EDITOR’S LETTER

CLAIRE LLOYD has been a member of the Homebuilding

A HAPPY HOME

Nearly one quarter of all homeowners want a better designed home to improve their mental health and happiness, according to a new study

Self-build & renovation

One in three wants to self-build One in three

THINK BIG TO HEAT SMALL HOMES

Green

KITCHEN FANS

Kitchens & bathrooms

The great British materials shortage?

Builder Andy Stevens asks whether there is going to be a major shortage of materials in 2021 as Brexit approaches…

Homes

Inspiring self-build, renovation, conversion and extension projects from across the UK

ADDING SPACE & VALUE

IMAGE: EDWARD MCCANN ARCHITECTURE PHOTOGRAPHER LYNDON DOUGLAS PART

CONNECTING THE SPACES TOGETHER

There are various options for linking the en suite

CHOOSING BIFOLD OR SLIDING DOORS FOR YOUR HOME

Kloeber helps you decide between these two popular options to connect any home to the great outdoors

ASK THE EXPERTS

Whether you’re disposing of hazardous waste or want to know more about cavity wall insulation, our team of experts can help

Renewables: to own or not to own?

That is the question when it comes to technologies such as solar panels and biomass boilers. Should you invest or opt for the ‘free’ install offered by a growing number of companies?

Beginner’s guide to self-build

AN URBAN BUILD Situated on a tight, sloping

Finding your self-build plot

It’s the starting point to any self-build dream. Here’s what to consider when plot hunting

Pre-build essentials

Here are some of the key things you need to consider before ‘going on-site’ with your build

FINANCING YOUR BUILD

Funding your project may require a specialist self-build mortgage…

WINNING WAYS FOR KORNICHE

Discover contemporary glazing products that bring swathes of natural light into an extension or new home, delivering everything a self-builder could wish for`

OLD MEETS NEW

David and Fiona Patten realised a lifelong ambition when they found a run-down property with glorious countryside views — now, their new on site combines character with modern living

THE KNOWLEDGE

LOCALLY SOURCED TIMBER

Worth the wait

Kevin and Tommy Porter lived in their terrace for 17 years before embarking on a renovation and extension project to create their dream home

LIGHTING the way

Architect Ian Harvey has opened up this once dark and tired house into a contemporary home that flows naturally to the garden beyond

THE BUILD

SELECTED COSTS Demolition and alteration £12,319 Foundations £11,787 Steel

A touch of luxury

Shankari and Ian Chilcott have transformed their loft space into a spa-like master suite, complete with freestanding bathtub and steam room

Our self-build journey

Over the last year, expert Mark Brinkley has been sharing wisdom and lessons learnt from his latest self-build. Here, he reflects on moving into his new home

Seventies revıval

Mike and Ruth Vernam have taken a dormer bungalow, untouched since it was built in the 1970s, and transformed it into a modern home full of light and open-plan spaces

THE BUILD

THE FLOORPLANS

“Every time I go to site I feel a lift”

Jane and Jack Cresswell can’t wait to move into their first self-build — complete with a family slide into the basement

Brilliant BARN CONVERSIONS

Converting an agricultural building can throw up its challenges, butI barns can make for amazing homes, as these projects go to show

“Tackling the finer details”

Friends Charlie, Helen, LB and Craig are building their homes side-by-side. This month they discuss how they choose their bricks and their ventilation systems

SUBSCRIBE FOR LESS!

BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO RENOVATION

PART 16: How to transform the look of your home

Managing trades and the site

Here’s what you need to know when it comes to tracking down your build team and overseeing their work on site

Top tips for project success

Organisation, communication and setting tasks are all key to running a successful project

IS SAVING MONEY BEING PM WORTH THE TIME AND EFFORT?

Nimi Attanayake, of Nimtim Architects says: “If you’re

MANAGING THE FINANCES

One of the key advantages of project managing a scheme yourself is that you’ll have more control over the purse strings. However, being over-optimistic about how far your money will stretch is often one of the biggest causes of grief on a build, so it’s important to be realistic about money matters from the start and set a realistic budget you can stick to

EXTENDING IN A PANDEMIC: A QUICK GUIDE

Site insurance is more important than ever, say the experts from Self-Build Zone

HOW TO TILE A WALL

Whether you’re renovating, taking on an extension or doing a complete self-build, chances are you’d like to save money by taking on a few DIY tasks. Here’s what to consider when installing wall tiles

HOW TO FIND A PLOT

PART FOUR: IUNDERSTANDING POLICY AND LAND DESIGNATIONS

A beginner’s guide to MANAGING YOUR EXTENSION PROJECT

The difference between a smooth build and one fraught with problems often comes down to one factor: effective project management. Here’s how to PM your own project successfully

Understanding the basics: Planning and Building Regs

However big a part you’ll be playing in the day to-day management of your extension, it pays to know what the crucial stages involve

TOP PLOTS WITH REDEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

This month’s selection of choice finds from plotfinder.net*

Extension Project Step-by-Step Planner *

8 Essential Features In Your Home

While stepping into 2021 might feel like a leap into the unknown, let’s ensure that our homes are ready for anything with these eight essential design features

MEETING BUILDING REGULATIONS

THE 3-MINUTE GUIDE

Ideas for Concealing TVs

Innovative ways to ensure a TV is not the focal p oint of your room

Statement lighting

BEHIND THE DESIGN

The latest ROOFLIGHTS

1 The Site Premium aluminium alloy roof window

Adding character to new spaces

Self-builders and those adding an extension can often find their new spaces suffering from a lack of ambience and warmth. We show you the best ways of injecting character and personality into your home

Choosing a build route

Self-build is a broad church — you needn’t lay a single brick if you don’t want to!