Having completed your dream home, painting and decorating is the final stage that really makes it feel like your own. Here Simon Tilbrook, Director at Fenwick & Tilbrook, gives his top tips on paint types for your self-build.

Whilst working in the Alps as a Ski Instructor and Mountain Guide, James Dealtry visited many of the luxurious chalets in the resort which blew him away. Their sheer beauty, and robustness, but also how well they fitted into the landscape really appealed to him, and he told himself that…

When it comes to decorating, choosing the right tools for each job can sometimes be a minefield.

The UK has around 133 days of rainfall each year. We all largely moan about the rain, but we could use it to save a significant amount of water and money. It is for this reason that rainwater harvesting is becoming increasingly popular in new-build construction for housing, agriculture and…

At the Right to Build Expo Exeter, the Right to Build Task Force announced that Teignbridge District Council and its GESP partners are to trial a new custom- and self-build evidence tool for planners.

Whether you are trying to achieve a traditional, classical or contemporary style for your self-build garden, a water feature can add interest and intrigue. There are many varieties of water features available to suit all garden sizes and budgets.

Walk-in wardrobes have plenty of appeal when it comes to stylish storage solutions. From the fashion-obsessed to craft lovers, a space that allows you to get a complete 360° view of your possessions is perfect for everyone.

A long, winding drive and a lush leafy garden. Light and airy bedrooms and spacious kitchens. We all have a ‘shopping list’ of what our perfect home looks like and it’s a dream come true when you finally complete your self-build. After all the hard work you’ve put in, it’s…

Long-since popular in the Nordic countries, timber frame construction is booming in the UK. A construction material at the forefront of evidence-led design, timber is sustainable, versatile and suitable for a wide variety of purposes. All this, as well as its unique performance properties and favourable costs and construction timescales,…

Endless design opportunities means that wooden floors continue to be a popular choice for residential projects in 2018. With trends developing fast, it’s important to think about which flooring trends may or may not work for your self-build project.

Nestled in the heart of the Sussex countryside stands a 16th-century cottage, complete with 10 acres laden with hidden treasures. The soon-to-be-owners of the property fell in love with the cottage immediately, blown away by its period features and charm, albeit its slightly modest size. As the years passed, the…

The dining table can often be a place which is most visited by the family – if you get it right. They are hubs of conversation, delicious celebrations, and most importantly, keep you all together in the room for hours when in great company.

Neon lighting and decorative accessories are both nostalgic and now, evoking retro charm and appeal while also being ideal for modern interiors. This innovative form of tube lighting was first introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 1910 by French Engineer and Inventor Georges Claude, also known as ‘the Edison…

Latest figures released by Hiscox’s Renovations and Extensions Report 2018 reveal that 14% of homeowners in the South East would prefer to renovate their property rather than relocate, with a fivefold national rise since 2013. For those who want to tap into this route, the Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show…

Ryan Abell, owner of Abell Building Services, describes when it can be more advantageous to use a small house-builder for custom house projects.

The long-awaited reforms to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) regulations have successfully passed through Parliament and came into effect on 22nd May 2018.

Here Arboricultural Consultant, Mark Hinsley, guides i-build through the process of Tree Preservation Order consent.

Taking care of your conservatory – be it a grand orangery or a contemporary space – is key if you want to enjoy it for many summers to come.

Are you happy with where you live but would like that bit more space? Extending your home could be the way forward. Here Architectural Designer at Studio SDA, Hayley Pearse, gives her advice on how to successfully extend your home.

Whether you’re working on a renovation project, or simply looking to spruce up an outdoor environment it’s likely that your hard landscaping products have been affected by the weather over the winter months. In this feature, Malcolm Gough, Group Sales and Marketing Director at Talasey Group, outlines key tips for…

From rediscovered classics to bolder colour contrasts, Neolith reveals the surface trends for self-builders in 2018.

Neil Ginger, CEO at Origin, discusses why every self-builder should contemplate adding bi-folding doors to their project and looks at one couple who did just that.

As the population grows, there becomes more pressure to utilise potentially contaminated land for redevelopment for alternative uses, especially housing.

Every year, tens of thousands of people set out to follow their dream and start their very own self-build project. Out of those tens of thousands, while some will chart a steady, successful course, many will fall at an early fence. Here, Oliver Grimshaw, Head of UK Sales at Hanse…

In 2012, Government removed the 0% VAT concession on approved alterations to listed buildings, adding additional financial strain to owners for any conservation or restoration bills. The cost of conserving their properties is already often more expensive than works to a standard home because traditional methods and materials are required…

Design guru Kevin McCloud talks to i-build about all things self-build and provides you with his priceless knowledge and advice.

