SELF BUILD + HOME DESIGN + RENOVATION + EXTENSION
NOW INCORPORATING
Build It
£6.49
BUILD
'DESIGN
Your
кШи
( PLUS
2 free tickets
to Build It Live
L worth
\ £24! У
VOTE NOW
PROJECT
COSTS
iiaiHujiu
Solar Thermal: f JLa
Costs vs Savlngs’^fl
Plots & Planning:
Why History Matters
Expert Guide: Project
Manage Like a Pro 
o.l Self
Build, Extension
or Renova*!ft"
2024!i1


REAL HOME INSPIRATION
6 of the UK’s Stunning Cornish
Best Projects Barn Conversion
Low-Energy
Renovation
Heritage Look,
Modern Build

editor’s letter оз
MEET THE TEAM
S Welcome
Our new government came to power promising a planning
reform blitz and, just a few weeks into this parliament,
is already setting out its stall. A new draft of the National
Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is already out for
consultation. Launched by deputy PM Angela Rayner, the draft policy
is the bedrock for Labours strategy to build 370,000 homes per year.
For those of you looking to build an individual home, there are a number
of positives in the proposals - not least the retention of the requirement
for councils to meet the housing needs of "people wishing to commission
or build their own homes.” The NPPF already encouraged planners to
make small sites available for self and custom homes. A new policy also
posits mixed-tenure (ownership/rental) sites as suitable for self build plots.
Another major - and somewhat more contentious - inclusion is the
fleshing out of Labours flagship grey belt designation. This will apply to
existing green belt land that’s been previously developed or makes little
contribution to the protected area. Build It hopes this grey belt policy will
have legs for enabling some edge-of-settlement sites to be made available
for the kind of development local people can get behind - including
high-quality one-off homes and small multi-plot custom build schemes.
Less welcome may be a proposal to increase planning fees. The cost
for householder applications, for instance, is set to more than double
from £258 to £528. Most industry experts, however, agree that local
authority planning departments are under-resourced. So, provided
the money is specifically ringfenced for improving the speed and
COVER IMAGE: TURN TO RAGE 50 TO EXPLORE THIS STRIKING, BARN-STYLE NEW BUILD HOME BY POTTON
GEORGINA CROTHERS
is Build It's homes editor.
Head to page 31 to check out
this month’s amazing real-life
projects. Plus, she’s unveiling
our Build It Awards Best
Home shortlist on page 211
SANDER TEL is Build
It’s digital features editor.
Alongside putting together
lots of inspiring content at
self-build.co.uk, he’s behind
our must-read Build Your
Dream Timber Home guide.
ERIKA CHAFFEY is
Build It's editorial assistant
From page 11, she sources
the latest news, products and
materials. On page 74, she
shares the pros and cons
of popular floor finishes.
JULIA RIDDLE is a
planning consultant with
a wealth of experience in
self and custom build housing,
and a regular expert at Build
It Live. Read Julia’s planning
guides atself-build.co.uk/julia
NIGEL GRIFFITHS
is Build It’s sustainability
expert, specialising in eco
building and renewable
energy. On page 93, he
investigates sustainable
drainage systems.
JULIAN OWEN is Build
It's design doctor and a self
build architect with his own
practice. Join as at your
nearest Build It Live show
for one-to-one advice, or visit
www.self-build.co.uk/julian
KATE SANDHU is a
renovation expert, with a
deep knowledge of project
management and how to
approach a refurb. Read
her latest top tips online
at self-build.co.uk/kate
OPINDER LIDDAR
is director of Lapd Architects
and the designer of Build It’s
Self Build Education House.
On page 84, he gives the
architect’s take on how to
set and stick to a budget.
MARTIN GAINE
is a former council case
officer turned independent
planning consultant He’s
looking at how you can use
a site’s planning history to
your advantage (page 96).
Supporting responsible forestry
As part of our sustainability commitments,
Build It magazine is made of material
from well-managed forests and other
controlled sources.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY I See page 82 for this month’s subscription offer or visit www.self-build.co.uk/subscribe
»

WELSH
OAK
FRAME
Bespoke Oak Frame Buildings
Homes | Extensions | Garden Rooms | Double Storey Extensions
01686 688 000 | info@welshoakframe.com | welshoakframe.com

Coleman Anderson Architects I Mikey Reed Photography
theEDGE2.0
BUILD IT AWARD WINNING
ULTRA SLIM 20MM FRAMES
EFFORTLESS OPERATION
PREMIUM ALUMINIUM SYSTEMS
BRING THE OUTSIDE INSIDE
NATIONWIDE INSTALLATION COVERAGE
ш find out more
idsystenns.co.uk/theedge20
t 01603 A0880A e info@idsystems.co.uk
m
IDSystems
* innovative glazing
sliding doors • bifold doors • slide & turn doors • windows • gloss roofs • front doors • balustrades
contents о?
REAL-LIFE HOMES
RENOVATION & BUILDING
Build It Awards: cast your vote 21
Help us decide which of these six amazing projects, hand-
picked from the last 12 issues of Build It magazine, should
be named as the nations best self build or renovation 2024
Sustainable solution	32
Victoria Johnson has thoughtfully transformed this barn
in Cornwall to create a cosy, energy-efficient family home,
prioritising sustainability and natural materials throughout
A second chance	42
Linda and Vic Woods undertook the transformation of
a dated 1980s bungalow just outside of Glasgow, turning
it into a sleek, contemporary home and bringing the
property up to modern-day performance standards
Ahead of the curve	50
Seeking a retreat away from the city, Rod and Trudy
Molyneux found a picturesque plot in Northumberland,
where they built their dream barn-style timber frame home
I Is Passivhaus right for you? 60
Lindsay Blair explores what it takes to achieve this ultra-low
energy specification and helps you decide whether it’s your
best path to a highly insulated and airtight home
Need to know: rainwater systems 65
Properly selected and installed rainwater goods will protect
your home against water ingress, while also enhancing its
aesthetic appeal. Erika Chaffey discusses how to specify
the right setup for your property and budget
Basement extensions	68
For the right house, extending below-ground can deliver
a full storey of living space and add real value. Rebecca
Foster shares how to pave the way for a successful build
Flooring inspiration	74
Take a look at some popular options for floor coverings
around your home, and find out what to consider when
specifying the different solutions on offer
www.self-build.co.uk
он contents
I
к? Г
I"
SELF BUILD I HOME DESIGN I RENOVATION I EXTENSION
Product showcase 125
A sneak peak at some of the materials
& solutions you’ll find at Build It Live
What’s on at Build It Live? 18
Access free expert consulations
and seminars, plus meet 100s of
suppliers at our South West show
Claim your 2 free tickets! 34
Supercharge your project with
this exclusive offer for our readers


EXPERT HELP
REGULARS
I--------------------------------------------------
Staying on budget	84
Projects sometimes face challenges that threaten to break
the bank and disrupt the schedule. Opinder Liddar shares
his expertise on how to stay on track from start to finish
Project management mistakes
i 90
Mark Stevenson reveals some common pitfalls that could
throw your build off course, and how to overcome them
Sustainable drainage
Nigel Griffiths sets out how well-planned systems can
alleviate the strain on local drains and benefit your project
& Understanding planning history 96
Planning expert Martin Gaine discusses how to interpret
a site’s planning history to assess its development potential
Solar thermal: costs & payback 103
I Discover what you should budget to install solar water
heating, and the potential bill and carbon savings on offer
Inspiration	11
All the essential self build and renovation
news, plus ideas to spark your project plans
Ask the experts	106
Our team of specialists tackles your queries
Mortgage guide	111
Get advice and discover the latest deals
Find your dream plot 113
Land-finding advice plus a taster of plots
in your area from PlotBrowser.com
Next month	137
What’s coming up in our November issue
Architect’s view	138
Rob Mawson from MAP Architecture
shares how to take on a retrofit project
Build It October 2024
DRU Maestro 75XTU Tall gas fire
Di к Geurts Oval legs wood stove
DRU Virtuo Evolve electric fire
Your search for the perfect fireplace begins and ends with
DRU.
Choose from a huge selection of contemporary models in
gas, wood or electric.
Marvel at our high standards of design, performance and
energy efficiency.
Scan the QR code to
find your local DRU
dealer.
www.drufire.com
Ask your DRU dealer to recommend the best solution for
your home - chimney, no chimney or freestanding.
Whatever your choice, you will always enjoy the perfect
flame.
i am OlriD since 1754
What’s your style?
origin
DOORS AND WINDOWS
The new Origin Bi-fold, French and Single Door is available in 2 different aesthetics to meet your style preference.
The sought-after Soho design epitomises the pinnacle of luxury, offering a cutting-edge steel look, whilst the
Contemporary design offers an elegant way to maximise light levels in your home. The Door is completely
bespoke to your requirements, features sightlines of just 36mm and boasts unparalleled thermal performance.
To start your journey, call 01494 355023
or visit origin-global.com/find-local-installer
Bi-fold Doors | Front Doors | Internal Doors | Sliding Doors | Windows
news и
Striking extension to terrace home
District Architects has completely reimagined the ground
floor living area of this Victorian end-of-terrace family home
in South London. Originally a deep and gloomy dining room
with adjoining kitchen, the old footprint was redesigned
to include a distinct rear extension. The clever project
has successfully transformed the look and feel of the
property with only a modest addition.
The sleek new space houses a refurbished kitchen,
plus living and dining areas arranged around an internal
courtyard. The stunning glazed feature offers a tranquil
retreat in the busy family home and provides an impressive
architectural focal point. A playful palette of colours,
textures and materials, including an eye-catching
terrazzo splashback and reeded kitchen cabinets, bounce
off one another throughout the series of spaces.
Externally, the angular zinc-clad dining room creates a
striking facade. Its unique mono pitch matches that of the
original outrigger, ensuring the contemporary addition
complements the proportions of the existing period
property, while adding drama to the interior.
The other half of the extension is clad in brick slips, made
from recycled stone in a soft, neutral hue and given a clean
look thanks to off-white pointing. A set of ultra-slim frame
sliding doors, along with the bench seat feature window,
create a great connection between inside and out while
maximising light flow into each of the new areas.
To find out more call 020 7871 3101 or visit districtarchitects.co.uk
www.self-build.co.uk
12 news
PROJECT
OF THE
MONTH
by Studio Bark
V/ Studio Bark are behind this innovative
F/ off-grid self build in Suffolk. Situated
z on the edge of Dedham Vale, an area
of outstanding natural beauty, the site
offers stunning views of the Stour Valley. The design
draws inspiration from buildings in the local area,
with a unique geometric timber-clad roof that
contrasts dramatically with its natural surroundings.
Created for a young family, the five-bedroom
home meets their aspirations for eco-friendly livi ng
thanks to a large solar array twinned with high-capacity
batteries and a ground source heat pump, backed
up by a biofuel generator for the cloudier months.
A stepped ground floor arranged around a central
courtyard allows for easy connection between the
lower spaces while maintaining privacy and separation.
The central outside space also provides cross ventilation,
access to natural light internally and views through
the house to the spectacular landscape beyond.
The first-floor rooms are defined by the roofs
striking geometry, which gives each space a unique
shape and character while the stunning glazed gable
ends offer the two main bedrooms expansive views
across the natural surroundings.
For more information call 020 7993 4332
or visit studiobark.co.uk
Rate cuts to revive
housing market
On 1 st August 2024 the Bank of England
made the decision to reduce the base
rate to 5°/o. This is the first cut since
March 2020 and comes as a result of
wider economic stability and inflation
holding at 2% for the previous two
months. This is great news for homebuyers
and for adding some momentum into
the property market In recent weeks,
mortgage rates have also continued to
decrease, with several five-year fixed term
mortgages available with rates below 4%.
27,000
is the number of certified heat pump
installations recorded in the first six
months of 2024, a 45% increase on
the same period last year, based on
data collected by the Microgeneration
Certification Scheme (MCS). The
organisation is predicting it will be a
record-breaking year for renewables.
For instance, there have been 7,900
certified battery storage installations -
already an unprecedented high - with
six months of the year still to go.
A solar rooftop
revolution?
The government has announced plans
for a solar rooftop revolution that will see
millions more UK homes fitted with solar
panels. Plans are afoot to relax restrictions
on where and how high up on buildings
panels can be positioned; as well as to
reconsider constraints for listed buildings
and properties in conservation areas. But
the biggest game changer could be a
proposal to introduce solar regulations,
potentially mandating their inclusion in
all new build homes from 2025.
What’s on?
OAKWRIGHTS OPEN DAY 13TH SEP FREE, WARWICKSHIRE Experience the great benefits of an oak frame home first-hand	INTERIOR DESIGN WORKSHOP 19TH SEP £35, BIRMINGHAM Join a professional designer for tips and tricks on creating your ideal interior scheme	WINNING PLANNING PERMISSION 26TH SEP £40, VIRTUAL Find the knowledge you need to win the permission you want	NSBRC’S GUIDE TO SELF BUILD 5TH-7TH OCT £395, SWINDON This three-day course will arm you with the strategies needed for a successful self build	HEATING OPTIONS 10TH OCT £40, VIRTUAL Is your plot off the mains gas grid? Find the best options for efficient, low- cost home heating	ASK AN ARCHITECT 26TH OCT FREE, SWINDON Book your slot for a personalised consultation with an experienced architect
oakwrights.com	eventbrite.co.uk	self-build.co.uk	nsbrc.co.uk	self-build.co.uk	nsbrc.co.uk
Build It October 2024
news 1з
Labour defines new grey belt
areas in the first draft of NPPF
In a recent draft of the National Planning Policy Framework
(NPPF), the government has defined the parameters of the
new grey belt category, aimed at freeing up more land for
housebuilding. The NPPF sets out that grey belt will be defined
as “previously developed land and any other parcels and/or areas
of green belt land that make a limited contribution to the five
green belt purposes..." (laid out elsewhere in the report), while
excluding "areas or assets of particular importance.” The document
notes that the release of these areas will be carefully considered,
with any development on grey belt land tasked with providing
tangible benefits, including mandatory biodiversity net gain,
improved access to quality greenspace and affordable housing.
MUST-ATTEND
И_______EVENT! ___________.J
BUILD IT LIVE EXETER
7th-8th SEPTEMBER
Join us at WESTPOINT ARENA and gain
practical advice and project inspiration, plus presentations
and one-on-one chats with Build It’s own experts.
builditlive.co.uk
need to kno
Keeping up to date with Building Regulations
The Building Regulations (2010) set standards that aim to
protect the safety, health and welfare of people in and about
buildings. These regulations apply to all types of building work,
whether it’s constructing a new property, changing the use
of an existing one, or extending/altering current structures.
Recent updates to the Building Regulations have
introduced several significant changes that self builders
should be aware of. From June 2022, requirements for new
dwelling-houses include Part S (infrastructure for charging
electrical vehicles) and Part 0 (overheating). Furthermore,
requirements relating to Part F (ventilation) and Part L
(conservation of fuel and power) have become more
stringent. Looking ahead, self builders should anticipate
further changes to requirements for Part L underthe Future
Homes Standard, expected to come into effect in 2025.
Changes to Building Regulations often arise in response
to societal issues. Climate change was the key driver for the
introduction of Part 0, with the primary intention of addressing
the increasing health risks associated with overheating.
Meanwhile, the Building Safety Act (2022), which enabled
the introduction of the Duty-Holder Regime, was
a response to the Grenfell Tower disaster in 2017.
For self builders and renovators, these regulations have
practical implications for planning, designing and building,
affecting costs and timelines. Engaging with experienced
professional consultants, such as architects, energy assessors
and structural engineers (and more), early on in your project,
can help navigate these regulations effectively. It’s also
beneficial to approach your chosen building control body
(BCB), whether a registered building control approver or
local authority, from the design and planning stages, so that
necessary adaptions to any plans are more straightforward.
The Building Regulations are minimum standards. As such,
any self builder or renovator must ensure adherence to their
requirements. A building control application with a registered
building control approver (initial notice) or local authority (full
plans or building notice) must be made before commencing
any construction works. To assist any BCB in reviewing your
application, it’s vital to have a comprehensive construction
specification and technical design in place.
To stay compliant, you should maintain clear communication
with your BCB throughout your project, including requests
for site inspections, submission of amended designs and
commissioning certification at the end of the project The
BCB also requires notifications at various stages, including
a compliance declaration at the end of the project
Staying informed about changes to Building Regulations
involves continuous learning and engagement Accessing
continuing professional development (CPD) resources
and consulting with experienced professionals can enhance
your understanding and help you to gain confidence your
project partners are to responding to evolving requirements.
JOHN PALMER
is technical director for OWL Building Control
Solutions, providing Building Control services
throughout the south of England. John is
a Class 2 and Class 4 Registered Building
Inspector. He takes the lead for OWL BCS
regulatory interpretation. For more information
visit www.owlbcs.co.uk
www.self-build.co.uk
ifiTili ’ .
VELEAC
VELFAC • Phone: 01480 759 510 • Sales Enquiries: velfac@dovista.com
www.VELFAC.co.uk
The slim VELFAC frame increases
the ratio of glass in a window, allowing
up to 25% more light in to your house
compared to traditional alternatives,
therefore reducing the need for
electric lighting. Our windows are
made of aluminium on the outside,
and wood inside, providing a
hard-wearing, I
exterior with a
low-maintenance
i warm, natural interior.
U-Values
0.8W/m2kfor
triple glazing
news is
spendVsave
With all the essentials you’d
expect to find in a traditional
kitchen, KonigOutdoor’s setups
are made from durable sintered
stone, in eight contemporary
finishes, complete with your
chosen high-end appliances.
KonigOutdoor kitchen, from
£30,600, konigoutdoor.co.uk
Powder-coated stainless steel
frameworks, Dekton ceramic
worktops and Millboard frontals
make EO kitchens well-suited
to withstanding the great
outdoors. A range of material
finishes can be made bespoke
to suit your home and garden’s
design. EO outdoor kitchen,
from £25,000, eokitchens.co.uk
product news
। Great shopping ideas for your custom home project
SLATE EXTERIOR db
Made using invisible fixings, this Cupa
Pizarras cladding features different
sized natural slate tiles for a dynamic
and authentic look with a seamless
finish. The system is highly durable,
low maintenance and quick and easy
to install. Cupaclad 101 Random,
£POA, cupapizarras.com
DISCRETE VENTILATION Hf4
Inline tile vents are easily installed
to sit flush with your roof. Each
tile provides 7,500mm2 per metre
of ventilation, without disturbing
your home's exterior facade.
Dreadnought tile vent, from
£87.19, dreadnought-tiles.co.uk
of the best FLAT ROOFLIGHTS
BUILT-IN STOVE
Available in a range
of trim colours and
sizes, this Arada stove
features a large glass
firebox window for an
excellent view of the
flames, an innovative
heat convection system,
easy-to-use controls and
great energy efficiency.
iSeries Cassette
i400 S3, from £1,584,
aradastoves.com
OUTDOOR LIVING
Glazed rooms from CRL provide
a comfortable environment to enjoy
your outdoor space with protection
from the elements. Each unit is made
bespoke to fit your chosen area and
complement the architecture of your
home. CRL glass room 3m x 2m,
from £3,600, crlglassrooms.co.uk
1 Neo Advance flat
roof light, from £1,049,
therooflightco.com
2 Velux flat glass roof light,
from £1,380,
velux.co.uk
3 Stella flat roof light,
from £2,500,
stellarooflight.co.uk
www.self-build.co.uk
BORDER OAK 
BESPOKE HANDCRAFTED OAK FRAMED BUILDINGS
We specialise in making beautiful, bespoke & sustainable oak framed buildings.
We offer design & planning services, a wide variety of construction packages and
project management - all at a fixed price.
WWW.BORDEROAK.COM
01568 708752
news 17
interiors notebook
Create a warm and welcoming scheme with a
carefully curated palette of browns and burnt
orange, paired with brushed metal accents
Shopping list
1 This timeless two-seater
leather sofa in warm,
buttery brown is the
ideal centrepiece for
creating a chic living
space. Arizona brown
leather two-seater
sofa, £2,095, rose
andgrey.co.uk
2 These stylish velvet stools
offer a rich depth of colour
while the eye-catching
brushed brass base adds
luxe appeal. Matteo
bar stool in Burnt
Orange and brass,
£149 each, cult
furniture.com
i 3 Create a classic feel
i	throughoutyour home
:	with this rustic, engineered
*	oak flooring featuring
:	a natural oil finish and
i	handcrafted texture.
i	Rustic Barn oak,
£81.57 per m1 2, the
woodflooringco.com
4 Fora touch of luxury,
incorporate these solid,
hand burnished brass
handles into your design.
Cotswold Mushroom
cabinet knob,
£21.60 & Cotswold
cup pull, £48.96,
armacmartin.co.uk
5 Made from moisture-
resistant MDF, these
wall panels can be primed
and painted in your
chosen colour for a
statementfeature.
MDF wall panelling
kit 97mm, £25.99,
naturewall.com
www.self-build.co.uk
7-8 SEPTEMBER 2024
WESTPOINT
EXETER
Make your dream
PLANNING A SELF BUILD? RENOVATING A PROPERTY? ADDING MORE SPACE
TO YOUR CURRENT HOME? OR STILL SEARCHING FOR THE IDEAL PLOT?
A day at Build It Live will fill you with inspiration and practical tips to ensure you get the home you
want - finished on time and on budget. The stress-free route to creating a truly individual home.
★★★ FREE ONE-ON-ONE ADVICE FROM OUR EXPERTS
CHRIS BATESMITH
PROJECT
MANAGEMENT
JULIA RIDDLE	TOMMCSHERRY	JULIAN OWEN
PLANNING	FINANCE	ARCHITECTURE
& DESIGN
NIGEL GRIFFITHS OPINDER LIDDAR MARTIN GAINE SIMON WILD
ECO HOMES ARCHITECTURE PLANNING BUILD COSTS
& DESIGN
DAVID HILTON
HEATING &
RENEWABLES
XCITING FEATURES INCLUDING:
PLUS
Chat to one of our
independent specialists.
SElF BUILD HOVE DESIGN RENOVATION EXTENSION
Build

► 16 free workshops ► Build Cost Clinic
► Heating Advice Clinic ► Eco Building
► Extension Advice Clinic ► Basement Advice Clinic
Hear from real life self builders
2 FREE TICKETS I
FOR ALL
BUILD IT READERS
SAVE £24!
b , • '
even
home happen
EVERYTHING
UNDER ONE ROOF
9 FREE SEMINARS
EACH DAY
►	See & test out 1000s of products
from 100s of leading suppliers
►	Attend inspiring FREE
seminars and workshops
►	Hear from real-life self builders
►	Get help finding the right plot
COME & JOIN US
Our series of free seminars are developed each year by Build It's
editorial team and our panel of experts to ensure all common
questions are covered and to give visitors the knowledge to take
control of their projects. Sessions are delivered by our experts.
Make sure you turn up early for seats!
10.20 A step by step guide to self-build
11.00 Designing your dream home
11.40 Eco heating debate: PANEL SESSION
12.20 Renovating a home with character:
updating an old house for modern eco living
13.00 How to add more space & value
13.40 The perfect way to build your home- plus the
great build systems debate: PANEL SESSION
14.20 The different routes to managing your project
15.00 Building a sustainable home
15.40 How to find land and get planning permission
USE PROMO CODE
МТГЛТА >14111] HI к
FOR FREE TICKETS
/EXO.UK
=INDIVIDUAD=HOME-
Contemporary Triple Glazing Solutions
Europe’s leading, award-winning window brand for over 90 years. Innovative, high-
performance architectural window and door systems for self-build, renovation and
Passivhaus projects. Exceptional thermal performance, outstanding noise
reduction and enhanced security.
For further information, please visit uk.internorm.com.
Nothing compares to
Internorm
Windows - Doors
best home 2024 21
Build It
We’ve shortlisted six fantastic projects for this
years Build It Awards. Its now down to you to
help us crown the nations best home in 2024
AWARDS
2024
VOTE
NOW!
self-build.co.uk
/best-home
Britain’s Best Self Build
or Renovation Project
It’s that time of year again - the countdown to the annual
Build It Awards ceremony on 8th November is on. In the run-
up to the event, our editorial team and the Awards judges
have pored over all the readers’ homes showcased in the
magazine over the last year. We’ve whittled them down to just
six contenders, which are now in with a chance of winning
Build It’s Best Self Build or Renovation Project 2024.
From charming timber and oak self builds to unrecognisable
renovations and sensitive period restorations, this year’s homes
highlight what’s possible when you set your mind to the task of
developing a bespoke house. Our selection includes dwellings
that are finished to a broad spectrum of budgets, designs and
styles, cherry picked from all over the country. What they have
in common is the vision, ambition and hard work required by the
homeowners who created them. Though each project is worthy
of taking the top prize, there can only be one victor - so we
need your help to decide which property comes out on top.
The winner is chosen 100% by you, our readers. The
following pages provide a snapshot of what went into each
of the projects, highlighting their standout triumphs. For more
detail, you can head to our website to read their full stories
and take a deep dive into the ins and outs of every scheme.
Voting is now open - visit www.self-build.co.uk/best-home
to have your say. You have until 15th October to cast your vote,
before the winner is later announced at our Awards ceremony.
Best Self Build or Renovation Project 2024 is sponsored by
Self-Build Zone (www.selfbuildzone.com), a leading provider of site
insurance and 10-year structural warranties. Helping you to insure with
confidence, Self-Build Zone is there for self builders when it matters.
Vote now at www.self-build.co.uk/best-home
renovation & extension
OWNERS
Mark Camillin
& Liam Denny
PROJECT TYPE
Renovation
& extension
LOCATION
Hampshire
SIZE 381 m2 (incl
garage & annexe)
PROJECT COST
£500,000
COST PER IVI2
£1,312
In search of a property that was in
closer reach of city life, couple Mark
Camillin and Liam Denny looked at
a village in Hampshire only one hour
from London by train. They quickly
found a four-bed grade II listed
house built in the 1780s. It had been
extended and refurbished multiple
times, resulting in a collection of small
dark rooms on different levels. Mark
and Liam weren’t set on the house
immediately, but once they saw the
views from the garden and its beautiful
orchard, they were sold. So, they
decided to undertake a renovation
of the property to bring its energy
performance up to modern-day
standards and add an extension to
make sense of the jumbled layout
The architect couple, who run
Camillin Denny Design, knew howto
go about their research to maximise
their chances of getting planning.
When Mark and Liam bought the
property, the plan had a middle room
and a snug that formed the original
house. In between these rooms, a
staircase - which they discovered
was added in the 1950s - led up to
the bedrooms. On the ground floor,
there were steps up into a living room
extension, which was built in 1989.
The solution was to knock through
the utility, boot room and WC to create
a new open-plan kitchen and dining
area The staircase was relocated to a
new double-heig ht extension. The first
flight connects the living room and the
second the bedrooms and bathrooms.
Mark and Liam carried on tweaking
the drawings over a two-year period
until they’d resolved all the problems.
Most of their proposed changes were
to the 1980s extension and not to the
heritage fabric, and they wouldn’t be
visible from the front This worked in
their favour when securing planning
permission in just four months.
The single glazing and insulation
were replaced and enhanced in line
with heritage restrictions, and an air
source heat pump, underfloor heating
and solar panels were installed. The
overall fuel bill came down from
£4,000 per year in 2019 to just over
£150 in 2022. “Its unbelievable to
think we live in a listed house built in
the 1780s, yet in 2023 we’re totally
fossil fuel-free in a property with a В
energy rating,” says Mark. “This is the
first time we’ve bought a house that
we didn’t initially love and its turned
out to be our best project"
Read the full story online:
setf-build.co.uk/camillin-denny
Vote now at www.self-build.co.uk/best-home
OWNERS
Susan &
John Shearer
PROJECT TYPE
Self build
LOCATION
Inverness-shire
SIZE 290m2 (incl
studio & garage)
PROJECT COST
£645,000
COST PER M2
£2,224
Striking woodland home
Susan and John Shearer’s
holiday home in Cairngorms
National Park wound up being
the perfect plot to self build, thanks to
its peaceful location at the edge of the
forest The couple decided they would
knock down the existing one-bed
timber cottage with its tin roof, which
they bought back in 1992, and replace
it with their full-time dream home.
Inspired by one of his award-winning
projects, Susan and John reached out
to architect Gokay Deveci to design
their scheme. The replacement build
would have to be considerably larger
than the original to meet their needs
and, because of its sensitive location,
the amibitious project underwent
a two-year long planning process.
Gokay reassured the council that
the scheme would be contextual
and cause minimal disturbance to
the surrounding nature. Eventually,
the proposal was passed on the basis
it was an exem plar of quality design
and sustainable architecture.
The single-storey home features
two wings, each with a curved roof
structure. One volume contains
the living, kitchen and dining area,
while the bedrooms and bathrooms
are located in the other. The roof
extends out to canopy three terraced
zones, which are shaded by a lime
tree. The laminated post and beam
and timber frame wall panels were
manufactured offsite. “We couldn’t
get a specialist in Scotland to make
the roof curve. So, I found a Norwegian
engineer who designed a solution with
12mm sections of larch glued together
to achieve the unique shape,” says
Gokay. The structure was lifted off the
ground and placed on concrete pad
foundations in order to protect and
minimise the impact on the woodland.
Extra insulation was added on site to
the timber panels to meet the highest
energy standards. The house can’t rely
on passive solar gain due to the shade
cast by the surrounding trees, but the
insulation, triple glazing and underfloor
heating laid within a 50mm concrete
screed in the suspended timber floor
result in a super energy-efficient
build that keeps warm and cosy. "I
look up at the house and still think
it's just amazing," says Susan. “When
the odd cyclist or walker comes past,
you can see how impressed they are."
Read the full story online:
self-bui ld.co.uk/shea rer
Vote now at www.self-build.co.uk/best-home
PROUDLY MADE
IN BRITAIN
The Residence Collection brings together a suite of premium window and door systems,
hand-crafted in Britain. All systems are flush externally but vary in look and character on the
inside to accommodate your needs.
01452 345 822 | residencecollection.co.uk | journey@residencecollection.co.uk | X 0 fl ® in cf Ei @
Cotswold stone barn-style self build
Stephen and Ann Smith’s barn-
style self build in the Cotswolds
replaces three metal lockups
that sat alongside a barn and stable.
Situated in an area of outstanding
natural beauty (AONB), the plot was
marketed with permission to build a
small, 170m2 house, but the couple
were looking for something bigger
that could host their extended family.
They reached out to Abberley Design,
which was behind the original plans,
to increase the floor plan to 230m2.
However, its location meant there
were tight planning restrictions - one
of which concerned the height of the
building. To meet this requirement, the
existing design was a one-and-a-half-
storey house with a single bedroom
on the upper floor. Stephen and Ann
wanted four bedrooms, making it
closer to a two-storey house. So, the
designer’s solution was to excavate
over 800 tonnes of soil to lower the
foundations, which required a lot of
tanking to preclude any damp issues.
The extra space allowed for three
bedrooms on the upper storey and
a fourth on the lower ground floor,
where a lightwell compensates for
the limited number of windows -
another planning restriction.
The protected site also meant
that the house had to resemble
an old agricultural barn from the
exterior, using contextual materials.
To accommodate this, the structure
is made from Cotswold stone
using cavity wall construction.
Due to the backlogs from the
pandemic, it was 10 months before
Stephen and Ann secured consent
Construction began with preparing
the lower-ground floor, and Stephen
was lucky enough to find a farmer
who wanted to use the 50 trailer-
loads of soil they excavated, saving
them a huge amount of money in
disposal. The couple also opted for a
ground source heat pump, for which
they obtained a government grant
This required drilling three 90m-deep
holes and took three weeks instead
of the intended five days due to the
stony Cotswold brash and thick layers
of clay - but it was ultimately worth
it for the heat pump’s excellent
performance. “It’s been a very
rewarding,” says Stephen. “The
design blends so perfectly into
the beautiful Cotswold landscape.”
Read the full story online:
self-bui ld.co.uk/smith
OWNERS
Stephen
& Ann Smith
PROJECT TYPE
Self build
LOCATION
Gloucestershire
SIZE 230m2
PROJECT COST
£800,000
COST PERM2
£3,478
Vote now at www.self-build.co.uk/best-home
Sensitive Victorian
terrace renovation
OWNERS
John &
Melanie Stott
PROJECT TYPE
Renovation
& extension
LOCATION
Edinburgh
SIZE
257m2 (incl 20m2
extension
PROJECT COST
£320,000
COST PERM2
£1,245
John and Melanie Stott searched
for some time for the perfect
long-term home in Edinburgh
for their young family. They eventually
found it in the form of a three-storey
six-bed late Victorian terraced house
- it had a garden and was just a short
walk from the city centre. The property
had been well loved, but not updated
in several decades, so they knew they
would need to undertake a renovation
to make it fit for family life.
Before buying, the couple spoke to
architect Sean Gaule, who reassured
them that there was plenty of scope
to create the open-plan, energy-
efficient home they sought The
Stotts lived in the property for
around a year before work began,
giving them a good idea of what
worked forthem and what didn’t
The final scheme added 20m2
of space to the back of the house by
replacing an existing stone annexe
and connecting it to the house. The
stone from the existing structure was
carefully removed and reused so that it
resembles the original annexe, except
better insulated and waterproofed.
The new adjoining extension is
constructed from timber frame with
wood cladding, softening the contrast
between old and modern. Its roof line
is lower than the stone volume
to minimise overshadowing the
neighbours’ property. The extension
also had to be built on raft footings,
since those of the original house
were unusually deep, reaching 1.5m.
Going to the same depth would have
had major cost implications, though
accommodating these changes only
lost John and Melanie a week in the
schedule in the overall schedule.
The steel beams and central column
became key design features. The top
of the pillar has a bespoke crown that
takes three to four beams into it,
engineered to carry the supporting
structure. The electrics in the existing
property were upgraded and floors
insulated to improve its energy
efficiency. The single-glazed windows
were all replaced with double-glazed
sash and casement units, which are
fully draughtproofed. The couple
decided against insulating the walls
to avoid the risk of losing any original
features, such as the cornicing.
“Being a late Victorian house, the
ceilings are really high, but this adds
to its unique charm and it’s a really
comfortable environment despite this,”
says Jonathan. ‘The biggest change,
and the thing that we most enjoy, is
the light at the back in the open-plan
room,” he adds. “I didn’t expect such
a big window at the rear but it works
beautifully. It’s a lovely space; the
amount and quality of light is fantastic.”
Read the full story online:
self-build.co.uk/stott
Vote now at www.self-build.co.uk/best-home
i IlfЕ202^
oouniMSomoH
вк®8й^
SCREW7X
LIVE
th-:
2024
MORE BRANDS
29th September MORE STANDS
more deals
Free Entry • Farnborough International
Register Now!
screwfixlive.com
"In comparison to Screwfix Live 2023 and all previous Screwfix Live events. ANo purchase necessary. When you register and attend Screwfix Live 2024 you will be given a voucher for your free goodie bag.
Registration closes at 23.59 on 26/09/2024. Present the voucher at the reception area of Screwfix Live 2024 on Friday, Saturday or Sunday during our opening hours to receive your free goodie bag.
Products may vary and are subject to change. One voucher per person. Available whilst stocks last. Screwfix reserve the right to substitute this pack with an alternative gift for the value of £40. The free goodie bag
will only be available on presentation of the voucher. It is non-transferable and neither the voucher nor the free goodie bag can be exchanged for cash, credit or gift cards or any other products. The voucher will not
be replaced if lost, stolen or damaged. Valid from 27/09/2024 until 29/09/2024.
Charming coastal home
in oak frame & SIPs
OWNERS
Chris & Mary Noon
PROJECT TYPE
Self build
LOCATION
Dorset
SIZE 176m2
PROJECT COST
£662,500
COST PER M2
£3,764
Chris and Mary Noon replaced
a 1950s prefabricated
bungalow in Dorset with their
beautiful oak frame self build. The
site, which offers incredible views
of the coast, already had planning
permission to build a new home on
the footprint of the existing build.
After doing lots of research and
visiting various show homes, Chris
and Mary fell in love with oak and
its inherent character, choosing
Westwind Oak to supply and install
the oak frame and structural insulated
panel (SIP) envelope. “The reason we
liked Westwind was because they
do a lot of their work by hand and
shaping the beams to the natural
curves of the wood,” says Chris.
The couple also enlisted the
help of Nick Wordie at Roderick
James Architects, who had plenty
of experience working with the
unique characteristics of oak. The
structure of their home was detailed
so the plasterboard sits outside of it.
“As the oak dries out, the shrinkage
cracks are hidden behind the frame,
rather than being exposed and
requiring future filling,” says Nick.
“If it was abutted to the oak, you
would get cracks from shrinkage.”
One of the main challenges of the
build was the steeply sloping plot
Nick's solution required digging in
major retaining walls to hold back the
hill and trees. The proposed scheme
consisted of a two-storey, upside-
down layout to make the most out
of the views. All the the key living
spaces were placed on one floor to
futureproof the home. However, the
existing planning consent was for
a single-storey house, so the new
design faced significant opposition
from the local authority. Chris and
Mary compromised by removing
upper floor from their detached
garage design and lowering the pitch
of the roof on the main house. Nick
worked closely with the case officer
and, after several months, the new
design was eventually approved.
Having project managed many
extensions before, Chris and Mary
were confident about overseeing
the build themselves. The plot sits
on a green sand foundation, so the
Noons put in a thick concrete raft
foundation to support their home.
The oak structure was erected in
just three days and the SIPs envelope
in a further five. "It was so exciting
to see - it went up so quickly we
thought we would be moving in
soon," say Chris and Mary, who have
zero regrets when looking back on
their build journey. lTd recommend
self building to anyone," adds Chris.
"Though I wouldn’t do it again, as
what we’ve created is so fantastic."
Read the full story online:
self-build.co.uk/noon
Vote now at www.self-build.co.uk/best-home
OWNERS
Lucas Pulak &
Agnieska Zala
PROJECT TYPE
Renovation
& extension
LOCATION
Greater London
SIZE
305m2 (223m2
house, 39m2
garage &
43m2 gym)
PROJECT COST
£887,099
COST PER M2
£2,911
Contemporary home &
garden transformation
Experienced renovators, Lucas
Pulak and Agnieszka Zala were
confident they could transform
a 1960s detached house in Bromley
with a 1,000m2 plot into their dream
home. The two-storey property, which
had three bedrooms, was liveable but
was significantly dated. A builder by
trade, Lucas considered knocking it
down and starting from scratch, but
ultimately decided to undertake a
major renovation and extension.
The couple teamed up with architects,
Matthew and David Design, interior
designer, Studio 152, and landscape
gardener, James Lee, to plan their
home and garden. “Our jobs don’t
allow us to travel during summer,"
says Agnieszka. “So, we wanted to
a place where we could enjoy our
summers and feel like we're abroad.”
Permission to build the gym and
sauna, which were to be located in a
new outbuilding, was allowed under
permitted development. But consent
for the epic renovation and extension
works was an incredibly challenging
process, involving several rejections.
Seriously close to sellin up, Lucas and
Agnieszka gave it one final go. They
were assigned a new case officer,
who advised using a brick finish and
reducing the scale of the house to
be in keeping with the neighbouring
properties. After two years of back
and forth, the couple finally secured
permission fortheir home,featuring
four bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen,
dining and living area that leads out
onto the garden and swimming pool.
Lucas took on project management
duties, overseeing the entire process.
He and the team at Lucas Pulak
Construction removed almost all
of the main build’s existing walls,
retaining only the facade and a
side wall, which were wrapped in
insulation. Strip foundations were
laid before the new elements of the
house were constructed from cavity
block walls, finished with brick slips.
Lucas had planned ahead and pre-
ordered a lot of the raw building
materials to store on site, which
helped alleviate the impact material
delays and inflation would have on
the project. “Financially, we were
prepared for a big build, and any
unforeseen expenses, but after
costs increased, we were lucky to
able to finish the house,” he says.
Despite a few stressful setbacks,
the couple love their new home. “As
soon as the work was done and
we could sit outside with a glass
of wine, we knew it was worth it,”
says Agnieszka
“We love the
house and
spend a lot
of time in the
garden.” Their
neighbours
approve of the
transformation, too.
“We’ve changed the look of this tired
part of the street and people often
tell us how nice it is” says Lucas.
Read the full story online:
self-build.co.uk/pulak-zala
Vote now at www.self-build.co.uk/best-home
Call for entries!
The Build It Awards, in association with Buildstore, are the most sought-after
accolade within the custom and self build industry. They celebrate excellence
across the board in a variety of products, services, suppliers and projects.
Enter now to be recognised for your quality and innovation, giving you a chance
to stand out from the crowd, generate valuable PR and attract increased enquiries
and sales from self builders, renovators and home extenders.
THE WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A SPECIAL CEREMONY ON 8TH NOVEMBER
DOWNLOAD AN ENTRY FORM TODAY AT: WWW.builditaWardS.CO.uk
FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT: Nick Gillam on 0203 627 3245
DEADLINE
FOR ENTRIES:
6TH SEPT.
2024
Awards Sponsors:
R 1 BUIIDSTORE
J for smart homebuilders
»
IDSystems
PlotBrowser
if
STOVAX A G AZCO
aCSB
CSBRC
*• МвМлМ МГ еде &	Cotw
Readers homes
SELF BUILD + RENOVATION + EXTENSION + CONVERSION + IMPROVEMENT
32 | SUSTAINABLE
| SOLUTION
j Victoria Johnson sensitively
i restored a barn in Cornwall,
turning it into a comfortable,
i energy-efficient family home
i using natural materials and
green tech where possible
42 | A SECOND CHANCE
i Couple Linda and Vic Woods
i transformed this dated 1980s
; bungalow outside of Glasgow
into a contemporary home
retrofitted to modern-day
; performance standards
50
AHEAD OF
THE CURVE
In search of a quieter place to
call home outside of the city,
Rod and Trudy Molyneux
discovered a countryside
plot in Northumberland to
build their barn-style timber
frame house, full of wow-
factor architectural details
MORE ONLINE»
FOR MORE INSPIRATIONAL
READERS’ HOMES VISIT
WWW.SELF-BUILD.CO.UK/
READERS-HOMES
www.self-build.co.uk
l4i>:
SUSTAINABLE
SOLUTION
‘ ‘




