Q&As

What is the latest in the Government proposed legislation about building a two storey self contained residential house in the back garden along the edge of our conservation area? The main house is four stories and the proposed development would occupy a little less than a half of the back garden. The surrounding brick wall [...]

We have planning approval to do a rear and side extension, and also to convert our loft into a bedroom. We may not do the whole project ourselves, but we are one year into our planning approval (out of the three before it lapses), so we wanted to do something to ensure the approval lasts [...]

I’m renovating a property which was empty for 15 years and I have a couple specific questions about the VAT reclaim process. Firstly, my VAT registered builder is purchasing some materials from his suppliers and, at the end of each month, invoices me for materials and labour with VAT on the total of 5%. My [...]

We are looking to replace a mobile home with a log home or modular build. Can you advise on the best option for a long term home. We would have preferred brick built but would be outside our £120,000 budget for a 3 bedroom bungalow.

We have an asphalt floor and want to stick some oak wooden floorboards onto it. Would you be able to advise on which primer and glue would be the most suitable? Also, are you able to clarify if there is a difference in the adhesive requirements between solid wood flooring and engineering flooring and what [...]

I am subscribed and have been for a while with your magazine which is very interesting. I just wondered if you ever done any articles or are thinking of doing any articles on self build for the disabled people as I would be very interested in getting some other peoples input and point of view. [...]

I am looking to create an underground cellar in my garden. The garden is about 300m2 and there are no buildings on their except for my home. The garden is not historical land or in a protected area. I was thinking of placing it 3m away from my house, and 2.5m away from our neighbours’ [...]

I recently had a double storey rear extension completed – both first fix and second fix. After moving in I realised that the space around the open living area is not as per my expectations and want to demolish one of the structural internal walls to help add some open space. This is a old [...]