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Build It magazine Build It is the UK’s no.1 self build, renovation & extension magazine. Head to www.self-build.co.uk for inspiring real-life projects & expert advice

Build It is packed full of inspiring case studies, build advice, cost and finance guidance, expert Q&As and planning tips. If you're planning to build your own home, renovate or convert an existing building, Build It magazine is essential reading!

Len and Yvonne Rose had no intention of taking on a self build until 2021, when a fire broke out in their West Sussex th...
27/01/2025

Len and Yvonne Rose had no intention of taking on a self build until 2021, when a fire broke out in their West Sussex thatched cottage and destroyed it. “We had nothing but the clothes we were wearing. We had to move into our daughter’s bungalow next door,” says Yvonne. “But we’re in our 80s and couldn’t dwell on what happened. We had to decide – sell the land and buy another house or rebuild on the same plot.”

Not keen on trying to find a new location to live in, the couple decided to stay put on the plot that had accommodated their home for more than 20 years.

The couple decided that using a timber frame company, where the kit is prefabricated in a factory, would be the quickest way to progress the project. Len and Yvonne were instantly drawn to Scandia-Hus Ltd’s chalet-style Cranbrook house and went to visit the company to find out more. “We really liked the front gable that created a double-height hallway with a galleried landing,” says Yvonne. “I loved the balcony and the downstairs snug next to the cloakroom, which could become a bedroom later on – the design felt right for us.”

Click here now to find out more about this couple’s self build journey: https://ow.ly/E1pu50UK4Xh

Words: Jane Crittenden, 📷: Fourwalls

Dormer windows could be one of the best ways to bring extra headroom and daylight into the upper level of your property,...
24/01/2025

Dormer windows could be one of the best ways to bring extra headroom and daylight into the upper level of your property, whether you’re converting a loft or building a new one-and-a-half storey home.

Dormer windows come in all shapes and sizes, but they’re notoriously difficult to get right in terms of how they blend in with the rest of the dwelling. There’s a fine line between gaining as much space as possible inside and making sure the dormer window looks in proportion with the other external features.

So, to help you out, over on Build It’s website we’re delving into how to get dormer windows right and the different style options on offer – click here to read: https://ow.ly/brhl50QxMAE

📷: Architectural studio Konishi Gaffney has added this wide, contemporary dormer to an early Edwardian cottage in Edinburgh. The long, thin unit is set back from the edge to limit its perceived size and chamfered edges mean it doesn’t look too boxy.

Bradley Van Der Straeten Architects is behind the design of this unique, cubic extension to a family home on the outskir...
23/01/2025

Bradley Van Der Straeten Architects is behind the design of this unique, cubic extension to a family home on the outskirts of London. The addition forms a brand-new volume and is characterised by a distinctive, modern brick design, using long format pale bricks both inside and out, that creates a stark contrast with the original property. The extensive glazing and double-height ceiling deliver a bright, open-plan kitchen and living area with an up-and-over glass link connecting old and new.

Looking for more double-storey extension ideas? Over on our website you can find an inspiring collection of real-life projects alongside expert advice on how to plan and design the perfect addition. Click here now to read: https://ow.ly/OciE50UK3CF

📷: French + Tye

Thinking about building your new home with timber frame? Two main systems fall into the timber frame construction bracke...
22/01/2025

Thinking about building your new home with timber frame? Two main systems fall into the timber frame construction bracket. Closed panel is the most prevalent option, with the insulation (and sometimes additional components, such as windows) pre-fitted into storey-height panels in the factory. This minimises the amount of work required on site, and provides a strong guarantee that the designed performance will be delivered in your finished home.

The alternative is open panel, where one face of the structural walls is left open so insulation can be installed on site. In both cases, the timber frame kit will also include the floor and roof structures, internal load bearing walls etc.

So, what’s really involved when constructing a new home with timber frame, and is it the right structural system for you? Over on our website we take a look at the advantages, considerations and costs of timber frame construction. Click here now to read: https://ow.ly/2W9r50UK3cS

📷: Nestled into a green belt woodland plot and consisting of two timber frame, barn-style volumes separated by a tranquil courtyard, this timber frame home was created by TAS Architects and Timber Innovations. This project won Best Timber Frame Home at the 2024 Build It Awards.

