Separating fact from fiction

Joe Raftery at Samsung Climate Solutions explores the most common myths around heat pumps and explains how modern systems offer a reliable option for UK homes. More UK homeowners than ever before are looking for modern, efficient ways to heat... View Article

Bungalow reborn

Isabel & Henry’s remodelled Norfolk property is unrecognisable, transformed into a family home offering the combined benefits of plenty of extra living space, Passivhaus-standard low-energy costs and a timeless character and charisma. TEXT JESS UNWIN IMAGES ISABEL BADGER With the... View Article

Recipe for success

Take one traditional childhood home, deconstruct it, then add delicious curves to whip up a stunning property for chef Andrew Wong and his family. TEXT DEBBIE JEFFERY IMAGES JAMES MCDONALD British-born chef Andrew Wong grew up in the same Pimlico... View Article

The Rise of Hosting is Influencing Home Makeovers

As the cost of going out continues to climb, Britons are increasingly turning their attention to the home as the heart of social life, according to new research from the Ideal Home Show – the UK’s longest-running home and lifestyle exhibition, bringing together... View Article

Low carbon heating

Niall Parkin at Calor discusses the role of LPG and BioLPG as a long-standing and dependable heating solution for off-grid domestic properties. Self-build is becoming increasingly popular in the UK, with more than 64,000 individuals now registered on local authority... View Article

Renovation finance unlocked

Thomas McSherry at BuildStore explains how Light Renovation mortgages are helping buyers finance uninhabitable homes and unlock the potential of renovation and retrofit. Buying a home that’s currently uninhabitable can be an opportunity, but it’s also where many purchases fall... View Article

The ‘unfinished’ house

Simon Gittings and Lauren Jorgensen gave their 1950s home an extraordinary industrial-inspired makeover and extension, exposing original materials and embracing the principles of reuse and salvage. TEXT Alexandra Pratt IMAGES Agnese Sanvito/OEB A 1950s semi-detached, three-bedroom home is a common sight... View Article

Planning a Spring Self-Build Project? Start Smart

Spring is one of the most popular times to start a self-build, renovation or conversion project. Better weather, longer days and improved ground conditions all help work progress smoothly. But a successful build does not start on site. It starts... View Article

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