Estimate Your Own Build Costs
An introduction to DIY estimating, for both renovations and self-builds

Using Quantity Surveyors
How and when to use a quantity surveyor for your build project

Remodelling Postwar Homes
Bland mid-20th century homes could be the perfect canvas for your dream home

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Planning advice

How to Buy at an Auction

More and more properties are coming up for sale at auction in the hope of a quick sale. Here David Snell explains the tactics of the auction room as well as what to do if you’re successful. To read David’s introduction to auctions and how to prepare for them click here

An auction house can be an intimidating place to the inexperienced, with many buyers using little twitches and signals to bid without attracting other buyers' attention.

How to Prepare for an Auction

More and more properties are coming up for sale at auction in the hope of a quick sale. Here David Snell explains how auctions work and how to prepare for one. To read David’s guide to buying at an auction click here

A busy auction room such as this can be an intimidating place and so it is essential to do your homwork before hand by working our your limit price and checking the legal documents of the plot you intend to buy.

20 Things You Can Do No Planning Required

Sally Tagg explains the many home improvement projects you can undertake within your home’s Permitted Development rights

Buying a Listed Building

What are the pros and cons of owning a home that is listed? Natasha Brinsmead has the answers.

The 10 Experts Every Project Needs: Part 3

Every single new house requires the skills of a whole team of experts. Melanie Griffiths lists the top ten people a building project can't do without, plus how to find them and what to pay. In part 3, Melanie covers planning consultants, quantity surveyors and plumbers.

The 10 Experts Every Project Needs: Part 2

Every single new house requires the skills of a whole team of experts. Melanie Griffiths lists the top ten people a building project can't do without, plus how to find them and what to pay. In part 2, Melanie covers solicitors, designers and structural engineers.

The 10 Experts Every Project Needs: Part 1

Every single new house requires the skills of a whole team of experts. Melanie Griffiths lists the top ten people a building project can't do without, plus how to find them and what to pay. In part 1, Melanie covers builders, project managers and electricians.

Plots: When Nature Gets in the Way

While it is often the plot’s natural attributes that make it so appealing, they can create a lot of issues. David Snell tackles problematic trees and difficult ground conditions

Planning Permission: Making an Application

Making a planning application can be a daunting task — especially as so much appears to have changed in recent times. Claire Lloyd answers your key questions, starting with how to go about making an application.

Planning Permission: Obligations

As part of our detailed look at planning permission, we examine the obligation you have to consider when applying for permission, including advice on Section 106 Agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

Planning Permission: Permitted Development

As part of our detailed look at planning permission, we look at some of your key questions about Permitted Development (PD) to help you figure out whether or not you need to apply for planning permission to extend or alter your home.

Planning Permission: The Party Wall Act

As part of our detailed guide to planning permission, we address the issue of the Party Wall Act and answer your questions about how it will affect your renovation plans. Inclusding advice on how to approach your neighbours.

New Planning Policies Announced

The Government have introduced a variety of changes to the planning system that will have an impact on the process for those hoping to build an individual home. Jason Orme explains the key changes.

Planning Rules for Extenders

Changes to Permitted Development could cut a quarter of planning applications — but they have also resulted in a lot of confusion. Claire Lloyd clarifies the new rules and reveals a few loopholes for gaining more space.

Adding a Large Pond is a Big Problem

A couple trying to build a large pond next to their farm renovation as part of the Government's 'Million Pond Project' have run up against some problems getting planning consent. Planning expert Sally Tagg offers her advice.

Building in the Countryside: Planning Permission

Claire Lloyd explains how to go about getting the good life by building or renovating a home in the countryside. Replacements dwellings, conversions and Agricultural Occupancy could all provide a new countryside home.

This ‘exemplar’ design by Future Systems is sited within a Kent Conservation Area

Renovations: General Checks

If you are looking for a house to do up, this simple checklist will help you spot potential — and the warning signs of problems that could be expensive to put right. In this part, Michael Holmes looks at the simple things you can do without a lawyer.

Renovations: Assessing the Potential

If you are looking for a house to do up, this simple checklist will help you spot potential — and the warning signs of problems that could be expensive to put right. In this part Michael Holmes tells you how to make sure you can get what you want out of the property.

Renovations: Assessing the Structure

If you are looking for a house to do up, this simple checklist will help you spot potential — and the warning signs of problems that could be expensive to put right. In this part Michael Holmes looks at working out what needs replacing or repairing.

A Guide to the New Permitted Development Rules

The rules on Permitted Development (PD) – what you can do to your house without needing planning approval – have recently changed. David Snell assesses whether it’s for better or worse.

Using Permitted Development Effectively

The rules on Permitted Development (PD) – what you can do to your house without needing planning approval – have recently changed. David Snell looks at how self-builders and renovators can use them to their advantage.

From Bland to Grand: Planning & Costs

Transforming a drab post-war property into a modern home doesn't have to cost the earth, and depending on the changes you want to make, you may not even need planning permission.

Contemporary Living in an Old Home: Part One

How do you blend modern living requirements – light, open plan, large rooms – with an old house? Michael Holmes explains the design and building implications. Part one looks at planning, design, cost and materials.

Contemporary Living in an Old Home: Part Two

How do you blend modern living requirements – light, open plan, large rooms – with an old house? Michael Holmes explains the design and building implications. In part two, Michael looks at interiors,listed buildings and the six golden rules to extending and altering a period home

Contemporary Living in an Old Home: Case Studies

We reveal the design and planning implications of transforming your period home for modern life, and how to achieve harmony between old and new

Extending Your Home: Part One

An appropriately designed extension will maximise both your living space and the resale value of your home, but who should draw up the plans, who should undertake the buiilding work and how much will it all cost? Clive Fewins answers all these questions and more.

Extending Your Home: Part Two

Building Modern Extensions

Whilst many people choose to extend their home in a style that matches or mirrors the original building, more and more people are now opting for something bold and in complete contrast to the style of the rest of the house. A well thought out design is essential in winning over the planners.

Creating New Spaces From Old

However much charm and period character your renovation project has, it is likely that for it to work well for you, some changes to its layout will need to be made. Natasha Brinsmead explains the best ways to create new spaces from old

10 Conversion Problems....Solved!

The idea of turning an old building into a new home is appealing, but not without its problems. Developer and conversions expert Michael Brinsmead lists the top 10 factors to look out for when considering buying a property to convert.

How to get planning approval for conversions

From the publishers of Homebuilding & Renovating...

Real Homes

Period Living

Planning advice

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