More heat pump ads banned as regulator signals growing crackdown on misleading information Joseph Mullane published 15 August 25 UK bans more heat pump adverts over misleading £7,500 grant claims
Councils rebel against Labour’s 'undemocratic' planning reforms Joseph Mullane published 14 August 25 Councils across England unite against Labour’s planning reforms, warning of threats to democracy, local control, and the countryside
Safety watchdog orders thousands to stop using heat pump tumble dryers immediately Joseph Mullane published 13 August 25 17,000 owners across eight brands told to switch off their machines after safety fix fails to remove fire risk
Is there a new hosepipe ban coming? Heatwave could trigger new restrictions for millions Joseph Mullane last updated 12 August 25 Is there a hosepipe ban where you live? As the heatwave returns, millions could face new restrictions within days
Councils charging 'garden shed tax' where outbuilding is deemed 'liveable' Joseph Mullane published 12 August 25 Why your garden shed could cost you extra council tax, and how to fight it
Homes first, communities later: How planning permissions are leaving residents without basic facilities Joseph Mullane published 11 August 25 New homes in England are often occupied before key shops, healthcare, and community facilities are built, due to planning, Section 106, and enforcement delays
Work out how much topsoil you need for your project with this simple calculation By Jack Woodfield last updated 15 August 25 Calculating how much topsoil you need can be a tricky process — here’s how to ensure you buy the right amount for your garden
Thinking of using a heat pump for a hot tub? Here’s everything you need to know By Gabriella Dyson published 15 August 25 Discover if a heat pump for a hot tub is worth it, how much it costs, and what you need for installation
Stay ahead of the game with our 12 step extension planner to take your project from start to finish By Michael Holmes last updated 13 August 25 Organisation is key when it comes to building an extension. Our 12 step extension planner covers everything you need to consider in order to help you successfully sequence your project
Experts reveal their pro techniques for painting floorboards to get an attractive, long-lasting finish By Steve Jenkins last updated 13 August 25 Painting floorboards can give an original floor a new lease of life. Here, our expert offers his top tips and suggests the best floor paint for the job
12 essential custom build questions and answers to help you decide if it's the right route for you By Debbie Jeffery last updated 12 August 25 Not sure what is a custom build? We explore the key questions, pros and cons before you embark on this popular self build route
Where to put security cameras at home — an expert guide By Sarah Warwick published 11 August 25 Positioning CCTV cameras correctly is crucial to effective home security. Here’s what you need to know
This 360cm wide Victorian terrace was reconfigured to maximise space, without extending the footprint and here's the result By Gabriella Dyson published 14 August 25 With careful craftsmanship and an eye for detail, this Cambridgeshire couple transformed their narrow house into a practical and thoughtfully designed home
Waste not, want not: How this London home turned offcuts into an architectural statement By Joseph Mullane published 8 August 25 Architects used OSB and other waster materials as a design decision, not just a budget one
How first-time homebuilders found a winning formula and created their lifelong dream home By Seán O'Connell published 1 August 25 According to this couple, good organisation, excellent teamwork and 'treats' were the magic ingredients of their Warwickshire self-build
Inside one of Britain’s greenest homes: Award-winning Essex eco house relisted after price drop By Joseph Mullane published 25 July 25 Sustainable Essex home with sustainability award relisted at £1.5m
This stunning cliffside home in Cornwall was a 'mission impossible' task that involved digging out part of the rock face By Alex Pratt published 18 July 25 This couple successfully overcame the most daunting of technical challenges to create a unique home in Cornwall with world-class views
A home for life — how this couple created their dream home on a plot in the Cotswolds By Seán O'Connell published 11 July 25 Inspired by a visit to the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, Ian and Louise embarked on the journey of building their dream oak frame home
Experts reveal their pro techniques for painting floorboards to get an attractive, long-lasting finish By Steve Jenkins last updated 13 August 25 Painting floorboards can give an original floor a new lease of life. Here, our expert offers his top tips and suggests the best floor paint for the job
Find out what you need to know to make plasterboarding a garage a success By Steve Jenkins published 7 August 25 Plasterboarding a garage can transform it into a smarter, energy-efficient space that can be used all year round
Discover the secrets behind tiling an uneven wall to get a smooth professional finish By Steve Jenkins published 7 August 25 Find out what you need to do to make sure a less than perfect surface is prepped and ready to tile
Pros reveal easy-to-follow techniques to stop paint peeling and keep it looking good for longer By Steve Jenkins published 5 August 25 Discover the steps you need to take to ensure your paint won’t start peeling any time soon
Master drilling into plasterboard to prevent cracks and damage for clean holes By Steve Jenkins published 3 August 25 Drilling into plasterboard sounds like a simple exercise, but it's not as straightforward as you think. Here we tell you how to get it right
Get expert insight into drilling into metal for clean, smooth and accurate holes By Steve Jenkins published 2 August 25 Discover pro tips, techniques, and the essential tools required for drilling into different metals
These 12 real-life projects show why treehouses ideas are the ultimate design trend right now By Gabriella Dyson published 12 August 25 These imaginative treehouse ideas prove that building among the branches is no longer just child’s play
8 garden pond ideas that will make an instant impact in spaces big and small By Sarah Wilson published 8 August 25 Whether you want to introduce a touch of calm to your space or boost biodiversity with fish, plants and wildlife, these garden pond ideas are the perfect solution
The best modern porch ideas should 'greet your guests with intrigue and excitement,' say the experts By Natasha Brinsmead published 4 August 25 Get inspired to create an entrance that does your home justice with our round-up of modern porch ideas
10 stunning flat roof porch ideas to take your front door to the next level By Natasha Brinsmead published 2 August 25 The best flat roof porch ideas combine good looks with practicality and can be designed to suit all kinds of homes
Get power, precision and performance with the 5 best reciprocating saws for DIYers By Hugh Metcalf last updated 28 July 25 The best reciprocating saws are handy tools to have for use around your next build or DIY project. Here are 5 of the best
The best bathroom extractor fans to combat condensation and damp By Jack Woodfield last updated 8 July 25 The best bathroom extractor fans must efficiently and quietly circulate fresh air into a space while also removing moisture-laden air to stop mould forming. They also want to look the part too. We've gathered the top buys to make choosing easy
An expert guide to the 7 best cordless strimmers — from budget options to the best overall model By Jack Woodfield, Teresa Conway last updated 8 July 25 We've scoured the market for the best cordless strimmers to help you choose the perfect tool to keep your lawn and garden looking neat and tidy with minimal effort
Choose one of these 9 best cordless drills to help you power through your next DIY project By Sarah Handley, Garry Martin, Jack Woodfield last updated 7 July 25 The best cordless drills will help you tackle your next DIY project with ease. Choose from our selection of budget, mid- and top of the range cordless drills
Looking for the best bathroom sealants to stop leaks and prevent mould? Here are six of our favourites for 2025 By Jack Woodfield last updated 7 July 25 Finding the best bathroom sealants for your needs is crucial for sealing gaps and preventing water leaks that can cause unseen water damage. Here you’ll find a selection of highly rated sealants that match your sanitary ware
Get your hands on the best vacuum cleaners for builders and say goodbye to dust and debris By Hugh Metcalf, Steve Jenkins last updated 4 July 25 We roundup the best vacuum cleaners to keep your space free of dust and debris during a house renovation or DIY project
