3 of the best CON TEMPORARY FRONT DOORS

Welcome

Whatever your politics, the results of the 4th

MEET THE TEAM

GEORGINA CROTHERS is Build It’s homes editor. Go

What should we expect from the new Labour government?

Labour claim that they want to get Britain

RURAL BARN CONVERSION

LOCATION Marstow, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire GUIDE PRICE over £350,000

inspiration

EDWARD JOSE PHOTOGRAPHY Sympathetic coastal self build Perched

Eco family haven

Home to a multigenerational family, this sustainable retrofit

House prices continue to rise

Nationwide’s latest House Price Index shows that prices

7.7%

is the premium that buyers are willing to

London mayor small sites scheme

Sadiq Khan has launched a new online portal

What’s on?

VISIT A LIVE BUILD 3RD AUG FREE, SUFFOLK

BUILD IT LIVE WESTPOINT

7TH-8TH SEPTEM BER Join us at WESTPOI NT

need to know

Getting started with a group self build

spendv save

FROM £51 PER M2 GRAHAM NIVEN PHOTOGRAPHY Russwood’s

product news

Great shopping ideas for your custom home project

interiors notebook

Whether simple or striking, incorporate stripes into your interior scheme for a burst of character

Self build & custom build mortgage table

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

FIND YOUR DREAM BUILDING PLOT

PlotBrowser.com is a 100% free-to-use plot and property finder, packed with 1,000s of home building opportunities. Here’s a taster of the fantastic self build plots, renovation properties and conversions currently for sale near you

next month...

October issue on sale 28th August

Sustainable building on a budget

Kirsty Maguire shares her expertise on how to create a home that’s truly sustainable and enjoyable to live in, while ensuring great value for money

INSPIRING LOFT CONVERSIONS

Often completed without the need for planning permission, loft conversions are a clever, cost-effective way to maximise your property’s space and value. Sander Tel shares a roundup of fantastic real-life projects

Readers’ homes

SELF BUILD + RENOVATION + EXTENSION + CONVERSION + IMPROVEMENT

COASTAL REBOOT

Jim and Lesley Driver replaced a poorly insulated coastal bungalow with a highly efficient ICF home, true to the area’s Bauhaus roots

TWO BECOME ONE

A kitchen extension and refurbishment was the next step in Fiona McMunnigal’s home renovation, which her architect designed in tandem with the neighbouring project to achieve planning success

FALSE START

Lucas Pulak and Agnieszka Zala didn’t anticipate a two-year planning battle when they decided to turn a dated dwelling in Bromley into a striking family home

Renovation & building

SELF BUILD + RENOVATION + EXTENSION + CONVER SION + IMPROVEMENT

GUIDE TO OFFSITE HOMES

Erika Chaffey takes a look at how offsite manufacturing could be the ideal route to achieving your dream high-quality, bespoke home on time and on budget

TIMBER & WOOD-ALTERNATIVE CLADDING

Rebecca Foster investigates the pros and cons of the various natural wood and replica cladding systems on the market

OAK ECO HOME IN THE COUNTRY

PART 1 THE DESIGN PHASE

PERIOD HOME RENOVATIONS

A BEGINNER’S GUIDE

YOUR GUIDE TO GARDEN OFFICES

Outbuildings g ive you a space that's separate f rom the main house, but still rig ht on your doorstep, making them idea l for a qu iet, product ive home of f ice, says Georg ina Crothers. Use these expert tips and rea l-life desig ns to move your project forward

KITCHEN SPECIAL

From developing the ideal design and perfecting your layout, to specifying the best fit-out features and appliances, find out how to create your dream kitchen setup with our round up of advice and inspiration

HOW TO PLAN YOUR KITCHEN

From getting your ideas down on paper to finding a designer to bring it all to life, preparing in advance is the key to achieving your dream scheme, says Lindsay Blair

10 FOR YOUR KITCH E N MUST-HAVE FEATURES

Take a look at Georgina Crothers’s pick of design details and innovative solutions that will enhance both the look and functionality of your space

KITCHEN WORKTOPS

Adurable, st ylish and practical worksurface is an essential feature of any kitchen. Sander Tel investigates the options to help you choose the best countertop for your home and lifestyle

KITCHEN APPLIANCES

Complete your ideal design with Erika Chaffey ’s guide to specifying kit that will balance practicality, budget and style

WHAT DOES A NEW KITCHEN COST?

Lindsay Blair takes a look at how you can piece together a budget for your kitchen project

Expert help

SELF BUILD + RENOVATION + EXTENSION + CONVER SION + IMPROVEMENT

SELF BUILD OR RENOVATE?

Project management expert Mark Stevenson shares his top tips for deciding whether a smallscale renovation or a complete remodel and rebuild is the best route to creating your ideal home

What does it cost to retrofit a heat pump?

Thinking of replacing your boiler with this low-carbon alternative? Dave Hilton reveals the lesserknown factors that influence heat pump costs, and whether you can expect immediate bill savings

HOW TO SPOT A COWBOY BUILDER

Architect Julian Owen shares the inside track on what to look for in trustworthy trades for your build, as well as the red flags to avoid

HYDRO POWER

lessons from a real-life project

ECOLOGY & PLANNING

Planning expert Julia Riddle shares what you need to know about navigating the environmental considerations attached to your site

Smart Homes

Well-planned home tech can deliver a better living experience, greater convenience and even improve energy efficiency – the very ingredients that make a bespoke self build or renovation such an appealing prospect