Connecting with nature

Welcome

If you’ve had a project on the back burner for a while

Benbow Yard

The Greater London Authority’s Local Plan calls for

Brits staying put as property renovations grow by 400%

According to research by insurance company Hiscox,

What’s on?

Leading body criticises handling of home building policy

Over 40,000 people are now on Right to Build registers

need to know

If you picked up the previous edition of the mag, you’ll

spend v save

A stylish hob, with LED lighting that glows in accordance

product news

Great shopping ideas for your custom home project

3 of the best STONE ROOF TILES

1 spendvsave Cotswold roofing slates, £215 per m2,

interiors notebook

Opting for a darker interior colour palette can give your home a feeling of cosiness without compromising on sophistication. Pair moody blues and blacks with brightly 2 coloured accents for a brave and modern scheme

your views:

Got a funny story, a gripe or some superb self build

Build It Live

Whether you’re planning a self build project, renovating an existing home or extending to add space and value, here are 10 key reasons you can’t afford to miss February’s Build It Live Shows in the South East and North West

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 & 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

BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO 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

A STRONG CONTENDER

Could this old farmhouse provide Kath and Angie Scholes with the chance to create their perfect family home? Mike Dade takes a closer look

next month…

Discover the ups and downs of Kevin O’Mahony’s self

focus on:

Dean Jepson is the EU managing director of heating control company Salus. Here, he introduces us to the Boiler Plus legislation and what it means for homeowners

Ahead of the curve

Julia and Nick Keem almost doubled the size of their home, adding a curving extension to their rural period property

Hidden gem

Jonathan and Judith Gough scoured the Staffordshire countryside to find the perfect plot for their striking contemporary new build home

LUCKY MOVE

A fortuitous conversation with a sustainability expert encouraged Susanna Geoghegan to go back to the drawing board on her build. The result is a Passivhaus with a pleasing traditional look

Future PROOFING

Ron and Tricia Berry have transformed a dated bungalow into a family home that combines practical, flexible living with exciting modern design

Land ahoy

Architect Caroline Buckingham has replaced a derelict cottage with a playful, contemporary home by the sea

The build begins: groundworks & basement

Our project on the Graven Hill self build development gets underway, as we dig out the site and form the shell of our new basement. Chris Bates reveals where we’re at with the Build It Education House and what we’ve learned so far

UFH: How to get it right

A water-based UFH setup can deliver improved comfort levels, excellent efficiency and low running costs – but only if it’s fitted correctly. Rebecca Foster reveals what you need to know

How to keep oak frame costs down

Lui Rocca, architectural designer at Welsh Oak Frame, investigates the different cost implications for oak frame design options

Build cost basics: Guide to internal flooring prices

The Build It Estimating Service’s Adrian Wild compares the costs of diff erent types of flooring for your home building project

INSPIRING CONVERSION PROJECTS

Renovating a non-domestic building is a great way to achieve a bespoke property packed with character. From a windmill to an ambulance station, be inspired by this handpicked selection of conversions – could something similar work for you?

How to get the best out of SIPs

Charley Ward outlines the most effective ways to use structural insulated panels in your project

5 steps to choosing the right windows

Matt Higgs, co-owner and director of glazing specialist Kloeber, shares his thoughts on the considerations you should make before picking this element of your scheme

Renewable heating & hot water solutions

Looking for a setup to deliver on all your space heating and hot water needs? Nigel Griffiths sums up the renewable options

Double or triple glazing?

Thomas Hagen, technical manager at window specialist Internorm, discusses how this choice could impact on energy performance in your home

EXTENSIONS: traditional or contemporary?

Whether you want a new addition to be sympathetic to the original property, or stand out with a contrasting modern style, architect Julian Owen offers his advice on how to get the design and planning stage right

How to vet suppliers

Your project is likely to be one of the biggest investments you ever make, so be sure to use Mike Hardwick’s top tips to protect yourself when buying goods and services

What does it really cost to get planning?

From council fees to land surveys, Mike Dade breaks down the various charges you should budget for when applying for planning permission for your new home

What you need to know about building surveys

It’s important to assess the structure of an existing house before starting a renovation project. Here Tim Doherty outlines how to get it right

WHAT WILL MY DESIGN REALLY LOOK LIKE?

Communicating design concepts effectively is a key aspect of an architect’s job. Opinder Liddar explores the ways your plans can be presented to help you visualise the living spaces and achieve the house you really want

NEW ROUTES to self build

Looking for a more straightforward path to identifying a viable, development-ready plot and building your dream home? Find out how the custom build approach can deliver the right site and the right support to help you make a success of your project

An award-winning custom build service with Border Oak

Finding a good plot in a great location, with planning

Find a plot for your self build project with Oakwrights

The growth of developerenabled custom build across