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Welcome

For many people starting out on a major project, there’s

MAKE YOUR DREAM HOME HAPPEN

Planning a self build? Renovating a property? Looking

10 ways a visit to Build It Live can help make your dream home happen

Whether you’re planning a self build, renovating a property or adding more space to your current home, you won’t want to miss our next Build It Live show at Bicester. Here are 10 must-see highlights to plan into your visit

The bigger picture

A growing family and a desire for a better connection between inside and out led Roy and Marianne Stenhouse to extend their 400-year-old former mill. It’s now a light, open, child-friendly home

Close range

Anne and Brian Wildey’s dream plot was hidden in plain sight, as their own garden offered the perfect setting for a new timber frame home that makes the most of beautiful mountain views

New lease of life

Kate and Jon Slattery have transformed WORDS HEATHER DIXON PHOTOS DAVID BURTON a dated 1960s bungalow into a striking house on the outskirts of Leeds

Community spirit

Saira Renny and George Carr have made the most of a spectacular beach setting on the Isle of Eigg with their new energy efficient, sustainable house. The couple’s first self build came in at an impressive £77,000 thanks to a little help from their friends

Oak charm

A renovation project evolved into a self build opportunity, allowing Peter Crosdil to create the oak frame house he’d always wanted

Why timber frame makes sense for self builders

Chris Bates explains the pros and cons of this speedy structural system, and why it could be a good fit for your project

FLOORING: The main options

Emily Smith takes a look at the pros and cons of popular flooring solutions for your home

Guide to solar PV & battery storage

Converting natural light into electricity, photovoltaic panels reduce reliance on fossil fuels, with battery storage further extending their benefits. Nigel Griffiths looks at whether they’re worth the payback times

Bifolds vs sliders: which option suits your project?

Sun-soaked interiors, garden views and a harmonious connection between inside and out are just a few of the benefits glazed doors can bring – but which setup is right for your project? We speak to the experts to find out

Design details Dormer windows

Inserting a window into the slope of the roof could be the best way to maximise space in your home, but it’s got to look right outside. Emily Smith investigates the options

Striking staircase design

If you want to let light flow throughout your home and create an attractive feature, then an open flight may be perfect for your modern layout, says Anna-Marie DeSouza

5 great staircases

Be inspired by our hand-picked selection of eye-catching flights

How does green building affect house design?

Architect Julian Owen explores how a careful approach to planning a property can result in an energy-efficient structure with a low carbon footprint, made with minimum waste

10 things to know before you build

Feel confident and well-prepared ahead of starting your self build project by taking note of Mike Hardwick’s top tips

Understanding product warranties & guarantees

Make sense of the small print and contractual jargon with Tim Doherty’s expert guidance

Design ideas for an awkward

Architect Opinder Liddar looks at some common plot headaches and suggests innovative ways they can be overcome

AN EDGE-OF-VILLAGE INFILL PLOT

Matt Hudson has realised some land adjoining his current home could offer the perfect opportunity for a self build. Mike Dade takes a closer look at his chances of success

Park life

Situated within south London’s Brockwell Park, this

Le Petit Fort

This striking new home in Jersey was designed by the

Mansfield launches self build mortgage

Mansfield Building Society (MBS) has joined forces

15%

Of new homes in the UK are designed by the owner, compared

Quinn Estates brings forward serviced plots

The demolition of an old garden centre is now underway

What’s on?

Self build can deliver better quality, more affordable homes

Self build can deliver better quality, more affordable

Need to know

I had an interesting morning with a group of builders’

Spend v save

Authentic stone roof tiles are a popular choice for

Product news

Great shopping ideas for your custom home project

3 of the best VICTORIAN-STYLE WINDOWS

2 PVCu sliding sash window with woodgrain finish, £390

Interiors notebook

It’s never too early to start looking for the finishing touches for your self build

Your views:

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Focus on:

This month we catch up with Julia Riddle, one of Build It’s planning experts, to decipher what kinds of project can be completed without planning consent under so-called permitted development rights