Victoria Johnson used local
labour and natural, sustainable
materials to turn this classic barn
into an idyllic Cornish home
WORDS ALEXANDRA PRATT PHOTOS SIMON BURT
A surfing instructor and florist, Victoria Johnson was
already living her dream Cornish lifestyle when she
came across some unconverted barns for sale. Set
amongst the tiny, ancient fields near Land’s End,
she fell in love with her vision of what these tumbledown ruins
could become. “I had to wait two years before I could buy them,
as they were out of my budget at the time,” says Victoria. “But I
was lucky no one else could see their potential, because they were
still available by the time I came round to putting in an offer.”
Built from local granite during the 1780s and unused for decades,
the structures were on the brink of total collapse. Working with her
builders, Melvin Construction, Victoria oversaw the conversion
of the barns into a pair of dwellings for her family - son Perry
and partner Deshko. The main family home was the first to be
completed; a two-storey property with four bedrooms, it has
generous living spaces and a pleasant garden. The smaller second
barn, which has only one storey, will be Perry s home in the future.
But for now, it creates extra income as a popular holiday let.
Unusually, the barns were sold with both planning permission
for conversion and a build contract in place. Unhappy with the

Build It October 2024
Left: The exterior of
the barn remains little
changed from its life as
an agricultural building,
thanks to Victoria’s
sympathetic approach
Above: Victoria
paired this white
gloss kitchen from
Nolte with blush walls
and rustic furniture
suggested layout, Victoria hired Coal Architecture & Interior Design
to redraw the plans. A local firm, her friends recommended the
architects given their experience with old buildings. With their help,
Victoria turned the suggested three bedrooms into a comfortable
four and swapped around the kitchen-diner and the living room.
The master bedroom and ensuite became one large room with a
half-height wall at one end. “I now just love the layout,” she says.
Part of the reason for some of the layout tweaks was Victoria’s
considered approach to the project. Rather than thinking of it
as a barn conversion, which typically involves creating several new
windows and doors, she wanted to keep it within the parameters
of a traditional barn, making it more of a restoration project than a
conversion. “It is still exactly the same building as before,” she says.
Although the barn doesn’t have protected status, Victoria tried to
follow English Heritage’s listed building guide. This influenced her
choice to specify slate for a traditional barn-style roof. Victoria also
kept the original openings as a series of small windows rather than
remove huge granite blocks to permit larger spans of glazing. “I even
chose black window frames so you can’t see them from a distance,”
she says. Victoria’s approach to the rest of the project was equally
I LEARNED...
Illlllllllll
MAKE SURE THE MATERIALS
and fixtures you’re ordering are right
for your project. Check with your
builder or architect if necessary.
CONSULT COMPANIES, suppliers
and organisations that are familiar
with older buildings and what are
the best techniques and materials
to use when carrying building work.
INVEST IN TEMPORARY
ACCOMMODATION that you can
live in comfortably long term, particularly
in case there are unforeseen delays
that prevent you from moving in on
your scheduled completion date.
Above: Victoria chose
to install a woodburning
stove for extra warmth
and a cosy feel during
the winter months
Right: Building
Regulations meant
the staircase could
not be wider due to
space limitations.
Nonetheless, the
ash treads and black
metal balusters create
a real impact in the
entrance hall
sympathetic. “It’s a typical barn, in that it was put on the land and
not in the land,” says Victoria, whose builders found they needed
to underpin many of the granite walls. Similarly, the original plans
included limited repointing in cement, but Victoria wisely had
the entire structure repointed with lime, which allows the building
to breathe, preventing the build up of condensation and mould.
Stone buildings are notorious for damp problems. So, in addition
to the new pointing, the renovated barn was tanked inside up to a
height of nearly Im. There is also a large air gap between the internal
granite face and the new timber skeleton, which slots inside the
old structure. The frame was then insulated and plasterboarded.
Victoria considered more environmentally sustainable alternatives
to the standard plasterboard, which is made from gypsum, but
found they were too expensive. “I tried to specify healthier, more
natural materials while staying within my budget,” she says.
This environmentally conscious approach was consistent
throughout the project and really came to the fore when Victoria
Build It October 2024
readers’ homes 35
Left & below: Victoria
loves the readjusted
layout of this master
bedroom, where a
half-height wall by
the entrance door
creates a visual and
practical break from
the bedroom itself
commissioned the power and heating systems. Most of the ground
floor is finished in concrete, as she felt this was the best option for
retaining warmth from the underfloor heating (UFH). The system
is powered by Mitsubishi air source heat pumps, while a solar panel
array generates electricity, and the excess produced during the day
is stored in the Tesla Powerwall battery to use at night or on cloudier
days. “The battery also has a feature called Storm Watch, which
means the house keeps running even during a power cut,” she says.
Victorias suite of green technology was designed and installed
by Natural Generation, a company that now only works in the
commercial sphere. As part of the agreement, she generously chose
to support a local research project trialling communal electric cars
on the Isles of Scilly by temporarily donating her hybrid vehicle in
return for a discount on the barns installation. This was fortunate as,
given the barn is so large, it requires two air source heat pumps to
power it. Although very keen on using more renewable technology,
Victoria has mixed thoughts about the heat pumps’ performance.
“In December and January, when the granite wall cools because the
wind is on it, I put the heating on low and my energy bill was still
£500. The rest of the year, the system is amazing,” she says. She
often now has the UFH switched on only in the kitchen, lighting
her woodburning stove in the sitting room for cosy evenings.
FACT FILE
NAME Victoria Johnson
OCCUPATION Florist
& surfing instructor
LOCATION Cornwall
TYPE OF PROJECT Barn conversion
STYLE Traditional
CONSTRUCTION METHOD Timber
frame inside the original stone walls
PROJECT ROUTE Architect
designed, part-project-managed
by homeowner alongside builder
PROPERTY COST
£90,000 (main bam)
BOUGHT February 2020
HOUSE SIZE 300m2
PROJECT COST £650,000 (main bam)
PROJECT COST PER M2 £2,167
TOTAL COST £740,000
BUILDING WORK COMMENCED
October 2020
BUILDING WORK TOOK 65 weeks
www.self-build.co.uk
in tne an Of umoer jrunung.
From oak frame homes and garages to extensions and pool houses,
our dedicated architectural team will guide you every step, ensuring your oak
frame vision reflects quality, sustainability, and unparalleled beauty.
01432 353 353 | enquiries@oakwrights.co.uk | oakwrights.co.uk
readers’ homes 37
Left & below right:
Vaulted ceilings are
possible in this section
of the ground floor,
as it is a single-storey
section of the original
line of barns. It has
a party wall with the
smaller two-bedroom
barn conversion, which
Victoria currently uses
as a holiday let
Below left: This
bedroom is the
perfect home for
Victoria's floral
wallpaper and
French-style
armoire, which
she hand-painted
using Annie
Sloan chalk paint.
Further handcrafted
cabinetry adds a
wealth of storage
Although the contractor took care of scheduling materials,
Victoria was responsible for sourcing most of the interior finishes.
She lived on site during the project with Perry and Deshko, and
found herself acting as a project manager when she hadn’t done
anything remotely similar in the past. “I didn’t even realise that’s
what I was doing,” she says. "I enjoyed the process, but I wouldn’t
do it again.” Ordering was a challenge, as Victoria had to source
items such as flooring, radiators and doors to be fitted by the
builders. Electrical sockets and switches in particular were new
to her. “We had to send a lot of stuff back,” she says. “Although,
the only time I had a diva moment was when I ended up with
a staircase that was slightly below average width.”
These low points, however, were more than offset by the high
point of seeing the timber frame installed. “It was suddenly coming
together and you could envisage how it would look, which gave me
great joy.” Her best moment was when the beams were put in place.
www.self-build.co.uk
We’re fully
kitted out!
FAMILY
MEMBER OF
The Altro collection features 1,900 product
solutions that includes door, window and
cabinet hardware to locks, latches and more.
Plus, all Altro ironmongery comes with a 10 year
guarantee as standard for peace of mind.
Only
£1095
Kit + VAT
F
Scan me
Call or go online
0300 303 88 21
Direct.co.uk
Ironmongery
Ironmongei
Direct
Trusted to deliver
readers’ homes 39
best decision was the
open spaces with no doors. I
can almost look the length of
the barn unobstructed))
Left: The beautiful
blue tiles from
Ca'Pietraadd to
the seaside theme
of this bathroom -
perfect for this surf-
obsessed family.
It also boasts a
luxurious double
walk-in shower
“This glorious oak arrived, which everyone
thinks has been there since the beginning.
It’s the most beautiful thing.” There is timber
throughout the interior fit-out; from an
engineered ash floor in the bedrooms to
recently installed bespoke joinery. Even the
farmhouse-style dining table and bench are
made from reclaimed ash. “The set was a
random purchase, but it works well,” she says.
The interior decor was all Victoria’s work, and it is clear she has
an eye for it, combining various colours, patterns and textures. Non-
toxic limewash paint from Bauwerk was chosen for the bedroom,
which is natural and breathable. The dedicated surfing storage
area is, fittingly, painted in Faded Terracotta from Farrow & Ball’s
California range. The Nolte kitchen, supplied by Future Kitchens,
was included in the original build contract. Victoria upgraded
the spec with Miele appliances and a Silestone countertop. In the
master bedroom is a traditional freestanding bath and twin basins.
It’s clear that this barn will be home to Victoria’s family for a
long time to come. As for future additions to the project, she plans
to incorporate a sauna from Iglucraft - the same company that
supplied their temporary accommodation. For now, though, she
is happy with the final result. “My best decision during the build
was definitely the vaulted ceilings and open spaces with no doors;
I can look almost the length of the barn, unobstructed,” she says.
“And I love the view across the fields to the village and the church.”
Illllllllll
closer look
llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
Temporary accommodation...
This tiny house was home to Victoria, her partner Deshko
and her son Perry - a six-foot-plus teenager - for over a year,
including two winters. The cabin was supplied by Estonian
company Iglucraft, and Victoria felt it was a much greener
choice than a static caravan. Iglu huts are unique in shape
and design, combining traditional technology and modern
techniques into a handcrafted tiny home. The exterior cladding
са1яп
is made from eye-catching shingles, which are sustainable spruce.
The cabins also features double glazing and electric underfloor heating. Victoria
chose the one-bedroom version of the Iglu hut and living in it became their greatest
challenge. “There were three people and four dogs’,’ says Victoria. “I asked myself, ‘Why |
didn’t I buy a bigger hut?’ Perry slept on a sofa bed and we had to sit outside most of the |
time’.’ The tiny kitchenette also made cooking difficult. “It was pretty cosy, and because
there was little room to cook, we lived off takeaways and barbecues,” says Victoria. “We
had to eat on the bed.” Once the family moved into the barn, Victoria placed the hut in *
her garden, where it provides additional accommodation for friends and family when. I
www.self-build.co.uk
40 readers’ homes
Floor plans
Ground floor
First floor
TOTAL BUILD COST BREAKDOWN
Useful contacts
ARCHITECT Coal Architecture & Interior Design 07854 011869
www.coalcornwall.com BUILDERS Melvin Construction 01872
260804 www.melvonconstructionltd.co.uk ECO TECHNOLOGY
& INSTALLATION Natural Generation 01872 571700 www.naturalgen.
co.uk AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP Mitsubishi Electric 01707 282880 les.
mitsubishielectric.co.uk SOLAR BATTERY STORAGETeslawww.tesla.com
/en_gb TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION lglucraftwww.iglucraft.com
PAINT Bauwerkwww.bauwerkcolour.com Farrow & Ball www.farrow-ball.
com KITCHEN Future Kitchens www.future-kitchens.net Nolte www.
nolte-kitchens.co.uk BATHROOM TILES Ca’Pietra www.capietra.com
Г Elements	Cost m2	Cost %	Total cost
Preliminaries	£400	18%	£120,000
Timber frame	£233	11%	£70,000
Underpinning	£100	5%	£30,000
Windows, doors & new openings	£138	6%	£41,350
Engineered wood flooring	£18	1%	£5,500
Concrete flooring	£32	2%	£9,500
Ceilings, walls & plastering	£172	8%	£51,500
Oak beams & purlins	£90	4%	£27,000
Joinery & fittings	£200	9%	£60,000
Underfloor heating	£183	8%	£55,000
Radiators	£13	1%	£4,000
Air source heat pumps	£63	3%	£19,000
Electrics	£235	11%	£70,500
Decorating	£82	4%	£24,500
Fencing	£27	1%	£8,000
Landscaping	£67	3%	£20,000
External work	£17	1%	£5,000
Lime pointing	£42	2%	£12,650
Solar panels	£30	1%	£9,000
Tesla Powerwall	£25	1%	£7,500
Grand total	£650,000
Note: The costs shown here reflect the original prices for materials, labour
and services at the time this project was undertaken. As a general guide,
inflation in the construction market runs at about 3°/o-4% per annum
(although current rates of inflation are significantly higher).
Build It October 2024
COME AND SEE US IN OUR EXETER STORE
FOR A FREE DESIGN CONSULTATION
UNIT F2A DENBURY COURT, MATFORD PARK, EXETER EX2 8NB
SCAN TO BOOK
NOLTE-KITCHENS.CO.UK
01392 576880
EXETER@NOLTE-KITCH ENS.CO.UK
Instead of knocking down and
starting again, Linda and Vic
Woods undertook a complete
renovation and retrofit to
breathe life back into this
1980s bungalow, which is
now almost unrecognisable
WORDS CAROLINE EDNIE PHOTOS DAVID BARBOUR
When Linda and Vic bought a 1980s bungalow
on the outskirts of Glasgow, they were keen to
retain the spirit of the original building, with
its prominent double gables on the front facade.
However, its small, dark rooms and poor energy efficiency was a far
cry from the sustainable, light-filled, open plan they envisaged.
“The house was built in 1985 and hadn’t been changed since then,
but we could see its potential,” says Linda. “I liked its history, loved
the frontage and knew there was an opportunity to modernise it.
Although it would have been cheaper to knock down and rebuild
- as we would have saved on VAT -1 hate waste, so the last thing
I wanted to do was demolish everything and start again.”
The house has a beautiful garden of nearly half an acre, which was
what drew Linda and Vic to the property. “I was responsible for the
renovation and interior design of our previous flat in the West End
A combination
of NedZinkzinc
from Copper &
Grey Roofing
and timber-effect
composite cladding
from Millboard
gives the facades
of the home a low-
maintenance finish
Build It October 2024
readers’ homes 43
Before
The extension
has completely
opened up the
house to garden,
adding a vast, light-
filled space that
transforms the
property beyond
recognition
Demolition &
construction
The existing building
was entirely gutted,
and large sections
demolished. Some
of the original walls
have been replaced
by the timber and
steel frame structure
shown here, which
is ready for the
zinc cladding
to be installed
www.self-build.co.uk
FACT FILE
NAMES Linda & Vic Woods
OCCUPATIONS
Former fashion retail specialist
& CEO of a tech company
LOCATION Renfrewshire
TYPE OF PROJECT
Renovation, retrofit & extension
STYLE 1980s bungalow
with contemporary addition
CONSTRUCTION METHOD
Timber frame & steel
PROJECT ROUTE
Architect designed & oversaw
construction by main contractor
BOUGHT August 2022
HOUSE SIZE 280m2
PROJECT COST £731,000 (ex VAT)
PROJECT COST PER M2 £2,611
BUILDING WORK COMMENCED
November 2022
BUILDING WORK TOOK
43 weeks
of Glasgow, so I had a vision for the modern
look we wanted to achieve, with lots of
beautiful clean lines,” says Linda. “It’s just
the two of us, so we were looking for
a larger house with bright, open-plan
living spaces looking out to the garden,
a leisure area with a pool table, bar and
gym, as well as an office space to give us
the option of working from home.”
Above: The kitchen
design features clean,
crisp lines and a mostly
neutral colour palette,
with the exception
of a few intentional
pops of colour from
the interior decor
Race to get on site
Linda and Vic were keen to press ahead with updating and
upgrading their new house as they were in the process of moving
out of their previous home and didn’t want to spend too much
time in rented accommodation. At this point, the couple were
recommended to reach out to Farahbod Nakhaei of Glasgow-based
N VDC Architects. The couple immediately established a close
working relationship with him, allowing the project to move apace.
The architects initially looked at adding another storey to the
bungalow. “To meet the brief in terms of their accommodation
needs, we knew the footprint of the existing house had to be at least
doubled,” says Farahbod. “Most people don’t like the word bungalow
- it doesn’t sound very modern. But we determined that two storeys
might be controversial when it came to gaining planning permission
and would also take a lot longer to design and build. Since Linda
and Vic were keen to proceed right away, time was of the essence.”
The new scheme retains the single-storey bungalow character of
the house, but almost doubles the floor space from 150m2 to 280m2.
An L-shaped extension wraps around the house with the two main
bedrooms on the east elevation to catch the morning sun.
The 10-month project went on site in November 2022. In order
to speed up the construction process, Vic and Linda appointed
a contractor directly. “I’ve worked with Conturo, the main
Build It October 2024
readers’ homes 45
Below & left:
Rooflights from
CRL make a huge
difference in illuminating
the space, bringing
natural light deeper
into a once dark and
disconnected plan,
as well as opening
up views of the sky
contractor, before and they are excellent to deal with,” says
Farahbod. “Going through the tendering process would have
caused delays, so the contract was signed straight away.”
Access to the site didn’t present any real issues during the build.
“The house is on a narrow, private road, so lorries would struggle
to turn. But ultimately there were no major problems or delays,” says
Farahbod. “The driveway is shared by two neighbours and they were
very accommodating. The contractor kept everyone up to date with
what was happening so that inconvenience was kept to a minimum.”
The builders started immediately by carrying out the necessary
demolitions and laying new foundations before the structures
were erected. “We removed more than 50% of the external
walls,” says Farahbod. Other than two external walls and the
roof, everything was demolished internally. “We put in a steel
frame to support the roof structure, as well as the glazed facade
on the extension,” adds Farahbod. “With the steel structure,
we were also able to achieve details like the glass corner in the
master bedroom, which has a lovely aspect into the garden.”
The complete design
The new house has three bedrooms, two of which have an
ensuite, with the master having a sectioned-oft’ walk-in wardrobe.
It also has a large entertainment room-cum-gym, which can be
subdivided into an additional bedroom in future if needed. The
main living spaces, which features an open plan kitchen/lounge/
dining area, is set behind double-glazed curtain walling to the south,
which allows the Woods to take full advantage of the garden views.
In the centre of the plan is a pod of ancillary spaces, such as the plant
room, utility room, more storage and a spa. A wide hallway circles
around this core zone to allow for fluid movement around the house.
Creating a seamless flow throughout the living spaces as a whole
was a key consideration. “In the existing house, all the bedrooms
and bathrooms were on a raised platform - three steps up from the
www.self-build.co.uk
The apex window above the living room adds
extra height to the ceiling for the lofty, airy feel
that Linda and Vic were keen to achieve
The leisure room offers a separate space for
socialising and entertainment tucked away
from the main living area, which can remain
a quieter spot to sit, relax and watch TV with
a fantastic view of the beautiful garden
lounge, kitchen and dining room, which would not have complied
with accessibility regulations,” says Farahbod. The new design places
three of the bedrooms and the bathrooms on the same level as the
main living area, with the leisure spaces in the elevated section.
The patio outside the main living space creates a flush threshold
between the newly landscaped garden into the interiors, which blur
nicely into one another through the use of a light stone externally
and a bright-white engineered wood floor inside. Oak wall
panels introduce a contrast to the all white interiors of the main
living space. Heritage-style internal glazing, constructed by the
main contractor, separates the leisure room from the rest of the
plan, creating a characterful feature for light to travel through.
Build It October 2024
readers’ homes 47
WE LEARNED...
Illlllllllll
DIRECTLY APPOINTING
THE BUILDERS-who were
recommended by the architect -
saved on time and helped the project
schedule progress at a faster rate.
ROOFLIGHTS HAVE HAD
a transformative effect in terms of
creating a sense of space and light,
compensating the lower ceiling heights.
FUTUREPROOFING IS KEY. The
large entertainment space can be sub-
divided to form the additional third
bedroom when required, and all the
main living area, bedrooms and bathrooms
are on one level, accessible threshold.
Above: Plush carpets
in the bedroom
feel warm and cosy
underfoot, with luxe
furnishings to match
Left & right: Statement
fixtures in the bathroom,
such as the cylindrical
basin and walk-in
shower, give it
that spa-like feel
Below right: At the
centre of the plan is
the couple’s very own
sauna, the perfect way
to finish off a workout
session in their gym
Key decisions
Another important detail for Linda was the ceilings. “Our previous
Victorian period flat had amazing 4.5m-tall ceilings. My concern
was that anything considerably lower would feel claustrophobic,”
she says. To tackle this, Farahbod incorporated rooflights into
the design, which have been strategically placed to illuminate
deeper areas of the plan and create a sense of drama upon entry
to the house. “It feels so much bigger and airier,” says Linda.
Optimising the build s performance in the most sustainable
way possible was central to Linda and Vic s rationale. There
was originally no insulation in the floors and cavity walls, and
only 100mm of loft insulation in the attic - most of which had
deteriorated due to condensation and leaks. So, the external
walls were stripped back to the brick skin and insulated from the
inside to meet current Building Regulations. The floor coverings
were also removed to install insulation both in between the floor
joists and on top of existing concrete floors. What was left of the
existing insulation was then replaced with new 300mm insulation.
All the windows were replaced with new triple glazed units
from Rationel, with frames specified in RAL Anthracite Grey.
The original slate roof was removed and upgraded, with new
sarking boards laid with 5mm gaps and a breather membrane
installed to provide sufficient ventilation in the attic space.
www.self-build.co.uk
48 readers’ homes
lllllllllll
closer look
lllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
Low-maintenance
external finishes...
The extension’s zinc cladding was chosen
for its clean, contemporary look, echoing the
& r&nder
original slate roof.
Its longevity and
low-maintenance
properties were
also a factor
in this choice.
“We were keen
to incorporate
as many finishes
that didn’t require
Linda and Vic also specified green technology for their home,
such as an air source heat pump that powers underfloor heating
system. The vast swathes of glazing throughout the property,
particularly on the south-facing facade, have been designed
to limit excessive solar gains. The roofline is extruded to form
a veranda that provides both solar shading and a sheltered
outside space on the patio - ideal for the rainier days in Scotland.
The build took 10 months to complete, with the couple moving
in last September, and they are delighted with the transformation
of their new home. “It’s a place that’s full of sunshine, even on a grey
day. The minute you walk in, you have the rooflight above you,
which makes the entrance so bright and inviting,” says Linda. “The
different materials throughout the interiors also help reflect the
light, unlike the previous property, where wood panelling on the
ceilings made it feel like it was closing in on you.” And, despite the
home’s large footprint, it doesn’t feel too vast. “It’s amazing to us
that, although the house is almost 280m2, it feels like everything
is close to you,” says Linda. “We can see so much of the garden
now that wasn’t possible before. It’s given us the lifestyle we
wanted, and there is a real sense ofcalm through the house.”
; TOTAL BUILD COST BREAKDOWN
much maintenance
as possible’,’says Farahbod. The timber-
effect composite cladding installed at the
front of the property is hard-wearing and
weatherproof, echoing the interior wall
panels for one unified design inside to
out. The soffit also consists of a waterproof
render finish applied to render boards.
Elements	Cost m2 Cost % Total cost
Preliminaries	£157	60/o	£44,000
Foundations	£291	110/0	£81,625
External walls & windows	£451	170/0	£126,279
Roof structure & covering	£267	100/0	£74,343
Internal walls	£367	140/0	£102,669
Яоог, wall & ceiling finishes	£124	50/0	£34,749
Joinery & fittings	£161	60/0	£45,019
Plumbing & heating	£172	70/0	£48,260
Electrics	£101	40/0	£28,260
Decorating	£80	30/0	£22,345
External works	£219	80/0	£61,451
Fees (architect, structural engineer, drainage, topographical survey, green energy consultant & planning application)	£221	90/0	£62,000
Grand total
£731,000
Note: The costs shown here reflect the original prices for materials, labour
and services at the time this project was undertaken. As a general guide,
inflation in the construction market runs at about 3°/o-4% per annum
(although current rates of inflation are significantly higher).
Useful contacts
ARCHITECT NVDC Architects 01419 598752 www.nvdc.co.uk
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER The Structural Partnership 01413
312280 www.structuralpartnership.com MAIN CONTRACTOR (incl
black steel-line glass partition, pivot & internal doors) Conturo 01412 809990
www.conturo.co.uk WINDOWS Rationel 01480 759511 www.rationel.
co.uk COMPOSITE CLADDING Millboard 02476 439943 www.millboard.
com/en-gbZINC CLADDING Copper & Grey Roofing 07432 741557
www.copperandgreyroofing.com ROOFLIGHTS CRL 01202 802111 www.
customrooflights.co.uk ROOFING McGrath Roofing Services 01383 831246
BATHROOM Porcelanosa www.porcelanosa.com/ukKITCHEN Cameron
Interiors www.cameroninteriors.co.uk Bulthaup www.bulthaup.com/en-gb
Build It October 2024
From Concept to Completion
Telephone: 0141 959 8752 Email: enquiries@nvdc.co.uk
www.nvdc.co.uk
Woodland I Warm and Cosy
Quality British designed and manufactured
aesthetically pleasing woodburners, made
with pride in Somerset.
www.mendipstoves.co.uk 101934 750500
cP ч
clearSkies 5

PREMIUM
PASSIVE
PERFORMANCE
Norrsken's energy-efficient timber composite windows and doors
are the ultimate choice for the comfort-conscious home builder.
Combining durable, warm wood with sleek aluminium, our products
revolutionise living and add beauty to homes throughout the UK.
Make yours one of them.
N0RRSKEN1
01202 632777
www.norrsken.co uk
AWARDS
2023
U-values as low as 0.64
Full PHPP data supplied
Timber & Aluminium Clad Timber Options
Superb Quality Products
Installation Available
Outstanding Customer Care & Reviews
50
AHEAD OF THE CURVE
Inspired by the barns in Northumberland,
the design of Rod and Trudy Molyneux’s
charming timber frame home is brimming
with impressive architectural details
Г FACT FILE
Self building was never part of the plan for Rod and Trudy
Molyneux when they decided to move out of the city
in search of a greener, quieter place to call home. They
had been living in a semi-detached house in Jesmond,
Newcastle upon Tyne for 10 years, but the small garden and fast
pace no longer suited the way they wanted to live. "We had moved
from a five-bed house with a huge garden 10 miles from Newcastle,
into our three-bed home in the city with a small outdoor space
in order to be closer to my work and the children’s school,” says
Rod, who retired as a financial advisor in 2019. “We converted
the loft and built an extension on the back of that house, but we
always knew we wanted to move out of the city again eventually
to go back to having more space and greenery.”
The couple immediately began searching for a house, but were
frustrated by the lack of suitable properties within their budget.
When Rod found five plots with planning permission in a village
in Northumberland, he was attracted by the CGI images of the
house designs. The seed was planted for what would become
a year-long adventure to build their barn-style home in a leafy
location situated next to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Above: Located down
a no-through road in
rural Northumberland,
the house is built on
a former paddock,
surrounded by four
other self build
homes. Northumbrian
sandstone, waney-
edge larch cladding
and Spanish slate
roof tiles create a barn-
style home in keeping
with the area's
local vernacular
NAMES Rod & Trudy Molyneux
OCCUPATIONS Retired financial
advisor & full-time homemaker
LOCATION Northumberland
TYPE OF PROJECT Self build
STYLE Barn-style
CONSTRUCTION METHOD
Timber frame
PROJECT ROUTE Potton architectural
design, supply and install package.
Homeowner project managed using
local builder and trades
PLOT SIZE 0.4 acres
LAND COST £140,000 (incl services)
BOUGHT 2020
PROJECT SIZE 237m2
(house 213m2, garage 24m2)
PROJECT COST £454,628
PROJECT COST PER M2 £1,918
TOTAL COST £594,628
VAT RECLAIM £21,000
BUILDING WORK COMMENCED
March 2021
BUILDING WORK TOOK 45 weeks
CURRENT VALUE £850,000
Build It October 2024
readers’ homes 51
The ground floor bedroom has curved
walls, which add form to the hallway and
sweep up the stairs, with a curved handrail
that Rod painstakingly bent into shape
Finding the perfect opportunity
When the couple viewed the plots, it was a rainy, windy day
in February, and the River Coquet had swelled and overflowed
onto surrounding land. “When we arrived, the weather was
horrendous - the rain was lashing down and, at that point, I
still wasn’t convinced when faced with nothing more than a
muddy windswept field with goats on it,” says Trudy. “It took
some imagination to envisage the wet, dismal plots as somewhere
we could bring the designs to life.” However, the location ultimately
sold the couple. The site was formerly a paddock belonging to an
old farmhouse. It sits on a no-through road that leads to the River
Coquet, meaning the only passers-by are dog walkers and people
going fishing. The plots also came with the installation of services
included in the sale price. So, convinced it was right for them, Rod
and Trudy decided to put in an offer for one and were successful.
The couple’s finished design is a stone-clad four-bedroom home
that celebrates curves, with full-height archway fenestration on
the ground floor and wow-factor curved internal walls. Small
sliding conservation sash windows on the upper storey and a
parapet gable roof echo the style of Northumbrian barns.
www.self-build.co.uk
^WE LEARNED-
Illlllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
TAKE AS MANY PHOTOS AND VIDEOS of all pipework,
cabling and MVHR ducting as possible before the plasterboarding
stage. This will save a lot of bother further down the line when
fixing things to the walls, for example, and you need to make sure
you avoid drilling into these elements to avoid costly damage.
CHECK AND CHECK AGAIN Never assume that someone
fully understands what you want, especially when it comes to
things like the positions of light switches and sockets. Double
check all technical drawings where possible for things like door
openings and what exactly is required before fitters arrive. We
made this mistake in a couple of places, which resulted in delays.
Professionals are also human and can make errors, too, so
it’s worth making sure for yourself that you’re 100% happy.
GET FULLY INVOLVED WHEN YOU CAN. We are not
builders, but we are keen DIYers and were able to do a lot ourselves.
We installed all of the insulation on the entire ground floor, which
was an insanely boring job, but not a difficult one. We saved a lot of
money, learnt new skills and feel really proud of what we’ve achieved.
some tweaks to the scheme that meant they had to reapply. Approval
was given to change the position of some of the windows and doors
and to add an oak balcony outside the master bedroom, but their
request to swap the timber sash windows for conservation-grade
PVCu frames was rejected. However, this wasn’t without misgivings
about the overall style of house from the conservation officer, who
called it an “unconvincing pastiche” of local buildings. “At the time
we were offended, but we laugh about it now,” says Trudy.
Getting hands-on
The groundworks were carried out by a local contractor. This
first stage saw trenches dug for the foundations and a beam-and-
block floor laid to very specific levels. The necessary tolerance
of the base plate meant that only a few millimetres’ difference
was possible to adequately support the timber frame.
The contractor took a fastidious approach, and their attention
to detail meant that the superstructure went up in around a month
without any issues. Two weeks later the windows were installed, and
Initial quotes from builders for a stone-built house did not give
Rod and Trudy the confidence that they would get value for money.
So, they decided their budget would be better spent investing in
timber frame and then cladding the building in Northumbrian
stone. They approached Cambridgeshire-based timber frame
supplier Potton to design and erect the superstructure to
weathertight stage, including the installation of the closed panel
system, which was prefabricated oft’site with the insulation built-in.
“Handing over a large amount of money, you want to have faith that
the company will still be around and solvent when the time comes
to deliver the frame,” says Rod. “We made the right choice with
Potton - they were really accommodating and trustworthy.” The
couple also took part in the online tutorials that Potton offer, which
gave them advice on what to expect throughout the project.
The plot came with planning for a design that incorporated
most of their requirements, but Pottons in-house architect made
Build It October 2024 мвннмнвннннамнмнншшн
readers’ homes 53
Far left: The kitchen
is located in an off-set
single-storey wing to
clad in larch. The
vaulted ceilings add
volume, making the
space feel bigger
Left & below: Sliding
doors and full-height
arched windows offer
views from two sides
of this generously sized
room, which houses
both the living and
dining zones
after a further fortnight, the roof was on and the house was
weathertight, allowing work to start on the inside concurrently.
At this stage, services were installed. Up until that point, they had
to use a generator and a water bowser for the project to progress.
The couple undertook their own project management, renting
a house close to their previous home and making the 40-minute
journey to the plot daily. They bought a caravan to keep on site,
which provided a site office as well as accommodation for those
occasions when they needed to be available early in the morning to
take in deliveries, for example. This proved a valuable asset, as once
the project was finished, they sold it for almost what they paid.
When it came to hiring trades, Rod and Trudy found a lot
of them through the main builder, word-of-mouth and chance
meetings. Despite slight delays and trouble getting materials
due to Covid restrictions, they were impressed by the attention
to detail that their valued workforce brought to the job.
Given they already had an extension project under their belt
from their previous home, this gave Rod and Trudy the confidence
Left: Bifold doors
in the south-facing
kitchen create a fully
open aperture that
leads out onto the patio,
blurring the boundary
between inside and out.
The log burner in the
living room adds an
extra burst of warmth
in the winter, creating a
cosy indoor ambience
Above: The oak
balcony, located off the
master bedroom, was
manufactured off site
and fitted in two days
onto the south elevation
of the house, where it
enjoys open views of
the Coquet Valley SSSI
to tackle many of the jobs themselves, some
of which proved taxing. The water tables on
the gable end roof are made from colour-
matched artificial stone instead of the real
thing. Because the timber frame moves,
dries and contracts at a different rate to
the stone cladding outer skin, Potton and
the builder advised that real stone wouldn’t
have worked because its too heavy. Marine-
grade ply and a rubber roofing membrane are screwed directly
onto the timber structure before the water tables could be fitted.
Compriband expanding foam was then placed between the
water table and the stone cladding, expanding to fill the gap
while remaining flexible enough to allow any differential
movement. The couple carried out this tricky job themselves.
“We were up on the scaffolding installing these layers just
before Storm Arwen hit! It’s stayed there and hasn’t moved,
though, so we must have done a good job,” says Trudy.
Rod also installed all 15 of the walnut internal doors, each
one made to measure from the same tree with no visible screws
or hinges for a seamless look. This was a painstaking process,
Above: A vaulted
ceiling, large sliding
doors onto the oak
balcony and arched
fanlights above fill
this room with light
hanging one door a day while ensuring
precision and a high-quality finish.
The house is also fitted with an air source
heat pump, underfloor heating and an
MVHR (mechanical ventilation and
heat recovery) unit. Together, the setup
provides a comfortable internal atmosphere that maintains a
consistent temperature and a continuous supply of fresh air.
Perfecting the design details
The interior layout in the original design was modified. A ground-
floor study was removed to make way for a larger living area that
accommodates a dining dining table, as it would have blocked
the bifold doors in the kitchen. This glazed entrance opens onto
a small courtyard that also provides access to the front door.
Meanwhile, all four bedrooms are located in the main stone-
clad volume, one of which is on the ground floor. A downstairs
Build It October 2024
readers’ homes 55
closer look
llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
lllllllllll
Curved walls...
Rod and Trudy elected to have some internal curved walls
built to add visual interest to the house. The framing for
these walls was designed and manufactured by Potton using
glulam horizontal sections along with standard studwork.
The plasterers used thin 9mm plasterboard, curving the panels
overnight by placing weights in the middle, supported between ^rc^^ctu.ral wOlA)
two trestles. Although special flexible plasterboard is available	^actor
for this purpose, Rod and Trudy saved lot of money doing it this
way. Real stone veneer tiles were used for the wall finish in the hall, which were glued
and butted together with no grout. The stone veneer side of the wall has no skirting but
flexible plastic skirting was installed on the opposite side to match the standard MDE
Where the wall curves in the stairwell, finding a handrail that would fit was impossible.
So, Rod made his own - to the amusement of the build team. He purchased a straight
timber handrail and placed it inside a drainpipe to keep it soaked in water for around
six weeks for it to soften. He then locked the handrail into position and used a wallpaper
stripper and drainpipe to apply steam and pressure for 10 hours to create desired
bend to fit around the wall. “It took weeks to do, and everyone on site thought
1 was crazy, but ultimately it worked and it looks fantastic!” says Rod.
www.self-build.co.uk
56 readers’ homes
shower room adds a futureproof feature by providing ground-floor
level living. It was initially positioned next to a separate WC, both
of which were quite small, but Rod and Trudy combined these to
create one larger shower room, in turn enabling them to add more
space to the hallway. Originally, these spaces had roof trusses, but
they were taken out of the design to create lofty vaulted ceilings
that makes the rooms feel bigger, brighter and airier.
The couple elected to have some internal curved walls built
to add visual interest. However, their complicated structure proved
to be an expensive headache (see Closer Look for more). The curve-
related conundrums did not stop there. The stone lintels above the
arched windows had to be fabricated to order by the company
that supplied the sandstone cladding. Meanwhile, the windows
themselves, manufactured by Rationel, and their steel supports,
all had to be made to very specific measurements to ensure they
would fit together perfectly. The process caused Rod and
Trudy a lot of stress and nerves, hoping they would turn out
as required, but the couple were delighted when the installation
was complete and everything worked together successfully.
The kitchen is located in an offset single-storey, timber-clad
volume, which also contains a garage and utility room. All
the cabinets are bespoke to the space and were crafted on site,
including the white perimeter doors and the island-cum-breakfast
bar. Feature walls have been created throughout the home with
statement wallpaper and wood panelling, helping to inject the
same character and charm created by the exterior design into
the interiors of the home. “We are really happy with the way the
project went, and how hard everyone worked,” says Trudy. “We
love the house, regardless of what the conservation officer
thinks! Every single person who comes here loves it, too.”
Useful contacts
TIMBER FRAME Potton Homes 01767 676400 www.potton.
co.uk BUILDER Storey and Edmondson 07801 433377 www.
storeyandedmondson.co.uk ELECTRICIAN Masons Electrical Contractors
07771 522661 www.masonselectrical.co.uk PLUMBER Tom Poole Plumbing
Heating Design 07966 586133 PLASTERING Arluchi Plastering Division
07824 731960 TIMBER SASH WINDOWS Bereco Windows 01709
838188 www.bereco.co.uk SLIDING DOORS & CURVED WINDOWS
Rationel 01480 759511 www.rationel.co.uk CLADDING Hutton Stone
01289 386056 www.huttonstone.co.uk Caledonia Timber 07801
584136 caledoniatimber.co.uk GUTTERING Lindab 01215 852780 www.
Iindab.co.uk BALCONY Jaylee Oak 07787 860487 www.jayleeoak.co.uk
FRONT DOOR Jonathan Elwell Bespoke Joinery 01352 711766 www.
jonathanelwellinteriors.co.uk AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP Grant Engineering
01380 736920 www.grantuk.com INTERIOR DOORS Deuren Doors 0800
138 6688www.deuren.co.uk KITCHEN AR Kitchens 01914 661156
www.arkitchensandbedrooms.com TILING DCE Tiling 07495 097466
} TOTAL BUILD COST BREAKDOWN
Elements	Cost m2	Cost °/o	Total cost
			
