next month…

Welcome

As much as I loved the long, warm days of summer, I

MEET THE TEAM

CHRIS BATES is Build It’s editor. He’s currently project

inspiration

This modern new build home by London-based Belsize

PROJECT OF THE MONTH

Built in 1890, this residential unit in a converted

What’s on?

UK CONSTRUCTION WEEK 8TH - 10TH OCT FREE NEC BIRMINGHAM

need to know

Keeping communication lines open with your neighbours

spendvsave

£150 per m2

product news

Great shopping ideas for your custom home project

interiors notebook

Dark hues turn decorative florals, a classic home decor pattern, into this stylish moody blooms look, suitable for a variety of architectural palettes

Vote for Britain’s Best Self Build or Renovation Project

It’s that time of year again, as the Build It Awards 2019 are showcasing the very best in self build and renovation. We just need your help to crown a winner from our handpicked shortlist of exceptional homes

Traditional home with modern twist

OWNERS Lee & Amber Wilmot

Dramatic extension to a period property

OWNERS Julia & Nick Keem

Stunning new home on a sloping plot

When a building plot on a road known for its panoramic

Dramatic industrial conversion

OWNERS Erica & Michael Hammill

Eco home packed with wow factor

OWNERS John & Maxine Fack

Hands-on heritage renovation

OWNERS Lou & Shaun Renwick

What to do when planners change their minds on you

Navigating the quagmire of planning policy can sometimes be a nightmare for everyone involved. Julian Owen explains how to deal with conflicting advice from local authorities

Can I manage my own build?

Mike Hardwick looks at the pros and cons of taking on the role of project manager for your self build

Following a live renovation

Build It expert, Alan Tierney, talks us through his refurb of a grade II* listed property in Devon

How good design will save you money

Architect Opinder Liddar gives his tips on maximising your budget by planning a project that delivers the best return on your investment

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SAP ratings: What you need to know

Eco expert Nigel Griffiths explains how this approach to evaluating a house’s energy performance works

Planning details: ACCESS

Mike Dade provides his expert guidance on this sometimes tricky aspect of a building project

Foundation OPTIONS

Your bespoke home will have unique requirements, but so will the ground you’re building on. Tim Doherty looks at the different foundation solutions

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

Ask the EXPERTS

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

BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO

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 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

SPECULATING THE POSSIBILITIES

When a plot acts as a car park to local commuters, is there really potential to build the home Ben and Nas are dreaming of?

focus on:

Ted Stevens, founder of NaCSBA, talks to us about his eco-home, 15 years after completion. He reflects on the lessons learnt and what he’d do diff erently

Challenge accepted

”The journey of ups and downs, as with life itself, is what really makes you appreciate what you’ve got “

Slate feature wall…

Angela’s favourite element is one that she worked on herself – the slate internal wall. This impressive feature starts from the first floor and continues upwards right to the apex of the property. Each of the tiles is a slightly diff erent depth, providing a wonderfully textured finish. The same stone is featured behind the woodburner, tying the spaces together beautifully and also retaining heat from the sun throughout the day. “It’s a very important element for the feel of the house inside,” says Angela. “It’s got little LEDs on it that light it up from above and below – so it looks lovely in the evening.”

The artist’s residence

Toby and Nina Harris have transformed two dilapidated buildings on their farmland into a stunning space that’s filled with unique family artwork

Heat storage range…

The Everhot stove is an electric heat storage cooking range that plugs into a 13 amp socket, which eliminates the need for wood, coal, a flue or a concrete base. First created 20 years ago, the Everhot is made in the Severn Vale in Gloucestershire at a medieval mill in the village of Coaley. Unlike some other cooking ranges, this one has a temperature control and the ability to isolate each oven so that you can roast and bake at the same time. Its inventors claim the Everhot averages less than half the running costs of most other traditional ranges and it comes in a variety of sizes from the Everhot 6 to the Everhot 150.

CHANGE OF DIRECTION

A search for a low maintenance new build took a speedy U-turn when Ben and Amanda Rendell stumbled across a renovation opportunity

Artificial Grass…

With two boys constantly playing outside, Ben and Amanda’s previous lawn was either a mud bath in the winter or scuff ed and scorched in the summer. Adding into the mix the inevitable muddy dog paws brought in by their labrador, Ben and Amanda opted for an artificial lawn supplied by Trulawn. The company’s luxury grass is made from 100% polyethylene, which ensures that the blades won’t lie flat and will bounce back after use. Ben was drawn to it because there is no need to cover the turf in a layer of sand in order to keep it looking good. Prior to purchase, Trulawn surveys the area to be covered in order to ascertain what ground preparation is necessary. In the Rendells’ case, the builders had put down 300mm of hardcore and 100mm of granite dust. Trulawn added a further 20mm layer of sharp sand, which was levelled before laying the lawn. The turf comes in 2m or 4m rolls.

Rural retreat

Inspired by the far-reaching views from their rural farm in Perthshire, David and Pia England embarked on a self build journey to create a stunning bespoke home for their family

A clean finish…

For David, selecting the right material to complement

Second Fix & Fit-Out Works

The scaffold is down and we’re well on the way to completion. Chris Bates reveals the big wins and challenges at this stage of our build

Installing the doors

There’s plenty to consider when choosing doors, and

Internal fit-out

With the building now completely weathertight, work

Fitting the feature staircases

You can spend pretty much anything you want on a staircase

Second fix electrics

Now most of the house has been mist-coated, Moss Technical

INSULATION & FABRIC PERFORMANCE

Upgrading your property’s thermal efficiency as part of a renovation is a great way to enhance the performance of your heating system and save money on bills. Richard Webber takes a closer look at the options

Period Bricks

Could these traditional building elements work for your home project? Anamika Talwaria investigates

Internal glazing

From glass walls, walk-on flooring and balustrades, to transparent doors and windows, Sophie Vening’s design guide examines how these elements can transform the look and feel of a property

Building basements with ICF

nsulated concrete formwork is an ideal construction method for subterranean builds. Mike Hardwick takes a closer look at why

HEATING special

Get to grips with the essentials to plan an efficient system for your home

AN INTRODUCTION TO HEAT SOURCES

Whether you’re considering a gas boiler or renewable tech, our guide has got you covered

AIR & GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMPS

These appliances extract warmth from the air or ground

SOLAR THERMAL PANELS

Solar thermal panels collect energy from the sun and

BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO THE RENEWABLE HEAT INCENTIVE

Soften the financial blow of some tech installations by claiming payments from the government’s cashback scheme

HEAT EMITTERS FOR YOUR HOME

From modern underfloor setups to traditional radiator systems, we take a closer look at the various options available for your project

9OF THE BEST STOVES & FIRES

The warm flicker of flames will infuse your home with cosy appeal. We’ve rounded up a selection of stylish options to inspire you

RENOVATION FOCUS: UPGRADING YOUR HEATING

Updating your heating system with a more efficient