Teresa and Anthony Ralph are no strangers to moving home, as they have updated and built new houses together many times ...
21/01/2025

Teresa and Anthony Ralph are no strangers to moving home, as they have updated and built new houses together many times over the years. Finding a forever home was never going to be easy, but an unexpected call from an old friend brought them back to familiar ground. “14 years ago we bought a house to renovate in a lovely street in Broadstairs, Kent,” says Teresa.

“A couple bought the plot next door and we have all been friends ever since. They’d kept an eye open for other projects for us, and rang to let us know that a building plot had just come on the market.” Acting on their friend’s tip off, the Ralphs revisited their old street to view the patch of land, which was surrounded by a high wall. “The site was surrounded by trees and we could hear the sea. The land was flat and just magical.”

Inspired by the iconic buildings by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, the striking, timber-clad self build home is made up of a series of pods with light-filled, open-plan interiors. Click here now to find out more about the couple’s self build journey: https://ow.ly/MPSO50UJwZN

📷: Chris Snook

‘Will I need planning permission?’ is a question many ask themselves when setting out on a home renovation or extension ...
20/01/2025

‘Will I need planning permission?’ is a question many ask themselves when setting out on a home renovation or extension project. And, for those of you looking to refurbish an existing building, it might come as a pleasant surprise to discover just how much you can achieve without having to go through the planning approval process.

In the UK, the permitted development (PD) regime allows you to embark on a whole host of home improvements without formal planning permission, from extensions and loft conversions through to adding solar panels or other renewable technologies. Over on our website we’re taking a look at 23 different projects that you can achieve under PD rights – click here now to see the full list: https://ow.ly/2zzA50UJwt1

📷: Most garden offices won’t require planning consent, as provided they’re at the rear of the property they’ll generally fall under PD rights. ByOthers designed this 30m² timber frame garden office, which sits atop a timber floor structure and ground screw foundations. Photo: Lorenzo Zandri

Having lived in China for the better part of 30 years, Jim Walker and his wife Connie decided to return to Scotland and ...
17/01/2025

Having lived in China for the better part of 30 years, Jim Walker and his wife Connie decided to return to Scotland and settle down in the Borders town of North Berwick.

Preferring older properties, the couple found a bijou-sized, two-storey Victorian terrace for sale with a large front garden for sale that suited their needs. The house was originally part of a bigger property, which was subdivided at some point historically. It was most likely an annexe to the large adjoining house, comprising multiple small, disconnected spaces, among which were five tiny bedrooms.

Jim and Connie worked Edinburgh-based Somner Macdonald Architects to develop a brief, which included an open-plan layout, a generous master bedroom and a study space on the upper level to allow Jim to work from home. “It was all about simplifying what was there. We don’t need multiple rooms – the house is just for the two of us,” says Jim. “We were designing a house and garden with everything we like – soft tones and lovely furniture and finishes. We wanted it to be a long-term home for us that was a tranquil, calming space for us to be. A total contrast to our more fast-paced lifestyle in Hong Kong.”

Click here now to read the full story and find out how Jim and Connie transformed this property into their perfect family home: https://ow.ly/aSiv50UFWMB

Words: Caroline Ednie, 📷: David Barbour

Underfloor heating is straightforward to fit in a new build home, or even an extension, where it can be planned in from ...
16/01/2025

Underfloor heating is straightforward to fit in a new build home, or even an extension, where it can be planned in from the start. Installing a conventional wet UFH system (bedded in a thick concrete screed) into an existing house is trickier, however, bringing challenges such as the need to pull up and replace floor coverings, and adjust door thresholds to accommodate increased floor build-ups.

It’s also important to include at least some insulation beneath the underfloor heating pipework, to ensure warmth is directed up into the room, rather than being lost into the ground or floor void below.

So, what are the options for retrofitting underfloor heating? Over on Build It’s website, we’re investigating what you need to be mindful of for a successful installation, the key considerations and the different products available. Click here now to read: https://ow.ly/hmyO50UFWst

📷: Nu-Heat Underfloor Heating & Renewables

The perfect chance for Dene and Debbie Happell to get stuck into a project presented itself when Debbie’s parents sugges...
15/01/2025

The perfect chance for Dene and Debbie Happell to get stuck into a project presented itself when Debbie’s parents suggested building over a rundown garage on their plot in the Trossachs National Park. The site’s nestled in and amongst tall trees, so the planners were after a sympathetic design that would attract potential tourism and visitors.