Preliminaries	£15	1°/o	£3,500
Timber frame package (incl MVHR system and insulation)	£422	22%	£99,978
Groundworks, foundations & drains	£118	60/o	£28,000
Screed	£17	1%	£4,000
Roof	£127	6o/o	£30,000
Windows & external doors	£207	10%	£49,000
Steel lintels	£17	10/0	£4,000
Stone exterior walls	£190	10%	£45,000
Timber cladding	£15	1%	£3,500
Plasterboard & plastering	£76	4%	£18,000
Plumbing & heating (incl underfloor heating)	£72	4%	£17,000
Electrics	£76	40/0	£18,000
Internal doors	£46	20/o	£11,000
Bathrooms	£76	40/0	£18,000
Kitchen & utility	£135	70/0	£32,000
Log burner	£17	10/0	£4,000
Oak balcony	£31	20/0	£7,400
Staircase	£8	<1o/o	£2,000
Aooring & tiling	£105	5%	£25,000
Scaffold & skips	£36	2%	£8,500
10-year warranty	£10	<1o/o	£2,500
Site insurance	£3	<1o/o	£750
Garage door	£10	<1o/o	£2,500
Hard & soft landscaping	£59	3%	£14,000
Fees	£30	2%	£7,000
			
Grand total			£454,628
Note: The costs shown here reflect the original prices for materials, labour
and services at the time this project was undertaken. As a general guide,
inflation in the construction market runs at about 3°/o-4% per annum
(although current rates of inflation are significantly higher).
Build It October 2024

ecure
sample
01283 512 111 | www.firstfence.co.uk | sales@firstfence.co.uk
Free Click
& Collect
Locations
Nationwide
Same & Next
Day Delivery
Installation
Service
24/7
Sales Line
Finance Options
Available
Bristol | Canvey | Glasgow | Nottingham | Tipton | Manufacturing in South Derbyshire
START SEARCHING
TODAY FOR YOUR
PERFECT PLOT...
VISIT PLOTBROWSER.COM
The 100% FREE plot & property finder for the best self-build
and conversion project opportunities across the UK.
All entries on the site are carefully researched to ensure they are all
genuine self-build plots or major renovation/conversion projects, saving
you huge amounts of time so you don’t miss exciting opportunities.
Search by county, postcode, price, plot type and date added.
Register today for a free account, giving you full access to images and
important planning information on thousands of UK plots.
And to take the hassle out of your search even further, you can sign up
for free email alerts of new plots listed in your area.

Plot Browser
from Build It magazine

Renovation & building
SELF BUILD + RENOVATION + EXTENSION + CONVERSION + IMPROVEMENT
60
65
68
74
IS PASSIVHAUS
THE BEST ECO
STANDARD?
Lindsay Blair investigates
if this ultra-low energy
eco credential is the ideal
route to a comfortable and
efficient home for self builders
NEED TO KNOW:
RAINWATER
SYSTEMS
Explore the key considerations,
design and product options for
specifying rainwater goods
that complement your home
and suit your practical needs
BASEMENT
EXTENSIONS
Looking to maximise space
in your home with a below-
ground addition? Rebecca
Foster shares what you need
to know before digging down
FLOORING
INSPIRATION
Discover ideas and advice for
specifying the ideal material
for your home’s floors, with
Erika Chaffey’s round up of
the main design options
MORE ONLINE»
GET MORE ESSENTIAL
PROJECT ADVICE AT
SELF-BUILD.CO.UK/BUILD-IT
www.self-build.co.uk
6o renovation & building
PASSIVHAUS
The best eco standard
for self builders?
HEM Architects' Sort Trae project for homeowner Susi
Clark is a self-certified Passivhaus with a heating demand
of 19kWh/m2/yr and an airtightness rating of 0.54 ach.
A collaboration between Susi, HEM Architects and
Marc Medland, the property in Barnsley, South Yorkshire
features a large glazed south elevation with deep reveals
to prevent the risk of overheating on the exposed site,
while maximising views. It cost £4,000 per m2 to build
Creating a high-performance home is no mean
feat, but it could lx* the secret to a long-lasting
property with not just environmental benefits,
but lifestyle ones, too, says Lindsay Blair
If your self build mission is to be as energy efficient as
possible, you may have heard the term Passivhaus. An
extremely low-energy, highly-insulated and airtight home,
a certified Passivhaus is one that relies on passive heat
sources like the sun, the property’s occupants, appliances
and heat from mechanical ventilation to maintain a steady,
comfortable living environment year-round. Achieving
the internationally recognised standard is not easy and
requires specialist knowledge, dedication to the cause
from the outset and carefully selected designs and
materials at every turn to fully realise the benefits.
Why Passivhaus?
“It’s always good for people to think about the thermal
performance of the buildings they are designing and
aim for a better standard than that prescribed by UK
Building Regulations,” says Laura Fairchild, Architectural
Technology lecturerat Nottingham Trent University.
In Scotland, the devolved government intends to
introduce Passivhaus equivalent energy efficiency targets.
Meanwhile, in England even the latest proposed Future
Homes standard doesn’t represent much of a step forward
ahead of current Building Regulations requirements for
factors such as heat gains and losses, insulation, air
permeability, glazing performance, ventilation etc. Many
designers agree that, while the regulations provide a
useful benchmark, the stipulations don’t go far enough.
By contrast, the Passivhaus method has very strict
stipulations, where minimum levels of airtightness - less
than 0.6 air changes (ACH) @ 50 Pascals (Pa) - combine
Fox Eco Architects
worked with the University
of Plymouth to deliver the
first building in the UK
made from CobBauge,
a new low-energy earth
building technique using
cob - a mixture of earth
and organic fibres, such
as hemp and straw. The
space heating demand for
the CobBauge building
has been measured at
30kWh/m2/yr. Whilst
this is higher than the
Passivhaus standard
of 15kWh/m2/yr, it is
considerably lower
than Building Regulation
standards at 75kWh/m2/yr
with a space heating demand
of less than 15 kilowatt-hours
per m2 per year (kWh/m2/yr),
as well as a space cooling
demand under 15 kWh/m2/
yr) and other essential
performance targets.
“There are different levels
of Passivhaus you could aim
for, with Passivhaus Plus and
Premium going beyond
the entry level,” says Laura.
Passivhaus Plus certified
builds produce as much
energy as the occupants
consume. For the ambitious,
there’s Passivhaus Premium
- producing far more
energy than is used.
Build It October 2024 
I
Building a Passivhaus
All Passivhaus buildings have a high-performance thermal
envelope, which relates to the climate zone where it is
located; orientation on the plot to both maximise solar gains
and prevent overheating; and a focus on air quality control
and draught proofing. “Passivhaus is material agnostic,”
says Laura Soar, research and digital associate at the
Passivhaus Trust “It can be applied to any construction
method. There are established approaches for cavity wall,
timber frame, and even straw-insulated panels.
“There’s also a wide range of Passivhaus Certified
Components available, including whole build systems,
as well as windows, doors, airtightness products and
ventilation systems. It’s not a requirement to use certified
components, though we would recommend going
fora Passivhaus certified mechanical ventilation
and heat recovery (MVHR) unit.”
Controlling internal temperature is anotherfounding
principal. “While we all want to ensure good daylight
throughout the year and appreciate the warmth from
the sun in the winter, sadly, our climate is warming in a
way we have not experienced before and will only likely
get warmer," says Andrea Fox of Fox Ecological Architects.
“We must consider the effects of summertime overheating
when orienting our buildings - often with a careful balance
between glazing design, shading and space planning.”
It’s a consideration for the winter months, too. “Winter
sun is low in the sky and beneficial for heating, and mostly
in the south, so south-facing windows will help with your
heating balance by bringing more warmth from the sun into
your home in winter (solar gain),” says Soar. Also consider
form factor - the ratio of the external surface area to the
internal volume. The more exposed surface area there is
in proportion to the warm inside, the faster heat will be lost.
While a Passivhaus can be any size or shape, by optimising
orientation, glazing and form factor at an early design
stage, it can make it easier to hit performance targets.
The key benefits
“The biggest pros of Passivhaus come from the reduction
of the energy bills and having a stable temperature inside
the house," says Fairchild. Beyond energy efficiency, lower
household running costs and improvements to a building’s
lifespan, other benefits relate to lifestyle, wellbeing and
comfort. “On the face of it, Passivhaus is ‘just’ a building
performance standard,” says Soar. “But it offers premium
comfort, with even temperatures, constant fresh air supply
and just the right indoor humidity level, creating a healthy
environment that can improve quality of life and deliver
many benefits. It has better building fabric that makes for
a longer lasting home.” Thanks to extremely high levels of
insulation, these buildings are often very soundproof, too.
Are there any drawbacks?
A Passivhaus will cost more to build than a conventional
property, so the question is whether the long-term savings
from reduced energy bills will pay for the initial outlay. That’s
not to say Passivhaus is only for the high-end. With careful
consideration and budget planning, the approach can
easily be applied to more modest homes. Do be mindful of
costs throughout. “The aim of fully meeting the Passivhaus
standard can be watered down if there is not enough
TIMOTHY SOAR
CASE STUDY Pitched Passivhaus
RDA Architects designed this dual-faced certified Passivhaus to replace a
dilapidated 1930s property in a south London conservation area. The new build
has a contemporary elevation at the rear and a traditional Arts & Crafts style at
the front, in keeping with the street vernacular and to comply with planning
stipulations within the controlled area. The house was built using a modular
cross laminated timber (CLT) system, which was made offsite to ensure precision,
reduced construction waste and minimal environmental impact. Plus, it offered
easy integration with Passivhaus energy efficiency and airtightness requirement
and reduced the project's embodied carbon. The property is heated via an air
source heat pump, while an MVHR system delivers optimal indoor air quality,
with extract ducts disguised in a false traditional chimney. The build cost
£1,900,000 for a gross internal area of 409m2, achieving an air tightness
rating of 0.5 @ 50 Pa and space heating demand of 13 kWh/m2/yr.
money as the project progresses," says
Fairchild. “But it’s worth the investment”
The issue of embodied energy - the
energy it takes to form our buildings in the
first place - is not something covered within
the Passivhaus targets. Also absent are
water efficiency and biodiversity, which are
important considerations for any eco build.
But you can address this side of things
through your specification choices. For
instance, natural building materials have
a very low embodied energy. “Passivhaus
works best when used in combination with
a philosophy of using materials such as
woodfibre, sheep’s wool, straw, hemp and
earth, with natural finishes to promote a
healthy indoor living environment and a
breathable construction,” says Andrea. “This
holistic approach minimises the carbon
footprint of a building, which cannot be
achieved through the Passivhaus standard
Build It’s very own Self Build
Education House, located at
Graven Hill in Bicester, features
a heat pump ventilation (H PV)
system from Total Home
Environment (www.totalhome.
co.uk), alongside its HPW
300 hot water cylinder. The
system combines heat pump
technology with MVHR to
deliveryear-round space
heating, along with an element
of summertime cooling, plus
domestic hot water. Together,
the HPV and HPW 300 form
a Passivhaus-certified system.
Visit www.buildit.co.uk/
ourhouse to find out more
about the project
www.self-build.co.uk
CASE STUDY Low-energy self build
Located by the River Cam in Essex, this 320m2 self build was designed by Mole
Architects to achieve high levels of energy efficiency in line with the homeowners’
desire to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. The two-storey dwelling replaced
a small run-down prefabricated cottage and sits adjacent to a grade II listed mill
house, which meant careful planning to allow the project to go ahead. Approval
was granted under delegated powers after close consideration of the context,
neighbours' amenity and clear demonstration of a highly sustainable design.
The new, generously-sized house is arranged around a south-facing courtyard
in a distinctive rhomboid plan with an asymmetric roof. Constructed using timber
frame, the design includes an air source heat pump, MVHR system and solar
PV. The resulting annual space heating demand is around 15kWh/pa.
alone.” A final consideration is theavailability of designers
and contractors who know how to build to the Passivhaus
standard; although great strides have been made here.
Gaining certification
A true Passivhaus is one designed by a qualified pro using
the Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP), and which has
been signed off for official certification. But some UK
schemes do perform to the standard without undergoing
the extra time and cost (around £1,500) of certification.
It’s not uncommon for houses to be built with the aim of
achieving close to the highest standards, but for the result
to fall down due to oversights. For example, the glazing and
materials might have exceptional U-values, but the target
for airtightness is missed overall, hindering performance.
“Passivhaus is a whole house system with measured
targets - not simply better U-values, high-performance
windows and a ventilation system, buta complete package,"
says Soar. “Accurate modelling in PHPP by a certified
designer will show exactly how all the components combine
to make the house comfortable, energy efficient and cheap
to run. It’s no good spending a fortune on triple glazing if the
windows are installed out of line with your super insulation,
so all the heat simply flows out between the two.”
Not all self builders or industry experts feel the same.
“I think the existence of the Passivhaus standard raises
industry building standards," says Andrea. “Projects aiming
for Passivhaus, but which in the end are not certified, are
still achieving a great deal.” Practicality has to be in the eco
home mix, as the Passivhaus Institut itself has accepted in
creating its EnerPHit targets for home renovations.
Building a low-energy home
There are other eco certifications to consider outside of
Passivhaus. Where the goal is to improve energy efficiency
in a new property, boosting insulation, reducing thermal
bridges and ensuring windows are double- or triple-glazed
without any gaps are ideal starting points. “Good ventilation
is so important in any home for creating a healthy indoor
environment For fresh air and the right level of humidity,
without having to let in blasts of cold air through windows
or suffer draughts, MVHR is the way to go - all the more so
if you’re aiming for good levels of airtightness," says Soar.
For new homes that don’t quite meet the full Passivhaus
criteria, the PHI Low Energy Building standard can be
utilised. It has slightly lower performance thresholds which
can be easier to achieve. Meanwhile, the aforementioned
EnerPHit provides a pathway for renovating existing
houses. “There are other standards or guidelines that have
a wider remit - one example relevant for homes is Building
Biology," says Soar. “This is more of a design mindset than
a strict set of targets. It aligns well with Passivhaus, but
complements it with consideration of a range of other
elements, including material choices and VOCs (volatile
organic compounds), daylight, harmonious form and
proportion, biodiversity and the environment.”
There are holistic approaches, too. “Another model that
we sometimes refer to is the Well Standard," says Andrea.
This places great importance on occupant health and
wellbeing through the improvement of indoor air quality."
Another example is the Living Building Challenge, which
provides a framework for designing and constructing
homes that provide a symbiotic relationship between
people and place. It focuses on creating buildings that
connect light, air, food, nature and community, and that
are self-sufficient within the resource limits of the site.
Eco Design Consultants are in the process of retrofitting
this family home in Buckinghamshire to meet the EnerPHit
Plus standard. The roof has been replaced with an airtight
membrane and a panelled solar PV roofing system
CONTACTS
Eco Design Consultants 01908 886854
www.ecodesignconsultants.co.uk Fox Eco
Architects 01884 798852 www.foxecoarc.com HEM Architects
01144 420123 www.hemarchitects.co.uk Mole Architects 01223
913012 www.molearchitects.co.uk Total Home Environment 0345
260 1023 www.totalhome.co.uk Passivhaus Trust 0333 050 8271
www.passivhaustrust.org.uk RDA 020 8299 2222 www.rdauk.com
Build It October 2024
Hotal home
environment
HPV SERIES
HEAT PUMP VENTILATION
SUSTAINABLE HEATING, COOLING,
HOT WATER, FRESH FILTERED AIR &
HEAT RECOVERY; ALL IN ONE SYSTEM
•CENTRAL HEATING IS SO YESTERDAY...
THE FUTURE IS HPV TECHNOLOGY
EFFICIENT, RESPONSIVE,
email plans for a
quote or for a chat
contact our team on:
CONVENIENT
FOR PASSIVHAUS OR SUPER-
INSULATED & AIRTIGHT HOMES
GREEN ®
HOME
AWARDS
WINNER
0345 260 0123
www.totalhome.co.uk
info@totalhome.co.uk
At Renewable Energy
Showroom
princes
LHS м
CLAIM UP TO £7,500
BUS SCHEME* BOILER UPGRADE SCHEME
0% VAT on
all solar
battery
installations
Design | Quote | Install
The Rennet Works, 11 Market Street, Ellesmere, Shropshire, SY12 OAN
01691 624336 | renewables@princeslhs.ltd
www.princeslhs.ltd | www.tesla-powerwall.co.uk
www.lowcarbonhomesystems.co.uk
Low Carbon Home Systems Renewable
Energy showroom
The only renewable energy showroom in Shropshire with a full
range of renewable energy and eco friendly products.
Call in for an informal chat and browse our products including
working examples of heat pumps, underfloor heating and
solar, or book your free one on one consultation where
we can advise on all aspects of your project from
below the ground to above the roof.
Heat Pumps | Solar | Battery Storage | UFH
Electric Car Chargers | LED Lighting | MVHR
Electrical	1 Plumbing & 1	1 Renewable 1
Installation	Heating	Energy

Inward & outward opening
idealcore
insulation
25 years frame warranty
idealcore
BESPOKE
DANISH
LUXURY
Lasts longer
Insulates better
idealcombi
Windows and Doors
renovation & buil
NEED TO KNOW
RAINWATER
The right rainwater goods will
ensure your home both looks
great and functions the way it
should. Gain insight into how
to specify your ideal setup
with Erika Chaffey’s guide
Selecting guttering and downpipes that suit
your home’s practical requirements is crucial
for protecting your property against water
ingress and maintaining its structural integrity.
Efficient setups ensure proper drainage, preventing
issues such as damp, mould and in extreme cases,
foundation damage. “Investing in high-quality rainwater
goods is essential for safeguarding your home against
water-related problems and extending the lifespan
of your property,” says Charlie McNeil, managing
director at Rainclear Systems. But beyond functionality,
a thoughtfully selected rainwater system can enhance
your home’s aesthetic appeal and add to its value.
It’s a good idea to engage with a specialist supplier
early on in the design and planning stages of your
project, to ensure your setup suits both your style
aspirations and the amount of rainfall in your area.
Here, I’m looking into the key considerations for
specifying your ideal setup and the options on offer.
Practical considerations
While rainwater goods aren’t the most exciting aspect
of designing a new home, they do have an impact on
the finished look. On a practical level, they must be
considered at technical design stage, as the drainage
points will be installed as part of the groundworks
and must correspond with downpipe locations.
Start by assessing your home’s unique needs.
“If your property is a listed building or located in a
conservation area, the rainwater system may need
to be approved by local planners," says Ian St John,
specification manager at Brett Martin. The biggest
factors in terms of the technical details will be the
roof size, slope and local climate conditions. “It’s
important to calculate the required capacity of your
guttering and downpipes, to handle peak rainfall in
your area and ensure adequate drainage," says Charlie.
Choose products that are durable and resistant to
weathering, while considering factors like compatibility
with existing structures, ease of installation and
future maintenance requirements. Good upkeep is
key to ensuring that your system functions effectively.
“Rainwater goods should be checked regularly,
particularly in areas where there are large amounts
of debris, such as leaves from nearby trees," says Ian.
Selecting the right design
A poorly specified system can detract from your home’s
appearance, so it’s worth discussing options with your
designer when deciding on the overall look and feel of
your home. “The size, shape, material and placement of
a rainwater system will have a big impact on the exterior
look of a property," says Ian. In general, you’ll be aiming
to keep the number of downpipes to a minimum so you
can avoid having them crisscross the elevation of the
house. Your architect should factor in the connection
points with gutters, too, to ensure a seamless result.
If you want a streamlined finish, you might opt to
conceal the guttering entirely by hiding the channels
behind a parapet. To achieve this, the roof rafters are
cut just beyond the plate of the wall, while the cladding
that covers the elevation of the house runs up a little
Above: Featuring
a milled finish,
this aluminium
rainwater system
from Yeoman
Rainguard retains
its silvery hue
overtime, for
a modern look
Left: These
traditional cast
iron downpipes
from Rainclear
Systems perfectly
complement this
heritage-style
Cotswold stone
extension in rural
Gloucestershire
I
www.self-build.co.uk
Above Aright:
Brett Martin
offers PVCu
rainwater goods
in a range of
styles for a
cost-effective
solution that
suits your home’s
aesthetic. The
gloss finish (right)
is available in six
different colours,
while the traditional
cast iron-effect
option comes
in eight heritage-
inspired shades,
such as Chartwell
Green (above)
higher. In the space behind,
a small channel lined with
a single ply membrane or
special systems (often in zinc
or aluminium) can be fitted
to transport water away.
Whatever arrangement
you choose, it should always
complement the character of the rest
of your property - including the finishing materials
on your roof, walls, windows and doors.
Material options
Choosing the right material for your gutters and
downpipes is just as important for aesthetics as
it is for performance. Each option has its advantages,
so consider your home’s requirements and your
style preferences when making a selection.
Alongside looks and practicality, budget is
always a key consideration. Ensure your supplier
collaborates closely with your architect early on in
the design and planning stages to specify a system
that balances all three. Here's a rundown of the main
options with an idea of what you can expect to pay for
each material (prices courtesy of Rainclear Systems).
Cast iron Known for its great durability and
traditional appearance, cast iron is ideal for period
CHOOSING YOUR SUPPLIER
Finding a reliable guttering provider involves thorough research and
vetting. Look for those with a strong reputation, plenty of positive customer
reviews and industry certifications. “Visiting websites, reading testimonials
and checking for accreditations can help you to gauge their reliability," says
Charlie from Rainclear Systems. A good supplier will offer comprehensive
support, from product selection and customisation to after-sales service,
ensuring a smooth and successful installation process.
It’s also important to select a company that can provide the look you
want to achieve. “Manufacturers’ websites usually have a range of case
study examples providing inspiration on colours and styles, with product
brochures available to download,” says Ian from Brett Martin. “Plus, you
should be able to send your drawings and location details to your chosen
supplier, for their technical experts to recommend the best gutter profile
based on roof size and expected rainfall for that area.”
properties where authenticity
is paramount. It’s robust and
long-lasting but requires regular
maintenance to prevent rusting.
Cast iron goods start from £39.47
per 1.83m primed gutter length.
Aluminium Lightweight,
corrosion-resistant and available
in various colours, aluminium suits
modern and traditional homes alike.
Plus, it’s easy to install and low-
maintenance. Powder-coated
options offer extra resilience,
come in a range of shades to
coordinate with your scheme,
and are more affordable than
cast aluminium goods. Pressed
or extruded modern products
can cost from £42.34 per 3m
gutter length and heritage-style cast aluminium
from £61.15 per 1.83m gutter length.
Copper Offering a unique aesthetic
thanks to the natural patina it develops,
copper is highly durable and ultra-low
maintenance. It offers a high-end finish,
with a premium price tag to match. It’s
also 100% recyclable with a long
service life of 100 years or more.
The metal helps purify water and
prevents moss and lichen building
up in the gutters. Copper products start
at £121.21 per 3m gutter length.
PVCu Cost-effective, easy to install
and readily available, PVCu is a popular choice for self
builders and renovators. It’s available in various colours
and requires minimal upkeep, but may not have the
same longevity as metal options. Prolonged exposure to
sunlight means the plastic can often become brittle over
time. Typically, this kind of guttering will last between 10
and 25 years. Glass reinforced plastic (GRP) represents
a step up from standard PVCu - it’s through-coloured
and therefore won’t fade in the sun. PVCu options can
be sourced from £2 to £5 per metre gutter length.
Galvanised steel Combining strength and
affordability, galvanised steel is durable and
resistant to weathering, while providing a sleek
look. The galvanisation process provides a corrosion-
resistant finish, so upkeep is minimal, and this
style of guttering is suitable for various architectural
styles. Products start from £24.57 per 3m length.
Zinc Despite its shiny appearance when first
installed, zinc’s surface develops a patina that allows it
to mellow to an attractive, muted grey tone over time.
It’s a great option if you want to match a modern roof
finish and, like aluminium, can be recycled indefinitely,
thus boosting your project’s sustainability credentials.
Expect to pay from £48.61 per 3m gutter length.
CONTACTS
Brett Martin 020 8330 6522 www.brettmartin.com Pagurek 01225 595680 www.
pagurek.co.uk Rainclear Systems 0800 644 44265 www.rainclear.
co.uk Yeoman Rainguard 01132 795854 www.rainguard.co.uk
Build It October 2024
LOOKING FOR AN ARCHITECT?
Visit our website dedicated to providing architectural
services for the self build market eb-architecture.co.uk
ENGLISH BROTHERS:
BUILDING TRULY BESPOKE TIMBER
FAST CONSTRUCTION	LOWER ENERGY BILLS
FRIENDLY SERVICE	EXPERT ADVICE
 Award-winning self-build specialists
 Insulation options from 0.10-0.18 W/m2K
 Nationwide architectural partners
 Oak framing options/oak hybrid systems
 Part or full project management optional
Email us your plans now for a free quotation and appraisal:
ad.enquiry(a)eb-bespoke.co.uk or call 01945 427985
English Brothers
M fe BESPOKE TIMBER FRAMES
www.eb-bespoke.co.uk
7-8 SEPTEMBER 2024
www.luxorliving.co.uk
Building Automation since 192
LUXORIiving
controls your buildin
simply and safely^
LUXORIiving is the smart home system from Theben.
Switching lights on and off. Dimming. Controlling the heating.
Controlling blinds. Via voice control, app and push button.
Simply installed, programmed and started up. Secure
communication, not internet dependent, and non-proprietary
ensures it's a long term protected investment for your home.
Just simple. Just safe. Just Theben.
\	, Vj3x'
_____J»' ' ill
BASEMENTS
What you need to know
Above: Simply
Basement added
a new level to this
mews house in
West London.
The covered
lightwell, which is
connected to the
kitchen, provides
an indoor garden
and is flooded with
sunshine thanks to
the walk-on glazing
positioned above
Right: Neil
Dusheiko
Architects
masterminded
the design of this
sleek underground
zone. Glazed
Rebecca Foster outlines the
practical considerations to
factor in when digging down,
as well as showcasing a selection
of inspiring subterranean spaces
Going underground to create a new basement
is a smart solution for adding extra square
footage to your home - especially if you’ve
run out of options for gaining space at ground
level and above. Excavating a subterranean zone is also
worthwhile if your area has a high land value but you don’t
want to eat up precious garden space with a rear addition.
However, before getting carried away by fantasies of a
light-filled basement, complete with an open-plan living
folding doors
open out onto a
cosy dining area,
which previously
hosted a gloomy,
unused lightwell
area, cinema and home gym, it’s important to assess
whether your property is a suitable candidate for this
kind of project and if it’s worth the investment, since
this type of renovation is among the most costly.
As a starting point, research whether any similar
schemes have been carried out in your local area - this
can be helpful from a planning perspective and in terms
of construction logistics. “If so, this is a positive - speak
to those neighbours about their experience," says Oliver
Burgess, architect and studio manager at Resi.
Another key detail to investigate early on is what the
ground conditions are like. “High groundwater levels
can make it more difficult to avoid damp and water
ingress. Even and stable soil conditions will provide a
good footing for basement works,” says Oliver. Having
a thorough understanding of your home's building fabric
is also essential before any works begin. It’s important to
arm yourself with information and identify anything that’ll
create challenges or present knock-on costs further
down the line, including changes to the upper floors.
Design basics
Given the investment associated with subterranean
projects, where a hefty chunk of the budget will be
allocated to excavation and underpinning, you’ll want
to create an inviting space that adds real value to your
home. It’s important to decide in advance exactly what
role the basement will play - without careful planning,
it could end up becoming a gloomy zone that feels
disconnected from the rest of the house.
“Identify locations for lightwells and potential high-
level windows," says Liam Dower, director at St Albans
Basement. “A decent ceiling height is also key to give
an airy feel - we recommend a minimum of 2.4m." If
Build It October 2024
opportunities for channelling sun and daylight into your
basement are limited, it’s possible that zones that don’t
need a lot of natural light, such as home gyms or cinema
rooms, will maximise the space better.
A successful underground zone should feel as though
it’s beautifully integrated into the rest of the property’s
floorplan, rather than a gloomy space that’s been dug
out as an afterthought. “The connection from the house
to the lower level must be carefully considered so the
transition feels natural and welcoming,” says Rosie
Caley, design director at The Oxford & London Building
Company. “Often, the new staircase is located under
the existing one to save space. Opening the flight up
with a matching stair balustrade will unify the area and
let more light into the basement hallway."
Give careful thought to the layout of the new space,
factoring in its size and the functions you’d most like it to
perform. “Often the back area affords a full width space
to include a broad, full-height lightwell and patio doors,”
says Rosie. “We refer to this as the primary zone and often
design these spaces as media/family rooms - aflexible
area that can be used by everyone.” Incorporating some
planting in this sunken lightwell also gives the feeling
that the basement sits at ground level.
Storage is another key consideration for this kind
of project - built-in solutions will allow you to make the
most of every square inch, as well as providing a sleek,
uncluttered feel. One design pitfail to avoid is failing
to appoint space for your mechanical and electrical
kit. “Don’t forget to allow a suitable spot for essential
equipment such as sump pump controls, alarms and
other associated services,” says Liam. “Consider a plant
room for this, if space allows, and ensure that pumps
and tools are accessible for maintenance."
Planning know-how
In the past, it was possible to create a new basement
extension under permitted development. However, this
is becoming less common, as councils have become more
cautious of uncontrolled subterranean development -
hence most projects now require full planning consent.
Key considerations include the depth of the basement
you wish to excavate, the layout and whether any changes
are going to be made to the exterior of the property. For
example, introducing a lightwell to help channel sunshine
of-terrace property, which is situated
in a conservation area, was expanded
from 110m2 to more than 160m2.
The ceiling height of the existing
cellar was increased to create a bright
and airy feel, as well as extending the
space out to the rear of the property.
Two full-depth lightwells were added at
either end of the zone, ensuring plenty
of sunshine reaches the rooms below
ground level. Large windows and
glazed doors have been installed
in each of the lightwells to invite
plenty of natural brightness inside.
The new basement features a
bedroom, with its own access to
the outside via stairs in the lightwell,
plus an expansive living space and
a bathroom. Sleek, built-in joinery
provides storage space in the
basement, while maintaining a
clean, uncluttered feel. The project,
by Dower, took one year to complete.
down to the subterranean level automatically requires
consent. It’s worth bringing an experienced architect
on board at the conception of your project to help you
navigate the challenges involved.
As part of your application, most local authorities want
to see a Basement Impact Assessment and Construction
Method Statement. “These will outline the engineering
and construction methods used to build the extension,"
says Oliver. “Both documents can be costly, so it’s
important to factor this in with your initial fees when
assessing whether you want to pursue architectural
drawings." If you live close to a river or in an area that
floods, a flood risk report may also be required. This
can usually be carried out by your project architect.
For the best chance of success, it could be worth going
for a pre-application meeting. “This is a service where you
can discuss design feasibility with the council privately,"
says Oliver. “If a negative outcome is the result, you’ll
receive a report and it will not be on your council’s website."
Project logistics
From a construction perspective, basement projects
carry a lot more risk than straightforward above-ground
extensions, so it’s important to work with a skilled team
of professionals with a proven track record. An architect
or design and build company is usually the first port of
call. They should either have or consult a waterproofing
specialist, as well as commission surveys and engage
a structural engineer. This phase will encompass desk-
based studies, such as the flood risk assessment, as
well as site investigations and digging trial pits to assess
the foundations, soil conditions and water table.
Left: The Oxford
& London Building
Company are the
design brains
behind this lavish
subterranean
space. Adding
a total of 75m2
to the property,
the project took
nine months
to complete
www.self-build.co.uk
Above: This project
by Gregory Phillips
Architects involved
the refurbishment
and extension of
a semi-detached
Victorian house
in South London.
A new basement
was added as
part of the works,
encompassing
a playroom that
overlooks the
garden from
the lower level
Below: Rather than
tucking the new
staircase beneath
the existing access
to the first floor,
Mulroy Architects
created a purpose-
designed atrium
for the new light-
filled flight
In order to excavate, one option is for your construction
team to take out the ground floor to remove the earth
below. “A conveyor will then be set up either through
the front door or, if this isn’t a possibility, part of the front
windows and wall can be removed for access,” says Lewis
Edwards, commercial director at Simply Basement.
Alternatively, your builder might dig down at the front
of the property to provide access underneath. “A
combination of manpower and conveyor belts is
then used to remove the soil. This will usually be
fed directly into a skip or container at the roadside.”
Unless there’s an existing cellar with sufficient head
height, underpinning will be required to create the new
zone and support the property above. This is a process
whereby new concrete foundation walls are inserted
directly beneath the existing ones. It’s typically carried out
in metre-wide sections, to help hold back the weight of the
surrounding earth. “In most cases, underpinning will be
required along with lots of steelwork below ground floor
level to support the existing structure," says Lewis. “A
structural engineer will also determine what’s required
in terms of temporary propping and supports during the
construction phase, to ensure that the existing house
isn’t compromised at any point during the build process.”
Technical details
Your project will need to meet
various guidelines laid out by
Building Regulations, including
the approved documents regarding
the basement structure, fire safety,
ventilation, energy efficiency and
drainage. Waterproofing is one
key area to get right (governed
by British Standard 8102:2022).
Barrier systems are designed to
keep water out, and act as the
first line of protection, but most
schemes include a backup in case
moisture does penetrate. So, a
plastic cavity drainage liner is
fixed to the internal face of the
basement’s concrete wall. This
catches any water that penetrates
through, and directs it into sump
collection system. The water is
then pumped up to a drain at ground
level. “We always use a cavity
MAXIMISE NATURAL & ARTIFICIAL LIGHT
LIGHTWELLS provide a waterproof channel from
ground to basement level, opening the possibility for
natural light and ventilation. Many basement schemes
incorporate this feature to the front and rear of the
space to ensure sunshine floods the entire zone.
WALK-ON GLAZING can be installed above the
subterranean level, allowing sunlight to filter in from
above. This type of overhead window can either be
installed in the garden, or internal to the property. For
instance, walk-on glazing situated within the ground
floor structure of a glazed extension allows natural
light to penetrate through multiple storeys.
INCORPORATING A DOUBLE-HEIGHT VOID
within the floorplan is another way of channelling
light through the centre of the property.
GLAZED FANLIGHTS can be positioned above
internal doors to increase the flow of brightness
throughout the basement zone.
WHEN PLANNING YOUR ARTIFICIAL
LIGHTING SCHEME, incorporate a mix of overhead
illumination for brightening the whole space, as well
as spotlights, low-level panel fittings, up/down lights
and wall lamps to create a layered scheme that
can establish various moods. Combining this with
a smart control setup will allow you to recreate the
effect you want at the touch of a button.
drainage membrane system, such as the Delta Membrane
solution,” says Marc Stchedroff, construction director at
The Oxford & London Building Company. “You need to
ensure that you’re using a properly registered installer."
Despite all the waterproofing techniques used in
modern basements, the air in this area of the home
tends to contain more moisture than spaces above
ground. An efficient ventilation system is therefore
essential. "Almost all methods can be broken down
into either passive or mechanical ventilation,” says
Lewis. “Passive is natural ventilation, usually through
windows, doors, lightwells and natural airflow through
the property." Mechanical solutions include ducting,
extractor fans and air filters, or possibly a mechanical
ventilation and heat recovery (MVHR) system.
Costs
Due to the complex construction logistics, basement
projects tend to cost more than above-ground extensions
and loft conversions. Always liaise with an architect or
specialist design and build company at the start of your
scheme to obtain realistic costs. “As a guide, our projects
typically start from £4,000 per m2," says Liam from St
Albans Basement. “It's wise to build in a contingency
of around 5-10°/o, depending on the size of the project."
CONTACTS
Gregory Phillips Architects 020 7724
3040 www.gregoryphillips.conn Neil Dusheiko
Architects 020 7354 8106 www.neildusheiko.com Resi 020
8068 4811 www.resi.co.uk Simply Basement 0800 917 7571
www.simplybasement.co.uk St Albans Basement 01727
370874 www.stalbansbasement.co.uk Dower 01727 323411
www.dowergroup.com The Oxford & London Building
Company 020 8877 0526 www.olbc.co.uk Mulroy Architects
020 4530 9400 www.mulroyarchitects.com
Build It October 2024
ECOHAUS
WINDOWS & DOORS
Distinctive by DESIGN
Suppliers and installers of high-quality windows and doors
0800 612 6519 sales@ecohausuk.com www.ecohausuk.com

