Welcome

Our February issue always lands in the shops

Playful pavilion-style extension

CHRIS SNOOK This semi-detached Victorian property has been

Frame House

Located within an urban conservation area, this home’s

Changes to heat pumps under PD

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

10 years

is the last time the fee for HM

Lenders reject spray foam insulated homes

Homeowners are struggling to sell or remortgage due

What’s on?

DIY IN A DAY: PLUMBING 19TH JAN

Labour pushes Local Plans to combat planning delays

The Labour party has announced that they will

need to know

Installing EV charging points

spend v save

£950 Hand-built in the UK, this cast iron

product news

Great shopping ideas for your custom home project

3 of the best SMART HOME EN TRANCE SYSTEMS

1 Netatmo Video Doorbell, £279.99, netatmo.com 2

interiors notebook

Combine timeless designs with warm creams and bold blues for a modern farmhouse look

Self build & custom build mortgage table

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

FIND YOUR DREAM BUILDING PLOT

PlotBrowser.com is a 100% free-to-use plot and property finder, packed with 1,000s of home building opportunities. Here’s a taster of the fantastic self build plots, renovation properties and conversions currently for sale near you

How to enhance your build with landscaping

James Cattle, associate director of Snell David Architects, discusses how to create stunning outdoor spaces that complement your new home

GARAGE CONVERSION IDEAS

Increasing your property’s usable floorspace with a garage conversion, or turning a detached structure into a home, could be one of the best routes to a new, multifunctional space. Sander Tel takes a look at seven inspiring real-life designs

BEHIND THE FACADE

Fiona and Martin Lamb bought a neo-Georgian residence with a view to renovating it. Little did they know, they’d end up building a brand new home behind the protected front elevation

TRANSFORMATION BY DESIGN

When Zoe Freeman’s 195 0s bungalow revealed its flaws, she seized the chance to take on a self build project, crafting a sust ainable dream home filled with character and charm

Unique finish…

closer look

History in the making

After falling in love with a historic lodge, Julian and Abigail Bernard took a hands-on approach to transforming it into a gorgeous family home, on a tight budget

Mastering roof design

Looking to create a st ylish, functional and energy-efficient roof for your home building project? materials, design options and installation techniques Mark Stevenson discusses

WHO CAN DESIGN MY SE LF BUILD?

Whatever your project goals, electing the right team or individual to translate your vision into a reality is a key ingredient for success. three routes to creating your dream home Erika Chaffey explores

EXTENSIONS IDEAS FOR ADDING VALUE

With the right design, an extension project can significantly enhance your home’s value and functionality. Take inspiration from this collection of eight fantastic real-life examples

EXPERT Q&A

BOOSTING EQUITY, USAB I LITY & DESIRABILITY

EXPERT VIEW

KEEPING YOUR PROJECT COST-EFFICIENT

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BATHROOM RENOVATION COSTS

Kate Sandhu explains the key factors to consider for this type of project and shares her top tips on how to bring in a high-quality result that’s within your budget

Building an eco home

Set your self build sustainabilit y agenda with on the key elements for creating a low-impact, low-energy home Nigel Griffiths’ advice

OPEN VS BROKEN PLAN LAYOUTS

Architect how to get the right balance between large shared spaces and private, snug rooms Opinder Liddar reveals

INTERNAL GLAZING IDEAS

From doors and windows to striking atriums, a range of solutions for maximising light flow and sightlines throughout your home Erika Chaffey showcases

What does it cost to retrofit UFH?

Installing underfloor heating in an existing property is a great space-saving way to increase comfort and efficiently warm your home. But what determines how much your setup will cost? Erika Chaffey investigates

THE INS AND OUTS OF REPLACEMENT DWELLINGS

Planning expert the range of benefits and key considerations when contemplating this route to your ideal home Martin Gaine reveals

GETTING RELIABLE QUOTES

For building projects, navigating the maze of estimates, quotes and varying prices can feel slightly overwhelming. guide will help you to take control of the process, and avoid making costly mistakes Mike Hardwick’s comprehensive

Ask the EXPERTS

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

A SLICE OF CORNISH HEAVEN

LOCATION St Keyne, Cornwall GUIDE PRICE £225,000 AREA

Eco builds

By focussing on an energ y-efficient desig n, renewable technolog ies and natural materials, you can reduce your home’s overall environmental impact while enhancing its sustainablit y credentials