Designed by Cameron Webster Architects and constructed using a pre-insulated timber frame shell from Fleming Homes UK, the scheme received planning permission swiftly thanks to its sensitive, timber-clad exterior and angular shape.

The house’s sharp look ensures the surrounding views can be maximised, and triple-glazed windows and doors keep the build well insulated against the harsh Scottish seasons. The 68m² self build project cost a total of £190,000 (£2,794 per m²) and the couple reclaimed £30,000 of VAT.

Looking for more package home ideas? Over on our website we’re taking a look at a collection of amazing self builds and identifying their construction costs to show you what you can really get for your budget. Click here now to see: https://ow.ly/4LxK50UFWfW

📷: Douglas Gibbs

From extra-strong steel models to charming timber entrances and striking pivot openings, there’s a wide range of front d...
14/01/2025

From extra-strong steel models to charming timber entrances and striking pivot openings, there’s a wide range of front door ideas to consider when designing your entrance. Over on Build It’s website you can find a collection of fantastic solutions, such as this FunkyFront door from Kloeber UK Ltd, which makes a striking statement against this property’s monochrome cladding.

It is made from FSC-certified engineered timber and offers U-values as low as 1.1 W/m²k. There are 42 styles to choose from in the FunkyFront range, in more than 200 RAL colours, alongside a wide array of ironmongery, including the bar handle shown here. A microporous paint system ensures a low-maintenance finish.

Click here now to see the gallery of ideas: https://ow.ly/Sj3r50UFVU3

Wondering what order your renovation works should take place in? Predicting and planning a house renovation timeline tak...
13/01/2025

Wondering what order your renovation works should take place in? Predicting and planning a house renovation timeline takes a different approach to when you’re self building and constructing a new property from scratch. That’s largely because you’re working on a pre-existing structure that already has its individual quirks in place. So, you’re undoubtedly going to uncover hidden surprises along the way that have an impact on even the best-laid renovation timeline plans.

The trick to setting up a smooth house renovation project is understanding what needs to be done when, and keeping in communication with your trades when delays crop up. Over on our website we’re taking a look at the key things to remember when planning your renovation schedule to ensure your project stays on track. Click here now to read: https://ow.ly/6OLO50UFepE

📷: Julia and Nick Keem stayed living in their home during the 18 months that their 16th century farmhouse was renovated and extended. “We were just trying to save money, even though we were told it would extend the length of the build, which it did.” Things were manageable while the extension was being built separately, but when it broke through to the original house, there was no keeping out the dust and the noise.

Considering expanding your home’s floorspace with a basement extension? Digging down to create a new, multi-functional l...
10/01/2025

Considering expanding your home’s floorspace with a basement extension? Digging down to create a new, multi-functional living zone could be the best route to increasing your home's value. Over on our website we’ve rounded up a collection of inspiring basement ideas that demonstrate how an innovative design can help create the perfect subterranean space, along with the key factors you need to know before diving into a project. Click here now to see: https://ow.ly/Z1yb50UBilQ

Here are a few project ideas to get you started:

📷: Paul Archer Design
📷: Scenario Architecture
📷: YARD Architects

Wondering which driveway material will best suit you and your new home? We take a look at the benefits, costs and key ch...
09/01/2025

Wondering which driveway material will best suit you and your new home? We take a look at the benefits, costs and key characteristics of the different driveway materials to help you make the right choice.

Read our guide now: https://www.self-build.co.uk/guide-designing-successful-driveway/

📷: Bradstone Woburn Rumbled block paving driveway offers a gorgeous weathered and mottled effect which has plenty of character.

When Chris and Juliana Beardsmore embarked on their first self build, they had no idea the scheme would culminate in a t...
08/01/2025

When Chris and Juliana Beardsmore embarked on their first self build, they had no idea the scheme would culminate in a two-house project – nor that their son, Joe, would end up becoming their next-door neighbour. The couple came across a dated 1960s bungalow on the edge of Malmesbury and immediately recognised its potential. “It sat on quite a large plot and was either in need of a huge renovation, or for someone to completely knock it down and start all over again,” says Chris.

“We thought getting planning consent would be fairly straightforward – that was one of the features that attracted us to the property,” says Chris. Initially, the couple only intended to build a single house on the plot. However, they soon realised that once the bungalow was demolished, the 0.3-acre site would offer space for two homes.