advertising feature 73
5 steps to a high-
performance home
Helen Needham, Oakwrights’ head of architecture, runs through the key design
and build stage considerations to ensure your home delivers on your expectations
As an architect, my role is
to bring your dreams to life,
providing the vision to help
you realise the house you
want. I’ll also be focussed on ensuring
your home surpasses current Building
Regulations and provides a wonderful
environment for you to enjoy. Great
performance should be integrated into
every aspect of the design and build
process, and these five steps will set
you on the path to a comfortable,
efficient living environment
STEP 1 Site visit
The starting point for your Oakwrights
journey. During the site visit, we will
discuss your brief and assess the plot’s
potential. The goal is to determine the
best position for your new house,
accounting for your preferences and
the site’s unique characteristics. This
helps to form a strong design concept
and identify the main building lines.
Early considerations include where
the sun rises and sets; where the
views are; slope and orientation; and
features already on the site (such as
buildings and landscaping). We’ll also
look at options to avoid overheating.
STEP 2 Go fabric first
Our design philosophy centres on
a fabric first approach, prioritising
the structural envelope to enhance
energy performance. All ourself
build clients use our award-winning
advanced closed panel WrightWall
and WrightRoof encapsulation
systems, which surpass industry
standards for performance and can
act structurally, too. If sustainability is
particularly important on your project,
you can choose our WrightWall and
WrightRoof Natural systems, which
feature woodfibre insulation.
Service voids will be specifically
designed for each home, creating
custom wall, roof and floor details to
house pipes, wires and ducting. This
facilitates easy integration of services,
gives flexibility for lighting layouts etc,
promotes airtightness, and supports
best performance from the heating
and ventilation systems you install.
Your architectural team should also
look to avoid overheating, designing
the glazing proportions carefully so
your home remains at a comfortable
temperature across the year. At the
technical Building Regs stage, we’ll
do a thermal analysis and predicted
energy calculations to ensure the
performance you require is achieved.
STEP 3 Airtightness
This is critical for a high-performance
home. Our large-format WrightWall
panels fit together seamlessly, with the
integrated membranes meticulously
taped under controlled conditions in
the Workshop. So, they come together
easily on site. You can back this up with
our AeroBarrier technology, which
enables us to guarantee a specific
airtightness level - often to Passivhaus
standards - for year-round comfort.
We always recommend integrating
a mechanical heat and ventilation
recovery (MHVR) system in our highly
airtight homes. This supplies a flow
of clean air throughout the house for
a healthy living environment, where
cooking smells are easily dissipated
and the house is always fresh.
STEP 4 Integrate
renewable energy
With a quality building fabric in place,
you can harness the best renewable
energy sources. On top of MVHR,
we’d suggest the following key tech:
HELEN NEEDHAM is head of architecture at Oakwrights. Celebrating its
25th anniversary this year, Oakwrights has built over 2,000 oak homes - and
is the only UK provider to have designed and built an oak frame Passivhaus.
The company’s architectural team, the first experts you will work with during
your Oakwrights self build journey, is trained in designing a guaranteed high-
performance home. Meet them at one of Oakwrights' open days, or for more
information call 01432 353353 or visit www.oakwrights.co.uk
Heat pumps Almost all our homes
feature air or ground source heat
pumps for heating and hot water, and
we’ll help you identify the right choice.
Solar panels Add PV to your home
or garage roof to provide renewable
electricity, improve your home’s Energy
Performance Certificate (EPC) rating
and reduce running costs.
Water recycling Can vats befitted
for irrigating the garden, or is there
room for an underground tank to
recycle grey water for flushing WCs?
It’s important to think through how
to house all your tech. We can offer
flexible plant room locations, whether
in a utility room, dedicated internal
space, or in a nearby outbuilding.
STEP 5 Live sustainably
Sustainability is at the heart of our
designs. We aim for all our homes to
achieve at least a B+ rating on the
EPC, with A ratings and Passivhaus
standards also within reach. So, from
small cottages to larger farmhouses,
you can expect the performance and
energy savings you want to achieve.
Above: Andrew
and Linda Burnett
hadn’t heard of
Passivhaus until
they met Tim
Crump, founder
of Oakwrights, at
a self build show.
Now, they proudly
own a certified oak
framed Passivhaus
and run Malvern
B&B, inspiring
future self builders.
“We love the living
environment," says
Andrew. “No matter
how hot or cold it
is outside, our
home maintains its
temperature using
hardly any energy."
Oakwrights’ team
develops the
architectural
design in tandem
with the technical
and performance
details, as well as
producing 3D
walkthroughs, so
you can to visualise
what your home
will be like to live in
www.self-build.co.uk
7‘i renovation & building
FLOORING
INSPIRATION
Find your ideal flooring material that provides
the look, feel and performance you’re after,
with Erika Cha tfey’s selection of ideas & advice
ENGINEERED HARDWOOD
This flooring option combines the innate
beauty of real wood with enhanced durability.
Manufactured with atop surface of natural wood
veneer and multiple layers of plywood beneath,
it resists warping and moisture better than solid
wood. Its stability and resistance to temperature
changes makes it suitable for most spaces,
including high traffic areas like living rooms and
hallways. When choosing engineered hardwood
for your home, consider the wood species, finish
and thickness to suit your interior scheme and
chosen room. A thicker veneer offers greater
durability and the means to retouch the finish
down the line. With a variety of styles, colours,
grains and laying patterns available, engineered
hardwood seamlessly combines elegance
with practicality. This classic European oak
herringbone flooring from Havwoods (www.
havwoods.com) is made using sustainably
sourced timber. Prices start from £97.95 per m2.
MARBLE
Known for its unique veining and timeless
appeal, this luxurious material can bring a
refined elegance to your spaces. Marble tiles
are well-suited for installation in bathrooms,
entryways and kitchens - but since this is
a natural stone with high porosity, it requires
sealing and careful maintenance to protect
against stains and moisture ingress. For best-
looking results, keep on top of spills and only
use a mild detergent to gently clean your tiles.
A stunning solution for both modern and
heritage-style homes, choose between a
polished finish for a sleek, glossy look, or opt
for a honed option with a matt appearance.
These Long Island white marble tiles in
a tumbled finish from Ca’Pietra (www.
capietra.com) cost£124.50 per m2 and
offer a soft, lived-in look. They’re paired
with the black Kendal tiles at £125 per m2,
to create this classic checkerboard design.
Build It October 2024
renovation & building 75
CORK
Offering a unique blend of comfort, sustainability
and natural beauty, cork is a great eco-friendly
option that’s ideal for living rooms, bedrooms
and home offices. Manufactured from the bark
of cork oak trees, it’s available in a range of
shades and laying patterns - much like timber
flooring - but with a soft, cushioned surface
that’s comfortable to walk on and has natural
insulating properties. This helps to reduce
noise and retain heat You can select the
finish and thickness depending on the level
of durability and water resistance you require
in your chosen space. Regular sealing will
enhance its longevity, making cork a versatile
and environmentally conscious choice. This
rich, chocolate brown design from Recork
(www.recork.co.uk) is made using
responsibly sourced natural cork. Una in
Kimono Brown starts from £51.90 per m2.
VINYL
An affordable, durable and low-maintenance flooring solution, vinyl is great
for busy family homes and high-moisture areas like kitchens, bathrooms and
utility rooms. This flooring option is easy to install and clean, with excellent
water-resistance and resilience against spills and stains. It’s available as
either luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), best suited to replicating the look of natural
materials such as wood or stone, or in vinyl roll, available in a limitless range
of colours and patterns. Think about the thickness and wear layer included
in the vinyl you select - this will affect its durability and comfort underfoot
With its geometric visuals, this bold design option from The Floor Room
(www.thefloorroom.co.uk) is a great way to add colour and character
into your interior scheme. Karndean Heritage Mayfair costs £189 per m2.
CERAMIC TILES
Made from natural clay and minerals, ceramic
tiles are a versatile and durable option for your
floors. They’re fired at high temperatures to
create a hard, water-resistant surface that’s
ideal for kitchens, bathrooms and entryways.
Ceramic tiles can withstand moisture and heavy
foot traffic, plus they’re easy to install and repair,
while being highly resistant to scratches and
stains. When specifying ceramic flooring, you
can customise the size, texture and finish of
your tiles to suit your home’s design. Glossy
options are typically better suited to walls and
backsplashes for a sleek look, while matt or
textured tiles provide better slip resistance
for floors. Available in a myriad of colours,
sizes and designs, this floor covering offers
a practical yet stylish solution for enhancing
your space. These traditional Ledbury olive
green tiles from Walls and Floors (www.
wallsandfloors.co.uk) cost£17.95 per m2.
www.self-build.co.uk
Ultra-Slim Sliding Doors Minimal Frames, Maximum Light
The SUNFLEX UK range of aluminium sliding doors
offers incredibly narrow frames, the widest range
of design options, and complete peace of mind.
For almost 25 years SUNFLEX UK has designed and
manufactured bespoke aluminium door systems,
working with a hand-selected network of
installation partners across the entire country to
provide personalised service to those undertaking
extension and renovation projects, or complete
new-build homes.
With large panels of glass and minimal aluminium
frames, the premium-quality SUNFLEX UK SVG20
and SVG30 sliding doors allows almost
uninterrupted views out, whilst flooding rooms full of
natural light.
Tel: 01603 424434
Email: info@sunflexuk.co.uk
For more information about
our products and to find your
nearest showroom visit
sunflexuk.co.uk
SUNFLEX UK
renovation & building 77
LIMESTONE
Oozing natural elegance and timeless appeal,
traditional limestone flooring is well-suited
to kitchens, bathrooms and hallways. The
material’s unique, rustic patterns and earthy
tones add a touch of sophistication to a range
of home design schemes. Limestone is a hard-
wearing material but may requiring sealing to
protect against stains and moisture - especially
in busy spaces. When selecting your tiles,
consider the level of maintenance required
to retain the look and feel you want for your
flooring. Regular cleaning and sealing can
help preserve its beauty and longevity, making
limestone a practical option forthose seeking
a natural stone floor packed with character.
This stunning neutral design with soft beige
and grey undertones is a great option for both
interior and exterior floors. From Quorn Stone
(www.mystonefloor.com), Dijon tumbled
limestone tiles start from £42 per m2.
CARPET
For a cosy feel and great aesthetic appeal with excellent noise reduction,
carpet is perfect for bedrooms, living rooms and family areas where comfort
and quiet are key. Synthetic carpets are typically stronger and less expensive than
natural fiber alternatives, which offer a more breathable and eco-friendly solution.
You can also select the type of pile to suit your chosen space and determ ine the
texture, appearance and durability of your carpet. Cut pile tends to be softer
underfoot and high density options are better at hiding dirt. Regular hoovering and
the occasional professional clean will help maintain your carpet’s appearance and
extend its lifespan. Alternative Flooring’s (www.alternativeflooring.com)
pure Seagrass Herringbone carpet starts from £32.90 per m2.
TERRACOTTA TILES
Exuding rustic charm and warmth, these tiles are
ideal for kitchens, dining areas and outdoor spaces.
Made from natural clay, terracotta tiles are kiln-fired
to achieve their characteristic reddish-brown hue.
They’re innately porous and require periodic sealing
to prevent stains, avoid moisture absorption and
enhance durability. Look out for anti-slip ratings and
the available finishes. Matt options offer a subtle finish,
while rough, textured surfaces are great for adding
depth to your scheme. These Malborough Terracotta
Brick tiles by Ca’Pietra (www.capietra.com)
provide a welcoming and earthy look. They’re available
in multiple shapes and sizes from £78 per m2.
www.self-build.co.uk
n & building

PORCELAIN TILES
These tiles are a highly durable and versatile
flooring option, popular for kitchens, bathrooms
and outdoor areas. Made from refined clay and fired
at ultra-high temperatures, they’re dense, water-
resistant and ideal for withstanding intense usage.
Porcelain tiles come in various finishes, including
matt, polished and textured, meaning you can easily
find an option to meet your aesthetic goals and
functional needs. When choosing your tiles, consider
the PEI rating for wear resistance and the specified
slip resistance (R rating), for safety. Porcelain tiles
are easy to clean and maintain, making them a
practical and elegant choice. This ornate design
from Lapicida (www.lapicida.com) expertly
replicates the look of Italian white marble slabs,
with gold and grey veining for plenty of wow factor.
These Massa D’Oro Bookmatch porcelain tiles
are a high-end replica of Calacatta Oro marble,
priced at £322.80 per m2. The company’s marble-
effect designs start from £40-£60 per m2.
LAMINATE
An affordable and versatile option that can replicate
the look of wood, stone or tiles. Laminate is a popular
choice for living areas, bedrooms and hallways and,
much like vinyl, offers simple maintenance, while acting
as an excellent barrier against drafts and sound. It’s
typically made up of a high-density fibreboard core,
topped with a protective, moisture-resistant coating.
Laminate isn’t as durable as some options, but is quick
and easy to lay without the need for waxing, polishing
or sealing. Pay attention to the thickness and AC wear
rating, which indicates its durability and suitability for
different areas. The Premoda Assinboine Conwy from
The Floor Room (www.thefloorroom.co.uk) is a
light and bright wood-effect option, at £24.99 per m2.
Build It October 2024

DAN-WOOD
HOUSE
Looking for options or a fixed price?
With a Dan-Wood house you get both.
From bungalows to two-storey detached, Dan-Wood offers customisable,
turn-key, energy-efficient homes with a fixed price guarantee for 12 months.
'images show houses with modifications: prices shown subject to chans
T: 01896 752271 • E: sales@dan-wood.com • www.dan-wood.co.uk
Creating
energy efficient
SIPs homes
since 2003
Energy efficient °---
Speedy build °----
Room in roof option °----
Predictable build programme °-----
Design flexibility °-
Offsite precision engineered °----
L&. Kingspan ТЕК’	STAV	N&CSBA
a M. Delivery Partner assuregold
As the original
Kingspan ТЕК Delivery Partner,
we stylishly design, precision engineer
and expertly install SIPs homes
throughout the UK.
SIPS
@CLAYS
clays.com
01756 799498
advertising feature si
Why your dream home
deserves a dedicated warranty
Protek’s Simon Middleton
sets out how a self build
warranty differs from
standard new home cover,
and the many benefits it
can bring to your project
When you build or buy a new
home, you can benefit from a
10-year structural warranty
that provides vital protection
against defects and problems. But these
insurance products aren’t all designed the
same way. So, it’s important to understand
exactly what type of warranty you’re getting.
As a self builder, you’re both the developer
and the homeowner. This makes you pretty
unique and means a conventional new build
warranty won’t cut the mustard.
What is a standard
new home warranty?
When you buy a speculative new home from
a developer or small builder, you’ll usually
receive 10-year cover on that property. The
developer or builder will be registered with
a warranty provider, and they’ll gift the cover
to the first purchaser of the property.
During the first two of those 10 years, the
builder is required to investigate and remedy
any defects that arise in the home. This is
known as the defect period, and it’s similar to
a manufacturer’s guarantee. Importantly, the
warranty company puts onerous legal and
financial securities in place to ensure the
developer/builderfulfils these obligations.
It will also provide additional insurance cover
during those first two years. This is to protect
the buyer in the event the developer fails in
its duties. That same insurance continues
in years three to 10, giving the homeowner
direct cover for any defects that may arise.
What’s different about
a self build-specific warranty?
Self builders should avoid structural
warranties with a defect period. A high
percentage of structural warranty claims
occur in the first two years. Given you’re
directly commissioning the build, a standard
new home policy would make you directly
responsible for issues in that timeframe. This
will be true whether you’re still in the house
or, under the Defective Premises Act, even
if you’ve already sold it on.
If you’re creating your dream home, you’re
probably putting your life savings into the
project. So, you’re highly unlikely to have
the financial resources in place to rebuild a
property that’s subject to a major defect. Nor
will you want to be bound by those legal
instruments of a standard warranty.
This is where a self build-specific warranty
comes into its own. It is designed to give
you, as the builder and first homeowner,
appropriate insurance cover right from the
date of practical completion. Importantly, it
does not have a defects period, so it provides
cover from day one, de-risking the financial
implications of a major defect emerging.
It doesn’t matter whether a problem
is picked up during construction or post-
completion. Once the cover is issued, if you
experience problems relating to an insured
defect, you can make a claim. For ultimate
protection, look for providers who are backed
by insurers authorised to underwrite business
in the UK, and who are signed upto the
Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
Further benefits of
a self build warranty
A dedicated self build warranty
provides cover for you and
successors in title. So, if you
decide to sell the property,
the warranty is automatically
transferred to the new owners,
meaning they can also claim
on the policy (rather than
pursue you as the builder).
Then there’s the fact that this product is
totally tailored to self builders. With Protek,
for instance, you gain access to an online
portal to easily manage your structural
warranty journey. Following each inspection,
the report and development tracker will be
viewable online. You can then directly upload
any requested documents or commissioning
certificates, keeping all that key information
in one place and instantly available.
A full warranty also provides greater peace
of mind than, say, relying on a professional
consultant’s certificate (PCC). A PCC is only
valid for six years and is simply an extension
of that professional’s indemnity insurance. So,
you can only claim under a PCC if you’re able
to demonstrate they were negligent for not
picking up a problem that later manifests as
a defect. This is a difficult, costly and stressful
legal process that you’ll circumvent by
arranging a self build-specific warranty.
Finally, genuine owner-occupied self build
projects are exempt from the community
infrastructure levy (CIL), which is a charged
imposed on new development that can run to
£10,000s. A self build warranty can be used
to verify your project qualifies, as it includes
a clause stating you must live in the property
for at least 12 months before it can be
transferred (sold) to a successor in title -
evidencing your status as a self builder.
SIMON MIDDLETON is managing
director at Protek Group. Having
started his career as a site engineer,
he has since been underwriting site
insurance and structural warranties for
over 26 years. Call 0333 456 8030 or
visit www.protekselfbuild.co.uk
for tailored protection for your project.
www.self-build.co.uk
12 issues for
SELF BUILD + HOME DESIGN + RENOVATION
Build It
+ EXTENSION
NOW INCORPORATING
SELF BUILD
DESIGN
JANUARY 2023	£590
Ths Build
Li-isiyu LJui’li
Fires
L *HOME
HEATING
.Modern
Bmring <
aTfToject
House
How to Assess
Value & Potential
£50
__ Off the
C0Ver pnce
1114 V V	—    I	  I jrra.ra -Д
Being a Better
Project Manager Rool-T if 0 ППП1П
Planning: Are Pre- **^«1 Uli. <7 1Л.М111С7
apps Pointless? Extension Ideas
Top Tips to Save
on Water Bills PLUS! Expert Advice for Your Project
WOW-FACTOR BUILDS
Low-Cost, Future- Modem Extension From Workshop to
Ready Bungalow to Victorian House New Home for £220k

\ 1 /
Fantastic
inspiration & expert
advice for each stage
of your project
Each issue
delivered
to your door
Includes
2 free tickets to all
Build It Live shows
worth £72!
Subscribe today at www.self-build.co.uk/twelve
*UK Direct Debit new subscriber offer only. Direct Debit automatically renews at £39.84 every 12 months unless you cancel. You can cancel at any time.
Expert help
SELF BUILD + RENOVATION + EXTENSION + CONVERSION + IMPROVEMENT
84
90
STAYING
ON BUDGET
Architect Opinder Liddar
shares why keeping project
costs on track can be
tricky and offers his top
tips for finishing on budget
PROJECT
MANAGEMENT
MISTAKES
Thinking about managing
your own project? Mark
Stevenson reveals some
common errors to avoid
93 i SUSTAINABLE
| DRAINAGE
Find out how to implement
eco-friendly drainage
solutions and protect
your home from flood risks,
with Nigel Griffith’s guide
96
UNDERSTANDING
PLANNING
HISTORY
Martin Gaine reveals how
looking back at a plot’s
previous documentation
could help you maximise
your chance of achieving
the permissions you require
103
SOLAR
THERMAL
COSTS
Chris Batesmith explores
the costs and savings
of using solar energy to
heat water in your home
PLUS: YOUR QUESTIONS
ANSWERED (PAGE 106)
LATEST MORTGAGE RATES
(PAGE 111), FINDING LAND
(PAGE 113) & ARCHITECT’S
VIEW (PAGE 138)
www.self-build.co.uk
ON BUDGET
Architect Opinder Liddai discusses his top
tips for establishing, managing and sticking
to a realistic budget for your building project
Above: The total
contract price of
this refurbishment
and replacement
extension in
London by ABL3
Architects (www.
abl3architects.
com) was £1,515
per m2. Leftover
materials, such
as timber wall
cladding, were
used across
various areas
of the home to
minimise costs
There are plenty of stories in the media and
on design shows about extravagant building
projects that go way over the original budget
and beyond schedule. You rarely hear about
those that come in on time and within planned spending
- perhaps because it doesn’t make for exciting TV.
Build It showcases a range of successful projects
and aims to be very clear about their budgets and actual
costs. However, there are many reasons why a project
may not keep to the original plan. Here, I’m setting
out some of the solutions that you and your designer
can adopt from the outset of your build to ensure
that it remains affordable and avoids money dramas.
Establishing realistic expectations
Sometimes, design aspirations can far outweigh what
is doable and affordable. At your initial meeting with
your potential designer, it is crucial that your project
goals are discussed and understood - to establish
a rough cost for the design. If your dreams go beyond
your budget, you need a sensible conversation to help
manage expectations and to explore what can be
achieved. There are many ways in which costs can be
reduced at various stages. For example, when choosing
your procurement method and deciding how the build
will be managed - either by a main contractor, project
manager or opting to direct the build yourself.
At Lapd Architects, we will often discuss solutions
concerning the phasing of projects and the potential
to delay the fit-out of particular areas as money
becomes available for clients over time. So long as
you and your designer are realistic and can set out
a workable master plan, there are ways for you to get
closer to the Rolls Royce dream with some compromise
or perhaps by taking longer to complete your new home.
Coming up with a budget
I have many conversations with self builders at the Build It
Live shows who come for advice about their project costs
because neither the designer nor the client themselves
has mentioned budget at the outset. I also see lots of
lovely designs for houses or extensions where the
homeowner has found that after going out to tender,
the costs are twice or even three times what they
expected and can afford. This is the result of
misguided priorities and poor communication.
When the realisation of a mismatch between plans
and budget occurs later in a scheme, a lot of time has
been lost. It could be at least eight months by this point
if planning was relatively simple, or more than a year if
it was complicated. Many emotions have been invested
in a project by this stage and it’s soul destroying to have
to tell anyone that they need to go back to the drawing
Build It October 2024
expert help 85
board and look at something very different to the original
design they’d hoped for, that won’t break the bank.
Therefore, be very clear about your budget and
test your design regularly at the concept design stage,
and certainly before planning, to check that it is still
affordable. There’s no point in having a set of nice
drawings for an amazing home that can’t be realised.
Reviewing your plans
Once you have a design, you’ve got something tangible
that can besized-up in order to begin calculating actual
costs. At Lapd Architects, we use an up-to-date cost
per m2 rate or a pricing package/cost plan service
that many contractors then use to set out prices for our
designs. The programme is linked to updated libraries
on material costs, plant and even labour. By entering
actual areas and dimensions, the programme will give
you a fair estimation of whatyour building is likely to
cost. We can show clients what we expect their new
home will come to on a self build basis or if they were
to appoint a main contractor. It’s also useful to determine
which elements the client may want to undertake
themselves, if they are looking at a mixed approach.
It’s crucial that, once you have a design, you ensure
that a price check is carried out. Once you submit
a planning application, it’s going to be hard to make
significant alterations without having to go through
this arduous process again. There are cost plan services
available from builders’ merchants or you can use the
Build It Estimating Service (www.self-build.co.uk/build
-it-estimating-service/) to check your designs before
you commit to making your planning application.
Remaining flexible
Even after it’s been cost assessed you should regularly
check that your design is meeting the budget as it’s
very easy for the extent of work to increase. This is
sometimes called project creep. Post-planning, you’ll
usually start the detailed technical or construction
drawing stage of a project. The assumptions made at
concept design need to be carried through into this part
of the process. It’s surprising how the specification can
change if clients aren’t reminded of the associated costs.
If you have a detailed budget for your project, you’ll
see that significant costs come from the kitchen, floor
finishes, bathrooms, electric and heating systems you
choose. So, no matter how much smaller you make
your plans, the price of these items rarely alter
significantly in proportion to the size of the property.
If you have chosen well, your designer and contractor
will be trying their utmost to keep your costs down and
so it’s important that you work with them to help you
achieve your dream on a realistic budget If they’re
busy working on how to simplify construction details
and procure cost-effective materials, there’s no point
in you spending a fortune on a designer kitchen or
sanitaryware to undo the budgeting going on elsewhere.
Factoring in cost fluctuations
It wasn’t that long ago that we saw a price increase
in materials once or twice a year and had time to buy
before this kicked in. Since Brexit, the pandemic and
the war in Ukraine, the cost for many materials can
sometime increase on a monthly basis. In the height
of price panics, steel quotes were valid for just 24
hours, such was the volatility in the market.
You need to consider when you’re going to carry
out the works on site. If you believe this will be in a
year’s time you may need to allow for at least a 5°/o
increase in prices, if you’re sure your project is certain
to go ahead, you could bulk buy materials early, so
long as you have the space to store them securely.
Using trustworthy information
Building your own home or extending your property
will be one of the most expensive things you ever do.
So, surround yourself with a team that will help you
achieve a great result worthy of your investment.
Good design will be realised if the detailing and
technical information has been carefully thought
out Where this has not been done and contractors
are working from planning drawings or incomplete
information, there are likely to be adverse cost
implications. Building Regulations are so detailed and
onerous these days that you can rarely leave a contractor
to just get on and do things as they always have done
in the past. If the building inspector finds that your
thermal performance or air tightness, for example,
are not up to scratch it's going to be expensive to
putthat right. Invest in getting these details agreed
first time to save you time and money on site.
Suppliers of key materials are likely to issue measured
drawings and/or detailed quotes about your project
Above: The owners
of this impressive
169m2 property
by Oakwrights
(www.oakwrights.
co.uk) kept costs
down by opting
for an efficient
building shape,
taking on project
management
duties and using
cost-effective
details such as
painted timber
cladding
www.self-build.co.uk
Above: Eric and
Jean Sawyer
overspent on
their project by
around £30,000,
largely due to
discovering
they needed
complicated
piled foundations.
Yet they still
managed to
complete their
bespoke 130m2
scheme for
a respectable
£230,360-
in no small part
thanks to the
combination
of a thoroughly-
costed structural
shell, designed
and erected by
Potto n (www.
potton.co.uk),
and Eric’s hands-
on approach
to the first and
second fix stages
Right: Designed
by TYPE (www.
typestudio.com),
this stylish
extension features
an eye-catching
exposed roof
structure. The
Douglas fir joists
and plywood
boarding were
more expensive
than standard
roofing materials
- but they make an
instant statement.
Plus, the owners
saved some cash
as there was
no need to
plasterboard
the ceilings
and the suitability of their goods for your build. They
often expect you to review these and make comments.
Make sure that you understand with whom the liability
for the suitability of the materials lies. A supplier should
take responsibility for this where they have recommended
a product for your project, but make sure that you read the
information provided to prevent costly issues on site. For
example, the supply of windows is notoriously challenging
and can often exceed even detailed budgeting. This
is particularly true when measurements have not been
taken in situ and products arrive that don’t fit the openings
in your building. Ensure that site measurements are taken
by the supplier before the manufacture of these very
expensive features and make sure that the work to create
the openings is highly accurate, allowing for tolerances.
If changes are made to your plans, the information
required to support the alterations can change rapidly.
These details must swiftly be shared with everyone
involved. The last thing you want is products or work
carried out based on an old version of drawings. I would
suggest that you always have a full sized set of up-to-date
drawings on site and an online sharing platform where
electronic versions of the latest plans are maintained.
Implementing a build schedule
Aim to agree a programme of works with your contractor
or project manager and sub-contractors and stick to
it. Building a new house or carrying out a large extension
could take at least nine to 12 months on site. In addition
to this, many elements of construction require lead-in
times, such as timber frames or glazing and fenestration,
which can take months to realise.
If you have appointed the right architect, concept
design is the point at which you should be exploring
options and changing plans, not when it is on site. If
you make alterations after breaking ground, it’s likely
that your schedule is going to be affected. This will cause
cost issues, as suddenly some of the sub-contractors
that were lined up to attend on specific dates will
be working on other jobs when you need them.
You’ll need to wait for these sub-contractors to
come back, or you may have to accept higher costs
from somebody else to complete the works needed
to get your project back on programme. Hence, on-site
changes are likely to break a budget and are something
to avoid if at all possible. Some main
contractors have told me they would
pay the client so long as they didn’t
change anything on site.
You need to work out a schedule
for all of your trades which sets out
critical path items and allows some
leeway, should things not happen
exactly as planned. This means
organising the key trades to ensure
that works happen in sequence.
For example, your foundations need
to be installed before your timber
frame arrives. Some elements have
more capacity for flexibility in your
building programme than others,
such as external cladding or
decorating. However, if there is a hold-up on a critical
aspect, the entire project is delayed, which adds costs.
Aim to keep all of your most important items on track
and regularly check the timely delivery of these.
Finally, try not to interfere with contractors or sub-
contractors when they are on site and carrying out the
agreed scope of work. Just because they happen to
be there does not mean that they will take on additional
work at no extra cost. You may think that trying to get
them to do a few odd jobs while they’re there is not going
to cost you much more, but you’ll be surprised at what
a contractor will remember you asking them to do and
the extra lines they will add to your bill.
OPINDER LIDDAR
Opinder Liddar is a Build
It Award-winning designer
and a director at Lapd
Architects. He specialises
in self build homes and
renovation projects, and
is a regular expert at Build
It Live. For more information
about Lapd Architects call 01865 407722 or
visit www.lapdarchitects.co.uk
Build It October 2024
F
35652
CFF18B100
3400W
1700W
359 0Q
liaSOOAF 340QW
35 £359 00
WET’
ETC8
CVAC20P
CMS216S
applications
# WAS £8398 mcVAT
&BB217&	7 dr cabinet-
fra
(LxWxl
exo.VAT ino.VAT
Size
exo.VAT
exo.VAT
Power Cap.
lVOLT.
Model Motor CFM Tank
КИИ»
£394.80
HYUNDAI DIESEL
.GENERATORS UP TO 125KVA
exo.VAT Ino.VAT
*!*?! £58.791
484 PAGE
SUPERSTORES
W • ONLINE • PHONE
Cliirkl» GENERATORS
Р6250СЙ
230 2 2 5.6 i 1262.80
PG3800A	230 3 5 6 £239 00 £322.80
[PG3800ADV 230/110 3 56 £279 00 £358.80 >5
Mi
Clarlw
GARAGES/
WORKSHOPS
• Ideal for use as a garage/
workshop • Extra tough triple
layer cover • Heavy duty powder
coated steel tubing • Ratchet tight
tensioning
PG3800A
ROTARY HAMMER DRILLS
Powerful heavy duty professional
drill ideal for trade use
ICON1150	115	1150W £36.99
|CAG2350C	230	235OW Е6Ш
C0N720RHD 720 13-40	£89.98'
C0N1500RDV 1500 13-40	£99
CkrklS ELECTRIC^
TILE CUTTERS
ОЯГН DRYWALL SANDERS
DWS225LR
• Ideal for dry sanding
& smoothing hard to
reach areas
1ELECTRH
COMPACTOR PLATE.
HULK
• 400x320mm
CONSN18LIC 18V LI-ION
STAPLER/NAILER WITH
1X2.0AH BATTERY
ICTC500C	5 dr cabinet	£149 98
CBB209C	9 dr chest	£154.99
CTC700C	7 dr cabinet	£179.98
C0N1500RDV
CRD11I
Cliirkl! 8" SLIDING
COMPOUND
MITRE SAW
• 2000W motor
• Laser Guide
&DRY
IJilUU! HIGH
VELOCITY FANS
Ideal for creating a
powerful air flow, suitable
for both domestic &
commercial locations
• 3 Speeds • Tilts to adjust
direction of air flow
PETROL DUMPER TRUCK
• 3 forward gears with reverse • Narrow
760mm width, fits through most doorways
CDT300 __
CEMENT
MIXERS
CCM125D
VACUUM
CLEANERS
• Compact, high
performance wet & dry
vacuum cleaners for
use around the home,
workshop, garage etc.
HIPPO 2 (230V)	85	6.0m
PSP125B	—ПБ--------7nF
HIPPO 2
CECS405D
CEA150
Gkrki* 1
ELECTRIC
EARTH BORER
WITH AUGER
DRILL ’
CBB200 200mm E94 99HSI
CHDB500# 150mm £122 99 UhJW
CBB250 250mm £169.95 №
Ckirke
BENCH
BUFFERS/
POLISHERS
• For a brilliant shine
IG3500AF
£49.98'
£69 98]
T753B~
£56 98
Ckirke
CHAINSAW
Ckirks LOGBUSTER
ANGLE GRINDERS
CON115O
CAGoOOd
oOOW £29.98
ЯЗКог TURBO AIR
mdsrer COMPRESSORS
CDP102B
В = Bench
mounted
F = Floor
standing
Ctarki»
DRILL
PRESSES
• Range of precision
bench & floor
presses for
enthusiast,
engineering &
industrial
Clarkii
HEAVY DUTY
SUB PUMPS
дтамег»
• Superb range ideal for DIY, ’
hobby & semi-professional use
'TIGER
16/1050
CSE400A
"Handles
solids up
to 35mm
diameter
CIG81212
CPF18B100
£349 00 7ТГ
£499.00
Ckirke PRO TOOL CHESTS & CABINETS Q
01681020---6.1x3x2.4m
CIG81220	61x37x73m-
01661224	7 3x37x2.5m
The
ultimate
in tool
storage
‘ WAS £56.38 inc.VAT
# WAS £52.79 inc.VAT
CIG1432	9.7x4.3x3.65m	£1099.00
CIG1640	12x4 9x4 3m £259€00~
£249.00
—
--------
01681212	3.6x3.6x2.5m
01681015-----4 5x3x2 4m
49x37x2.5m~
Ckrte INVERTER
GENERATORS .
IG1700F
I Model size
KEEPS THE
WEATHER
OUT!
BIG
125LTR
bucket
BRIGHT
WHITE
INTERIOR
Chirlcn
CONTRACTOR
SELLER
I £430.801
Max Weight exo. ino.
Model Output Sockets kg VAT VAT
I til’ll ^Ktil'lr.w.-.»naaa aa
VAT ino.VAT ino.VAT
НЕТЖЕНЕ1Е131.98
ldEK>>iLlJgO398
1 £288.80
wioror (WJ
xo.VAT ino.VAT
fx-ITld £119.941
Description
ZIP CLOSE DOOR
Model
Model Diso (mm) Motor exo.VAT
£190 80 inc VAT
ino.VAT
£107.98
£179.98
£185.99
£215.98
£227.98
£334.80
ino.VAT
£47.98
£55.19
£71.98
ino.VAT
£35.98
£44.39
£83.98
Britain’s Tools & Machinery specialist
exo. WAS
VAT ino.VAT
Max Flow Max
LPM Head
a MW;
CATALOGUE
GET YOUR
FREE COPY!
0844 880 1265





