Rising from the rubble

Amy and Adrian Mole self-built their stunning new family home on a disused site adjacent to greenbelt land. TEXT Alexandra Pratt IMAGES Alan Williams (images courtesy of Emrys Architects) Adrian and Amy Mole have managed the impossible: building their dream... View Article

TrustMark strengthens consumer protection with new Board appointment

TrustMark, the UK’s only Government-Endorsed Quality Scheme for home improvements, has strengthened its commitment to consumer protection with the appointment of Raj Kakar-Clayton, former Managing Director at Which?, as an independent Non-Executive Director.  With over 25 years of leadership experience,... View Article

Choosing the right slate

Steven Pearson at CUPA PIZARRAS explores the importance of material selection for longevity and why your new home’s roof is one area where it doesn’t pay to cut corners. If there’s one thing that’s certain about building your own home,... View Article

NSBRC Masterclass: Passivhaus

With rising energy costs and growing awareness of how our homes affect our health, Passivhaus is no longer a niche ambition. From new builds to deep retrofits, this proven performance standard is helping homeowners create comfortable, future-ready homes and the... View Article

Carpenter Oak Open House – visit two oak frame homes in Oxfordshire

When: Saturday 11th April 2026 Where: Oxfordshire Self-builders are invited to join Carpenter Oak for an opportunity to visit two different oak frame homes in Oxfordshire. Discover what it’s really like to live in an oak-framed house – experience the warmth, character and scale of the spaces, explore the... View Article

selfbuilder Diaries

From reserving a serviced plot to moving into a high-performance home, Martin and Siobhann reflect on two challenging, rewarding years of self-building on the edge of the Lake District. If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be... View Article

Choosing a kitchen that lasts

Sebastian Aronowitz, founder of The London Kitchen Company explores why material choice is so important when designing a kitchen, deserving the same attention as the overall appearance. Kitchens are usually chosen for how they look. Layout, door style, colour and... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Home Office

With more of us working from home than ever before, it’s increasingly common for self-builders to create a dedicated working space. Find inspiration in our selection of products, whether your space will be a small-but-functional corner or a full blown... View Article

Heat pump evolution

James Parker speaks to Rick Clarke, product manager at NIBE, about why air source heat pumps are not the only answer, and how self-builders can benefit from an array of user-friendly smart tech to fine tune their heating’s efficiency. WHAT... View Article

Brighton to host free home renovation event

Householders in and around Brighton who are thinking about improving the comfort and energy performance of their homes will have the opportunity to learn from real renovation experiences at a free community event taking place on Wednesday, 18th March at... View Article

How Can Bathroom Installations Be Made Quicker and Cleaner?

Kirstie Manning, National Specification Manager at Wilsonart, explores how improper waste disposal, shortages of experienced tilers, and health and safety concerns can create a host of delays on new-build housing projects. There are few industries where the old adage ‘time... View Article

Are renovation costs really falling? Experts invite homeowners to look closer

News by Checkatrade that renovation costs have dropped by 25% since 2023 might be welcomed by many homeowners who have delayed projects amid rising inflation and economic uncertainty.  But industry experts caution that the headline figure doesn’t necessarily mean building work is suddenly “cheap” again, or that budgets can... View Article

Discover the 2026 Warm Homes Plan at Build It Live

Visit ‘Build It Live’ later this month at the Kent Event Centre on 21 and 22 February 2026 to meet with property experts and suppliers who can discuss your next project including finding out about the benefits of the 2026... View Article

5 top tips for affordable Passivhaus retrofits

Next step advice for those inspired by Guy Martin’s House Without Bills For those inspired by the Passivhaus retrofit projects featured in Guy Martin’s House Without Bills (that aired on Monday 9 February on Channel 4) the Passivhaus Trust is offering a wide range... View Article

The impact of the Future Homes Standard in 2026

Building or renovating a home in the coming years? Here’s what the Future Homes Standard means for your project, and why the right windows and doors matter more than ever. If you’re planning a new build or self-build project, the... View Article