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Welcome

As I write, the team is just about to send this issue

inspiration

This stunning addition to an Edwardian house in north

product news

Great shopping ideas for your custom home project

interiors notebook

Embrace the character of natural materials and the passage of time in your project with wabi-sabi – the Japanese Scandi chic

your views:

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Fantastic inspiration & expert advice for each

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 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

DREAM PLOT OR NIGHTMARE SCENARIO?

After passing a building site every day on her way to work, Anne Morrison wonders whether, now that it’s for sale, the land could offer potential for a self-built home for her and husband Jimmy. Mike Dade takes a closer look at this site’s potential

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

focus on:

We catch up with architect Emily Barnes, founder of Design for Me, about how to find the right designer for your scheme

A change of scene

John and Judith Turner had always lived in period properties, but an unexpected phone call led to them revising their retirement plans and self-building an energy efficient, contemporary home in an old walled garden

Lucky find

For Rob and Beatrice Nicholas, it was love at first sight from the moment they viewed the plot that would eventually become the site of their oak frame abode

A FINE PROSPECT

A change in planning policy prompted Justin and Sarah May to create a modern holiday home from a oncedilapidated steel barn

The will to succeed

Jonathan and Janine Bootland didn’t let continual planning knockbacks and complications stop them from building a contemporary new home at the end of their garden

CONTEMPORARY REVISION

Taking on the challenging project to transform a tired 1920s detached house into a classy modern home has been no mean achievement for Paul and Nikki Blunden

thin-joint masonry

Chris Bates takes a look at a modern blockwork system that can deliver a straightforward route to an efficient, high-performance home

Glazed door design

When it comes to connecting home and garden, choosing the right doors is essential. Sofia Delgado highlights the key options

EASY GUIDE TO SHELL BUILDING

Heather Edwards, from package homes specialist Sylva Bespoke Design & Build Solutions, discusses the benefits of a shell route to creating your dream home

Should you install rainwater harvesting?

This simple tech can help reduce your reliance on mains water and even reduce flood risk – but is it right for your project, asks Nigel Griffiths

Renovating to add value

How can you tell if a property for sale has profit-making potential and what key elements are most worth investing your cash in? Emily Smith investigates

Design options for your garage

Whether you’re looking to add a new garage to an existing property or include one in your self-build plans, Emily Smith highlights the main choices

Garage doors

There’s something to suit every style preference and property type in this handpicked selection of designs

UNDERFLOOR HEATING

UFH is an efficient, durable and comfortable heating option – provided it’s properly specified and installed. Peter Richardson reveals what you need to know to avoid expensive issues once you’ve moved into your new home

GETTING TO KNOW TIMBER SYSTEMS

There’s a whole wealth of reasons why timber is such

Timber doors & windows

Find out why wood could be the best option when it comes to your home’s fenestration

Buyer’s guide: Timber flooring

Want the allure of real wooden floors? Anna-Marie DeSouza shares what you need to consider before selecting products for your home

9 inspiring garden rooms

We’ve handpicked a selection of attractive outbuildings that could bring extra living space, a home office, gym or entertainment zone to your property without needing to extend the main dwelling

Timber cladding

Rebecca Foster looks at how this attractive finish can boost your property’s kerb appeal

Timber staircases

Discover the versatility of wood in this selection of stunning flights that could add real wow factor to your dwelling’s interiors

DESIGNING a basement extension

Digging down is a fantastic way to add more living space to your house, but is it right for your property? Julian Owen takes a closer look at the main design considerations

Getting gas on site

In the second part of his series about ensuring your building plot has the right services in place, this month Tim Doherty looks at how to get connected to a gas supply

Repointing old walls

Is it time to repoint your period home’s brick or stone walls? Alan Tierney reveals how to spot the signs of failing mortar and what you need to know to get the job done right

10 planning considerations for garden plots

Mike Dade takes a closer look at the main things to think about before applying for planning consent to build on a garden site

SITE INSURANCE EXPLAINED

If you’re tackling a major building project, it pays to put the right protection in place. Mike Hardwick explains what you need to know

How to cost your windows

The Build It Estimating Service’s Adrian Wild takes a look at what you can expect to pay for this part of your project