VISIT YOUR LOCAL SUPERSTORE Open Mon-Frl 8.30-6.00, Sat 8.30-5.30, Sun 10.00-4.00
GATESHEAD 50 Lobley Hill Rd. NE8 4YJ
BARNSLEY Pontefract Rd, Barnsley, S71 1 HA 01226 732297	____ _______
B’HAM GREAT BARR 4 Birmingham Rd	0121 358 7977 GLASGOW 280 Gt Western Rd. G4 9EJ
B’HAM HAY MILLS 1152 Coventry Rd. Hay Milk
BOLTON 1 Thynne St. BL3 6BD	____________
BRADFORD 105-107 Manningham Lane. BD1 3BN 01274 390962
BRISTOL 1-3 Church Rd, Lawrence Hill. BS5 9JJ 0117 9351060
BURTON UPON TRENT 12a Lichfield St. DE14 3QZ 01283 564 708
CAMBRIDGE 181-183 Histon Road, Cambridge. CB4 3HL 01223 322675
CARDIFF 44-46 City Rd CF24 3DN	029 2046 5424
CARLISLE 85 London Rd. CA1 2LG
CHELTENHAM 84 Fairview Road. GL52 2EH
CHESTER 43-45 St. James Street. CH1 3EY
COLCHESTER 4 North Station Rd. C011RE
COVENTRY Bishop St. CV1 1HT
CROYDON 423-427 Brighton Rd. Sth Croydon
DARLINGTON 214 Northgate. DL1 1RB
DEAL (KENT) 182-186 High St. CT14 6BQ
DERBY Derwent St. DE1 2ED
DONCASTER Wheatley Hall Road
DUNDEE 24-26 Trades Lane. DD1 ЗЕТ
EDINBURGH 163-171 Piersfield Terrace
EXETER 16 Trusham Rd. EX2 8QG
	Io Жо
0121 7713433
01204 365799
0191 493 2520 NORWICH 282a Heigham St. NR2 4LZ	01603 766402
0141 332 9231 NORTHAMPTON Beckett Retail Park, St James' Mill Rd 01604 267840
GLOUCESTER 221A Barton St. GL1 4HY	01452 417 948 NOTTINGHAM 211 Lower Parliament St
GRIMSBY ELLIS WAY, DN32 9BD	01472 354435 PETERBOROUGH 417 Lincoln Rd Millfield
HULL 8-10 Holderness Rd. HU9 1 EG	01482 223161 PLYMOUTH 58-64 Embankment Rd. PL4 9HY
ILFORD 746-748 Eastern Ave. IG2 7HU	0208 518 4286 POOLE 137-139 Bournemouth Rd. Parkstone
IPSWICH Unit 1 Ipswich Trade Centre. Commercial Road 01473 221253 PORTSMOUTH 277-283 Copnor Rd. Copnor
LEEDS 227-229 Kirkstall Rd. LS4 2AS	0113 231 0400	PRESTON 53 Blackpool Rd. PR2 6BU
LEICESTER 69 Melton Rd. LE4 6PN	0116 261 0688	SHEFFIELD 453 London Rd. Heeley. S2 4HJ
LINCOLN Unit 5. The Pelham Centre. LN5 8HG	01522 543 036	SIDCUP 13 Blackfen Parade. Blackfen Rd
LIVERPOOL 80-88 London Rd. L3 5NF	0151 709 4484	SOUTHAMPTON 516-518 Portswood Rd
LONDON CATFORD 289/291 Southend Lane SE6 3RS 0208 695 5684	SOUTHEND 1139-1141 London Rd. Leigh on Sea
01228 591666
01242 514 402
01244 311258
01206 762831
024 7622 4227
020 8763 0640
01325 380 841
01304 373 434
O1 w 245 MANCHESTER CENTRAL 209 Bury New Road M8 8DU
UllimtCTtD nDCUCUAlU . Ir,,+ К T«<»ar Mill ЛгМлг, I
LONDON 6 Kendal Parade, Edmonton N18
LONDON 503-507 Lea Bridge Rd. Leyton, ЕЮ
LUTON Unit 1,326 Dunstable Rd, Luton LU4 8JS
MAIDSTONE 57 Upper Stone St. ME15 6HE
020 8803 0861 STOKE-ON-TRENT 382-396 Waterloo Rd Hanley
020 8558 8284 SUNDERLAND 13-15 Ryhope Rd. Grangetown
01582 728 063 SWANSEA 7 Samlet Rd. Llansamlet. SA7 9AG
___________ ______________________ 01622 769 572 SWINDON 21 Victoria Rd. SN1 3AW
MANCHESTER ALTRINCHAM 71 Manchester Rd. Altrincham 0161 9412 666 TWICKENHAM 83-85 Heath Rd.TWI 4AW
_____	J 0161 241 1851
MANCHESTER OPENSHAW Unit 5. Tower Mill. Ashton Old Rd 0161 223 8376
MANSFIELD 169 Chesterfield Rd. South	01623 622160
01642 677881
01382 225 140
0131 659 5919
01392 256 744 MIDDLESBROUGH Mandale Triangle. Thornaby
WARRINGTON Unit 3, Hawley's Trade Pk.
WIGAN 2 Harrison Street. WN5 9AU
WOLVERHAMPTON Parkfield Rd. Bilston
WORCESTER 48a Upper Tything. WR1 1JZ
0115 956 1811
01733 311770
01752 254050
01202 717913
023 9265 4777
01772 703263
0114 258 0831
0208 3042069
023 8055 7788
01702 483 742
01782 287321
0191 510 8773
01792 792969
01793 491717
020 8892 9117
01925 630 937
01942 323 785
01902 494186
01905 723451
5 EASY WAYS
TO BUY...
SUPERSTORES
SUPERSTORES NATIONWIDE
ONLINE
www.machinemart.co.uk
0115 956 5555
CLICK & COLLECT
OVER 10,500 LOCATIONS
CALL & COLLECT
AT STORES TODAY
Calls to the catalogue request number above (0844 8801265) cost 7p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge. For security reasons, calls may be monitored All prices correct
at time of going to press We reserve the right to change products and prices at any time Check online for latest prices. All offers subject to availability. E&OE. *Terms & conditions apply see machinemart co uk/finance for more details
Delivering quality, bespoke,
off-site construction solutions
We are proud of our reputation within the timber
industry as both practitioners and innovators.
Multiple airtight and insulated wall options
Prefabricated roof truss specialists
• Specialists in open and closed panel timber frame
projects
Standard prefabricated or bespoke dormer solutions
Open Metal Web Joists (Posi-Joist) for faster
construction
Supporting sustainable construction
Supplying developers & self builders
For more information contact us today on:
01227 209 087
info@harmonytimber.co.uk
STA
ASSURE
Harmony Timber UK, Unit 1 b/2a, Canterbury Industrial Park,
Island Road, Hersden, Canterbury, Kent, CT3 4HQ
www.harmonytimber.co.uk
CATG FRAME MARK
I TIMBER FRAME
riPASSIV
MUM
A PORCHES

ЕШЩЗ СЗИЗЗПЗ
nDORMERS
Bespoke Timber Frame Houses and Passive Houses
MBC Timber Frame Systems
We offer a complete Thermally Efficient Package
Designed Engineered Manufactured Erected
И/e handle the entire precess1.
MBC Timber Frame
/ Passive Foundation
/ Timber Frame Structure
/ Roof Trusses & Posi Joists
/ Passive Standard House
/ Airtightness
Manufacturing and design facility in Gloucester
From our local modern factory we have delivered 100’s of quality
bespoke houses all over the UK. We are very proud of our award-
winning Passive House and High Performance House System.
We provide dedicated support and guidance
throughout the construction journey
Please email us your project drawings for a
free quotation info@mbctimberframe.co.uk
or call 01452 346499
www.mbctimberframe.co.uk
UK Office: Quedgeley Court, Shepherd Road, Gloucester GL2 5EL
MBC
FRAME
TIMBER
a WE ARE A CARBON
SB NEUTRAL BUSINESS
STA
Trust» : »
advertising feature 89
Sliding doors how are they
glazed and why does it matter?
IDSystems’ Edward Stobart explains the
merits of the different glazing options for
slimline sliders, and their implications
Over the past 10 years,
sliders have overtaken
bifolds as the must-have
glazed door system for self
builds and extensions. With their large
panels and minimal frames, they are
ideal both for making the most of the
views out to the garden and bringing
as much light into the home.
The British climate means doors
stay closed for more of the year than
they’re open. Sliders’ slim frames, as
narrow as just 20mm, help to break
down the boundaries between inside
and out and provide a connection
between home and garden all year
round - not just in summer.
Modern sliding
door technology
Developments in sliding door tech
and manufacture have completely
changed their appearance. Gone
are the chunky looking patio doors of
old; now you have high-performance
aluminium systems, with some
capable of incorporating individual
panels as wide as 6m across.
At the heart of these modern
enhancements has been changes
to the way sliders are glazed. With
almost every other door and window
type (whether they be of aluminium,
timber or PVCu) the sealed double or
triple glazed unit is held in place with a
glazing bead, which clips or attaches
to the inside of the frame to secure
the glass and prevent it from falling
out. This is known as dry glazing.
Many sliding door systems are
still assembled in this way, but adding
a dry glazing bead to all four sides of
the frame makes achieving a very
slim sightline impossible. So, a
different approach is needed for
super-sleek modern designs.
How are most ultra-slim
sliding doors glazed?
To overcome the glazing bead issue,
on some doors the glass is glued or
bonded to the frame. This holds the
pane in place, gives the system the
rigidity required to operate and
achieves the ultra-fine sightlines
many homeowners want. These
types of sliding doors are known
as structurally bonded systems.
The potential downside, however, is
that the bonding agent used in these
sliders is a permanent adhesive. The
glass is bonded to all four sides of the
frame, so it can only be changed by
removing and replacing the complete
sliding panel (glass and frame).
Are there alternatives
to structurally bonded
slimline doors?
Some ultra-slim sliding door options
on the market, such as theEDGE2.0
from IDSystems, are semi-bonded
rather than fully bonded. With this
approach, the glass is only bonded
at the interlocking frames (ie where
the panels meet one another). On the
other three sides, the unit is held in
place with a glazing bead.
Whilst this makes the outer frames
fractionally larger, it doesn't impact
views through the doors - providing
central sightlines as slim as 20mm.
It also enables just the glass to be
removed from the panel and replaced
with a new pane. So, should the glass
ever break due to an accident, it's a
much simpler repair.
Who can replace
the glass in a sliding
door system?
Warranty terms for glass breakages
vary, so it’s important to understand
the nature and duration of cover you
are getting - whatever product you
choose. If you select a fully bonded
system, only the original supplier
will be able to replace the glass,
because the whole panel will need
to be changed. This could be difficult
if, for instance, the manufacturer no
longer makes that system.
In the event of a breakage in semi-
bonded systems, any door or window
company could replace the glass.
They can simply pop out the beads,
remove the glass and replace it with
a new sealed unit There’s no need
to remove the panels, tracks or side
jambs of the door system to do this.
So, in the event of issues post-install,
the remedial work is much less
involved and you won’t be totally
reliant on the original supplier.
Above: This
project by Sher +
White Architects
features a three-
panel span of
IDSystems'
theEDGE2.0 semi-
bonded sliders;
note the ultra-slim,
20mm meeting
stiles in the centre
of the run to
preserve views,
with slightly thicker
framing on the
other three sides
Left: Build It
chose IDSystems'
theEDGE2.0for
its very own Self
Build Education
House. This photo,
taken during
installation,
demonstrates
how the glass
panel is installed
separately, and
could be easily
removed and
replaced in future
should there be
accidental damage
EDWARD STOBART is sales
manager at IDSystems. For almost 20
years, he has worked closely with self
builders to offer advice and support
on all aspects of glazing on a variety of
projects, from city-centre extensions
through to the grandest of custom builds.
For more information about how sliding door systems are
glazed, visit www.idsystems.co.uk or speak to one of
IDSystems’ technical sales team on 01603 408804.
www.self-build.co.uk
3
□
-
О
05


TOP TIPS
Effective project managers...
✓	Are proactive and think ahead.
✓	Have clearly defined goals
that everyone understands.
✓	Understand and manage
priorities for the build.
✓	Use teamworkto get things done.
✓	Draw on the experience
and skills of their team.
✓	Listen to and understand what
is happening around them.
✓	Communicate effectively.
✓	Are accessible and open minded.
✓	Manage risks and make
timely decisions.
✓	Are never afraid to ask.
✓	Tell you what you need to
hear rather than what you
want to hear.
Common project
management mistakes
Managing your own project can be
a rewarding yet high-pressure job.
Mark Stevenson shares his expertise
on how to run a successful build
residing over a building project is hard work
and with so many moving parts, there's a
lot that could go wrong. The key to success
is effective project management. Provided
you can avoid the following common mistakes, there’s
no reason why most self builders can’t do it well.
Poor leadership
Building a house takes a whole team of people, with
different skills, competencies and priorities. Managing
the building process is a bit like herding cats and the
project manager (PM) has to be an effective leader
to ensure everyone plays their part. As a self managing
self builder, it’s understandable that you may lack
confidence in your ability to lead a project - especially
if you’ve never done it before. In these circumstances,
priorities get confused and decision making becomes
compromised. Losing effective control of your project
risks delays to your schedule and extra costs.
While this sounds quite serious, it doesn’t mean
that you can’t manage your own project. Provided
you understand the role and responsibilities of
running things yourself and work with the trades and
professionals to understand what’s needed, you can
be an effective leader. Be prepared to listen, question
what’s going on and act when things aren’t quite going
to plan or when key decisions need to be made.
Lack of communication
Effective communication is vital for the success of
any project and self builds are no exception. We all
have different standards and methods of conveying
information - each with varying degrees of success.
The obvious answer is to be clear and unambiguous
when communicating. On building projects, there’s
no room for uncertainty and if you’re a flowery
communicator, keep this in check. It’s essential
that you understand the responsibility for conveying
information lies with the PM, so be prepared to flex your
approach to suit the various individuals you interact with.
This basically means there’s no point sending the bricky
an email when WhatsApp is more likely to get through.
Being indecisive
Building a house involves thousands of decisions, from
choosing materials to signing off designs and paying
the bills. You’ll have to make choices day in and day out.
Indecisive self builders will quickly run into problems.
PMs must be able to consider the facts, analyse
priorities, balance budgets and meet quality standards
efficiently - while keeping the team motivated and
Build It October 2024
moving in the right direction. Sounds like a tall order,
but provided you recognise the need for a decision
and approach it in a timely and logical manner,
canvasing opinion from the experts, most people
will be much more effective than they realise.
Having a messy site
Making a living as a contractor or tradesperson is
hard work and comes with plenty of risks that get
in the way of earning a wage. As they say, time is
money and for anyone working on a building project,
the main goal is to finish the job to a high-quality
standard as efficiently as possible.
Unfortunately, it’s easy to forget this as a PM
with lots to juggle and you can end up failing to give
the contractors every chance of being successful.
A poorly organised site is likely to discourage your
trades from getting the job done. The solution is
simple - be organised and keep a tidy environment
ready for anyone that’s coming to work there. Be
mindful that they need to make their money and
help them be productive. By setting your stall out
well and helping the contractors, in turn they’ll be
responsive, obliging and more likely to turn up on time.
Homeowners
Simon and
Frances Edwards
shared the project
management
duties during their
self build. Frances
was responsible
for keeping a close
eye on costs, and
kept a meticulous
account of
the couple's
£400,000 budget
Losing track
Building sites are fast-paced places with lots going
on all at once. The PM has to deal with a multitude
of questions and keep an eye on what’s coming next
in order to keep the build and everyone involved on
schedule. With so much going on, an impressive
sense of recall is needed to keep things moving.
For most of us, having a great memory isn’t a choice
so it’s a good idea to develop the habit of writing things
down or recording them in a way that makes sense
to you from the outset. Use good old-fashioned tools
like a site diary and checklists so nothing gets missed.
Being afraid to ask for help
Just because the PM is in charge, doesn’t mean that
they’re the font of all knowledge and the leading expert
in all construction matters (nor is this a requirement of
the job, by any means). Even the most experienced
individuals will have gaps in their knowledge and will
need to consult other professionals at various points
across both the design and planning stages, as well
as throughout the construction and fit-out.
Inexperienced PMs often have insecurities that
a lack of know-how will somehow undermine their
authority. In these circumstances, the risk of assumption
is heightened and with it things go wrong. Don’t be
afraid to ask questions and always give others the
opportunity to demonstrate their brilliance.
Taking a confrontational approach
Building a house is a challenge and whether we like
it or not, things will go wrong occasionally. More often
this will be down to circumstances out of your control,
or that of your contractors. Speaking from experience,
there’s no point in hurling stones at each other.
The best approach is to have a bit of empathy
and when you’re approached with a genuine problem,
do your very best to help out. This will mean being
flexible but notto a degree that there will be long
lasting implications for your build. Mostly, the problems
will be time related and in the grand scheme of things,
a few days here and there won’t matter in the end.
So, be firm but fair and if problems are brewing,
put the kettle on and talk through the issue calmly
to find the best solution for all parties. If the problem’s
a big one, handing out some cake never hurts.
Left: Darren
Findlow and
Anthony Higham
ensured their
site was an
enjoyable place
to be and made
the effort to be
there in-person
virtually every
day, ready to
answer questions
and ensure
everything was
running smoothly
MARK STEVENSON
Mark Stevenson has worked as a
construction professional for over
35 years and is a serial self builder. He
runs project management consultancy
Elsworth Projects and, as chair of NaCSBA,
advocates for the interests of self builders
and contributes to the success of the
emerging custom build industry.
www.self-build.co.uk
steTco
wood fibre insulation
High performance &
environmentally friendly
building products
from renewable sources
7-8 SEPTEMBER 2024
WEST POINT, EXETER
Insulate properly for a healthy home
ECOLOGICAL | SUSTAINABLE | NATURAL | LOW CARBON
Available from
MIKE WYE
Tel: 01409 281644	www.mikewye.co.uk	sales@mikewye.co.uk
Spectraglass
SPECIALIST GLASS SOLUTIONS
Please contact
us
to
discuss your project.
Visit our online shop: https://glassline.scot/
Glass Balustrading • Juliet Balconies • Shower screens
Glass & Hardware • Supply & fit • Supply only
01738 638 358 www.spectraglass.co.ukhttps://glassline.scot/info@spectraglass.com
Spectraglass Limited Unit 2, Inveralmond Close, Inveralmond Ind Estate, Perth, UK, PHI 3TT
expert help 93
Sustainable drainage
Nigel Griffiths explains what
SuDS is, when it’s needed and
how to get it right
how it can be accommodated
on your home building project
Flood events appear to be more common these
days and, when they happen, the massive costs of
repair are borne by all of us through the insurance
market The issue isn’t solely down to the
apparent increased frequency of heavy rainfall we’re
experiencing, which has been identified as a potential
consequence of climate change. There’s also a dawning
realisation that we have concreted over much of our urban
environment, and that many of the problems faced by
our partly-Victorian drainage system are down to the
massively increased area it’s now tasked with draining.
Rainwater that used to soak into fields, gardens and
lawns now lands on car parks, drives, roads, roofs and
patios. From here, it is channelled directly to the drainage
system. Where rivers are used for rainwater management,
the problem is gradually transferred downstream, with
occasionally catastrophic results. In the worst cases,
where rainfall is drained through the sewerage system,
the treatment plants can’t cope with the volume of water.
The result is that untreated sewage is released into the
rivers, with inevitable consequences for river water quality.
Whether large developers or self builders planning
a one-off home, we can all play our part in reducing flood
risk by using the principles and practice of sustainable
drainage. Retrofit to existing properties is much more
challenging, but is not impossible in many cases.
What are sustainable
drainage systems?
Commonly abbreviated to SuDS, these are designed to
manage stormwater in and around housing and other
development. SuDS use has three main aims:
1	Reduce flooding by delaying the discharge
of rainwater into the drainage system.
2	Enhance the quality of the water which
is released into the drainage system.
3	Improve the environment and provide
habitats for wildlife.
Often, we focus on the first of these points, but it’s
important to remember that SuDS can carryout the
two other functions. In particular, the value of water
features for habitat and biodiversity is now better
appreciated. In terms of quantity of surface water
discharge, the burden on the drainage infrastructure
can be reduced by three main methods: permeable
surfaces; holding ponds; and rainwater harvesting.
Permeable surfaces
For our purposes, this is about using driveway and
paving materials that will allow water to permeate
Oltco Recycle Bound (oltco.co.uk)
is a permeable, SuDS-compliant
resin-bonded driveway solution made
using waste plastic straws, drinks
bottles and food packaging
and soak through to the natural
aquifers underground, replenishing
the water table locally and reducing
the burden on drains. The most
common types of suitable material
are gravel, blocks and grasscrete.
Some forms of block paving are
more porous than others, mainly
dependent on the size of gaps
between the units. Large-nibbed
blocks are specifically designed
to allow the maximum amount of
water to permeate through. Tarmac
(asphalt) is normally thought of
as being impermeable, but porous
systems are now available.
Another way to lay hardstanding
without adding to the burden on
drainage systems is to go for wheel
track strips (rather than full driveways)
using gravel, concrete or grasscrete.
DOES MY DRIVEWAY NEED
PLANNING CONSENT?
In October 2008, the permitted
development (RD) rights for front
gardens were changed in order to
reduce flooding and pollution impacts
on the drainage system. Householders
used to be able to pave front gardens
without applying for planning, but this
now depends on what kind of surface
is being put down. You won't need
consent if you’re laying a permeable
(porous) surface, or if rainwater will
drain from the hardstanding directly
into a lawn or border that itself is free
draining. If not, and the driveway is over
5m2, planning permission is required.
While these regulations only relate
to front gardens, the same principles
apply when adding paving to back
gardens - particularly if there's a
risk that patios or other areas of
hardstanding will discharge rainwater
into the public drainage system.
Cars can then be driven in without causing wheel ruts,
while rainwater drains off to surrounding grass or planting.
Just as important as the surface is the sub-base, which
must be free-draining to accept and dissipate rainwater.
Standard Type 1 hardcore has fine particles that prevent
this; instead, you need a permeable sub-base, so water
can pass through the gaps around the larger aggregates.
 www.self-build.co.uk
94 expert help
Above: Holding
ponds offer a
natural solution
for rainwater
attenuation, and
can be particularly
useful on larger
developments,
such as group
or custom build
schemes, where
they’ll also offer
wildlife habitats
and amenity
All these porous surfaces have the added advantage
that ice is less likely to form in winter, which makes for a
reduced slip hazard. It’s worth noting, however, that not all
sites are suitable for permeable materials - if the subsoil
itself is impermeable, the water will not drain away.
Holding ponds
When rain falls on roofs or impermeable hard surfacing,
it is collected and held in a pond, or in a series of ponds,
drainage ditches or wetlands. It’s then released gradually
into the drainage system in a controlled manner. This
is known as attenuation. The basic
principle is simple: large pipe in plus
small pipe out equals slower flow!
Depending on topography, it’s
possible to create large holding
ponds for existing developments
as a shared community resource -
providing rainwater attenuation
as well as amenity and a wildlife
attraction. Native planting and careful
design can therefore transform a
potential flooding problem into a
local environmental asset.
Harvesting water
DID YOU KNOW?
Green roofs can enhance
sustainable drainage in a home
building project. Not only do they
use rainwater to feed the plants in
the vegetative top layer, but they
also act to slow down the release
of water into the drainage system.
This is because the sub-base
of soil and gravel that forms the
bed for the plants can absorb
a significant quantity of water.
Rainwater harvesting systems can have a significant
impact as part of a SuDS strategy. The storage tanks
tend to be substantial, from around 1,000L up to 5,000L
in typical domestic installations. Usage of the water
(mainly WC flushing) also continues throughoutthe
year, meaning that tanks usually have at least some
spare capacity to store rainfall at any given point.
Harvesting water for use in the garden is one of the
cheapest ways of reducing both water demand and
the burden on the drainage system. However, it’s worth
noting that the capacity of a standard garden water butt
is relatively low. Most store between 200L and 300L,
which quickly fills up during a rainfall event-the exact
time when the water is unlikely to be of much use. The
overflow is usually connected to the original drain, too,
so the role of water butts in SuDS is very limited.
Rules & regulations
In Scotland, it is already a requirement for all new housing
to have a SuDS strategy in place. For developments of
fewer than 10 dwellings in England and Wales, however,
there is still no absolute requirementfor a SuDS approach
to be used. So, if you’re self building a one-off home,
sustainable drainage may not be mandated - though it
might be on larger custom build or group self build sites,
depending on how plot sales are arranged.
That said, some councils maintain their own planning
policies and guidance, and they may have chosen to
make SuDS compulsory in your area. These local rules
are generally based on Defra’s non-statutory technical
standards, which were first introduced 17 years ago,
and on the guidance set out in The SuDS Manual by the
CIRIA (www.ciria.org), which you can buy for £25. For
instance, any new development in a flood risk area will
need to give priority to the use of sustainable drainage
systems. Check out www.susdrain.org for a deep dive
into the various technical considerations.
Even if it’s not compulsory, I would argue there’s no
reason not to use SuDS in your project. Doing so will
contribute to reducing flood risk and may even provide
habitats to encourage wildlife. Note that there are rules
around what you can do when replacing or laying new
driveways (see box on previous page).
SuDS & surface water quality
Rainwater often gathers pollutants such as oils, salts,
litter or even sediments during its journey from the ground
to the drainage system. Water quality
is now a recognised concern for
housing developments, and this
could well provoke a change in
planning rules in future.
On that note, sustainable drainage
is increasingly used to clean the
run-off from commercial property.
An extreme example is the petrol
interceptor tank commonly used
on filling station forecourts. Lower
quantities of impurities can be dealt
with by more natural techniques,
such as bioremediation (using living organisms to remove
contaminants). On the domestic scale, combining several
SuDS techniques could be an effective way to help
improve the quality of water discharge.
NIGEL GRIFFITHS
Nigel Griffiths specialises
in sustainable construction
and eco-renovation and is
the author of the Haynes Eco
House Manual. He advises
UK government on retrofit
programmes and inspects
renewable heat installations on behalf of Ofgem.
You can chat to Nigel at the Build It Live shows.
Build It October 2024
"TS
Kingspan Timber Solutions
Timber Frame &SIPs Construction
Self-build with built in peace of mind
•	Timber frame and SIPs build systems
•	FREE quote comparison service
•	Quality-assured manufacturing with
ISO certification
•	Technical and on-site support services
•	U-values as low as 0.09 W/m2K
•	Potential whole-house airtightness
levels of 0.3 to 3
www.kingspantimbersolutions.co.uk
STA
Kingspan
96 ei
Understanding (a
site’s planning history

•Ж
Planning expert Martin Gaine takes a
look at how you can make the most out
of your site’s history to maximise your
own application’s chance of success
We planning consultants love to find that
a site we have been asked to assess
has a long and detailed planning history.
Rather than trudging through local and
national planning policies and squinting at maps of flood
zones, settlement boundaries and areas of green belt,
we can quickly judge from similar, previous applications
whether a proposed new home or extension has got
a chance of being approved. To help you do the same,
here I explain how you, the self builder or renovator, can
access and interpret a site's planning history in order to
judge whether or not it has development potential.
What is planning history
and why is it important?
The planning history is the list of planning applications
that have been considered by the local authority. In the
not-too-distant past, a search of the council’s register
of planning applications meant a trip to the town hall,
but these days you can bring up this list on your local
council’s website by navigating to the planning pages
and searching by address or using the map function
to find a specif ic plot. From there, you should be able
to download the decision notice, the case officer’s
assessment, copies of representations by neighbours
Diana and Colin McCabe had originally applied for
planning permission on their farmland plot 10 years
prior to their self build project. Consent was refused
at the time because the farm was slightly outside of
the local village. But given that regulations had
changed by the time they came to revisiting it, the
couple believed it was worth trying again. The full
planning committee met to discuss the scheme, and
since there were no objections from neighbours, the
application was eventually approved
and third parties, plus the plans and other documents
that have been submitted by the applicant
When looking for a plot of land, you should always
check the planning history - it can be a mine of useful
information. I often assess sites for clients who have
been told by the agent that it is likely that permission
would be granted, and discover that the seller has tried
several times to get permission for a self build and been
unsuccessful. That is not necessarily the end of the
story - it may be that the applications were poor quality
and that the refusals could be overcome - but it’s clearly
information you would like to have before making a bid.
I have also acted for clients considering sites with
no planning history who have been told by an agent
that they are likely to get permission “because next
door got it”. A quick review of the neighbour’s planning
history has then revealed that there is no such approval,
or their permission was given for very specific reasons -
it was only granted on the basis that an existing building
was being redeveloped, for example.
Even if the site you are looking at already comes with
planning permission, it is sensible to familiarise yourself
with the approval and any previous applications. Perhaps
Build It October 2024
expert help 97
permission was only granted on the basis that very
expensive groundworks would have to be carried out,
or that a tree you fell in love with on the site visit would
be chopped down. Any objections from neighbours
might reveal a long simmering dispute over a boundary
that you would inherit. Finally, always check when the
permission was approved, so that you can be sure you
have enough time to start work onsite before it expires
(usually after three years), and check for unexpected
conditions or legal agreements that might trip you up.
The officer’s report
By far the most useful document in a site’s planning
history is the officer’s report, which is also referred to
as the delegated report or the committee report. It is a
statement written by the case officer to explain how they
reached their decision. It is public information, so if it is
not showing on the council’s website (and it sometimes
isn’t), request a copy. It is a platinum resource in
planning, and I cannot emphasise enough how
much benefit you can gain from understanding it.
At first glance, officers’ reports can be long and
intimidating, with lots of planning jargon. As a case
officer in local councils, I used to write these papers,
and I can tell you that most of each document is
pre-populated by the computer system with basic
information or standardised text. Scan past the boring
bits and focus on the part where the case officer weighs
up the main issues at stake. That analysis will give you
valuable clues and a good indication as to how
and whether a plot of land could be developed.
If you are looking at the officer’s report for a similar
proposal on a neighbouring site, it is important to
establish whether the points discussed by the case
officer apply equally to your plot. If an application next
door was refused because of its impact on a protected
tree, but there are no trees on or close to your site, you
might have reason to believe that your application may
be successful. If a neighbouring proposal is refused
because of its location in the green belt, and your site
is also in the green belt, it may be an indication that
the site has no potential for development.
When you’re assessing a site for sale where an
application has previously been refused, see if the
council’s documents suggest whether there’s an
alternative that could work - perhaps a two-storey
new-build house was seen as too much by the planners,
but a bungalow could be approved (and a single-storey
new build is just what you were looking fori).
This process also works for simple homeowner
extensions. If you would like to build onto the rear of
your house and expand your kitchen to create a large,
open-plan zone, or extend into the loft to make space
for an ensuite bedroom, look up similar local applications
to see what your neighbours have been able to achieve.
The officer’s reports will assess local applications
against the council’s usual criteria - reading them is
the most effective way to find out what the criteria are.
CASE STUDY OAK FRAME SELF BUILD HOME IN ESSEX
1
Matt and Sarah Switzer joined forces
with a local couple to try for planning
permission for two homes on their
1.5-acre site. The Switzers meticulously
studied the historical planning refusals
for the plot, putting together a 30-page
document addressing each point. A lack
of affordable and suitable housing in the
area worked in the couples’ favour - who
submitted two off-the-shelf designs from
Welsh Oak Frame (www.welshoakframe.
com) as part of their application, which
also ticked the council’s boxes for a
sustainable design that blended into
the location’s countryside context.
The planning officer recommended
a refusal, however, for fear that granting
permission would open the floodgates
to over-development of sites outside the
dedicated boundary. But the two couples
did not intend to build and move on - they
wanted these to be their forever homes.
Two local councillors showed their support
for the builds by requesting that the couples’
application was called into for deliberation
by the planning committee. “The meeting
cracked open a window of opportunity, as
we were allowed to speak for a few minutes
to justify our reasons building,” says Matt.
“The committee members came to look at
our site and voted unanimously in our favour
- and our dream began to become real.”

