Five ways to increase the security of your home

UK homeowners seeking to improve the security of their homes to feel safer and add value to properties can look to simple tips from home improvement experts. From upgrading doors and windows, to having a protected location for post and... View Article

Patience is a virtue

By astutely saving up for over a decade, Chris and Linda Anderson had the time and money to re-configure their 1930s London semi to be exactly how they wanted, including a dramatic blend of indoor and outdoor TEXT KAREN WILSON... View Article

Offsite, on time

Paul Newman of Potton Self Build explains the ins and outs of offsite construction, and the many benefits it holds for self builders In many people’s minds, construction still happens ‘brick by brick’ on a building site. With the advent... View Article

Surrey splendour

Darren and Juliet Milgate fulfilled their lifelong ambition when they self-built a stunning Georgian-inspired property, sandwiched between central London and the splendour of the Surrey Hills TEXT JENNIFER GRIMBLE IMAGES PAUL NOBLE Darren and Juliet Milgate realised their lifelong ambition... View Article

Vital steps to safety

Kevin Underwood of the British Woodworking Federation discusses why staircase aesthetics must go hand in hand with safety, and why too often design flair can compromise it For many, the staircase is a central feature of any new home, and... View Article

A signature entrance

Choosing the right front door is key to creating a good first impression and enhancing kerb appeal. With so many different products on the market, Stuart Shaw of Hörmann UK provides some insights to help self-builders make an informed decision... View Article

Locally sourced

Carolyn and Chris Brown’s dream house was right on their doorstep, but they still changed it beyond all recognition to create a very modern family home TEXT & IMAGES HEATHER DIXON When it came to the crunch, friends, neighbours and... View Article

Chancellor pressed to extend green refurb grants

Refurb grants for people to make their homes more energy efficient should be available for an extra year rather than finish at the end of March next year, urges the Federation of Master Builders. The trade body is calling on... View Article

A work in progress

Jack Wooler speaks to Andrew Baddeley-Chappell, CEO of the National Custom and Self Build Association, on why England lags behind the developed world on levels of self-build, and what can be done Self- and custom-build homes make up around 40... View Article

The path to green finance

The Government’s Green Homes Grant offers homeowners up to £10,000 for energy-saving home improvements. Jack Wooler explains how you can take up the opportunity, and enhance your project’s sustainability Able to fund up to two-thirds of the cost of energy-saving... View Article

The perfect front door

Bethaney Larkman, marketing manager at Distinction Doors gives practical advice for selecting the right entrance door for your self-build or renovation project An entrance door is a subtle yet effective way of enhancing your home. It is the exterior definitive... View Article

Small wonder

In just six months, Max Tillings and Katie Roach built their bijou coach house on an awkward infill plot, using reclaimed materials to complement the neighbouring Victorian property TEXT DEBBIE JEFFERY IMAGES MAX TILLINGS & KATIE ROACH Few people would... View Article

Get on top of sustainability

With the Future Homes Standard about to change how we heat and power homes for ever, self-builders wanting to future-proof their homes should consider integrated green roofing solutions, says Marley’s Stuart Nicholson Time is now ticking for everyone in housebuilding,... View Article

Unintended consequences

Lizzy and Rupert Atkins hadn’t intended to do a self-build, but when faced with moving out of the area they loved, they decided to embark on a major renovation project to transform an ‘ugly duckling’ Atkins had been living and... View Article

Pocket and planet

Here Paul Bailey of Grohe UK answers FAQs on how water-saving products can be incorporated into self-builders’ bathroom projects, to save them money and help the planet With a staggering 32 per cent of household daily water usage used for... View Article