The National H&R Show 18-21 March 2010 at the NEC in Birmingham

Discussions Take a look at today's forum hot topics and submit your own questions and comments

Windows and doors play a significant role in how your house will look - and how much it will cost.

Practical advice

Make bleeding radiators a thing of the past - Advertisement Feature

Aladdin Auto Vents eliminate the need to carry out the regular chore of bleeding radiators. This advertisement feature from Heatandplumb.com explains how they work.

Aladdin Auto Vents, available from heatandplumb.com

Quantity Surveyors: Expert Advice

H&R talks to quantity surveyor Greg Marshall about how a QS can help self-builders and extenders control costs and budget before and during a project and what services a QS actually offers.

Self-build advice from Quantity Surveyor Greg Marshall

2010: The Year to Self-build?

If you think that the recession is a bad time to create your dream home, you’d be very wrong, as 2010 could turn out to be one of the best years yet. Melanie Griffiths investigates what the coming months will bring.

2010: The Year to Self-build? - Expert Opinions

If you think that the recession is a bad time to create your dream home, you’d be very wrong, as 2010 could turn out to be one of the best years yet. Melanie Griffiths speaks to a host of experts about what the coming months will bring.

Plots: Ransom Strips

It seems like a villainous practice – and you may not even be aware that you are affected – but if someone owns a strip of land blocking access to your plot, then they can hold it to ransom for £10,000s. Luckily, David Snell is here on his white horse to save the day…

How to Build in a Flood Zone

In an ideal world, no one would build in a flood zone, but with such competition for land, compromises have to be made, so it’s something we are going to have to learn to build with. So whether you have the luxury of creating a riverside retreat - or are simply building on a floodplain - Mark Brinkley offers advice on how to build in a flood zone.

Carbon Monoxide - Be Alarmed

New campaign warns the public of the dangers of Carbon Monoxide poisoning, and how they can be avoided.

Campaign to reduce deaths and injuries caused by Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

Who Does What with Your Plot? - Part Two

The roles of estate agent, solicitor and conveyancer can be difficult to distinguish, making dealing with them a baffling and often stressful experience. David Snell breaks down the entire legal process. Part two looks at the process from Pre-Completion to Conveyancers, plus expert advice from a solicitor.

Showers Explained

Whether fitting a new shower in an old house, or building in an area with poor water pressure, take a close look at the inner workings of a traditional gravity-fed system with an in-depth explanation of each shower part.

A look at the inner workings of a vented shower

All About Staircases

Occupying such a prominent position in the home – particularly in open plan layouts – the staircase needs to be perfect, but there is far more to a great design than at first meets the eye. Natasha Brinsmead examines the different styles and materials that can be used for stairs, and looks at the all-important building and safety regulations.

Who Does What with Your Plot? - Part One

The roles of estate agent, solicitor and conveyancer can be difficult to distinguish, making dealing with them a baffling and often stressful experience. David Snell breaks down the entire legal process. Part One looks at the Terms of Engagement and the Contract process. Plus three important questions to ask your solicitor.

Open Fireplaces Explained

Whether restoring an old open fireplace, or building one from new, it is important to understand its individual components. With the help of a detailed diagram, we guide you through the fireplace, from flue to hearth.

Bringing in Services to a Self-build Site

The connection of new services to site can be a complex – and unexpectedly costly – issue, but it is also vital to the progress of a project to ensure that you have gas, electricity, water and drainage. Melanie Griffiths lists the five things to know before building.

Soundproofing: The Key Rules

How do you go about making a house reasonably soundproof? The typical self-builder is mostly concerned with sound transfer within the house, as opposed to unwanted sound affecting attached houses or flats. So here we look at the basic techniques you can employ to improve the soundproofing within a house.

Restrictive Covenants: A Stop on Your Plot?

Restrictive covenants are legal agreements tied to land that are handed down over the years, which might stop you building your dream home. They are sometimes hard to surpass as it can be hard to track down their origins. David Snell explains how to deal with them.

Garden Offices

An increasing number of people are choosing to work from home ― but hate having their home office on top of them all the time. Mark Ramuz reports on an easy and popular alternative ― the garden office.

Self-build Pioneers: John Greene

John Greene founded self-build design studio Border Oak 27 years ago. In this interview with Homebuilding & Renovating his career highlights and his views on self-build. Plus he tells us what his own home is like.

Beware the Great Land Scam

The unscrupulous practice of ‘landbanking’ has seen a sharp rise in 2009. In an investigative report, Melanie Griffiths reviews the current situation, speaks to the landbankers and talks about some unfortunate plot hunters that were fooled by them.

An investigation into landbanking schemes

When is a Plot Not Really a Plot?

When you’re thinking about buying a plot, the planning permission that comes with it requires careful reading. Plotfinding expert David Snell offers tips and advice on what to look out for in the small print.

How to Self Build or Renovate in the Countryside

Claire Lloyd explains how to go about getting the good life by building or renovating a home in the countryside, and why the practical issues of living off mains may not be the big drawback you might imagine.

Traditional Architect Stephen Mattick

The award-winning and internationally renowned traditional architect Stephen Mattick fills H&R in on his love of period properties and why he thinks they can be just as green as modern homes.

How To Fit A Garden Fence

Erecting a fence is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to gain instant privacy. Follow Ben Field’s step-by-step guide to define your home’s boundary in just one weekend.

A Step-by-Step DIY Guide to Fitting a Fence

How to Lay a Paving Circle

Ensure your outside spaces look just as good as those inside by installing your own feature patio with our simple step-by-step guide.

Package Suppliers: What are the benefits?

What are the pros and cons of timber frame (and blockwork) package suppliers, and how do you choose between them? Self-build package alumni Jason Orme explains.

Package Suppliers: Choosing a Company

What are the pros and cons of timber frame (and blockwork) package suppliers, and how do you choose between them? Self-build package alumni Jason Orme explains.

Basements: The Pros and Cons

A basement can be the key to unlocking development potential and getting the very most out of your plot.But what are the benefits? Clive Fewins explains.

Basement Basics

A basement can be the key to unlocking development potential and getting the very most out of your plot, reports Clive Fewins.

Artificial Grass - Advertisement Feature

Artificial lawns and synthetic gardens are now popular due to the realism of artificial grass. This advertisement feature from As Good As Grass Advice gives advice on using artificial grass products.

Off-Site Kit Houses: A Greener Build?

Is an off-site manufactured kit house, transported potentially hundreds of miles to site before being built, actually the ecofriendly alternative? Tim Pullen states the case.

External Wall Insulation

'Wrapping up' your home with external insulation achieves lower u-values.

Insulated using Alumasc's Swisslab EWI system

Real Homes

Period Living

Housebuilder's Bible

My Building Project

Green Homes

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