www.self-build.co.uk
98 expert help
QUICK GUIDE PLANNING HISTORY CHECKLIST


Unlike others on the estate, the owners of this
project, designed by Bradley Van Der Straeten
Architects (www.b-vds.co.uk), were unable to
secure planning permission for a single-storey
loft extension. They received two planning
refusals on the basis that they weren’t allowed
to build any higher than the highest point of the
existing roof, due to its lower profile. So, the
solution was a half-height roof extension that
used split levels to maximise volume in the space
Are you buying a plot with planning
permission? Check your site’s history
for the following pointers:
When does the permission expire? Work must
usually start within three years of a grant of planning
permission. Remember that buying the plot and
getting on site can take longer than you expect.
Do you need to make changes? If you do not
like the size or design of the house that has been
approved, you may need to amend the permission
or submit a new application. The officer’s report
will be a good guide to what is possible.
Are there any conditions? Some stipulations must
be discharged, meaning that you must submit specific
additional information to the council before starting
work. You might need approval for the final choice
of bricks and roof tiles, for example.
Is there о legal agreement? Your seller may have
entered into a binding consensus to make specific
payments or to carry out certain works. These
obligations will pass to you.
Is the house buildable? Sellers sometimes hire a
cheap architect to submit a quick and easy application
simply in order to get some kind of permission to help
sell the site. If there are errors on the plans, your
planning permission might not be valid.
Planning history doesn’t
promise approval
A word of caution: although what has happened before
is a good guide to the future, be careful about making
important decisions based on your interpretation of a
site’s planning history. The planning history is a shortcut
to what might be possible, but it’s not a guarantee.
The fact that permission for a development was
granted at a neighbouring site does not prove that the
same work will be allowed at yours. Sometimes there
is a site-specific reason that justifies approving an
application on one plot but not next door. Planning
policies also change over time, so an approval several
years ago may not be a good guide to what you can
achieve now. Sometimes councils grant permission on
one site and simply decide that it was a mistake and
resolve not to repeat their error, no matter how unfair
that seems. It is in these scenarios where the expert
advice of a planning consultant may help.
MARTIN GAINE
Martin Gaine runs planning
consultancy Just Planning
(www.just-planning.co.uk).
A former case officer, he
has experience on both sides
of the planning divide and
now specialises in helping
homeowners win consent
at appeal. He is the author of How to Get
Planning Permission: An Insider’s Secrets.
Build It October 2024
Specialist Timber Frame Manufacturers
Take the first step towards your dream home
WE WILL BEAT ANY GENUINE LIKE FOR LIKE QUOTATION BY 5%
•	Specialists in extensions, single
& multiple developments &
garden rooms
•	Commercial and educational
buildings
•	Delivery and erection service
available anywhere in the UK or
Europe
•	Excavator/Dumper
with driver hire available
Contact us for a free quotation or brochure pack
Unit 25,
Pentood Enterprise Park,
Cardigan, Ceredigion
SA43 3AD
•	100mm or 150mm
external wall construction
•	Factory insulated panels
available down to 0.13 W/m2K
•	In house design, planning
and building regulation
drawings available
•	Full or part build service
available
П 01239 614462
info@heritagedesigns.co.uk
www.heritagedesigns.co.uk
LAKELAND
TIMBER FRAME
Construction
Lakeland Timber
Frame offer a flexible,
personal service for
professionals and
individuals for self-build
projects.
We combine high quality craftsmanship
and attention to detail with the latest
developments in technology to provide
timber framed homes and buildings for
the 21 st century.
Contact us to find out how we can offer
you practical, value for money timber frame
construction solutions to suit your project
and your budget
Tel: 01524 782596
www.lakelandtimberframe.co.uk
email: info@lakelandtimberframe.co.uk
Nationwide service • Free estimates
Offsite manufacturers of high quality,
bespoke, timber frame homes
•	U values ranging from 0.13 - 0.10W/m2K
•	Guaranteed airtightness below 0.6ach
•	Highly sustainable product using Warmcel insulation
•	UK wide installation
S£LF BIMO1 HOMf MSICM I RtHOTADOM I EXItBSKH
й®1? =	"O'	.ВЯ5ТА mi
Too much choice?
We can help you find the right
cladding for your project.
At Vastern Timber we produce a wide range of timber cladding,
but we know that too much choice can be overwhelming.
Our expert advice can help you to make the right decision
when choosing products for your project. Our range includes
larch, cedar and our award winning Brimstone cladding.
Telephone 01793 853 281
Email sales@vastern.co.uk
SEIF BUHOI HOME DESIGN I RENOVATION I EXTENSION
V Vastern
Timber
Website vastern.co.uk
Instagram vasterntimber
advertising feature 101
Running a safe and
successful building site
Self-Build Zone’s Jake Fitness reveals how
you can organise a safe and effective project
Operating a safe and
compliant construction site
is essential for the success
of any self build. You have a
legal and ethical duty to ensure the
wellbeing of everyone who sets foot
on your site. This can be achieved by
putting the proper steps in place from
the moment you exchange contracts,
right through to the completion and
sign-off of the new structure.
Health & safety basics
Every building project must adhere
to the Construction (Design &
Management) Regulations 2015 -
often referred to as CDM. These rules
aim to ensure compliant measures are
adopted throughout the process, so
health and safety risks are properly
controlled, and you protect both
workers and anyone else who may be
affected by the construction activities.
Under CDM regs, a self builder will
typically take on the role of Domestic
Client. This means you are responsible
for ensuring the project is managed
safely - but the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE) knows self builders
aren’t construction specialists. As the
Domestic Client, your responsibility is
primarily focused on appointing other
duty holders as needed (ie tasking
designers, builders and trades to plan
and conduct their works safely).
If your project involves more than
one contractor, you must appoint a
Principal Designer to manage health
and safety during the design phase,
as well as a Principal Contractor
to coordinate this side of things
during the construction stages.
What to organise
before you start
First up, as soon as you exchange on
a building plot, you need public liability
insurance to protect against injuries
or damage on your property. During
construction, you will also need site
insurance, which can include both
public and employers’ liability
insurance. Note that your builder’s
own cover may be limited - so always
check their policy documents carefully
for details. In most scenarios, you will
need your own insurance. If you hire
individual trades, you must have
employer’s liability cover.
Pre-commencement is a key stage
in the self build journey, especially
when it comes to preparing a safe site.
We always recommend that you do
your research, consult and work with
professionals to plan and deliver a
safe and happy project outcome.
Important steps include:
•	Notify HSE: If the building work
will last more than 30 days, with
more than 20 workers operating
simultaneously, or will exceed 500
person-days of work (the latter is
likely on most self builds).
•	Ensure competence: Verify
that all duty holders are competent,
with the requisite skills, knowledge
and experience to deliver your
project safely and successfully.
•	Provide pre-construction
details: Gather and provide
relevant information to your
designers and contractors to
help them plan their work safely.
•	Arrange welfare facilities:
Workers must have access to
suitable facilities throughout the
project (access to drinking water,
a toilet, washbasin etc). You may
also need to make some essential
PPE and first aid provisions.
•	Health & safety file: If you have
appointed a Principal Designer,
ensure they prepare a dossier that
includes all relevant safety info
needed for the build, plus any future
maintenance or construction work.
Maintaining a
safe & secure site
You now have the key measures in
place to identify and control health
and safety risks on your project via
THE ULTIMATE PROTECTION - WHAT MAKES A
GOOD SELF BUILD SITE INSURANCE POLICY?
A self build project demands time, dedication and substantial
financial commitment, soyou need appropriate insurance from
the moment you acquire your plot. When it comes to the right
cover, a good policy checklist can be broken down as follows:
✓ Public & employer’s liability
✓ Building works & materials
✓ Plant, tools & equipment
✓Site huts & temporary structures
✓ Any existing structures
✓ Personal accident cover
✓ Legal expenses
competent designers and contractors.
But how do you keep the site secure
and safe as people come and go?
•	Secure fencing: To prevent
unauthorised access, erect sturdy
Heras-style fencing around the
perimeter of your construction site.
•	Clear signage: Display visible
signs warning this is a construction
site, listing potential hazards and
prohibiting unauthorised access.
•	Safety protocols: Establish and
communicate clear safety protocols
for various activities on the site,
including access and entry.
•	Emergency procedures:
Develop and display appropriate
emergency procedures, including
evacuation routes, assembly points
and contact information for
emergency services.
JAKE FITNESS is team leader
at Self-Build Zone, which offers a
comprehensive range of specialist
self build, renovation, extension, site
insurance coverage and self build
warranties. Call 0345 230 9874 or
visit www.selfbuildzone.com for
more information and advice.
www.self-build.co.uk
ROA
SUPERBLY ENGINEERED DOORS
Elevate your home's elegance, security, and energy efficiency with Gerda Doors. As
a premier manufacturer in security solutions, Gerda offers doors featuring state-
of-the-art locking mechanisms and superior U-values as low as 0.74 W/m2K. Select
from a range of sophisticated, contemporary designs to enrich your home's
entrance while enjoying the benefits of reduced energy costs and unparalleled
Secured by Design	peace of mind.
RC2 - RC3
And
PAS 24 As Standard
Official Police Security Initiative
01245 362 263 - sales@gerdadoors.co.uk - www.gerdadoors.co.uk
expert help юз
COSTS & PAYBACK
Solar water heating
Check out our updated guide to
how much you should budget for
a solar thermal system, and what
you can expect in terms of payback
Solar thermal panels (also commonly known as
solar water heating or solar hot water collectors)
make efficient use of the sun’s energy to provide
renewable hot water for taps and other outlets
around the home. They were the original solar panels,
gaining favour in the UK decades before their electricity-
generating cousins, solar photovoltaics (PV). But while PV
has benefited from government subsidies, cashback for
water heating has been less forthcoming. So, at atypical
cost of £4,000-£8,000 installed, can solar thermal make
This setup requires a twin-coil hot water cylinder,
where the secondary coil runs off a boiler, heat pump
or other source. There will also be an electric immersion
backup, but this shouldn’t be needed if the system is
designed and controlled effectively.
What size should my solar
thermal system be?
This comes down to your hot water demand and usage
pattern, but the starting point is about 1 m2 of collector per
person living in the building. Most solar thermal panels are
2m2 to 3m2, so a small household might make do with one,
while a home with four or more people would generally
need a two-panel array, and so on.
Of course, it’s not just the collectors that need to
be sized up: you’ll also need the right twin-coil cylinder
capacity. As a rough benchmark, according to the
sense for self builders and
home renovators?
How does solar
hot water work?
Solar thermal collectors
capture energy from
daylight and repurpose
it to generate free hot
water. To work effectively,
they should be installed
with a southerly aspect
(anywhere south of east
to west should make
a useful contribution).
North-facing isn’t
completely off the cards,
but even at the ideal
inclination of around 35°, you’d only get around 40% of
the output versus a south-facing array at the same pitch.
Hot Water
Association,
atypical
four-person
household uses
around 200
litres of hot
water per
day(based
on average
consumption).
Because of
the way a solar
system works,
however, this
doesn’t directly
translate to
cylinder size.
Left: An
indicative
illustration of
how a solar
thermal install
might integrate
with an air
source heat
pump system
in a domestic
property
QUICK GUIDE TYPES OF SOLAR THERMAL PANEL
Domestic panels are typically installed on pitched roofs
but can be ground-mounted. Direct flow evacuated tube
systems (see box, right) can even be fitted horizontally,
while flat panel systems should have a minimum pitch of
at least 1Г to maintain their self-cleaning properties and
prevent condensation pooling inside the casing, which
would cause heat loss. In many cases, solar thermal can
be installed under permitted development (without the
need to apply for full planning consent).
Most systems are indirect; so, essentially, solar energy
is trapped within the panels and transferred into a glycol-
based heat transfer fluid, contained within a closed loop
circuit. This then feeds into a dedicated coil inside your
home’s cylinder, where the warmth is transferred into
your hot water supply. So, the collector fluid itself never
mixes with the output that goes to your taps.
There are two main solar water
heating systems available on the UK
market: flat panels and evacuated
tubes. You’ll encounter a number
of flat panel variants - the best
are ones featuring copper pipes
in either a gris or serpentine pattern,
with aluminium spreader plates (as
opposed to those with two sheets
of metal spot-welded together with
a fine gap between them).
Evacuated tube systems can be
heat pipe designs, which have no
water in them and instead use a
transfer fluid that boils, then warms
water passing through a header
pipe. Alternatively, direct flow
evacuated tube models contain
a water-glycol mix that’s pumped
through each tube and transfers
heat back to the header pipe.
The above are all indirect solar
thermal systems. In hotter climates,
such as parts of Europe, a simpler
direct system is used (known as
a thermosyphon), whereby water in
the panel heats up and rises straight
into a cylinder. It’s a much cheaper
approach, as there are no pumps,
controllers or glycol, and fewer
mechanical components. But our
colder winters mean we need to
use indirect panels in the UK, to
prevent them freezing.
www.self-build.co.uk
104 expert help
The solar coil enters the cylinder at the bottom, so
that it can heat the whole height of water in the tank.
Meanwhile, the secondary coil (for your boiler or other
heat source) typically sits about halfway up - this can
only warm the water directly above, in the upper portion
of the cylinder. The cooler water at the bottom is known
as the dedicated solar volume (DSV), as it is exclusively
available to be heated by the solar collectors.
Above: On this
estate house,
an evacuated
tube system has
been installed
alongside a
solar PV array
Your installer should calculate the appropriate twin-
coil cylinder capacity. As a rough guide, most households
will need a 200-350 litre tank. The dedicated solar volume
is determined by the entry point for the secondary coil,
which is typically somewhere in the middle. So, a 300 litre
cylinder might have 150 litres of dedicated solar volume.
How much hot water will it deliver?
In the summer, a well-designed solar thermal system
should fulfil most of your family’s hot water requirements
(90%+). Over winter, its contribution will dwindle to more
like 25%, but it will still provide energy-saving pre-heating
even on dull days. Across the year, a properly planned
install should provide about 50% of the total energy
required to meet a household’s annual hot water demand.
This percentage is known as the solar fraction. Clearly,
the higher this figure, the more free water heating you’ll
get and the lower your energy bills. In practice, even the
highest-performing and most efficiently-used solar hot
water systems cap out at about 60%.
Performance-wise, a lot depends on household usage.
Ideally, your hot water will be timed so the boiler only fires
before high-use periods (eg in the evening) and turns off
again before you start consuming the hot water. This will
give the solar panels maximum opportunity to replenish
the full cylinder. If you leave the boiler feed running, it will
ARE THERE ANY SUBSIDIES FOR SOLAR THERMAL?
There’s currently no grant or loan funding
available for homeowners to install solar
water heating in the UK. The Renewable
Heat Incentive (RHI) closed to new
applicants in March 2022, while the
Green Homes Grant-which trade body
Solar Energy UK reckons supported 15%
of all solar thermal projects - went pop in
March 2021. The RHI was replaced with
the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), which
provides cashback payments of up to
£7,500 on qualifying heat pumps and
biomass boilers. As yet, there's no place
on the BUS for solar thermal. However,
solar is eligible for the government's
temporary zero-rating for VAT on
installing energy-saving materials. The
scheme applies in England, Scotland
and Wales and is due to run up to 31st
March 2027. In addition, a new Low
Carbon Heating Apprenticeship is
launching in September 2024, which
should increase installer numbers and
competition, potentially reducing prices.
heat the top section of the tank and leave only the
dedicated solar volume available for the panels.
What does a solar thermal
system cost to install?
According to the Microgeneration Certification Scheme
(MCS), the average installed price for a domestic solar
hot water system was £5,921 in 2023. That’s £767
(15%) up on average 2022 prices - no surprise given
inflationary rises in materials and labour costs - but
still around 10% cheaper than in 2021.
Your own quote will depend on the size of solar system
you need and the property it’s being installed into, but
at present the scale is likely to run somewhere between
£4,000 and £8,000 (including the twin-coil cylinder).
The cost of the collectors themselves will be the same
whether you’re retrofitting or installing panels into a new
home. Beyond that, things start to diverge. On a self build,
you’ll likely already have scaffolding in place, the roofer
can leave a clear zone for the panels, and there will be
easy access for plumbing. You’d also probably have been
buying a hot water cylinder anyway - so upgrading to
twin-coil won’t be too much of an imposition.
If you’re adding solar thermal to an existing house, all
of those elements become an additional expense. Plus,
you’ll almost certainly already have a standard hot water
cylinder, so in terms of return on investment, you’ll feel
the full cost of replacing it with a twin-coil version.
What will I save on energy bills?
This will depend on your hot water demand, what fraction
of it the solar system is designed to satisfy, and how you
use it. Based on field trials and current energy prices, the
Energy Saving Trust (EST) suggests a 4m2 system (for
a four-person household), might achieve annual savings
of £95 versus a gas boiler, £130 compared to oil-fired
heating, and around £180 versus electric water heating.
So, a £95 annual saving on a £4,000 system equates
to a payback period of around 42 years versus gas (31
years for oil; 22 years for electric). But if you have a high
hot water usage (or a swimming pool), and the setup gets
closer to 60% of demand, the payback time tumbles. If
you’re thinking an air source heat pump (ASHP) could be
a better bet, note the EST currently thinks this tech costs
£20 more per year to run than an А-rated gas boiler for
space heating and hot water combined; and ASHPs
aren’t as efficient as boilers at producing hot water.
Energy prices have a major impact - the gas unit price
cap is currently 5.48 pence per kilowatt-hour (p/kWh).
But not too long ago, we were at 7.42p/kWh (35% more).
At that price, payback would be more like 27 years versus
a gas boiler. Solar thermal is a simple technology, too,
requiring relatively little ongoing maintenance, whereas
other renewables might involve more upkeep costs.
You may not be purely motivated by financials. The
EST puts carbon savings from a 4m2 solar water heating
system at around 380kg per year versus a gas boiler,
and 550kg per year compared to oil. These reduced
carbon emissions can all add up on SAP ratings and
other software used to inform planning and Building
Regs requirements; so you may be able to further improve
payback through money saved elsewhere on a project.
Build It October 2024
К ecological
BUILDING SYSTEMS
At the forefront
of sustainable
building products
for over 20 years
Supplying industry leading sustainable
building products backed up with full
technical support and expertise.
Discover our solutions online at
ecologicalbuildingsystems.com

Airtight &	Damp &
Windtight Mould Prevention
Natural
Insulation
Heat/Cold
Protection
Renovation
& Retrofit
Passive
House
Soundproofing
Circularity
Ventilation
Inspired to build your own
dream home with a lower
carbon footprint?
BecoWallform
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
Bu; It
2020
WINNER Awards
Best ICF Supplier
AWARDS
r Support^
ninnr. апл wlf 6ШИ
NaCSBA
Tassivhaus
Trust E3Z3
30
YEARS
www.becowallform.co.uk
info@becowallform.co.uk @becoWallform
Award-winning Wallform Systems:
• Quick to build
• Offer flexible design
• Airtight construction
• Low running costs
® 01652 653844 El
7-8 SEPTEMBER 2124
ЕИ1 Ml EH . '
106 expert help
Ask the
EXPERTS
Essential advice on your problems with building,
budgeting, DIY & planning from the most
experienced names in the selfbuild industry
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Martin Gaine runs planning consultancy
Just Planning (www.just-planning.co.uk).
A former case officer, he has experience
on both sides of the planning divide and
now specialises in helping homeowners
win consent at appeal. He is the author
of How to Get Planning Permission:
An Insider’s Secrets.
Rachel Pyne is director of financial services
at BuildStore (www.buildstore.co.uk). She
has worked in self build finance for over
10 years and deals with a diverse portfolio
of lenders across the whole market, as well
as on exclusive self build and renovation
mortgage products.


Do I need to pay stamp
duty on an unused barn?
I am purchasing a derelict barn, with planning granted
for a conversion, for £200,000. Will this be classed as
non-residential, meaning that I will need to pay the
corresponding rate of stamp duty? Or, is it designated
as residential because planning permission is already
in place, meaning I wouldn’t have to pay any stamp
duty as the property is priced below £250,000?
This is slightly murky water, as much rests on whether the
barn in its current state is considered suitable for use as a
dwelling. Гт not a tax law specialist, but my understanding
is that most barns - even if they already have planningfor
conversion - would attract the non-residentialform of
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). This seems particularly
likely given your ‘derelict’ description.
Non-residential SDLT is currently set at 0% for purchase
prices up to £150,000, then 2% on the next £100,000 and
5% on anything above that (whereas residential SDLT is
0% up to £250,000). So, you’d be liable for 2% on £50,000
of your purchase, which works out at £1,000. However,
there are some circumstances where residential SDLT may
apply. For instance, if some construction works have already
begun, you might be able to argue a case with HMRC.
It’s worth bearing in mind that this has all switched
around a bit in recent years - the £250,000 thresholdfor
residential SDLT only came onto the scene in September 2022,
and it’s currently scheduled to revert to £125,000from 31st
March 2025 (altering the equation!). That’s assuming the
new government doesn’t make any changes to stamp duty.
Simon Orrells is the managing director
of self build timber frame company,
Frame Technologies (www.frametechnologies.co.uk). He’s worked in the
UK timber industry for over 30 years and
delivered countless self build projects,
making clients’ dream home a reality.

VAT RECLAIMS
Kathy Tisdale runs Self Build VAT Reclaims
(www.selfbuildvatreclaims.com), providing
a professional VAT reclaim service which
enables self builders and converters to
focus on their project
Build It October 2024
expert help 107
Redhill Barn, converted by Type Studio (www.typestudio.co.uk), dates
back to 1810 and was originally a threshing barn. The conversion was
eligible for a reduced rate of VAT at 5% on many aspects of the project
VAT RECLAIMS
What VAT am I entitled to reclaim
on my renovation and extension?
I’ve started a project to renovate and extend a property
in Scotland. The existing house is Grade C listed and
hasn’t been inhabited since about 1960.1 understand
the listed status no longer has any bearing on VAT rules,
but that under Section 8 of VAT Notice 708, a reduced
rate of 5% should be charged on labour. I believe I will
be able to claim the 5% back after completion.
My groundworker has submitted an invoice for digging
trenches and pouring the concrete for the extension’s
footings but hasn’t added any VAT at all. Is this correct?
If not, should I request for 5% to be added? Could I
experience problems when my VAT claim is processed?
You are correct in that listed building status no longer has a
bearing on the VAT rate to be charged. The 5% VAT rate is used
when you are carrying out the conversion of a non-domestic
property (barn, chapel, industrial unit or other business
premises that entails a change of use) into a domestic property
for your home. It is also used for buildings that have been empty
for 10+ years so is applicable to your renovation.
You should provide any trades working on site, whether they
are supplying andfitting materials or just undertaking the
labour element, with a copy of your planning consent - and
inform them that your project is a conversion and not a new
build. Do not wait until you get invoices from your trades -
tell them this upfront at the first consultation, so they know
exactly what they should be invoicing you. This will save any
conflict or misunderstanding in thefuture.
I have seen many planning consents where the property
has been unoccupied for 10 or more years and the wording
is something like ‘reinstatement of property with extension’.
HMRC will treat these claims as conversions. A copy of your
planning consent that details the exact terms used, would
be needed to provide a more definitive answer.
As there is a current structure on your site, perhaps your
groundworker has charged the zero VAT rate because they
believe the extension constitutes a ‘new’addition. Should your
groundworker have a VAT inspection, and depending on the
view of the inspector, they might retrospectively invoice you for
the 5% VAT as they have billed you incorrectly. You would not
be able to go back to HMRC with a supplementary claim as you
can only make one submission. So, your groundworker needs
to re-invoice you with 5% VAT to include it in your claim.
TIMBER FRAME
Will I have to pay more for a timber
frame supplier that isn’t local to me?
We’re planning on building a timber frame home on a
turnkey basis and are currently researching different
suppliers and services to work out our build budget.
So far, we’ve struggled to find any information from
suppliers concerning additional costs that may be
incurred from delivering the build on a site that isn’t
local to their factories and workforce. Do most
companies charge a premium for this?
My advice would be to directly ask this question at quote
stage. The majority of timber frame manufacturers will include
accommodation costs in their quote for the erectors, but some
exclude it - in the same way that some also exclude structural
steelwork and craneage. This can make it very difficultfor you
to get a fixed cost to compare accurately with other quotes.
When you gather quotes, some suppliers will simply provide
an overall cost, whereas others will outline a more detailed
document to show exactly what you are paying for. Make sure
you know precisely what each quote entails before making your
decision on the best supplier for you. The more questions you
ask at this stage, the better. When opting for a turnkey package
in particular, always make sure your final fixed price includes
everything required to complete the build.
However, I would also suggest that you should not be put off
by suppliers adding extra accommodation costs. You may find
an install team basedfurther away but has capacity in their
schedule is more cost-effective than using a busy local supplier.
Just make sure that you have asked the question of all the
manufacturers that you’re engaging with at this stage, so
you can compare your quotes on a like-for-like basis.
I always advise that you get in touch with your timber frame
supplier as early in your project as possible and take your time
to choose a company that’s rightfor you and your project goals.
They can assist with design, Building Regulations, planning
challenges and much more if you engage with them early on.
So, if you take your questions to the specialist from the outset,
you’re more likely to find the best and most cost-effective option.
This single-storey timber
build by Facit Homes
(www.facit-homes.com)
was crowned Best
Turnkey Project in the
2023 Build It Awards
www.self-build.co.uk
108 expert help
PLANNING
Can I make alterations to terms
of approved planning permission?
I have recently come across two separate building
plots for sale, both with planning permission for
constructing four-bedroom detached homes. The
details of the approvals specify that houses on both
sites are to be built in standard brick and block style.
I have my heart set on creating my own ICF home
as close to Passivhaus standards as possible. Is it
possible to change the build system, internal layout,
external features, such as cladding material, and the
size of the footprint, after planning permission has
been granted? Would the planners favour my request
as it will be a low carbon property?
The planners are generally not very concerned about how you
build a home - theirfocus is on how it looks from the outside,
mainly in terms of its size and detailed design.
such, I don’t think your local authority would object to
switching from brick and block construction in favour of using
insulated concreteframework (ICF), especially since this
system allows you to easily finish the building with render,
brick or stone - offering design flexibility and the potential
for the new home to still appear as a traditional building.
In other words, it may be possible to change the construction
method in a way that doesn’t alter the size or appearance of the
finished house, and would therefore not require a new planning
consent. However, if you want to change the external materials
(swapping bricks for cladding, for example) or you want to
increase the size of the house, the easiest thing to do is to
submit a new planning application detailing your proposal.
Altering an existing planning consent is possible, and many
plot purchasers will look to do so. Whether the council would
object to your suggested design changes will depend on the
context. If the plot is located in a conservation area, they
may insist that the new property be faced in brickwork, to
match neighbouring buildings. If it’s in the green belt or the
countryside, there may be strict limits on the size of the house.
They might also object to any changes that make it look too
largefor its site or causes overshadowing of neighbours.
Changing the internal layout is unlikely to be an issue, unless
you make some of the rooms too small or leave them without
access to adequate natural light and a good outlook.
Thefact that you want to create a low carbon home will
sadly not carry a great deal of weight. If the council has any
concerns about the size, design or layout of the house, it’s those
specific issues that will need to be resolved - the building’s
environmental credentials alone won’t overcome them.
To work out what might be possible, I’d recommend reading
the case officer’s report for the original application. This will
explain exactly why the council was willing to grant approval.
You will be able to get a sense from their analysis as to what
could be changed, and what must be kept the same.
MVf QUESTIONS?
Send all your self build, renovation and conversion questions to
buildit@castlemedia.co.uk www.self-build.co.uk/questions
Please note all correspondence may be published in the magazine
Build It October 2024
Northcot Brick
The self build brick
specialists
Book your brick selection visit
and see how your bricks arc made
01386 700551
selfbuikl@nortlicotbrick.co.uk
www. northcotbrick, co. uk
Self Build and Individual Homes
Probably the single most important decision you will make on your new
home is the choice of facing brick, as it is one aspect that will remain
forever. From traditionally coalfired machine-made bricks to genuine
hand-thrown bricks, Northcot offers a wide selection of unique facing
bricks to make your home truly individual.
Free sample panels are available to help you choose the right brick type
for your project or to show local planners. Technical advice on any aspect
of brickwork related to your new home is also available if required.
Please contact our sales office for further information.
The challenge to any specifier, client or planner is to choose the right
brick for their project in a particular built environment. Northcot
Brick offer handmade and machine made options with the added
flexibility of bespoke blending and weathering for Tine tuning’. We
also make special shapes in both manufacturing processes.
Whether you are looking to specify a brick for a traditional build or
a more modern design concept, Northcot have a large premium range
of bricks in smooth, sand faced and rustic textures together with the
flexibility to offer a number of unique new build brickwork solutions.
Nortlicot Brick Ltd, Station Road, Nr. Moreton-in-Marsli, Gloucestershire, GL569LH
Don't risk receiving less money
than expected for your project!
Only a cost based mortgage
from BuildStore can offer
guaranteed funds matched
to your project costs.
Stage release payments are
agreed as part of the
mortgage application and
are not dependent on
interim lender valuations
during the build, removing
any risk of down valuations.
0345 223 4888
www.buildstore.co.uk
BUILDSTORE
MORTGAGE SERVICES
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your
mortgage.
There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The actual amount you pay will
depend on your circumstances. The fee is up to 1% but a typical fee £395.
expert help in
USelf build & custom
build mortgage table
Looking to fund your bespoke home project? Each month we round up the best deals from
leading lenders and update you on what you need to know to secure the right finance
Advance Stage Payment Mortgages
Created by and exclusive to BuildStore,
these mortgages provide guaranteed stage
payments based on your costs before each
phase of the build. This offers certainty in your
budget and peace of mind that you can plan
for and pay your bills on time.
Arrears Stage Payment Mortgages
These mortages release funds after each
stage of building works is completed. To
trigger the payments, evaluation must take
place that shows an uplift in value. BuildStore’s
exclusive mortgages can offer increased
borrowing of up to 85% of your costs.
Get In Touch
For advice on funding options for your self
or custom build project, speak to the experts
at BuildStore by calling 0345 223 4647 or
visit www.buildstore.co.uk
These products are chosen for illustrative purposes,
and were available at the time of going to press.
KEY FOR TABLE: ★ BuildStore Exclusive Product | SB Self Build Mortgage | CB Custom Build Mortgage | LTV Loan to Value
Lender	Mortgage Type		Payment Schedule	Contact	LTV Land	LTV End Value	Interest Rate	1st Stage Payment
BathBS	★	SB&CB	Advance	0345223 4647	95%	85%	7.14%	DPP & Building Regs
Buckinghamshire BS	★	SB&CB	Advance	03452234647	80%	80%	6.49%	DPP & Building Regs
Darlington BS	★	SB&CB	Advance	03452234647	85%	80%	6.69%	DPP & Building Regs
Furness BS	★	SB&CB	Advance	03452234647	80%	80%	6.39%	DPP & Building Regs
Furness BS (Green Build)	★	SB&CB	Advance	03452234647	80%	80%	6.64%	DPP & Building Regs
Hinckley & Rugby BS	★	SB&CB	Advance	03452234647	90%	80%	7.39%	DPP & Building Regs
Mansfield BS	★	SB&CB	Advance	03452234647	85%	80%	6.65%	DPP & Building Regs
Newcastle BS	★	SB&CB	Advance	03452234647	90%	90%	6.80%	DPP & Building Regs
Tipton & Coseley	★	SB&CB	Advance	0345 223 4647	85%	75%	6.39%	DPP & Building Regs
Vernon BS	★	SB&CB	Advance	03452234647	85%	80%	7.05%	DPP & Building Regs
BathBS	★	SB&CB	Arrears	03452234647	95%	85%	6.84%	Foundations
Buckinghamshire BS	★	SB&CB	Arrears	03452234647	80%	80%	6.35%	Foundations
ChorleyBS	★	SB&CB	Arrears	03452234647	50%	70%	6.10%	Foundations
Darlington BS	★	SB&CB	Arrears	03452234647	70%	70%	5.99%	Foundations
Furness BS	★	SB&CB	Arrears	03452234647	70%	70%	5.89%	Foundations
Furness BS (Green Build)	★	SB&CB	Arrears	03452234647	80%	80%	6.35%	Foundations
Hinckley & Rugby BS	★	SB&CB	Arrears	03452234647	90%	80%	7.39%	Foundations
Mansfield BS	★	SB&CB	Arrears	03452234647	80%	80%	6.29%	Foundations
Newcastle BS	★	SB&CB	Arrears	0345223 4647	90%	90%	6.60%	Foundations
Stafford Railway BS	★	SB&CB	Arrears	0345223 4647	85%	75%	6.40%	Foundations
Tipton & Coseley BS	★	SB&CB	Arrears	03452234647	75%	75%	6.10%	Foundations
Vernon BS	★	SB&CB	Arrears	03452234647	85%	80%	6.89%	Foundations
Beverley BS		SB	Arrears	01482881 510	50%	80%	6.84%	WaU Plate
Earl Shilton BS		SB	Arrears	01455844422	75%	75%	7.39%	Flexible
Ecology BS		SB	Arrears	01535650770	80%	80%	6.29%	Flexible
Hanley BS		SB	Arrears	01782255000	60%	60%	5.99%	Foundations
Melton Mowbray BS		SB	Arrears	01664414141	n/a	75%	6.35%	Foundations
Saffron BS		SB&CB	Arrears	0333 0152970	75%	75%	6.24%	Flexible
Suffolk BS		SB	Arrears	0333 1230723	80%	80%	6.09%	Foundations
www.self-build.co.uk
AWARD WINNING
RENEWABLE HEAT INSTALLATIONS
Open-Loop Ground Source Heat Pumps could meet
all hot water and heating needs by utilising ground
water as a heat source.
Ideal for installation in new or self-builds.
WATER SUPPLY & SOAKAWAY BOREOLES
& DRAINAGE SOLUTUIONS
Independent water supply for irrigation or consumption*
Soakaway drainage fields and other drainage solutions
‘subject to analysis and suitable filtration
SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS
We can provide package plant or bespoke systems
All systems are designed to meet the needs of individual
clients and comply with strict discharge legislation.
Servicing contracts are offered on all installations.
Heat pumps for today
and the future
Comfort In All Seasons
A high supply temperature of up to 75*C means
that even at an outdoor temperature of -25’C it
still delivers up to 65*C.
For over 30 years we have been offering bespoke solutions for
the domestic market across the South East.
Feasibility can usually be determined with a site postcode.
Top Performing
Leading technology for optimised performance
and low operating costs.
Low Noise Level
New design for low noise level.
Discover more at nibe.co.uk
7-8 SEPTEMBER 2024
bespoke timber frame
homes to the wind and
watertight stage
SELF-BUILD TIMBER FRAME DEMO DAY
FREE 1-Day Event with Seminars and Live Demos
26 October 2024, NSBRC, Swindon
Visit our website for more info
• ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN & PLANNING •
• BUILDING REGULATIONS •
• CONSTRUCTION DESIGN & ENGINEERING •
• MANUFACTURE & ERECTION •
® У & 0 ©
SPELLING OUT OUR FLAGSHIP COMPANY VALUES
www.fleminghomes.co.uk
AWARDS
Build It
AWARDS
2022
SHORTLISTED
Build К Bui; It
гай	гай — ft!
AWARDS  AWARDS
2019 M
WINNER	WINNER

