Government announces £15 billion Warm Homes Plan

The Government announced on Tuesday 20 January, details of its long-awaited Warm Homes Plan, a £15bn programme designed to support households with solar panels, heat pumps, and insulation, helping to lower energy bills and decarbonise homes across the UK. The... View Article

HomeOwners Alliance announces partnership with Property Care Association to help homeowners find trusted specialists

HomeOwners Alliance (HOA), the property advice website which empowers​ homeowners and aspiring homeowners with expert advice, has announced a new​ partnership with UK’s leading organisation for the UK’s building protection industry,​ the Property Care Association (PCA). PCA’s audited members helps homeowners​ diagnose and fix... View Article

Fashionable flooring

Lorna Williams at Amtico shares her insights on winter flooring trends for 2025 and how self-builders can use them to curate a cohesive interior scheme. Flooring is often one of the biggest decisions in any project, setting the tone for... View Article

Polished concrete perfection

Izzy Taylor-Wood of Woody’s Concrete Company explores how polished concrete has evolved to become a versatile design choice for contemporary self-builders. Polished concrete has quietly shifted from commercial settings into the heart of our homes. Once associated with warehouses and... View Article

Thermal comfort made simple

Chris Stammers of BEAMA explains how hydronic (water-based) underfloor heating creates a unique sense of thermal comfort by combining even heat distribution with efficient heat transfer. True thermal comfort is achieved when the indoor environment reduces the body’s need to... View Article

The perfect blend

Jason and Rachel’s extended Lincolnshire rectory balances period charm with contemporary design. TEXT Alexandra Pratt IMAGES Andy Haslam The Lincolnshire Wolds may not have the same star power as the Cotswolds, but don’t let that fool you; they have their... View Article

The appeal of aluminium

Shaun Cartwright at Aluprof Living explains why aluminium systems are becoming the go to choice for self-builders who want to combine high performance with modern design. When planning a self-build, every decision should be regarded as an investment in the... View Article

A long time coming

Architect John-Barry Lowe’s award winning home in Dublin is designed to achieve Passive House standards of airtightness and is the first private home in Ireland to be built using cross laminated timber. TEXT Eve Dennehy IMAGES Andrew Campion In 2023... View Article

Post-budget reactions – property and planning

Comment from Simon Rix, planning expert from the Homebuilding & Renovating Show on the changes announced in the Autumn Budget and how they shift the goalposts for developers and self-builders: From my perspective, these fiscal changes turn planning strategy into one of... View Article

Exterior Inspiration: Outdoor Living

As we head into the colder months and dream of sunnier days there’s no better time to be inspired by our collection of outdoor furniture, accessories, and paving to ensure you have your garden ready for summer. 1. Keep your... View Article

Light fantastic

Designed around a courtyard to echo local farmsteads, Sarah and Jon Simpkin’s unique new home draws in light from every angle. TEXT DEBBIE JEFFERY IMAGES DOM JONES When Sarah and Jon Simpkin set out to build a new home, it... View Article

Home is where
the hearth is

Percy Doughty explores how ambience shapes modern British homes and how self-builders can craft a truly warm, inviting space. As the nights draw in and temperatures begin to fall, the focus naturally shifts indoors. Across the UK, homeowners are re-evaluating... View Article

Creative colourful cladding

Lisa Grosse at Cedral explores how cladding can improve aesthetics, support thermal performance, and offer weather resistance, sustainability and long-term cost savings for self-builders. Whether you’re planning a transformation or a new build, investing in a beautiful exterior means thinking... View Article

Common pitfalls in luxury renovation and how to avoid them

Having worked on over 40,000 projects from compact urban extensions to the grandest of Grand Designs TV new home projects, IDSystems has seen it all. Below, Technical Sales Manager Edward Stobart has rounded up the most common issues he has encountered in luxury projects,... View Article