Got a question about your self build, home renovation or extension project? Find the solutions with help from your fellow self-builders, renovators and industry experts
I’m planning to build a luxury new home with an architect. The internal floorplan will be 330m2 and we’ve been quoted nearly £5,000 per m2 for the fully finished design. How can I tell if this is reasonable?
I am trying to purchase the January 2025 issue but I’m struggling to locate one. Is there somewhere where I can buy this or an email address I can contact?
I have been digging my foundations for a week and keep having to stop and start due to building control issues. The site is next to woodland so we have had to go 2.2m down and have hit a coal seam. We’ve been told it needs to be dug out. Piling is out of the [...]
I own a new build property that is around three years old. The rear of the house is a single storey (extension-like, but original) kitchen/ diner with a low pitch roof (13 degrees). The external single storey wall facing into the garden is mainly made up of glazed bifold doors, with around 70cm of wall [...]
We purchased a probate property back in June this year. It had been vacant since December 2022. A small amount of renovations had been completed before works had to be stopped because of planning complications surrounding the presence of bats in the property. Works will not re-start until January 2025 when planning, fingers crossed, will [...]
I’m planning to build a luxury new home with an architect. The internal floorplan will be 330m2 and we’ve been quoted nearly £5,000 per m2 for the fully finished design. How can I tell if this is reasonable?
I have had full planning permission granted to build a new bungalow for my retirement. I have appointed a builder who is eligible to reclaim VAT on materials used but I’ve chosen to have my kitchen manufactured, supplied and installed by the kitchen provider. This work will be carried out before my builder has completed [...]
I am considering buying a group of grade II listed barns to convert into a new home plus office space, storage and potentially as additional accommodation. The barns have been unused for a long time and have limited land attached to them. Would the project be eligible under Class Q permitted development rights? Does a [...]
Due to an incorrectly installed rooflight on my extension, I’ve had water ingress into a cavity wall. The window itself is now fixed but I’m unsure on how to deal with the damages. What’s the best way to ensure that the two leaves of the wall are totally dry as well as my insulation? The [...]
