Doubling up

Jessica and Harry Gold doubled the size of a Victorian house in Surrey, combining traditional and modern features to create a stunning, light-filled home to relocate to from London TEXT DEBBIE JEFFERY IMAGES DAVID BUTLER “We didn’t have children when... View Article

Tackling all obstacles

Two former rugby team-mates decided to pool their talents as project manager and architect to build a pair of semi-detached, thermally-efficient homes in Surrey. However a series of challenges tested their resolve, as Selfbuilder + Homemaker reports TEXT TOM BODDY... View Article

Building a new future

After a car accident devastated her family, Merula Frankel put all plans for a self-build on hold – but a few years later life took a new turn when she came across a company that shared her sustainable ethos TEXT... View Article
Luxury for less

Luxury for less

With increasing focus on creating bathrooms as design-led, luxurious spaces, Sophie Schofield of Ribble Valley Bathrooms gives tips on how to create a spa-like retreat without blowing the budget After the events of the past 12 months, the way we... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Kitchens & Appliances

When it comes to making the ‘heart of the home’ function as healthily as it can, you need to choose the right units and appliances for your space and needs. This selection helps you pick from some of the latest... View Article

Happy when it rains

Not only can a rainwater harvesting system be a first line of defence against flooding, it can also help you achieve long term sustainability in our unpredictable climate. Jae Lester of RainWater Harvesting explains In recent years the UK has... View Article

It’s time for timber

Andrew Orriss of the Structural Timber Association explains the basics around choosing structural timber, and why it holds so much promise for self-builds, particularly on sustainability grounds Structural timber is now used across over a quarter of all new homes... View Article

Small is beautiful

With an increasing value being placed on outdoor spaces, Ronan O’Dowd of Acheson & Glover shares his top tips on how to make the most of a small garden The Covid-19 pandemic brought a new appreciation for our outdoor space,... View Article

Forming an opinion

Chris Stride at ICFA discusses why self-builders, particularly those looking to maximise energy efficiency, should consider building with Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF) If you’ve been researching your new build project recently you will notice that the spotlight is currently on... View Article

Structural warranties – a guide

Advantage Home Construction Insurance (AHCI) navigates through the often complex world of structural warranties required by mortgage firms, providing some clarity for self-builders A structural defects warranty (also known as latent defects insurance) covers defects affecting newly built properties. Structural... View Article

Versatile wet rooms

Neil Whitehead from Impey offers insights into how to create the ideal wetroom or wet area shower space for every size and style of home The coveted wetroom shower space has many guises and, when thoughtfully planned and installed, can... View Article

Why is MMC not more common?

A new NHBC report on Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) has just been released which looks at the benefits to industry, as well as current reluctance to adoption. The organisation’s head of standards, research and innovation, Richard Smith, explains. Prefabricated... View Article

Has Covid-19 been a catalyst for modular?

Lockdown and all the subsequent restrictions have seen greater emphasis placed on the utilisation of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). Wayne Oakes, director at engineering consultancy firm Dice, looks at how this is breaking the stigma that still persists. The... View Article

Grenfell Inquiry resumes on Zoom with shocking revelations

The public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire resumed its hearings after being suspended amid the national lockdown, but with a similar message ‘maximising profits took precedence over safety’. Internal communications from within Arconic revealed that staff were aware the... View Article

New watchdog set up to ban dangerous building materials

Over three and half years after the shocking loss of life in the Grenfell Tower fire, the Government is finally to set up a regulatory body charged with banning dangerous building materials and prosecuting the companies making them. Housing Secretary... View Article

Dangerous cladding removal from tower blocks drags on

Privately owned residential tower blocks are lagging behind the social sector in the race to remove dangerous ACM cladding from the nation’s homes, some three and a half years after the fatal Grenfell Tower fire. The latest Government data release... View Article

Nottingham landlord sentenced over dangerous property

A Nottingham private landlord, who failed to improve his rental property, leaving his tenants in dangerous conditions has found it cost him over £1,000. Haroon Karim, from Bramcote in Nottingham, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Housing Act 2004,... View Article

Decrease in number of social lettings

The number of lettings to social rent homes fell again last year and is now almost 25 per cent below its peak of six years ago, as more use was made of the higher ‘affordable rents’ regime which charities and... View Article