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36 MIN READ TIME

Ask the EXPERTS

PLANNING

Mike Dade is a land and planning specialist. He is a contributing editor of Build It, a plot hunting expert and author of several books on planning and plot issues. He is one half of Speer Dade consultants (www.speerdade.co.uk).

FINANCE

Rachel Pyne is director of financial services at BuildStore (www.buildstore.co.uk). She has worked in self build finance for over 10 years and deals with a diverse portfolio of lenders across the whole market as well as on exclusive self build and renovation mortgage products

SUSTAINABILITY

Nigel Griffiths is director of the Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance (www.stbauk.org) and a consultant working mainly on energy efficiency policy and evaluation. He is the author of the Haynes Eco House Manual.

SCOTLAND

Angela Doran is NaCSBA’s self build representative for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, brought in by Glasgow City Council to coordinate a pioneering new self build project in Maryhill. She works to promote alternative, community and individually led housing in Scotland.

SELF BUILD & RENOVATION

Tim Doherty was the founding MD of the National Self Build & Renovation Centre and a founding member of NaCSBA. He runs Dobanti Property Consultants (www.dobanti.com), a specialist surveying & building consultancy for the residential and commercial sectors, including project management and custom build solutions.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Mike Hardwick is a self build consultant, project management specialist and NaCSBA’s general manager. He has first hand experience of the processes involved in building bespoke homes.

DESIGN

Opinder Liddar is a director at Lapd Architects (www.lapdarchitects.co.uk). The practice specialises in residential projects from extensions to new builds, making him the ideal person to answer all your home design questions.

Can I build a home on a plot of green belt land?

10 years ago, my parents replaced an old cottage in a green belt area with a small modern new build. They were told at the time that they had used up all permitted development rights on the land. Since then planning laws have changed and the vacant plot next door, of a similar size, has been granted consent for two detached four-bedroom houses.

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Build It
September 2019
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Welcome
We’ve got a treat for you this issue. Build It’s Self
REGULARS
inspiration
A couple came to AR Design Studio with a contemporary
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Great shopping ideas for your custom home project
interiors notebook
New England style interiors, with their beachy nautical influences, are perfect for creating bright and breezy living spaces that still feel homely and cosy
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
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 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
TAKE A CHANCE
Could this patch of land on the edge of a housing estate make the perfect site for Larry Nixon’s new family home? Mike Dade investigates
next month…
October issue on sale 28th August
READERS’ HOMES
Family affair
Victor Day took on his first oak frame self build with the help of his brother, resulting in the award-winning cottage he now shares with wife Helen and his in-laws
Dramatic TRANSFORMATIN
Jackie and Rhod Finn have taken a dated seventies property and added some Miami-Beachinspired design flair, turning it into a polished family home
Industrial inspiration
Michael Hammill pulled out all the stops to turn a dilapidated former mechanical garage into a fabulous urban home
Hidden gem
Sandra and Huw Watkins’ cleverly concealed self build home delivers open-plan living and panoramic views
Ocean-view HOME
Adam Laskey and Daisy Sawle embraced the unique quirks of a sea-view property in Falmouth to create the perfect home for their young family
Getting the First Fix Work Done
A lot goes into the fi rst fi x infrastructure of a home before the walls can be plastered. Chris Bates reveals the lessons we’ve learned during this crucial phase of our build
RENOVATION & BUILDING
Complete guide to renovating a house
Finalising your ideas and having plans drawn up for transforming an existing property into your dream home isn’t something to rush, says Emily Smith
A beginner’s guide to Solar PV
The financial incentives for home electricity generation may not be as attractive as they once were – but it still makes sense to install technology that captures the sun’s energy. Emily Brooks explains the basics
CHOOSING A GARAGE for your home
Jane Crittenden outlines what you need to know to choose the best garage design for your home
What’s new in timber frame?
With self builders seeking cost certainty and long-term value for money, timber build systems have come of age. Emily Brooks surveys the latest developments
Do wood burning stoves make sense for modern homes?
Sustainability expert Nigel Griffi ths takes a look at whether the fl icker of real fl ames can still make a viable and eco-friendly contribution to space heating
SASH WINDOWS: REPAIR OR REPLACE?
Rebecca Foster weighs up the pros and cons involved in restoring tired-looking sash windows versus installing new ones
EXPERT HELP
Putting together a tender pack
Architect Julian Owen explains how to present these essential documents to any prospective construction workers
Barn conversions: Where are the opportunities?
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WARNING SIGNS when not to buy a plot
Your self build project can only start once you’ve found the right site. But what are the red flags that could signal an expensive mistake? Mike Dade shares his expert insights for getting this important purchase right
Myth-busting guide to hiring an architect
Opinder Liddar takes a closer look at some of the common misconceptions associated with engaging a professional designer for your bespoke home building project
10 ways a project manager could help you
While the costs associated with hiring a project manager may give you pause for thought, a decent professional can more than make up for the fee incurred in multiple ways, says Mike Hardwick
DECIDING ON YOUR HEATING SYSTEM: the basics
Tim Doherty shares what you need to know to get this crucial element of your new home right