Angled extension

EDITOR’S LETTER

Claire Lloyd has been a member of the Homebuilding & Renovating team for 15 years. She’s currently in the midst of another renovation.

OUR EXPERTS

TIM PHILLIPS Is a quantity surveyor with over

INSIGHT

A round-up of the latest self-build and home renovation news, products and events.

From a distance

With a little help from their trusted architect, Kerry and Andrew Scott converted their Grade II-listed barn in Oxfordshire while being locked down overseas

Hillside living

When the Ridgways bought a tiny house in a spectacular location they had no idea that it would turn into a massive self-build project involving the entire family

Going up

Squashed into a post-war bungalow with their two daughters, Andrew McFadyen and Claire Heffeman chose to extend and renovate to give their home – and their family – a new lease of life

Into the light

David and Lisa Mason engaged Sheldon Peever Studio to redesign their dark, disconnected basement kitchen — and the results speak for themselves

Inspiring ICF homes

As well as paving the way for swift construction and excellent energy efficiency, insulating concrete formwork (ICF) offers plenty of scope for design wow factor — as these stunning homes demonstrate

Hilltop haven

It took Jamie Adams and his wife Madeline Hutton 13 years to gain planning for their family home in the Hampshire countryside. But perseverance paid off and their modern take on a traditional home is teeming with sustainable features, inside and out

interior design success

It’s the final flourish which brings together your self-build, renovation or extension, but a successful interior design scheme starts at the very beginning of your project, says Claire Lloyd, who shares some of the secrets to creating cohesive interiors

HOW TO DEAL WITH WOODWORM

Rosie Moorman explains how to treat woodworm and what you can do to prevent it when renovating a house

Do you need planning permission for garden structures?

Sheds, summerhouses, greenhouses, pergolas — they can all potentially trigger the need for planning. Here’s everything you need to know to avoid a costly dispute with your local council

Beginner’s to guide self-build

IMAGES: GETTY; *HBR SELF & CUSTOM BUILD MARKET

Pre-build essentials

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

Financing yourbuild

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

Findingyour self-build plot

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

Choosinga build route

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

GREEN HOMES

SUSTAINABLE FLOORING Quick-Step’s sustainable laminate floors have received

ROOFING COSTS EXPLAINED

Whether you need to re-roof an existing home or start from scratch with a self-build, how much you pay to have a new roof isn’t a onesize-fits-all affair, as Tim Phillips explains

WRONG BUILDER FOR YOUR PROJECT

Not all builders are experienced in all kinds of construction. But what are the tell-tale signs to know and what can you do about rogue trades? Andy Stevens has the inside intel…

Designing a loft conversion

Utilising the space at the top of the house can make good sense. Here’s how to achieve that perfect loft conversion

5 reasons you need a QS

What is a quantity surveyor and why might you need one? Tim Phillips enlightens us on the role of these industry experts

How to get one and a half storeys right

Designing a house with one and a half storeys can be tricky, yet done well, this style of home can offer fantastic living spaces and also overcome certain planning issues

INSURANCE WHEN EXTENDING

EMMA LUNN Is a freelance personal finance journalist.

How to design gabion walls

Ideal for structural applications, gabion walls are a versatile option when it comes to constructing retaining walls, but they’re equally viable for more decorative configurations. Architect Allan Corfield breaks down the detail

ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORS

Add a dose of rustic charm to your home with hardwearing engineered wood flooring

ASK THE EXPERTS

Got a burning question about your self-build, extension or renovation project that you need answering? Drop us a line by emailing homebuilding@futurenet.com and your question could be answered by one of our magazine experts

Create the perfect patıo

The best patios are spaces that work year round — if you want to make the most of your outdoor area, take some inspiration from these stunning schemes

What is cellulose insulation?

Made predominantly from paper, cellulose insulation is viewed as an environmentally friendly choice, but surprisingly, it’s not a go-to when it comes to insulating our homes. Is it time we woke up to the idea?

Are you making your excess energy pay?

The Smart Export Guarantee sees homeowners paid for surplus renewable energy they export to the Grid. Here’s what you need to know

Designing for wellbeing

Oliver Heath is an expert in sustainable design, and in his new series, he will help you create a healthier home. This month he introduces the principles that will aid you in designing a home that champions physical and mental wellbeing, and why it’s just as important as energy efficiency

De-risk your self-build

Use the experts in self-build to insure your project, with an insurance and warranty product from Homebuilding & Renovating with Self Build Zone

NEXT MONTH

IMAGE: SIMON BURT New series! How to build