There are many design elements to consider when creating your luxury swimming pool. Perhaps the most important aspect of pool design is selecting the shape.

There are many considerations to address when sourcing materials for re-roofing a listed property or other historically significant buildings. It is usual to be specified to use a handmade clay tile. Here Tony Kindell, Managing Director at Aldershaw Handmade Tiles, discusses how to ensure the handmade tiles you buy aren’t,…

Aristotle famously said that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Richard McLane, Design Director of Bisca, explains that where staircases are concerned, the opposite may be true.

If you’re thinking about embarking on a self-build project outside the limits of the UK’s main urban areas, there’s a good chance you won’t have access to the mains sewage network.

A beautiful bath has become a real statement piece for many interior designs. It should be the focal point of your brand-new self-build bathroom but which style should you invest in? Here, i-build takes a look at the options to help you make a decision.

When looking for a new roller garage door you will probably already have seen there is an enormous choice in the UK, and if you look quickly, they may all seem to look pretty much the same, right?

Whatever stage of self-build you are at, the chances are that you are finding the process of designing and building to be challenging, and the technicalities daunting. Many self-builders actually project manage their contractors, as opposed to building the home hands-on. With this in mind, it can be frustrating when…

When Marie Christine Hughes and her husband moved into their Victorian detached property in West Norwood 12 years ago, they knew they wanted to add an extension to make more room.

If you’re planning to build your own home, a traditional mortgage won’t be right for you, you’ll need a specialist self-build mortgage instead. Many of us dream of building our own home, but before you get carried away with the design, build type and materials, the first thing you need…

The fundamental contributor to the success of your self-build project is the project management approach that you adopt. The term self-build means so many different things to different people, as every self-builder has different motivations, constraints, resources and involvement.

Here Steve McSorley, Director at Thomasons, gives his advice from an engineer’s point of view.

Darren Hook, Managing Director of The Porch Specialist, discusses how porches can instantly boost your home’s kerb appeal.

With an abundant choice of rainwater systems on the market there is certainly no problem in finding the right, aesthetically pleasing, products for your self-build project.

Those who are serious about food look for kitchen appliances that provide professional performance, artisan quality and iconic design. The kitchen is the concert hall of the home and the distinctive and iconic design of appliances has never before been so important.

An 1800s cottage and barn conversion in rural mid-Norfolk has swapped expensive electric fires for energy-efficient ground source heating from renewable heating expert, Finn Geotherm.

As a self-builder, it’s likely that you will be looking for ways to save space, or make building as easy as possible while you undertake your project. An easy and convenient heating solution may be high on your priority list, and nothing says convenience like a gas fire.

The owners of this house moved to Jersey when they retired, buying an impressive chateaux-style property with exceptional views across the splendid bay. The kitchen however, situated at the back of the house, was shut off from that view. To remedy this, the layout was changed entirely, moving a staircase…

Internal partitions are an essential component of your building fabric but they are often overlooked in the excitement of picking kitchens, bathrooms and decorative finishes. However, the decisions made now about these crucial construction elements will last a lifetime, so it’s worth choosing wisely. Here Sarah White, Residential Sector Manager…

David Rodgers and his wife Elizabeth fancied an outdoor living style and self-building on an existing plot of land, while living in the on-site bungalow, offered them the opportunity to create a contemporary open-plan home in 2016.

A recent tax tribunal case highlighted the point of completion of a new-build project in relation to self-builder VAT claims. It noted that it is not necessarily the date on the Certificate of Completion which represents a building project as being finished. Here Paul Jefferson, Associate at Whiting & Partners,…

Although planning permission exists in order to protect the UK’s cherished villages, towns and cities, it can often be the cause of enormous frustration. Complete with an often thorny application process and uncertain outcomes, planning permission is nevertheless the golden ticket needed to build on your dream home, from a…

06 Mar 2018
Lot 20 is a new Ecodesign legislation which came into effect on 1st January 2018. It mandates that all electric space heaters and electric radiators comply with a set of minimum efficiency guidelines, and use enhancing features. Here Salvatore Cirasuolo, Director at IntelliHeat, explains how this legislation may affect you.

Hot tubs have become an extremely popular choice for people looking to create the dream garden. Here, BISHTA offers advice to help make a safe hot tub purchase.

13 Feb 2018
How you dress your windows will have a huge effect on the overall look and feel of your home. After working hard to design and build your perfect space, you’ll want to ensure that the finishing touches are as unique as the rest of your project – starting with your…

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