Top 10 tips to reduce your self-build cost

Quantity Surveyor Tim Phillips of www.quantiv.uk and an expert at the Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show shares his tips for procuring materials cost-effectively and making strong savings to reduce your self-build costs. Research suppliers of all your materials thoroughly and obtain... View Article

How to create a light-filled home

Whether it is a renovation, an extension or a complete new-build, creating a finished home filled with natural light starts with the design. Edward Stobart of IDSystems explains more We know that bright, light-filled spaces within a home are appealing... View Article

Bring steel windows and doors into the kitchen

Open plan kitchens are hugely popular as they allow more natural light into the space. However, there’s a lot to be said for separate spaces, so the development of broken plan kitchens arrived. Steel windows incorporate the best of both... View Article

A long time coming

For Paula and David Matthews, creating their dream home began back in the late 90s when they first bought their house, completing decades of good (and not-so-good) alterations before finally unlocking its full potential TEXT HEATHER DIXON IMAGES PAULA &... View Article

Ask the expert – The art of colour selection

Choosing the right paint colours for different rooms is more than just a matter of aesthetics – it’s about understanding how colours interact with light, influence mood, and create a sense of continuity. Dulux Heritage’s Dawn Scott paints in some... View Article

Safety first: glazing and framing options for rooflights

When choosing rooflights for your project, cost and aesthetics are likely the priority over glass or frame technology. However, the choice of glass type and frame design, can have significant safety implications. Here, Tony Isaac from Brett Martin sheds light... View Article

Building automation for a Passivhaus

What is a Passivhaus? A Passivhaus is designed to minimise energy use and maximise comfort. It is a standard – supported by the likes of the Passivhaus Trust – aimed at delivering net-zero homes that also consider the health, well-being... View Article

West Fraser’s flooring is fine come rain or shine

West Fraser’s highly popular P5 particleboard is available in two versions, CaberFloor P5 and CaberDek; the principle difference between them is that the latter’s top face is protected by an ultra-tough peel-clean layer. Both boards are produced in thicknesses of... View Article

Envirovent advises self builders when choosing an MVHR system

Dominic Gilhooly, Customer Services Team Manager at EnviroVent Ltd, looks at why MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) is becoming more important in new and renovated homes and advises self-builders on choosing an MVHR system. “The updated Building Regulations in... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Kitchens/dining rooms

Arguably one of the biggest purchases of your project, choosing the right kitchen/dining area is paramount. Explore our collection of dining tables, kitchens, and accessories and find inspiration for the heart of your home   1. The Dalani Dining Table... View Article

Selfbuilder Diaries

Jo and Andrew’s dream New England-style home on the Dorset coast is finally taking shape after years of planning woes, and their original builder dropping out a week before demolition began! Jo takes up the story… When we purchased our... View Article

Design your very own ‘Wonderwall’

Interior designer Judith Harrop describes how with careful design, you can make a media wall for all your home entertainment needs that’s an integral part of your interior design, and provides the right balance of aesthetics and function The term... View Article

Wetland wonder

Simon Roberts and Sarah Bruml managed to achieve their innovative, sustainable and flood-resilient cabin on a highly sensitive site next to a tidal creek and natural wetland in Southwold, thanks to a bedded-in design TEXT DEBBIE JEFFERY IMAGES DAVID VALINSKY Serendipity... View Article