By the time this issue lands, we’ll have announced this year’s Build It Awards-winning houses, products and services. For myself and the rest of the panel, judging the awards gets harder every year; and from my perspective that’s great news – because it means the quality of what’s going into live self builds on the ground keeps on getting better. Some of the winners may well be worth shortlisting for your own project, so head over to www.self-build.co.uk/winners for the full rundown, including which scheme you and your fellow readers voted for as the Best Self Build or Renovation 2016.
We’re serving up some inspirational houses in the magazine this month, too – from the spectacular oak frame home that graces our cover (page 22) through to a clever eco renovation that’s packed with interesting architectural touches (page54). You’ll also find indepth guides on how to get loft conversions right (page 64) and what to consider when creating a kitchen-diner extension (page 77). If you’re at the stage of specifying products and services for your own project, we’ve got you covered with advice on insulation options (page 70), rainwater harvesting systems (page 88) and hiring good plumbers (page 111). You’ll also find practical tips on everything from estimating your build costs (page 100) through to how to gain planning consent on rural and countryside plots (page 106).