition to produce. Our cover house this month is Andrew and Nicola Orr’s aff ordable £206,000 dormer bungalow (page 24). The couple’s project is a fantastic example of how to self-build on a tight budget; and they’ve cleverly futureproofed it by using pre-insulated roofing panels, ensuring the loft will be easy to fitout if they need more space. We also have a stunning Manchester extension (page 33), the Wilsons’ contemporary Passivhaus (page 42) and more. If you want to get a sense of what you could achieve for your money, check out Emily Smith’s selection of amazing schemes on page 70, with budgets ranging from £77,000 up to £749,500.