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.

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.

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…

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…

Tom and Nicola Webb’s second self-build project provided the perfect opportunity for a new timber frame family home in rural Herefordshire.

Amanda Green, Marketing Manager at SIGnature Clay Tiles, discusses why you should consider clay tiles for the roof of your self-build.