TIMBER
DEVELOPMENT
UK
plotbrowser.com из
DREAM BUILDING PLOT
PlotBrowser.com is a 100% free-to-use plot and property finder, packed with
1,000s of home building opportunities. Here’s a taster of the fantastic self build
plots, renovation properties and conversions currently for sale near you
PlotBrowser.com is the latest
addition to Build It’s series of
powerful project tools (www.
buildit.co.uk/tools) designed
to put you on the path to self build success.
Updated daily, this is your dedicated
resource forfinding genuine self build
land and renovation opportunities. You’ll
find 1,000s of plots and properties to view
nationwide, and each listing features the
site details, photos, guide price: and sellers’
contact information - including details
such as whether the plot or property is
being sold at auction and, if so, when.
Crucially, we’ve done a big part of
the plot-hunting job foryou: all our plots
already have either outline or full planning
permission in place, so you won’t have
to waste your time looking at duds that
might never gain consent to build.
What’s more, we’ve sourced the planning
reference for you, so that you can quickly
and easily identify the current planning
consent on the relevant local authority’s
website. This will arm you with a full
understanding of the site’s planning history
and what’s been permitted, so you can
gauge whether the plot can support the
kind of house you'd like to create.
The following pages are a sample of the
plots, renovations and conversion projects
available on PlotBrowser.com this month.
GOT A PLOT TO SELL?
Head to PlotBrowser.com and register
as a seller to list your plot for free.
Plot Browser
from Build It magazine
START YOUR
PLOT SEARCH
To find more plots with planning permission across the UK,
and get free notifications of new opportunities based on your
personal criteria, sign up today at
www.self-build.co.uk
114 plotbrowser.com
ENGLAND
TYPES OF BUILDING PLOT
BEDFORDSHIRE
SUNNINGDALE
Land for sale
0.5 acres of land with full planning
permission for a 6,898ft2 home
to replace the existing dwelling
following its demolition.
Guide price: £1,500,000
Planning: Royal Borough of Windsor
and Maidenhead 23/01728/FULL
Contact: Chancellors
01344627101
ascotsales@chancellors.co.uk
VIRGINIA WATER
Shepley End
This south-facing plot has recently
received planning consent for the
construction of a new house of
13,001ft2 on a mature one-acre plot.
Guide price: £3,750,000
Planning: Runnymede
Borough Council RU.23/1522
Contact: Barton Wyatt 01344
843000 homes@bartonwyatt.co.uk
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
GUILDEN MORDEN, ROYSTON
Pound Green
Detached timber frame barn for
conversion into a four-bedroom
dwelling with planning permission in
place. The plot is approx 0.18 acres.
Guide price: £400,000
Planning: South Cambridgeshire
District Council 20/3801/FUL
Contact: Pattinson Commercial
0845 146 1586/0191 239 3252
commercial@pattinson.co.uk
HARDWICK, CAMBRIDGE
St. Neots Road
Building plot of around 0.4 acres with
planning permission for a 2,300ft2,
four- to five-bedroom bungalow.
LUDGVAN, PENZANCE
Plots at Castle Gate
Building plot in a sought-after
location with fantastic far-reaching
views across Mounts Bay. The site
is available as a whole for the
development of two detached
houses. The site has full detailed
planning permission for a pair of
New homes can be built on a range of sites and
knowing about the opportunities can help you
spot land with potential. Here are the key options:
BROWNFIELD SITES
This refers to previously developed land that is or was
once occupied by a permanent structure. Government
policy supports the provision of new housing in
such locations and, on a practical level, services
are likely to be in place.
DEMOLISH & REPLACE
A type of brownfield opportunity where you could
knock down a building, such as an old bungalow,
and construct a new home in its place. It's often
more cost-effective than a renovation as VAT can
be reclaimed on a new build project.
EDGE-OF-SETTLEMENT
Depending on the maps in the relevant council's Local
Plan, this kind of site may or may not fall within existing
built-up area boundaries. Generally, policies allow
development within this zone, but control it very strictly
outside. Any undeveloped land, known as greenfield,
will typically only support housing to serve the needs
of agriculture, replacement dwellings and some infill.
INFILL PLOTS
Many councils define this as a small gap between
an otherwise built-up frontage or group of houses.
Infilling is usually allowed within settlements'
development boundaries, and sometimes outside
of these. Gaining consent will be more difficult in
zones such as conservation areas.
GARDENS
Contrary to the ‘backland development' headlines
of a few years ago, planners still allow schemes on
garden plots, especially in places that are considered
to be built-up. You may even be lucky enough to have
a large space that could work as a viable site or know
someone who is willing to negotiate a fair price.
SERVICED PLOTS
Land that’s ready to build on, with utilities, highway
access and potentially other infrastructure already in
place, as well as at least outline planning consent. This
route offers more certainty over early-stage costs.
Guide price: £300,000
Planning: South Cambridgeshire
District Council 24/00157/FUL
Contact: Gray & Toynbee
01223 784188
theteam@grayandtoynbee.com
CHESHIRE
MACCLESFIELD
Avonside Way
A plot with full planning permission
for a contemporary three-bedroom
detached family home of around
1,150ft2 with a driveway and garden.
Guide price: £130,000
Planning: Cheshire East
Council 23/3385M
Contact: Jordan Fishwick Estate
Agents 01625 434000
Macc@jordanfishwick.co.uk
three-bedroom detached
houses, each of 111 m2 with a
single garage and gardens.
Guide price: £195,000 per plot
Planning: Cornwall
Council PA15/03757
Contact: Kitchener Land
and Planning 01392
879300 sales@klp.land
POYNTON
Mill Hill
Semi-rural land of circa half an acre
with permission for the construction
of a six- to seven-bedroom detached
home and a separate glass barn-style
four- to five-bedroom property with
a luxury cinema room.
Guide price: £700,000
Planning: Cheshire East Council
22/2850M&20/0744M
Contact: Richard Lowth
&Co01625 859911
poynton@richardlowth.co.uk
CORNWALL
MARHAMCHURCH, BUDE
Hobbacott Lane
Level plot measuring approx 283m2
with conditional planning permission
for a three-bed room, detached home
of approx 102m2 with garden and off-
road parking for multiple vehicles.
Guide price: £125,000
Planning: Cornwall Council
PA24/00436
Contact: Kivells 01288
359999 bude@kivells.com
MEVAGISSEY
The Cliff, Polkirt Hill
Clifftop building plot with full planning
permission for a four-bedroom four en
suite property with an open-plan
interior, plant room, lift and rooftop
parking. The property will have
uninterrupted sea views and includes
the cliff face and freehold ownership
of the beach below.
Guide price: £600,000-£750,000
Planning: Cornwall Council
PA13/10126 & 15/11256
&21/11360
Contact: Private seller
07775800890
al i sterf lowe r@ bt i nte rnet.com
ROCHE
Land for sale
Permission has been granted for
the construction of a detached two-
bedroom dwelling and the renovation
of the plot's charming water mill and
attached cottage, both of which
are grade II listed.
Guide price: £650,000
Planning: Cornwall Council
PA15/11460 &PA13/07737
Contact: Kivells 01579 345543
liskeard@kivells.com
SALTASH
Briars Ryn
A plot with planning permission for
a three-bedroom detached family
home with a south-west facing
garden and private driveway.
Guide price: £150,000
Planning: Cornwall
Council PA17/09342
Contact: eXp World UK 01462
228653 info@exprealty.com
CUMBRIA
MARYPORT
Main Street
A building plot with full planning
permission for a three-bedroom
detached bungalow in a popular area.
Guide price: £70,000
Planning: Allerdale Borough
Council FUL/2023/0205
Contact: eXp World UK 01462
228653 info@exprealty.com
WINDERMERE
Lickbarrow Road
An opportunity to construct a single
detached property with wonderful
views over to Lake Windermere
and the central Lakeland Fells.
Occupying an elevated position on
a small development of just five plots,
Build It October 2024
plotbrowser.com ns
permission has been granted for a
four-bedroom modern family home.
Guide price: £395,000
Planning: Lake District
National Park 7/2022/5496
Contact: Thomson Hayton
Winkley 01539 447825
windermere@thwestateagents.co.uk
DERBYSHIRE
DRONFIELD
Hallowes Lane
An excellent opportunity to purchase
a building plot of approx 670m2, which
benefits from outline planning
consent for a substantial four-
bedroom detached dwelling.
Guide price: £250,000
Planning: North East Derbyshire
District Council 22/00295/OL
Contact: Staves Estate
Agents 01246 419993
dronfield@stavesestateagents.co.uk
STONELOW, EASTMOOR,
NEARBASLOW
Moor View/Spring View
Large plot with planning permission
for a stone-built detached country
residence of 3,745ft2 with detached
double garage and apartment of
797ft2 with wide, panoramic views
over the Peak District.
Guide price: £800,000
Planning: Peak District National
ParkNP/DDD/1222/1617
Contact: Saxton Mee 0114 266
8365 crookes@saxtonmee.co.uk
DEVON
EXETER
Exwick Road
A plot of land with planning
permission for a three-storey
detached home of nearly 2,000ft2
with gardens and off-road parking.
Guide price: £75,000
Planning: Exeter City
Council 23/0881/FUL
Contact: Samuels Estate
Agents 01392 494999
info@samuelsagents.co.uk
ILFRACOMBE
Cairn Road
An elevated plot of 0.14 acres
enjoying views over the town across
to the sea in the distance. Planning
consent has been granted for a pair
of detached contemporary houses.
Guide price: £125,000
Planning: North Devon
Council 73513
Contact: Webbers 01271 863091
ilfracombe@webbers.co.uk
WOOLACOMBE
Beach Road
A single plot with detailed planning
permission to build a two-bedroom,
detached chalet-style home.
Guide price: £230,000
Planning: North Devon
Council 76928
Contact: Phillips Smith
&DunnO1271 814114
braunton@phillipsland.com
WOOLACOMBE
Spreacombe Nursery
Five acres of land with consent to
build a bespoke home in a semi-rural
location on the North Devon coast.
Planning has been granted for the
demolition of a barn and outbuildings
and the erection of a new dwelling
with aground source heat pump.
Guide price: £550,000
Planning: North Devon
Council 75168
Contact: Stags 01271 322833
barnstaple@stags.co.uk
EASTSUSSEX
BATTLE
Whatlington Road
A south-facing plot on Whatlington
Road in an area of outstanding
CRYSTAL PALACE
Hamlet Road
A well-located plot of land of
around 0.164 acres, with
planning permission granted for the
construction of a part single-storey,
natural beauty, with plans for a
2,680ft2, five-bedroom home with
a balcony, garden, and outbuilding.
Guide price: £375,000
Planning: Rother District
Council RR/2021/1937/P
Contact: Ashton Stripp 01424
772954 info@ashtonstripp.co.uk
HASTINGS
Sandown Road
Freehold L-shaped parcel of land
with planning permission granted
for a two-bed room bungalow.
Guide price: £180,000
Planning: Hastings Borough
Council Refer to Agent
Contact: Scott Estates
Management 01424 722586
staff@scott-estates.co.uk
LEWES
High Street
A building plot in a central location
part two-storey property.
Guide price: £175,000
Planning: London Borough of
Bromley 22/02549/FULL1
Contact: Savills Auctions 020
7824 9091 auctions@savills.com
with full planning permission for a
two-storey detached house. Planning
includes a parking space and garden.
Guide price: £400,000
Planning: South Downs
National Park Refer to Agent
Contact: Charles Wycherley
01273 069006
office@charleswycherley.co.uk
ST.LEONARDS-ON-SEA
Bexhill Road
Plot with planning permission granted
for a pair of three-bedroom, semi-
detached houses with off-road
parking. There are two plots available,
to be sold separately or together.
Guide price: £225,000
Planning: Hastings Borough
Council HS/FA/23/00815
Contact: M&W Residential Sales
& Lettings 01424 420073
sales@mandwsalesandlettings.co.uk
EASTYORKSHIRE
WHAT MAKES A GOOD PLOT?
The perfect piece of land would be
in a pleasant area, affordable and
level, with easy access, good
ground conditionsand no planning
issues or obstructions. The
challenge is that that plot may not
exist. Even the best sites require
some compromise, so it’s crucial to
properly assess contenders to get
as close as possible to your goals.
All the plots in our listings come
with planning permission: either
outline (a loose affirmation the site
can be developed) or full (consent
for a particular design). Beware
of any site without current approval.
Land is worth considerably more
once consent has been granted,
so if the deal looks too good to
be true, it probably is.
Once you’ve spotted an
opportunity, consider whether
the type of house you want can be
comfortably accommodated on
the plot, and if the existing consent
allows for it or could be amended
to suit. If it's ayes to both, then the
site is worth a bit more research.
Check for issues on the plot that
could increase construction costs,
make it difficult to get the right
design for your needs, or affect the
viability of a project. Some of the
most notorious budget-busters
include steep slopes, difficult
access to services, or obstacles
like overhead cables. Most issues
are not insurmountable and, with
good design, some can even be
turned to your advantage.
From a planning perspective,
check how long is left on the
consent. If it is less than six months
and you will need to redesign the
house to suit your needs or sort
out any planning conditions,
this could be problematic.
If early investigations seem
positive, then you can move on to
a more in-depth appraisal of how
suitable the site is. Consider
access, ground conditions,
drainage and legal matters. If
you are unsure, seek professional
advice. This might mean speaking
to your local council. Our useful
online resource www.self-build.
co.uk/plot-checklist can help
bring structure to this part of the
assessment process.
BRIDLINGTON
Marton Gate
Prime piece of land with consent
to build a dream home in one of
Bridlington's most desirable locations.
Guide price: £150,000
Planning: East Riding of
Yorkshire Council 23/03244/PLF
Contact: Reeds Rains
01262676273
bridlington@reedsrains.co.uk
BROUGH
Station Road
A former fitness studio with full
planning permission for conversion
into two residential dwellings with
parking and a small garden area.
Guide price: £125,000
Planning: East Riding of
Yorkshire Council 21/03553/PLF
Contact: Philip Bannister & Co -
Elloughton 01482 763969
info@philipbannister.co.uk
www.self-build.co.uk
116 plotbrowser.com
NORTH SCARLE
South Searle Lane
Single building plot in a pleasant
village with outline planning
permission in place for a single
detached dwelling.
HEDON
76 Thorn Road
A rectangular plot of around 0.15
acres with planning permission for
a detached six-bedroom dwelling.
This is the last remaining plot of a
planning consent granted forthree
detached dwellings, the others of
which are already completed.
Guide price: £145,000
Planning: East Riding of Yorkshire
Council DC/0901573/PLF/EASTSE
Contact: Garness Jones 01482
564564 info@garnessjones.co.uk
WITHERNSEA
East of Turner Lane
Development site of two plots
with outline planning permission
for up to two coastal dwellings.
Guide price: £100,000
Planning: East Riding of
Yorkshire Council Refer to Agent
Contact: Frank Hill & Son
01964 659066
auctions@frankhillandson.co.uk
ESSEX
BICKNACRE
Main Road
Three-bedroom detached property
and a range of outbuildings on
a landscaped plot approaching
1.17 acres. Planning permission
is in place for an additional three-
bedroom detached bungalow.
Guide price: £1,250,000
Planning: Chelmsford City
Council 23/01800/FUL
Contact: Balgores 01245 323729
s ales @ bal gores swf .co m
COLCHESTER
BraiswickLane
0.8-acre plot with consent for
three four-bedroom houses and
a five-bedroom barn conversion.
Guide price: £600,000
Guide price: £70,000
Planning: North Kesteven District
Council 24/0307/OUT
Contact: Newton
Fallowell01522516590
lincoln@newtonfallowell.co.uk
Planning: Colchester Borough
Council 222429
Contact: Nicholas Percival
01206563222
info@nicholaspercival.co.uk
EPPING GREEN
Land for sale
Planning permission has been
granted for the replacement of an
existing timber-built stable block with
a single-storey two-bedroom home.
Guide price: £225,000
Planning: Epping Forest
District Council EPF/0924/23
Contact: Stevenette 01992
563090 ms@stevenette.com
NAZEING
Pound Close
An opportunity to purchase a site
with secured planning permission for
a single detached three-storey family
home of around 1,400ft2.
Guide price: £290,000
Planning: Epping Forest
District Council EPF/2341/13
Contact: Beresfords - Land and
New Homes 01245 447938
land@beresfords.co.uk
STAMBOURNE
Church Road
Plot in mature grounds extending
to over 0.25 acres with consent
for a five-bedroom bungalow.
Guide price: £250,000
Planning: Boston Borough
Council B/22/0527
Contact: Hockeys 01945 429842
wisbech@hockeys.co.uk
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
AMPNEYCRUCIS,
CIRENCESTER
Back Lane
A plot of land with full planning
permission for a beautifully designed,
barn-style detached home located
in the heart of the Cotswolds.
Guide price: £300,000
Planning: Cotswold District
Council 22/01513/FUL
Contact: Avocado Property
01344 249500
hello@avocadopropertyagents.co.uk
LYDNEY
Springfield Road
Full planning permission is in place for
a detached dwelling with associated
landscaping, parking and works.
Guide price: £130,000
Planning: Forest of Dean
District Council P0627/22/FUL
Contact: Toombs & Toombs
Property Consultants 01594
844444 office@toombs.properties
HAMPSHIRE
FARLINGTON, PORTSMOUTH
Prinsted Crescent
Three-bedroom semi-detached
house with planning permission to
demolish the existing garage in the
garden and build a new, three-
bed room end-of-terrace dwelling.
Guide price: £410,000
Planning: Portsmouth City
Council 22/00164/FUL
Contact: Private seller
07837 505746
richardleader5@hotmail.co.uk
WATERLOOVILLE
Minters Lepe
Full planning is granted for a three-
bed room end-of-terrace house in
a popular residential suburb with
two parking spaces and garden.
Guide price: £125,000
Planning: Havant Borough
Council 24/00117
Contact: Marco Harris 02381
733330 sales@marcoharris.co.uk
HEREFORDSHIRE
BROMYARD
Thornbury
Building plot in 0.76 acres of land
with planning permission for a
five-bedroom detached house.
Guide price: £275,000
Planning: Herefordshire
Council P203530/F
Contact: Sunderlands 01432
356161 hereford@sunderlands.co.uk
ST OWENS CROSS,
HEREFORD
Plot 3, Three Ashes
A building plot forming part of a rural
residential development scheme of
just five properties backing onto
farmland with far reaching views and
planning consent for a four-bed room
detached house with double garage.
Guide price: £265,000
Planning: Herefordshire Council
180432 & 190812 & 231091
Contact: John Goodwin 01531
634648 ledbury@johngoodwin.co.uk
HERTFORDSHIRE
BROXBOURNE
Keysers Road
Plot of 0.23 acres with planning
permission secured to demolish the
existing builders yard and construct
a detached residence of over 254m2.
Guide price: £350,000
Planning: Epping Forest
District Council EPF/1954/22
Contact: Westwood Leber01992
443311 hello@westwoodleber.co.uk
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD
Piccotts End Lane
Planning permission has been
approved for a high-quality single
dwelling, designed to fit within the
architectural heritage of the village
while minimising the visual impact
on the surrounding landscape.
Guide price: £850,000
Planning: Dacorum Council
23/02235/FUL
Contact: David Doyle 01442
248671 boxmoor@daviddoyle.co.uk
KENT
BROADSTAIRS
Cliff Promenade
A plot located right on the coast
with uninterrupted views of the sea.
Planning permission already exists
for a large 3,000ft2 detached family
home with four or five bedrooms.
Guide price: £1,350,000
Planning: Thanet District
Council R/TH/19/0311
Contact: Oakwood Homes
01843 809000
broadstairs@oakwoodhomes.biz
BROMLEY
Edward Road
Plot of 0.27 acres with planning
permission granted for a six-bedroom
three-storey house of around
5,934ft2 with a garden and parking.
Guide price: £1,000,000
Planning: London Borough
of Bromley 19/03181/FULL1
Contact: jdm Estate Agents
0208325 8000
ch@jdmestateagents.com
LEICESTERSHIRE
LEICESTER
Plot 1, Laureston Drive
Plot of around 290m2 with outline
planning consent for a large four-
bedroom detached house of 2,488ft2.
Guide price: £215,000
Planning: Leicester City
Council 20232372
Contact: Private seller
07816820857
parmdeep@property-system.com
MARKFIELD
Thornton Lane
Plot of land with outline planning
permission granted for a detached
property with a wraparound private
garden and detached double garage.
Build It October 2024
plotbrowser.com ii7
CHARMING VILLAGE PLOT
LOCATION Ettington, Stratford
-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
GUIDE PRICE £420,000
AREA 0.3 acres
PLANNING Stratford-on-Avon
District Council 17/01323/REM1
CONTACT Sheldon Bosley
Knight 01789 292310
sales@hamiltonstiller.co.uk
Situated in the tranquil rural village of
Ettington, this plot offers the perfect
blend of peace and quiet with good
access to amenities.
Nestled at the top of Hockley Lane, the
plot is for sale with full planning permission
for the demolition of the stable block and
the erection of an executive family home.
The proposed property will provide
2,691ft1 2 3 4 5 6 of luxury living space, boasting
four bedrooms and a generous detached
double garage measuring around 454ft2.
A material start has commenced and been
signed off by the local planning authority.
Accessed via a private track, the plot
offers an exceptional degree of privacy
with lovely countryside views. Although
there are currently no services on the site,
the vendors have installed ducting ready
for a mains connection.
The village of Ettington is located just
five miles south-east of the popular
destination of Stratford-upon-Avon and
around six miles from the market town of
Shipston-on-Stour. The village has a
primary school, community centre, shops,
a post office, a cafe, a pub and clubs and
societies catering to a range of interests.
1 Although close to local amenities,
the house is in a peaceful location
2 The site is extremely private
3 Plans show the location of the
proposed house within the site
4 The stable block to be demolished
5 The house has a striking design
6 Plans include a detached garage

www.self-build.co.uk
FOR SALE
BRADLEY BENDS SELF BUILD PLOTS
Bovey Tracey, Devon TQ13 9GH
A prime self-build opportunity situated In an elevated position on
the edge of Dartmoor National Park
•	A rare opportunity to build your own home in Bovey Tracey.
•	An exclusive collection of just 18 plots offering a range of house
types, styles and sizes.
•	Each plot will be sold fully serviced.
•	Some of the plots have spectacular views towards Dartmoor
National Park and its most famous landmark, Haytor Rocks.
•	Situated on the south eastern outskirts of Bovey Tracey.
•	Prices start from £160,000. Plots 6 and 7 are now under offer.
RHIANNON CHARLES
rhiannon.charles@savills.com
01392 455 746
JADE BOYLES-WHITE
nh©completeproperty .co.uk
01626 832 063
savills.co.uk
complete.
savills
BUILDING SYSTEMS
Please contact us for further details or
visit our stand to discuss your project.
Our buildings can be customised to suit
any specific thermal performance targets,
whilst ensuring simple compliance with
new 2022 Part L Building Regulations.
POINT1 Building Systems Ltd specialise in
the design, supply and installation of high
performance “Self-Build” homes throughout
the UK using Structural Insulated Panel
System (SIPS) technology.
01743 460066 I enquiries@point1buildingsystems.com
www.point1buildingsystems.com
plotbrowser.com ii9
FARNDON, NEWARK
Fosse Road
Level building plot extending to
around 0.6 acres with full planning
permission for a four-bedroom
bungalow of circa 21 Om2.
Guide price: £225,000
Planning: Hinckley and Bosworth
Borough Council 24/00240/OUT
Contact: Anderson Briggs
01164362672
hello@andersonbriggs.co.uk
LINCOLNSHIRE
ALVINGHAM, LOUTH
High Bridge Road
Building plot set on a generous site
of almost one third of an acre with full
planning permission granted for a
four-bedroom family house with a
modern open-plan layout and double
garage to the side with hobby room
to the rear. Externally there is a
generous garden with a driveway.
Guide price: £175,000
Planning: East Lindsey District
Council N/004/01050/22
Contact: Masons Chartered
Surveyors 01507 350500
enquiries@movewithmasons.co.uk
GONERBYHILL FOOT,
GRANTHAM
The Haverlands
Building plot with conditional planning
permission for a two-storey dwelling
with private established gardens.
Guide price: £82,000
Planning: South Kesteven
District Council S23/0790
Contact: Martin & Co
Grantham 01476 561911
grantham@martinco.com
NORFOLK
BILLINGFORD, DEREHAM
The Street
Planning permission has been
granted for a modern upside-down
detached barn-style home with
open-plan living accommodation,
balcony/terrace overlooking the
woodland with tree top views.
Planning has also been granted for a
three-bay detached garage and store.
Guide price: over £250,000
Planning: Newark and Sherwood
District Council 23/01429/FUL
Contact: Richard Watkinson
and Partners 0115 948 0041
newark@richardwatkinson.co.uk
Guide price: £295,000
Planning: Breckland District
Council 3PL/2022/1208/D
Contact: Sefftons 01603 358222
moveme@sefftons.co.uk
WELNEY
Back Drove
Permitted development plot for a
replacement three-bedroom home
within a plot of approx one acre.
Guide price: £195,000
Planning: King's Lynn and
West Norfolk Borough Council
23/00362/RM & 19/01862/0
Contact: Cheffins 01353
654900 ely@cheffins.co.uk
NORTH YORKSHIRE
BRANDESBURTON
Park Avenue
Single building plot of 480m2 with
full consent for a three- to four-
bedroom detached dormer house.
Guide price: £75,000
Planning: East Riding of
Yorkshire Council 22/02692/PLF
Contact: Dee Atkinson & Harrison
01482 866844 beverley@dee-
atkinson-harrison.co.uk
EASTHARLSEY
Land for sale
Building plot of approx 750m2
in a sought-after village with full
consent for a three-bedroom
bungalow and an attached garage.
Guide price: £175,000
Planning: North Yorkshire
Council ZB23/02287/FUL
Contact: Northallerton Estate
Agents 01609 771959 info@
northallertonestateagency.co.uk
NORTHUMBERLAND
HEXHAM
Stannesburg
Plot of around half an acre with
full planning permission to build
a detached four-bedroom home.
Extra land is available separately.
Guide price: £100,000
Planning: Northumberland
National Park23NP0041
Contact: Rook Matthews
Sayer01434 601616
hexham@rookmatthewssayer.co.uk
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
CLAYPOLE, NEWARK
Main Street
Plot with planning permission in
principle for development of a
single dwelling with access. The
plot extends to around 0.1 acres.
Guide price: £185,000
Planning: South Kesteven
District Council S24/0863
Contact: Richard Watkinson
& Partners 0115 948 0041
nottingham@richardwatkinson.co.uk
EAKRING, NEWARK
Back Lane
Third of an acre plot with full planning
permission forthe construction of a
spacious three-bedroom bungalow
of 110m2 with parking for three cars.
Guide price: £180,000
Planning: Newark and Sherwood
District Council 22/01400/FUL
Contact: eXp World UK 01462
228653 info@exprealty.com
OXFORDSHIRE
OXFORD
Toot Baldon
Plot with outline planning permission
granted for the construction of a
single dwelling. Currently the plot
forms part of the garden of the
neighbouring farmhouse, which
is also for sale, either as a whole,
including this plot, or separately.
Guide price: £200,000
Planning: South Oxfordshire
District Council P23/S3947/O
Contact: Adkin 01235
862888 mail@adkin.co.uk
OTTERSHAW
Guildford Road
Single plot with planning permission
granted for a detached two-storey
three-bedroom dwelling with
off-street parking for two cars.
STREATLY ON THAMES
Old Golf House
Grounds of 0.66 acres with consent
granted for a five-bedroom house.
Further permission is being submitted
for a five- to six-bedroom house.
Guide price: £1,250,000
Planning: West Berkshire
Council 23/00917/FUL
Contact: Warmingham 01491
874144 sales@warmingham.com
SHROPSHIRE
KIDDERMINSTER
Hopton Wafers
Plot extending to over 2,100ft2 with
a double garage and gardens to the
side and rear. Planning permission is
in place for residential development.
Guide price: £195,000
Planning: Shropshire Council
APP/L3245/W/22/3291306
Contact: G Herbert Banks 01299
896968 ghb@gherbertbanks.co.uk
OSWESTRY
Pant
Substantial building plot with full
planning permission for a two-
bedroom bungalow with off-road
parking and extensive gardens.
The site is located in an elevated
position overlooking the village.
Guide price: £150,000
Planning: Shropshire Council
24/01504/FUL & 24/01187/FUL
Contact: Town & Country
Estate Agents 01691 679631
sales@townandcountryoswestry.com
SOMERSET
CHARD
Plot to the rear of 46 Crimchard
Plot of 0.16 acres with detailed
planning permission for a detached
three-bedroom bungalow of around
96.7m2. There is a gated area for
parking to the front of the proposed
bungalow and a generously
sized enclosed garden.
Guide price: over £170,000
Planning: Runnymede Borough
Council RU.23/0104
Contact: Hodders
01932562321
sales@hodders.net
www.self-build.co.uk
96%
89%
OF OUR DELEGATES
WOULD RECOMMEND
TO A FRIEND AS
INVALUABLE
THINK ONLINE
FORMAT & AUDIENCE
INTERACTION
IS GREAT
Maximise your
Эк chances of
INTERACTIVE
COURSES FROM
Build It!
3 project success.
Get trained.
Most self builders lack experience and hence are likely
to make mistakes and stumble into project potholes.
Research and knowledge is key. Build It's Self Build
Virtual Training will give you the detailed know-how to
successfully realise your dream home on time and on budget
86%
THINK LEVEL OF DETAIL
& COURSE LENGTH
ARE JUST RIGHT
This interactive series of courses are presented by Build Its expert contributors. Each course is designed to give you
the key nuggets of knowledge you need - in a friendly, succinct and accessible package all from the convenience of
your own home.
From finding land to design, from sustainability to completing your project on budget, there is a course for each
stage of the self build process.
VIRTUAL
SELFBUILD
TRAINING
Stats based on delegate feedback of recent courses
For more information visit www.buildit.co.uk/training
and use code BUILD to gain an introductory discount
Courses are all virtual, delivered by Zoom and will allow audience participation and the ability to
share experiences. The programme has courses running throughout the year. Places cost £40*.
*A place is based on one device - for one or two people.
plotbrowser.com 121
LOWER SEAGRY,
CHIPPENHAM
Church Lane Acre
Church Farm Barn has conditional
planning permission granted forthe
conversion of a former steel-framed
barn of approx 227m2 set in an
area of 0.74 acres. The proposed
replacement self build property will
Guide price: £175,000
Planning: Somerset Council
- South Somerset area 22/00665
Contact: Kitchener
Land and Planning 01392
879300 alex@klp.land
CRANMORE, SHEPTON
MALLET
The Barn
Plot with full planning to demolish an
existing bam and replace with four-
bedroom dwelling. The plot is 340m2.
and has an additional adjoining three
acre pasture paddock included.
Guide price: £450,000-£600,000
Planning: Mendip District
Council 2022/0953/FUL
Contact: Private seller
alhamwood@gmail.com
STAFFORDSHIRE
ALSAGER
Crewe Road
A rare opportunity to acquire a
sizeable building plot having full
planning permission granted fora
four-bedroom detached residence.
Guide price: £165,000
Planning: Cheshire East
Council 22/3790C
Contact: Whittaker & Biggs
01260273241
congleton@whittakerandbiggs.co.uk
POLESWORTH
Tamworth Road
The site currently has a three-
bedroom detached bungalow with
planning for a further four-bedroom
detached family home.
Guide price: £425,000
Planning: North Warwickshire
Borough Council PAP/2020/0091
Contact: Mark Webster
01827 64903
tamworth@markwebsterandco.co.uk
be two storeys high with a single-
storey wing for the kitchen and
the master bedroom.
Guide price: £95,000
Planning: Wiltshire Council
PL/2023/10825
Contact: James Pyle
& Co. 01666 840886
interested@jamespyle.co.uk
SURREY
EPSOM
Hill Road
0.23-acre site with full planning
permission for a 3,000ft2 two-
bedroom two-storey property with
a one-bedroom annexe and three
parking spaces within the grounds.
The property also benefits from
an indoor swimming pool.
Guide price: £650,000
Planning: Epsom and Ewell
Borough Council 19/00921/FUL
Contact: SJD Projects 01892
579937 office@sjd-estates.com
WALTON ON THE HILL
Chequers Lane
A plot with planning granted fora
detached 4,000ft2 family home. The
site has planning for two houses and
the site is also for sale as a whole.
Guide price: £850,000
Planning: Reigate and Banstead
Borough Council 23/02445/F
Contact: Christopher St James
0208296 1270info@csj.eu.com
WEST MIDLANDS
AMBLECOTE, STOURBRIDGE
Park Street
A rare opportunity to purchase
a plot with the benefit of planning
consent for a detached bungalow.
Guide price: £88,000
Planning: Dudley Metropolitan
Borough Council P23/1582
Contact: The Lee Shaw Partnership
01562888111 hagley@leeshaw.com
SUTTON COLDFIELD
Driffold
Plot with planning consent for a large,
three-storey family home in the Arts
and Crafts style with approx 5,000ft2
of accommodation. Planning includes
agarage, parking and landscaping.
Guide price: £750,000
Planning: Birmingham City
Council 2023/08411/PA
Contact: Quantrills 0121 354
9229 enquiries@quantrills.co.uk
WEST YORKSHIRE
CLAYTON WEST,
HUDDERSFIELD
Church Lane
Rot with planning permission passed
for a stylish three-bedroom detached
home with parking and gardens.
Guide price: £110,000
Planning: Kirklees Council
2023/62/91483/E
Contact: Paisley Properties
01484443893
office@paisleyproperties.co.uk
HUDDERSFIELD
Reinwood Avenue
Flat and rectangular plot with planning
permission granted to build a three-
bedroom detached bungalow.
Guide price: £130,000
Planning: Kirklees Council
2024/62/91091/W
Contact: Peter David
Properties 01484 719191
huddersfield@peterdavid.co.uk
WILTSHIRE
GOMELDON, SALISBURY
East Gomeldon Road
Single plot with permission for a four-
bedroom detached two-storey house
of circa 1,000ft2 with a double garage
to the rear, for which there is a
certificate of lawful use. To the rear
is outline permission for a detached
two-storey house.
Guide price: £525,000
Planning: Wiltshire Council
S/1987/1563 & S/1990/1342
&PL/2023/01696&
PL/2024/01561
Contact: Whites 01722 336422
residential-sales@hwwhite.co.uk
TROWBRIDGE
West Ashton Road
Plot with full planning permission
for a four-double-bedroom detached
home of 267m2 with a double garage.
Guide price: £200,000
Planning: Wiltshire
Council PL/2023/08711
Contact: Kingstons 01225 777720
sales@kingstonstrowbridge.co.uk
SCOTLAND
ABERDEENSHIRE
BANCHORY
Lumphanan
A 0.28-acre plot in an enviable rural
location with views of the surrounding
countryside. Full planning permission
has been granted for development.
Guide price: £125,000
Planning: Aberdeenshire
Council APP/2023/0423
2023/62/91483/E
Contact: Re/Мах City
& Shire 01224 057300
info@remax-aberdeen.net
MINTLAW
Nether Aden
Five self build plots in a rural, idyllic
location. These building plots come
with a unique advantage of services
adjacent to the plots. The plots
measure between 0.284 acres
and 0.341 acres and comes with
outline consent for a bespoke home.
Guide price: £95,000
Planning: Aberdeenshire
Council APP/2019/0324
Contact: McEwan Fraser Legal
0131 5249797 mandy.taylor@
mcewanfraserlegal.co.uk
ARGYLL AND BUTE
ACHNABA, NORTH CONNEL
Plot 1, Land West Of
Lag An Fhiodhain
Slightly elevated site extending to
just under half an acre in an exclusive
development that will consist of four
properties, two of which are already
completed. Planning permission has
been granted for a four-bedroom
home with an upper floor living room
designed to capture the views.
Guide price: £270,000
Planning: Argyll and Bute
Council 21/02425/РР
Contact: Dawsons Estate
Agents 01631 563901
info@dawsonsestateagents.co.uk
BUNESSAN
Croft 1, Uisken Road
1.5-acre plot with sea views on the
most beautiful part of the lovely Isle
of Mull. Planning permission in place
for a three-bedroom 1.5-storey house
of 144m2, with a light-filled, open-plan
design. Own access onto highway.
Guide price: £85,000
Planning: Argyll and Bute
Council 23/01363/PP
Contact: Private seller
07738830875
iaingosborne@gmail.com
EAST AYRSHIRE
KILMARNOCK
Plot 18 Fairview Rowallan Castle
Plot 18 is within the exclusive and
highly sought-after Rowallan Castle
Estate, available for purchase as a
plot only or with the benefit of existing
planning permission for The Giffnock
design, which measures 0.26 acres
and allows for a build of 3,390ft2.
Alternatively, you have the flexibility
to create a custom design.
Guide price: £350,000
Planning: East Ayrshire
Council Refer to Agent
Contact: McEwan Fraser Legal,
Solicitors & Estate Agents
0131 524 9797
i nfo@ mcewanf rase rlegal.co.uk
www.self-build.co.uk
122 plotbrowser.com
HALKIRK
Calder
Scenic plot of around one acre
with beautiful countryside views.
Planning consent is granted for a
three-bedroom home and garage.
NEW CUMNOCK
Land for Sale at 34 Burnside
Single building plot with planning
permission to construct a large four-
bedroom detached villa of around
138m2. The plot is 18m wide by
37.5m long. Planning permission
was granted for the erection of four
identical villas, two of which have
already been constructed.
Guide price: £35,000
Planning: East Ayrshire
Council 07/0394/FL
Contact: Donald Ross
Residential 01563 550088
kilmarnock@donaldross.co.uk
FIFE
BURNTISLAND
Kinghorn Road
Plot with planning consent and
building warrant for a three- to four-
bedroom detached villa with garage,
ready to start building immediately.
Guide price: £75,000
Planning: Fife Council
Refer to Agent
Contact: Delmor Estate
Agents 01592 201500
kirkcaldy@delmorestateagents.co.uk
CUPAR
Low Road
A generous plot of land in the highly
sought-after and picturesque town
of Auchtermuchty. Full services are
already in place. The plot comes with
full planning permission granted for
the construction of a stunning
four-bedroom detached property.
Externally, there will be rear and
side gardens, a large driveway and
a patio for outdoor seating.
Guide price: £75,000
Planning: Fife Council
22/02593/FULL
Contact: Monarch Legal
0131 6446060
edinburgh@monarch-legal.co.uk
Guide price: £40,000
Planning: Highland Council
22/04277/FUL
Contact: Yvonne Fitzgerald
Properties 01847 307016yvonne
@yvonnefitzgeraldproperties.co.uk
TORRYBURN
Main Street
Idyllic riverside plot of approx 760m2
with panoramic views over the River
Forth and Estuary and across to the
Pentland Hills. The previous planning
permission lapsed in 2019 and the
outline planning is for a four-bedroom
detached villa with garage.
Guide price: £125,000
Planning: Fife Council
16/02831/FULL
Contact: Morgans Property 01383
620222 info@morganlaw.co.uk
01827 64903
tamworth@markwebsterandco.co.uk
HIGHLAND
DAVIOT HEIGHTS, DAVIOT,
INVERNESS
Plotl
The Daviot Heights development will
consist of eight architect-designed
homes. Plot 1 extends to approx 0.48
acres and has planning in principle for
a detached house and garage. The
site has already been cleared and
the groundworks have started.
Guide price: £120,000
Planning: Highland
Council 18/01686/PIP
Contact: Tailor Made Moves
Ltd 01463 233218
info@tailormademoves.co.uk
DRUMOSSIEBRAE,
DRUMOSSIE, INVERNESS
Plot 2
A plot of land of approx 0.8 acres
that has detailed consent for a large
detached house and garage. The site
is mostly flat with meadow grass and
comes fully serviced.
Guide price: 195,000
Planning: Highland
Council 19/00452/FUL
Contact: Tailor Made Moves
Ltd 01463 233218
info@tailormademoves.co.uk
FORTROSE
Balmungie
East Plot 2 measures 1,781m2 and
sits in an elevated position with views
overlooking the Moray Firth, Fort
George and Chanonry Point.
Guide price: £170,000
Planning: Highland
Council 21-05474-PIP
Contact: The Agency UK
02081280617
enquiries@theagencyuk.com
WALES
CARMARTHENSHIRE
AMMANFORD
Bishop Road
A level building plot measuring approx
16.5m x 23m with outline planning
permission granted for development.
Guide price: £85,000
Planning: Carmarthenshire
County Council PL/06574
Contact: Anna Ashton Estate
Agents 01269 839392
ammanford@annaashton.wales
BETWS, AMMANFORD
Heol Y Felin
Plot measuring approx 13m x 34m
with the benefit of outline planning
permission for a detached dwelling.
Guide price: £130,000
Planning: Carmarthenshire
County Council PL/06535
Contact: Anna Ashton Estate
Agents 01269 839392
ammanford@annaashton.wales
CARMARTHEN
Llanpumsaint
Building plot with outline planning
permission for a two-storey dwelling
on the periphery of a rural village.
ASK AN EXPERT AT BUILD IT LIVE
Want more plot finding advice? Join us at Build It Live
for our annual exhibitions in Exeter, Kent and Bicester.
Talk to the experts
Our planning experts Julia Riddle
and Martin Gaine will be on hand all
weekend to answer your questions
and help make that first stage of
your project a little easier to digest.
Visit the LAND ZONE brought to you by PlotBrowser.com
Check out our gallery of current available plots in the region, plus the
latest serviced plot projects across the UK. Find all you need to know
about finding the right plot foryour project.
Find out more and book your tickets: www.builditlive.co.uk
Guide price: £125,000
Planning: Carmarthenshire
County Council PL/04281
Contact: Gerald R Vaughan
01267 220424
sales@geraldvaughan.co.uk
CARMEL, LLANELLI
Llandeilo Road
Building plot built to slab level with
far-reaching views. The current
planning permission is for a
detached bungalow.
Guide price: £120,000
Planning: Carmarthenshire
County Council PL/03722
Contact: Calow Evans
01269543128
ammanford@calowevans.co.uk
PEMBROKESHIRE
KILGETTY
Carmarthen Road
Plot with full planning permission for a
detached three-bedroom home. Set
within approx 0.1 acres, the proposed
house provides upside-down living,
with views to the rear.
Guide price: £100,000
Planning: Pembrokeshire
County Council 23/0272/PA
Contact: West Wales Properties
01646 680006 pembroke@
westwalesproperties.co.uk
PENALLY, TENBY
Strawberry Lane
Derelict farmhouse and barns with
planning permission for development
into a four-bed room detached
dwelling with panoramic sea views.
Guide price: £250,000
Planning: Pembrokeshire
County Council 23/0629/PA
Contact: Popular Move 0330
0883 118 mail@popularmove.co.uk
Attend our seminar:
How to find land and getting
planning permission
Whether it’s a new build,
renovation or extension, creating
your dream home starts with
obtaining planning consent.
Our plot and planning specialist
guides you through the essential
elements, including submitting
your application, and offers
invaluable advice on finding
the right plot of land.
Build It October 2024
Luminosa
150 ELECTRIC FIRE
Introducing the Luminosa 150, with real flame technology?
The ultimate real flame in
electric fires
Designed for
media walls
Set your
scene
Compact
design
High-quality
flame effect
The Luminosa 150 Electric
Fire is designed to integrate
seamlessly with a media wall.
Customisable effects which
can be modified using the
C&J Smart App.
Without compromise - full
depth fuel bed, minimal
wasted space.
The Real Flame
Technology provides life
like flame clarity.
Charlton & Jenrick
Scan, click or call to find out more
marketing@charltonandjenrick.co.uk
(Q) charltonandjenrick.co.uk
01952 200 444
Virtually silent operation
Low energy DC electric motors
Range of control options
Acoustically insulated ducting
Filter reduces effects of respiratory allergies
Reduces heating bills
Can promote conditions for improved health
Easy to install for DIYer or professional alike
Conforms to Building regulations
Full installation service available \
2Ш1
Ш
Reg a Vent systc
own stringent <
your RegaVent system will give you the optimum balance of a
technical specification that's exactly right for the UK climate,
coupled with low energy consumption - for lower heating bills!
Low energy DC fans, insulated ducting and a high efficiency
heat exchanger also ensure that power usage and energy
losses are kept to an absolute minimum.
и, home
are designed and built here in the UK. to our
lity assured standards, you can be sure that
...for a fresher,
Rega's unique WhisperFlow® technology ensures that even
when operating at full 'Boost' mode (usually during the
morning bathroom rush hour!) the system remains whisper
quiet - unobtrusively and effectively venting stale, damp air,
replacing it with air that's been gently warmed and filtered.
with Heat Recovery.
Rega
Whole House
Ventilation
Rega Ventilation Limited
21/22 Eldon Way, Biggleswade, Beds SG18 8NH
fax: 01767 600487 email: sales@rega-uk.com
Send your plans for a
FREE ventilation design
and a competitive
quotation
7-8 SEPTEMBER 2024
F
Call us on 01767 600499 or visit
www.regavent.co.uk