After several rejected planning applications, the couple turned to BHPH Architects, who developed a design for two houses sitting side by side on the sloping site. “That scheme got officer approval but was turned down at committee stage,” says Chris. The couple decided to go to appeal, and in January 2019, their application was finally passed.

The houses were constructed using MBC Timber Frame Ltd.'s highly airtight, thermally-efficient timber frame system. Once the team arrived, the er****on of the timber frame progressed swiftly. “They put up Joe’s house in about four days and ours in just over a week,” says Chris. “They were on site about three weeks in total, and then came back later to test the airtightness levels.”

To find out more about this spectacular self build project, click here now and read the full story – complete with cost breakdowns: https://ow.ly/NyzO50UBhpg

Words: Rebecca Foster, 📷: Colin Poole

The convenience of single-storey living is a big attraction for many. Bungalows eliminate the need for stairs, making th...
07/01/2025

The convenience of single-storey living is a big attraction for many. Bungalows eliminate the need for stairs, making them ideal for people of all ages and mobility levels. They’re also extremely flexible, accommodating open-plan layouts alongside the possibility of extending upwards into the loft or, plot permitting, into the garden. So, a bungalow renovation could seem like a no brainer – providing you with these benefits and the opportunity to create your perfect home.

Are you thinking about undertaking a bungalow renovation? From layout improvements to extension opportunities and energy-efficient upgrades, over on our website, expert Kate Sandhu takes a look at how to successfully renovate a bungalow and create your dream home. Click here now to read: https://ow.ly/98kS50UBgvE

📷: Instead of knocking down and starting again, Linda and Vic Woods undertook a complete renovation and retrofit to breathe life back into this 1980s bungalow, which is now almost unrecognisable. The couple worked with NVDC Architects to create the scheme, which took the floorplan from 150m² to 280m². See the home before versus after.

When looking for a plot to self build, it can be challenging to identify what size home you can build on a site and ther...
06/01/2025

When looking for a plot to self build, it can be challenging to identify what size home you can build on a site and therefore how big the plot should be. Location and context will determine what’s possible, adding to the variables at play. In some places, you may be able to build a larger house on a smaller plot, but in different locations you might need to leave more space around the house between neighbours or retain the context and density of development.

Over on our website, planning consultant Julia Riddle is taking a look how to choose the right sized plot for your project and the different factors that can influence how big your new home can be. Click here now to read: https://ow.ly/Toif50UAkfo

📷: Rod and Trudy Molyneux’s 0.4-acre plot in Northumberland came with permission to build a 213m² home. The couple designed their Potton timber frame within this footprint, building an additional 24m² garage.

Build It’s February 2025 issue is out now, and it’s filled with high-quality expert guidance, fantastic real-life storie...
03/01/2025

Build It’s February 2025 issue is out now, and it’s filled with high-quality expert guidance, fantastic real-life stories and the latest products you need to ensure your dream home building, renovation or extension project is a success.

In this issue we’re taking a look at what you need to know about garage conversions, alongside a collection of amazing real-life examples that demonstrate what you can achieve. Elsewhere, we’re setting out how much to budget for a bathroom renovation in 2025, whether an open or broken-plan layout is right for your lifestyle, who can design your self build home, plus underfloor heating costs and plenty more.

Click here to find out more about our February 2025 issue and subscribe to Build It magazine today: https://www.self-build.co.uk/latest-issue/

On the cover is a stunning self build home by 3s Architects, 📷: Adam Letch

When Kate and Sandy Crerar were living in a small house in Aberdeen, their needs as a growing family meant they had to t...
01/01/2025

When Kate and Sandy Crerar were living in a small house in Aberdeen, their needs as a growing family meant they had to think bigger in terms of space. Their next decision was how ambitious they wanted to be with that change.

The couple wanted to employ a local architect to help them on their journey. Research led them to Banchory-based Fiddes Architects, who felt like the perfect fit. “We really liked the idea of a clean aesthetic using timber cladding, which was very much the Fiddes style,” says Kate.

The finished project is a breathtaking home with a Siberian larch-clad exterior and black roof which nods to the local barn-style buildings. “In terms of value-for-money, at a total budget of around £458,000, I think it’s fantastic,” says Finlay from Fiddes Architects.

Click here to find out how Kate and Sandy Crerar built this fantastic home: https://ow.ly/MvoY50UsNoh

📷: David Barbour

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