Features

Clearly insurance is not exactly the most exciting product you might need to purchase for your self-build or renovation project - but it does have its purposes and for some people who have experienced a serious loss during their project it can be the most important product they ever purchased.

A derelict mill – or rather its four basic stone walls – are salvaged and transformed into a charming, characterful home.

It’s not a particularly appetising topic, but if you can’t connect to the mains, then you will have to arrange an effective long-term drainage solution for your plot. David Snell investigates.

With increasing demands that we build airtight, ventilation has become a key component. Tim Pullen explores ‘passive’ systems.

While health and safety on large building sites is stringently regulated, self-builders have been known to take things less seriously — at their peril. Mark Brinkley lists the key issues.

There aren’t any guarantees when it comes to builders — but you need to give yourself the best chance of ending up with the kind of builder you should be finding. By Jason Orme.

There is much more to baths than good looks — there are baths available in a huge choice of sizes, shapes and materials, and to suit any budget, says Natasha Brinsmead

So many of us aspire to the benefits that open plan layouts bring – light, flow, informality – but don’t understand the practicalities. Natasha Brinsmead reveals how to make it work.

In our comprehensive series examining build costs, David Snell provides a detailed receipt breakdown for the essential second fix tasks, including kitchen and utility room units and appliances. Plus advice on how to reduce the costs.

The majority of self-builders don't think about how their internal walls should be built, but it is an important consideration, especially in areas that are load bearing or where soundproofing is required. In our series examining essential self-build decisions, Mark Brinkley compares blockwork and studwork for internal walls

Brickwork claddings have to withstand a great deal and can deteriorate over time. Natasha Brinsmead identifies the common problems that can occur with brickwork, such as cracks and crumbling mortar, and explains how to carry out repairs and maintenance.

Render claddings have to withstand a great deal and can deteriorate over time. Natasha Brinsmead identifies the common problems that can occur with render, including lime render, stucco and sand, and explains how to carry out repairs and maintenance.

Creating a new home from a disused non-residential building is one of the most challenging but rewarding projects you can take on. Melanie Griffiths provides an introduction to the main opportunities, design solutions, planning and the VAT situation.

Creating a new home from a disused non-residential building is one of the most challenging but rewarding projects you can take on. Barn conversion expert Matthew Denyer has carried out many barn conversion projects, here, he offers his advice on some of the key issues.

Creating a new home from a disused non-residential building is one of the most challenging but rewarding projects you can take on. Here are a variety of different conversion projects, including barns, a church and an industrial building.

Unfashionable and undervalued – but very much abundant – bland mid-20th century homes could be the perfect canvas for your dream home. Renovation expert Michael Holmes offers his advice, plus advice from some house designers.

Unfashionable and undervalued – but very much abundant – bland mid-20th century homes could be the perfect canvas for your dream home. Here are some examples of postwar homes that have been remodelled.

Unfashionable and undervalued – but very much abundant – bland mid-20th century homes could be the perfect canvas for your dream home. Michael Holmes looks at the different design options for updating a postwar home, including windows, doors, roof coverings and wall cladding.

Any property, no matter how old, can be made more energy efficient, and one of the most effective ways of achieving this is called “retrofitting” – upgrading with home improvements that make a real difference. This advertisement feature from Everest explains the concept.

Building a home is a substantial investment, and obtaining the right type of finance to fund your project is essential. Self build finance experts BuildStore explains why it pays to get your finances in order, and how to do it.

Bringing a dilapidated property back to life can be extremely rewarding, but arranging the finance to purchase a property and fund the renovation work needed can be challenging. BuildStore, self build and renovation finance experts, explain the options.

A property listing can make every renovation decision feel like a battle. Let H&R help make the experience the delight it should be with this useful advice on how to go about getting the renovation you want. Plus advice on other types of designation that can affect your renovation.

Almost every house will have at least one set of these. Gen up on how they work with this detailed diagram, and then have a go at installing them yourself.

Despite what you might think from watching self-build TV programmes, building projects don't have to be dramas. Here are two examples of self-build projects that were completed on time and on budget with the minimum of stress.

Advice from self-build expert Mark Brinkley on how to reduce sound travelling through the joining wall of two semi-detached homes - and why 100% sound reduction is impossible. plus advice on the soundproofing requirements in new builds according to the Building Regulations.

In our series examining the key decisions to be made when self-building, Mark Brinkley considers the different types of render, such as white, pre-coloured and lime render, and the purpose that render serves as an external finish.