Homebuilding & Renovating

For many of us, the start of a new year is the ideal time to take a look at our homes with a fresh pair of eyes and make plans for the months ahead. Whether it’s an internal remodel, kitchen extension or full-house renovation you’ve got on the cards,

New research from Make UK Modular, the voice of the modular housing sector, has revealed that British people strongly support the building of more energy-efficient homes. According to the report, Green Shoots: The Future of UK Housebuilding, which ha

HOMEOWNERS Christina and Richard Isaacs (@Greenlawns28) LOCATION Christchurch, Dorset HOUSE Detached 1930s house with contemporary extension SIZE Approx 175m2 BUILD ROUTE Main contractor with an element of self-project management CONSTRUCTION Brick a

HOMEOWNER Joe and Sally Locke LOCATION Surrey PROJECT New build HOUSE TYPEDetached, three-storey, five-bedroom house SIZE 670m² BUILD ROUTEPrefabricated building company BUILD TIME12 months BUILD COST£5,500/m² When Joe and Sally Locke decided to buil

LOCATION Portobello near Edinburgh HOUSE TYPEExtension to Victorian terraced cottage EXTENSION SIZE12.5m² BUILD ROUTEMain contractor with client project managing CONSTRUCTION METHOD Masonry outer leaf and timber kit BUILD TIMEFive months PLOT/HOUSE C

HOMEOWNERS Graham and Charlotte Thompson LOCATION New Forest PROJECT Replacement new build plus one bedroom annexe in garden CONSTRUCTIONThermal mass masonry and triple glazing, with zinc and sedum roofs BUILD ROUTEArchitect, plus main contractor SIZ

Passivhaus is the highest standard for energy-efficient homes, with a set of rigorous requirements that many self-builders voluntarily aim to meet. While the Passivhaus standard has pushed cutting-edge technologies to the fore, achieving certificatio

THE PROJECT Loft conversion BUILD ROUTE Design-and-build company PROJECT COST£94,600 For Jo and Nick Liddell, the very basic loft conversion that had been carried out on their home in the 1980s had never quite hit the spot. So after nearly 14 years i

Whether you’re planning to build a new home or extend an existing one, the presence of trees on site can be something of a headache. Even if they’re located well beyond the footprint of the proposed building, they can still be a source of trouble. So

When putting a ‘cost plan’ together for your new-build home, it’s not just bricks and mortar and trades that you need to consider. There are several key surveys and reports you may need to commission to ensure compliance with regulations and assess t

Natural light has an immeasurable impact on our wellbeing: whether that be that physical, mental, or emotional. When it decreases during colder months, many of us will notice a significant shift in how we’re feeling — whether that is fatigue, lower m

I’ve written many articles for this magazine, but this topic is one close to my heart. Paying builders and trades on time is a huge issue for us. It may surprise you, but everyone I know in the building trade has suffered with not being paid on time

Basement extensions have become popular with those looking to optimise space in their home, particularly in higher-value areas where the additional complication and cost of building below ground level is justified. It’s also a good option where const

In the wake of the COVID lockdowns, a profound shift emerged in what many people wanted from life. The desire for a new beginning, far from the madding crowd, has ignited a surge in people yearning for something different. With this new perspective,

The garage is often the last place we think of when it comes to designing our home interiors. If you are planning a build, the standard size of a garage is around 3m x 5.5m for a single and 6m x 6m for a double. However, as cars are becoming larger,

Contemporary home design is not a fixed concept, but one that evolves according to trends, the way we live, the access we have to new products as well as the environment that surrounds us. “A contemporary house in 2024 is a home that thinks about cli

According to the National Custom and Self Build Association, brick and block (masonry) is the second most popular build system, with a self-build market share of 35% compared to structural timber, which has 40%. This month, I’ll take a detailed look

Lime plaster is an internal wall finish that has been used for thousands of years and is still in use today thanks to its many benefits, although gypsum-based plasters and cement plasters are now often used in its place. It’s made up of a mixture of

Unfortunately, there’s no single reason why it occurs. There are a multitude of factors that can cause you problems — whether you are painting wood or emulsioning walls. Painting in direct sunlight or on surfaces with elevated temperatures can cause

Your bathroom design should take into account all the needs of those who will be using it, and the products and fittings you kit it out with should all work towards creating a room that runs smoothly, feels like a restorative place to spend time in a

So you’ve decided that the time is right to install some solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on to the roof of your property. After all, the cost of electricity is rising exponentially and what could be better than both generating and using – and selling

Green roofs come in all shapes and sizes, from micro set-ups on a garden shed to vast rooftop gardens for modern homes. In recent years planted roofing has grown in popularity for residential properties, and they are now a far more common sight on ex

The intricate detailing and geometry of the exterior of this home take inspiration from surrounding Arts and Crafts houses with vertical hanging tiles, roofs with low eaves, dormer windows, gable roofs and part-rendered elevations. The exterior detai

If there’s one project that can transform the way you live in your home, it’s hard to beat a kitchen extension. When designed well, they can unlock your home’s potential, often turning a cramped ground floor into a bright, inviting and practical spac

The brief given to Studio Webster Dale was to transform this south London five-bed terrace into a light-filled home with bold and cohesive spaces. The owners were increasingly unhappy with the dark, narrow kitchen, with access to the garden only via

A kitchen extension is one of the best ways to transform a kitchen from a cramped and awkward space to somewhere that the whole family can use. Modern kitchens aren’t confined just to cooking — they’re spaces for living, dining, socialising, doing ho

Adam Knibb Architects’ brief was to create a contemporary two-storey extension to an historic family home, offering flexible spaces while ensuring the addition fitted sympathetically within its context. As privacy and security is important within a f

RISE Design Studio has completed a striking refurbishment and extension of a mid-terrace home in north-west London, comprising two additional brick volumes and a lightwell. The owners wanted something that was timeless and sympathetic to the existing

The owners of this Victorian property in Hampstead, north London, were keen to illustrate the contrast between traditional architectural features and the innovative use of contemporary materials for their rear extension. Inspired by the vitreous enam

You don’t want to move but the home you live in just isn’t working. The ground-floor space is disconnected, rooms are poky and natural light is lacking. Sound familiar? Then you’re possibly reading this because you’ve decided it’s time to resolve the