in focus 125
In Focus
Build It Live
Looking to move your self build,
renovation or home extension
project forward? Then don’t miss
Build It Live South West on 7th
and 8th September, where you
can meet a range of trusted
suppliers and building experts
When it comes to specifying your self build,
extension or home renovation, Build It
has you covered! Whether it’s the pages
of this magazine, our Virtual Self Build
Training courses, online advice at Self-Build.co.uk and
plot hunting tool at PlotBrowser.com, we connect you
with the best advice, suppliers and resources to make
a success of your project. A trip to your nearest Build It
Live show is your ultimate touchpoint with us, giving you
instant access to 1,000s of high-quality products, 100s
of knowledgeable suppliers and our very own magazine
experts. Our next show, Build It Live South West, opens
its doors on 7th and 8th September.
Quality products & services
There’s nothing quite like seeing and experiencing a
product in person to understand whether it’s the right fit
for you. At Build It Live, you’ll get to interact with a huge
range of options first-hand - from structural materials
through to eco insulations, heat pumps, smart home tech
and more. You can open and close windows; slide glazed
doors along their tracks; feel the quality of handmade
bricks and cladding systems; see the latest eco heating
solutions; and gain a deep insight into all the components
that will go into your bespoke home.
You’ll also get the opportunity to speak with multiple
timber frame, glazing, heating, insulation, airtightness,
kitchen, staircase and flooring (the list goes on!) experts
all under one roof. So, at Build It Live, you can compare
and contrast the product options, as well as meet the
partners you’ll be working with on what’s likely to be the
biggest and most personal project you’ll ever undertake.
The show brings together true specialists in their fields,
who’ve worked on countless home building projects. So,
you can expect to glean tried-and-trusted advice from
experienced professionals, running the whole gamut from
architects to house manufacturers, finance providers,
energy specialists, roofers, lighting suppliers and more!
The following pages showcase just a few of the fantastic
exhibitors you’ll encounter at Build It Live SouthWest.
2 FREE TICKETS TO BUILD IT LIVE
SELF BUILD HONE DESIGN RENOVATION I EXTENSION
7th and 8th September 2024
at Westpoint Arena, Exeter
See page 34 to claim your
2 FREE TICKETS or find out
more at www.builditlive.co.uk
For more great products visit self-build.co.uk/specify
126 in focus: build it live
Breathe life into your home with MVHR from 21°
Let Potton bring your architectural plans to life
Mechanical Ventilation with Heat
Recovery (MVHR) provides fresh,
filtered air that promotes a healthy,
comfortable environment for your
home and family. It also recovers
the heat from the stale, polluted air
that is being extracted and uses
this heat to pre warm the fresh air
being brought into the home. Well-
designed and correctly installed
heat recovery ventilation systems
should be practically unnoticeable
01484 461705 www.weare21degrees.co.uk
Better fit a FAKRO
At FAKRO, we’re known for our
knowledge and trusted for our
expertise. You’ll see it in our
roof windows with easy-reach
handles positioned lower so you
can install the windows higher,
bringing in a greater degree of
natural light. You’ll see it with the
intelligent V40p automatic air inlet
that optimises the flow of fresh air,
BETTER F T АЖFAKRO
01283 554755 www.fakro.co.uk
and virtually inaudible while ensuring
good air quality throughout the
building. Come to the experts on
MVHR for Passivhaus and low
energy projects for quiet, efficient
and robust heat recovery ventilation
systems. Since 2008, we've worked
on over 1,500 MVHR new build
& retrofit projects
with a nationwide
reputation for quality
and expertise.
21°
while minimising heat loss. And
with our pioneering topSafe anti-
burglary system which elevates
security to another level. You’ll be
glad of it every time you step on
our highly rated loft ladders. And
you’ll experience it every time you
talk to our experts. Discover why
FAKRO is the perfect fit for your
next project.
Leverage your existing architectural
drawings to bring your dream home
to life. Your journey starts with
uploading your architectural drawings
to their simple online form. Their
self-build specialists will review your
project, providing expert advice and a
complimentary quote for your timber
frame or SIPs home. Once you
receive your quote, benefit from their
6-month fixed price guarantee giving
you peace of mind to plan. Potton’s
in-house design team will then create
01480 403 285
www.potton.co.uk
Site Insurance and Structural Warranty for your Project
When you invest time, effort and
money into making your dream home
a reality, you should protect it from
day one. At Self-Build Zone, we’ve
been insuring self-builds, renovations,
conversions, extensions and more
since 2002. We understand the
hard work you put in, so our market-
leading and award-winning cover is
built to meet your needs.
Site Insurance protects you
throughout construction - including
any existing structures, employees,
the technical specifications required
for Building Regulations approval.
Your home is then expertly crafted in
their quality-assured factory before
being efficiently installed on-site.
With over 60 years of heritage,
Potton is dedicated to transforming
your plans into a stunning home. Let
their experienced team guide you
through every step of the process.
Potton
traders, theft, public liability and more
- for all types of build, and periods
of cover from three months to twenty
four. If you’re starting from scratch,
our 10 year Structural Warranty is
approved by the
majority of mortgage
lenders in the UK and
backed by A' Rated
insurers, so you have
the confidence you
can sell. Get a quote
online or call us today.
0345 230 9874 www.selfbuildzone.com
Strukko Ltd - ultra quick StandFast light gauge steel frames
Bespoke glazing specialists with over 35 years of experience
Strukko
Strukko StandFast Light gauge steel frames
are the best due to their exceptional strength,
lightweight design, and precision engineering,
ensuring rapid assembly and durability.
Manufactured using advanced cold-forming
technology, each frame is custom-made
to exact specifications. We ensure timely
delivery by pre-assembling components in our
facility, minimizing on-site work and reducing
construction time. Our streamlined supply
chain guarantees efficient transport and quick
installation at your site.
0560 386 9513 www.strukko.com
F DEVONSHIRE
W I N D О W S
CLEARLY DIFFERENT
With over 35 years of experience in the
glazing industry, our skilled team have
transformed homes all across the Southwest.
Our friendly, knowledgeable advisors will
help you pick the right products, and our
professional installation team ensures all work
is completed to the highest of standards.
Our Newton Abbot showroom offers a
comprehensive display of windows, doors,
and other glazing products from leading
brands such as Rationel and Internorm.
Те 01803 665577
www.devonsh i rewindowsxo.u к
For more great products visit self-build.co.uk/specify
in focus: build it live 127
Find the right timber cladding for your project at Vastern Timber
Don’t let a loss shatter your finances.
Get it covered it with Protek
Discover the perfect timber cladding
for your project at Vastern Timber.
From our sawmills nestled in the
heart of Wiltshire, we offer a range
of timber cladding options, from
classic oak, larch and chestnut
to contemporary cedar and the
innovative Brimstone wood.
Specialists in British-grown timber,
we offer various sawn and machined
profiles tailored for self-build and
bespoke projects. Whether your
style leans towards rustic or modern,
we will make sure that you find the
ideal fit for your building. Choosing
the right timber cladding has never
been easier. Benefit from our
wealth of experience as we guide
you through options aligned with
your budget and taste. Visit our
oak-framed showroom, to meet our
friendly team and view the wide
range of new
Ш J	and weathered
Vastern	sample panels
W Timber on display.
Whether you are building an
extension, renovating a home, or
building from scratch, a loss can
literally stop you in your tracks. Theft,
storm damage, break-ins or an injury
on site all involve delays and additional
costs. Don’t just assume your builder’s
policy will protect you, because they
are likely to only have Public Liability.
Changes in the Defective Premises
Act have far reaching consequence
for anyone building or renovating.
As of June 2022, the new limitation
periods for claims being made against
you were increased to 15 years
regarding works completed after 28
June 2022.
This is why having a 10-year
structural warranty is so important.
Professional consultant certificates do
not give you anywhere near the level
of protection you require.
Don't leave it
to chance - get
I it covered with
Pr0t6K I Protek
01793 853 281
www.vastern.co.uk
0333 456 5040 www.protekselfbuild.co.uk
Make simpler life a reality
Discover the beauty of minimalist
living with Avrame’s eco-friendly
kit homes. Our A-frame structures
are designed for simplicity and
sustainability, providing a harmonious
blend of form and function. Whether
nestled in the countryside or perched
on a city rooftop, Avrame homes
offer a unique living experience,
emphasising natural light, open
spaces and a connection to the
outdoors. With customisation
options, you can create a space
that truly reflects your lifestyle.
Choose Avrame for a home that is
as environmentally conscious as it is
aesthetically pleasing. Live smart, live
sustainably, live Avrame.
For more information or a
customised quote, send your request
to: mail@avrame.co.uk
▲ avrame uk
0.4 U Value Vacuum Glazing
Nugen's innovative vacuum
glass with its 0.4 centre paned
u value delivers a new age of
glass efficiency. Ultra slim 8.3mm
units make vacuum glazing the
perfect solution for heritage
buildings wanting to improve
both their thermal performance
and aesthetic.
Nu.Gen
Energy Efficient Vacuum Glass
07772 377102 www.avrame.co.uk
01803 926251 www.nugenglass.co.uk
Marsh Industries - off mains drainage solutions
Tired of scrubbing grout lines, or looking at boring walls?
Providing environmentally sensitive off-
mains drainage products and solutions
to the domestic, commercial, agricultural
and leisure sectors. Enabling self-build
development with market leading sewage
treatment plants, Phosphate reduction units,
waste and surface water pump stations, and
rain water harvesters. Our treatment plants
are fully tested and certified to EN12566-3.
Contact Marsh for a free of charge site visit
by one of our local Sales managers.
01933 654582
www.marshindustries.co.uk
XP
IAN PIA5T
We offer bespoke, seamless finishes
for interior & exterior projects using
Microcement and Venetian Plaster. For
use on walls, floors, ceilings, bathrooms,
worktops, and furniture. Our finishes are
suitable for any space - a kitchen floor to a
wetroom, to a feature wall in a bedroom and
even into a swimming pool or sauna! If it’s
your business that needs an upgrade, we
can rework your office, restaurant, nightclub
or retail space.
07955 556197
www.venetianplasteringsouthwest.co.uk
For more great products visit self-build.co.uk
128 in focus: build it live
WOODLEY’S A
| JOINERY I1МГТЕ1)
We Make Wood, Work
Woodley’s Joinery is a family business
providing high quality products and services
to the construction industry for over 100
years. We welcome trade, domestic and
self-build customers. We work on a range
of project types, including historic, listed,
traditional, contemporary, architectural and
commercial projects. We supply hardwood,
softwood, accoya, sheet materials, casement
& sliding sash windows, gates, screens, doors
& frames, sliding & folding doors, cupboards,
bookcases, counters & staircases.
01395 568 666 www.woodleysjoinery.co.uk
Don’t Ignore Your Upstairs Floor
It’s very common to hear horror
stories of living with a timber
upstairs floor. From the kids
creating havoc and sounding
like they are about to bring down
the whole ceiling to having that
squeaking and creaking noise
waking you up in the dead of night
as someone goes to the toilet. This
is because wood floors shrink and
have little acoustic value.
By using Lewis Deck and a thin
screed, floating on top of timber
joists, this removes these issues
and by adding in underfloor
heating pipes, with no added floor
thickness, you get an efficient
heating system giving you the best
upstairs floor possible.
Cost effective and quick and easy
to install Lewis Deck gives you the
same feel and performance as your
concrete ground floor.
CDI
Innovative Construction Materials Ltd
01388 728833 www.cdi-icm.co.uk
Unlock energy savings
while enhancing comfort,
with LUXORIiving
Experience the future of smart living
with LUXORIiving by Theben, a KNX-
based smart home solution that offers
not just comfort, but significant energy
savings.
Ideal for self-builders and those
undertaking new build or renovation
projects, LUXORIiving intelligently
integrates your home’s lighting,
heating, and blinds into one efficient
network. Say goodbye to manual
adjustments and unnecessary energy
waste. With LUXORIiving, you can
effortlessly control lights, regulate
temperature, and manage blinds
with voice commands, the intuitive
LUXORplay app, or a simple push of
a button.
Enhance your living experience
while reducing your carbon footprint
and cutting down on energy bills.
For a hands-on experience, visit the
interactive display of LUXORIiving at
the NSBRC or explore more benefits
at luxorliving.co.uk. Unlock the potential
of smart,
energy-efficient
living today.
theben
01237 751 546 www.luxorliving.co.uk
01342 838060
www.scandia-hus.co.uk
New Scandia-Hus show
home under construction
Scandia-Hus have been designing and
supplying energy-efficient, bespoke timber
frame homes in the UK for 50 years.
We invite you to visit our Show Centre
in West Sussex to see for yourself the
high specification and immaculate finish
of our timber frame homes. We have
3 properties available to view, plus
our latest show home - the Lodge is
currently under
construction and
will be comf
later in 2024.
n ana	j. .
piete scandia us
SWEDISH ENERGY SAVING HOMES
What sets alu-clad timber triple glazing apart?
Choosing new windows and doors for your
project can be overwhelming. Why consider
alu-clad triple-glazed windows? Crafted from
durable timber powder-coated aluminium
cladding, composite products combine the
excellent insulation properties and charm of
timber with the low maintenance needs of
aluminium. Norrsken’s beautiful bespoke triple
glazed products deliver thermal performance
superior to uPVC windows and a lower
embodied carbon footprint, and they’re
always accompanied by industry-leading
customer service.
01202 632777 www.norrsken.co.uk
N0RRSKEN1
Delivering on dreams and ideas
We are principal contractors
specialising in one off and bespoke
build projects throughout Devon
and Cornwall. Our own site teams
carry out groundworks, masonry and
carpentry works whilst our diverse
management team coordinate
approved specialist contractors and
suppliers so that we can provide
you with the full package on just
about anything you can imagine for
your project. BASE is a friendly and
Tel:
energetic family owned and family
run business. The management
team, led by husband and wife,
Luke and Sam, has a combined
experience of over 10 decades in
the industry and have worked on
literally 100s of building projects.
В SE
PROPERTY SUPPORT
01752 695 921 www.base-support.co.uk
Looking to add space and value to
your home?
If you’re thinking about extending your home, knowing a
realistic cost before you meet with builders can be vital.
Not only will it help you to negotiate the cost of the job but it
will also help you better understand your options of finishes
and fittings and how this will impact the overall price. This
tailored costing service includes a schedule planner and
cashflow forecast for your extension - essential if you're
looking to get a loan for your project.
Build It HBXII
S ESTIMATING SERVICE
CONTROLLING YOUR SELF BUILD COSTS
0117 916 7866
www.buildit.co.uk/estimate
For more great products visit self-build.co.uk/specify
SOURCING
SUPPLIERS
FOR YOUR
DREAM HOME?
Supporting
custom and self build
NaCSBA
Nation»! Cuitom & Sajf Build Allocation
MEMBER
www.nacsba.org.uk
Supporting
custom and self build
NaCSBA
National Custom Л Self Build Aisociation
MEMBER
www.nacsba.org.uk
The National Custom & Self Build Association
campaigns to remove the barriers to more people
in the UK building their own home. Look out
for the NaCSBA stamp and be assured that
you'll be working with a company you can trust.
MAKE SURE YOU
LOOK OUT FOR THESE
NACSBA STAMPS
•	All members are committed to working with
self- builders in a fair and transparent manner
•	All members are funding the growth of the sector
so more people can have an individual home
•	All members are covered by NaCSBA's consumer
Code of Practice - to protect you if things go wrong
A FULL LIST OF MEMBERS CAN BE FOUND AT:
www.selfbuildportal.org.uk/members
BUILD IT’S EDUCATION HOUSE
Build It's Self Build Education House is a pioneering real-life self
build designed as an educational tool that will give you a unique
insight into the process of creating your own bespoke home.
Follow Build It magazine's self build journey with a visit to the house - discover
the lessons we learned along the way - and make a success of your dream home project!
book your visit to the house www.buildit.co.uk/ourhouse
SELF BUILD
EDUCATION HOUSE
In association with
Does your basement
require waterproofing?
Surrey Basements design and install all aspects
of waterproofing to BS8102:2022 the British
standard. We are CSSW surveyors and members
of the Property Care Association (PCA) as a
waterproofing design specialist.
All aspects of basement works considered.
01 483 458 648 www.surreybasements.co.uk
info@surreybasements.co.uk
To advertise your business in the Gallery section or on our online product directory, please call 0203 553 2378 or email sales@castlemedia.co.uk
CARAVANTASTIC.COM
hebhomes.com
Architect Designed Kit Homes
STATIC CARAVANS & LODGES IDEAL FOR
 Temporary accommodation on own land & self build projects.
 Delivery, siting & levelling by our own transportation team
 The UK's largest selection of static caravans and lodges.
	Probably the best conditioned models in the UK.
	Airbnb bookings or for relatives or staff to live in.
 Guaranteed buy-back scheme.
0
>
m
Я
Exeter
Matford Home Farm
Matford. Exeter
Devon. EX2 8XT
01392 757879
01278 780565
Highbridge
Premier Business Park
Huntspill Road. Highbrid
Somerset, TA9 3DE
Crawley
East Street
Turners Hill, Crawley
West Sussex. RH10 4QQ
01342 718622
Taunton
Lodgetastic
Thornfalcon. Taunton
Somerset, ТАЗ 5NQ
01278 780565
info@caravantastic.com | www.caravantastic.com
Open 6 days a week (Weekdays 9am - 6pm and Saturdays 10am -Чрт)
01380 739000
www.telebeam.co.uk Registered
the unique loft conversion & flooring system
Forget steel beams
□nd cranes -
TeleBeam is
the new way of
converting lofts in
modern properties
with roof trusses.
It is the first
pre-fabricated
lightweight and
adaptable system
which deals with a
wide range of roof
spans and pitches.
TeleBeam have
LABC Registered
Systems Approval
giving you peace
of mind.
DESIGN, MANUFACTURE &
INSTALLATION OF BESPOKE
OAK FRAMED BUILDINGS
01858 9071П/07714 094815 info® oakleyframinj-.co.uk
Smart Home Retrofitting
made easy
Transform any space into a
cutting-edge KNX-based Smart
Home effortlessly, even without
KNX wiring.
Whether you're building a new
home or renovating an existing
one, LUXORIiving Smart Start
offers a seamless solution for
controlling heating, blinds, and
lighting wirelessly.
EARTH
BLOCKS
screwsHep,.
DIY • Trade • Business
"Let us surprise you -
Lowest Online Prices
0121 559 B66 • sales@screwshop.co.uk
Ironmongery & Builders Metalwork
• Lowest Prices
• Next Day Delivery throughout the UK
Manufacturers & Suppliers of:
EARTH & COB BLOCKS
EARTH & COB BRICKS
EARTH BLOCK MACHINES
info@earthblocks.co.uk
www.earthblocks.co.uk
EARTH BLOCK MAKING MACHINES FOR HIRE
Join the many successful self-build projects secured by First Fence. From
day one with temporary fencing to the final touch with permanent fencing,
we're there every step of the way. Trust your build to First Fence
We all see the headlines: another tradesperson's van
targeted, tools stolen, materials missing. Have you ever
asked yourself,"Could my site be next?"
First Fence is a nationwide fencing company with a strong local
presence, committed to being your trusted partner in perimeter
security when it matters most. With seven depots and a fleet of
over 90 vehicles, we lead the industry in rapid fencing delivery,
often securing your site the very same day if needed.
Each local First Fence depot is deeply embedded in the
community, offering expert advice and our local installers to help
you achieve your fencing objectives. Whether your project is an
investment or your forever home, our high-quality British-made
fencing enhances curb appeal and reflects premium design—
ensuring your investment is well-placed.
From temporary fencing and driveway gates to residential railings,
mesh, and palisade fencing, First Fence holds the largest stock in
the UK, ensuring we are always ready when you need us.
Whether you're a first-time developer or a seasoned professional,
trust your build with First Fence.
IIIIIFirstFence’
HIRE & SALES-----
01283 512111 www.firstfence.co.uk
To advertise your business in the Gallery section or on our online product directory, please call 0203 553 2378 or email sales@castlemedia.co.uk
Hutton Stone
Supplying the finest quality,
natural and sustainable
sandstone for your project
We are a highly skilled,
friendly, dedicated team
based in the Scottish Borders
and North Northumberland,
united by one common goal:
To supply the finest quality,
natural and sustainable
sandstone for your project
EcoTherm Kooltherm UNILIN Kingspan W EcoTherm Kooltherm
SECONDS & CO
THE MAJOR SECONDS INSULATION BOARD SUPPLIER FOR THE LAST 35 YEARS
WWW.SECONDSANDCO.CO.UK
V EcoTherm Kooltherm S UNILIN Kingspan W EcoTherm Kooltherm
Seconds are insulation boards that come DIRECTLY to us from the insulation
manufacturer

Nationwide delivery
Plasterboard laminates
Sizes from 20mm -150mm
Save on your build, buy Seconds
07544 260 507	•
LD8 2UF
LAKELAND
TIMBER FRAME
Lakeland Timber Frame offer a flexible, personal service
for professionals and individuals for self-build projects.
We combine high quality craftsmanship and attention to detail with the latest
developments in technology to provide timber framed homes and buddings for the
twenty first century.
Contact us to find out how we can offer you practical, value for money timber
frame construction solutions to suit your project and your budget
• Nationwide service	Tel: 01524 782596
* Free estimates	Email tofo@iakelandtimberframe.co.uk
Arridge Garage Doors ?989
•	Top Brands
•	Discounted Supply to trade and retail
•	Quality installation service available
sales@arridgegaragedoors.co.uk
arridgegaragedoors.co.uk • 01691 670 394
self-build.co.uk/gallery
Antique Buildings Limited
The leading company in the UK specialising in
Ancient Oak Framed Buildings
We have immense stocks of:
ANCIENT OAK BEAMS • CEILING JOISTS
• BRESSUMERS • WIDE OAK FLOORBOARDS
• HANDMADE BRICKS • PEG & NIB TILES
• TERRACOTTA FLOOR TILES
• YORKSTONE PAVING
+44(0) 1483 200477
www.antiquebuildings.com
★ REVIEWS
4 82 Rating
FOR MORE GREAT
PRODUCTS
VISIT
Worcestershire
. Caravan Sales
Up to 150 refurbished static caravans
for sale. 2 and 3 bedrooms.
Most with Double Glazing &
Central Heating.
Specialists in the self build market for
temporary accommodation.
Own transport for delivery.
Open Monday to Friday
08:00am - 4:00pm
01299 878872 e: wcaravans@aol.com
www.worcestershirecaravansales.com
Create your dream home with
SELF BUILD ASSIST
FLOORS of STONE
01509 234000- www.floorsofstone.com
enquiries@floorsofstone.com
DEMYSTTY THE INDl.STRY
BY SIMPLIFYING
TECHNICAL JARGON
0
EMPOWER YOUR
CONFIDENCE THROUGHOUT
THE BUILDING PROCESS
X
COMPLETE TURNKEY
SUPPLY AND FIT
PACKAGES ON REQUEST
MULTIPIE DECADES Of
COLLECTIVE CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
•	CONSULTATION & PLANNING
•	PROJECT MANAGEMENT
•ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
•	REGULATORY ASSISTANCE
•	SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS
•	BESPOKE&TAILORED
03300431101

www.selfbuildassist.com
To advertise your business in the Gallery section or on our online product directory, please call 0203 553 2378 or email sales@castlemedia.co.uk
Hardie® Backer
FIBRE CEMENT BACKERBOARD FOR TILE & STONE
THE STRONGEST ON THE MARKET
© 2024 James Hardie Europe GmbH. TM and ® denote registered and unregistered trademarks of James Hardie Technology Limited and James Hardie Europe GmbH.
JamesHardie
www.jameshardie.co.uk
Because you’re only as
good as your-last job *
i&jm Made better • Installs better • Performs better
10 Year
Warranty
1WI1


•	CAD designed
•	Super quick construction
•	Build up to 8 stories
•	Delivered in light weight panels
•	Expert advice and support
Strukko
ULTRA-FAST STEEL BUILD PRODUCTS
WWWoSTRUWCOXOM
SALES©STRO«aCOM
0500 386 S513
Б Constructing Excellence
South West
24/25
S1MADE IN
SlBRITAIN
MICHAEL SCADDING PLUMBING & HEATING
THE COMPLETE PLUMBING SERVICE
•	HEATING SYSTEMS
•	BOILER REPLACEMENTS
•	BOILER SERVICING
•	BATHROOMS • KITCHENS
•	WALL & FLOOR TILING
•	SOLAR-UNVENTED
& UNDERFLOOR
ALL VAILLANT BOILERS WE FIT COME WITH 7 OR 10 YEAR FREE GUARANTEES
GIVE US A CALL FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING NEEDS • LOCAL FAMILY RUN PLUMBERS SINCE 1981
PROUD TO BE INVOLVED IN THE NOON CASE STUDY SHORTLISTED
FOR BEST SELF BUILD OR RENOVATION PROJECT AWARD (SEE P28)
Tel: 01308 425356 Mob: 07785 732806 Email: mark.scadding@btinternet.com
VIRTUAL
SELFBUILD
TRAINING
Maximise your chances
of project success.
Get trained.
COURSES
FROM
Build It!
Most self builders lack experience
and hence are likely to make
mistakes and stumble into project
potholes. Research and
knowledge is key. Build It’s Self
Build Virtual Training will give
you the detailed know-how to
successfully realise your dream
home on time and on budget.
For more information visit
www.buildit.co.uk/training
and use code BUILD
to gain an introductory discount
Courses are all virtual, delivered by Zoom and will allow audience
participation and the ability to share experiences. The programme
has courses running throughout the year. Places cost £40*.
* A place Is based on one device - tor one or two people.
Stats based on delegate feedback of recent courses
To advertise your business in the Gallery section or on our online product directory, please call 0203 553 2378 or email
next month...
November issue on sale 25th September
REAL
Find out h
LIFE PROJECTS
dw Anne and Bruce Stanley
transformed an unloved beach shack
in Cornwall into a stunning modern
home complete with luxurious features
PLUS | ECO HEATING & ENERGY SAVING, SETTING A BUDGET, CONVERSIONS & MORE
The Build It team
EDITORIAL
Content director Chris Batesmith
Editor Emily Batesmith
Homes editor Georgina Crothers
Digital features editor Sander Tel
Editorial assistant Erika Chaffey
Designer Justin Marshall
Content & marketing
assistant Lucy Keech
Contributors Rebecca Foster, Mark
Stevenson, Nigel Griffiths, Lindsay Blair,
Martin Gaine, Opinder Liddar
Tel: 020 3627 3240
www.self-build.co.uk
ADVERTISING SALES
Sales director
Nick Gillam 020 3627 3245
Account manager
Dominic Ansell 020 3553 2378
Account executives
Joshua Costello 020 3553 2376
Mert Benning 020 3627 3263
Sales & advertising administrator
Joanna Mitton 020 3627 3248
SUBSCRIPTIONS
01 283 742970
subscriptions@castlemedia.co.uk
Distributed by Seymour
EXHIBITIONS
Business development director
Sarah Nesbitt-Hawes 020 3627 3247
Account manager
Maria Varela 020 3627 3254
PUBLISHING
Managing director Calum Taylor
Finance director Katherine Taylor
Marketing director Claire Drakeford
Accounts Ellis Hambrecht 020 3627 3253
Published by Castle Media Ltd
Head office: Peasemore House,
Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 7JH
All the content in Build It is governed by	g
copyright and may not be reproduced without	|
the editor’s written permission. Every effort is	<
made to feature only reputable companies
and products, but readers should make their	§
own enquiries. Information published in Build о
It is intended to provide general guidance only, w
and the publishers do not accept liability for §
any loss or damage arising from use of this 5
information. Opinions made by contributors £
are not necessarily those of Build It. Although m
Build It welcomes contributed matter,	о
including unsolicited text and photographs, ®
it does not guarantee to return material.
www.self-build.co.uk
138
ARCHITECT’S
Rob Mawson from MAP
Architecture shares his
expertise on upgrading
an existing building to
create an energy-efficient
and comfortable home
This retrofit project by MAP Architecture upgraded the existing property
with a single-storey rear extension, constructed using low concrete
spanning foundations and reclaimed bricks from the demolition works
Retrofitting an
older property
stretching the budget too thin. Avoid buildings that are excessively
dilapidated, as they might be better suited for demolition and
rebuilding. Careful due diligence and planning are crucial to set
yourself up fora successful project
What is a retrofit project and what does it involve?
This type of scheme is essentially an advanced form of refurbishment
where modern technologies and scientific methods are applied
to existing buildings to improve their energy efficiency and overall
performance. Its a term thafs become necessary as the industry
moves towards addressing climate change more effectively. Instead
of using traditional methods that you’d see in a renovation project,
retrofitting involves using precise data, modern materials and
advanced technology to upgrade older structures for modern living.
It’s designed to create comfortable, efficient and environmentally
friendly homes without having to construct a brand new building.
A retrofit must start with a thorough understanding of the
existing structure. This involves an initial investigation or research
stage to assess the property’s condition. Some key measures
include conducting a building condition survey to check for defects
- assessing the roof, overall structural integrity and identifying
damp issues, for example. For projects looking to meet ultra-high
levels of efficiency, you might also perform an airtightness test
to evaluate the property’s current state and establish its heat loss.
Once you have this baseline data, you can move into the design
and build phases. This includes feasibility studies, laying out the
retrofit measures and planning for any necessary permissions
- especially important if it’s a listed building.
With any essential approvals in place, you can proceed with
the technical design and construction, much like you would with
any other building project The critical part of this process is the
initial investigation, which helps avoid costly mistakes down the
line and ensures that the project is feasible, efficient and effective.
What are the key considerations for a retrofit?
As well as understanding the extent of works needed, consider
costs from the outset. Retrofitting can be an expensive exercise,
especially if the building has significant structural damage or
damp problems. Budget realistically and consider the long-term
benefits of a well-executed retrofit, not just immediate costs.
You’ll also need to assess the constraints of the site, such as
its listed status or location in a conservation area and potential
issues with neighbours, before thinking about getting started.
Invest time in the initial investigation to avoid costly surprises later
and don’t be intimidated by the thought of using modern technologies
like heat pumps - they can be highly effective if designed and
installed correctly in a suitably thought out environment
Forthose in the early stages looking for a potential property
to retrofit, aim to find one in relatively sound condition to avoid
What are the main benefits?
Retrofitting offers several advantages over demolition and
rebuilding. Older properties often have excellent thermal mass,
meaning they maintain stable temperatures betterthan many
modern or new build structures. This results in cooler interiors
during summer and more consistent warmth in winter. There’s
also a significant social value in preserving older buildings, as they’re
part of our cultural and architectural history. Retrofitting allows us
to maintain this heritage while upgrading the home’s performance.
The environmental impact of demolishing and rebuilding is
far greater than retrofitting. The energy and resources already
invested in the existing structure can be preserved and enhanced
- leading to a more sustainable approach to creating your ideal
home. Financially, well-executed retrofits can increase your
property’s value and appeal significantly. Many people appreciate
the charm and character offered by blending old and new, too.
What are the performance guidelines?
The EnerPhit standard, derived from Passivhaus principles,
is one of the best recognised retrofit standards. It sets rigorous
targets for energy efficiency, but achieving these in older
buildings can be challenging due to constraints such as existing
wall thickness and strict historical preservation requirements.
While EnerPhit is an excellent goal to strive for in terms of
creating a highly efficient home, it may not always be feasible
both structurally and financially. Alternatives include the AECB
Retrofit Standard or the LETI Retrofit Guide, which offer some
more flexible targets. The Rl BA Climate Challenge is another
framework that sets incremental targets for improving efficiency.
In practice, we often aim for the principles of EnerPhit - such
as improving insulation, airtightness and ventilation, before making
adjustments based on the building’s unique characteristics and
limitations, as well as budget Tools like the Passive House Planning
Package (PHPP) can help model the property’s energy use and
lay out effective and manageable retrofit measures tailored to you.
If professional fees are a concern, start with basic assessments
like Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) or seek advice from
renewable energy providers for a cost-effective understanding of
your building’s performance and its potential.
Rob Mawson is the co-founding partner of MAP Architecture. For the
last seven years he has been based in London working on a range of
heritage projects within the residential, education and cultural sectors.
Rob has a strong background in retrofit projects, completing the Level 3
Award in Energy Efficiency for Older and Traditional Buildings. For more
information call 020 7096 5007 or visit www.map-architecture.co.uk
Build It October 2024
67,000 sq ft exhibition space
Over 200 exhibitor displays
Home improvements and extensions
Energy efficiency advice
Theatres with free seminars
Real life case studies
Guided educational tours
FREE parking
More info & FREE tickets at nsbrc.co.uk (£ 12pp on the day)
Friday & Saturday: 9am - 5pm. Swindon M4 Junction 16
CSBRC
National Self Build & Renovation Centre
kloeber
This stunning Timber FunkyFront Entrance Door could be yours
from as little as £22.05 for 60 months!
Low rate finance available on all doors and windows
01487 740044 info@kloeber.co.uk www.kloeber.co.uk
Showrooms: London, Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire, West Sussex & at the NSBRC Swindon
Finance is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. Kloeber UK Ltd FRN: 821370 are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
We are a credit broker not a lender - credit is subject to status and affordability and is provided by Mitsubishi НС Capital UK PLC.
A minimum spend for credit is £1000 and a minimum deposit of 50% is required. Terms & Conditions Apply.