The FMB Guide to Finding a Master Builder for Your Self Build

Choosing quality contractors and trades could make all the difference to your self build. Putting a good team in place can help to ensure that your project runs smoothly and you aren’t left with issues to fix later down the line. But where to start? You might choose your builder based on personal recommendation from […]

Build It Awards Winners 2018 Announced

Here at Build It magazine we are committed to bringing our readers the latest news and products in the self build and renovation industry that will make carrying out their projects easier and let them build efficient homes. And every year we host the Build It Awards to celebrate the best of self build and […]

Affordable Self Build in the Scottish Highlands

When Maureen and Johnny Boyle retired they decided to fulfil a lifetime dream – relocating to the Scottish Highlands. They were keen to find a home to suit their needs and were motivated by a desire to downsize. For decades they had lived in West Lothian, a highly populated zone close to Edinburgh, and they […]

Contextual Design and Architecture: Self Builds That Respond to Their Location

Contextual design and architecture refers to constructing a building that intentionally reflects, complements and suits its surroundings. This may either be in reference to the local architecture or a natural landmark – but either way – working alongside this concept will generate an interesting and exciting project. Contextual design is an important quality for builds […]

How to Become a Better Project Manager

Are you contemplating taking on the role of project manager for your self build or home renovation? It’s not as uncommon as you might think, and many novices to the building game successfully manage their own projects to completion. But how do you make sure you’re the best project manager you can be? I’ve known […]

Custom Build Opportunities Growing & Other News

Custom build opportunities growing A development in East Kingskerwell, Devon, will provide 175 new homes – including nine plots for self and custom builds. The scheme shows the efficiency of the local Teignbridge Council’s innovative policy that developer-led projects of 20+ houses should allocate 5% of plots to those who want to create their own […]

Right to Build Summit Promotes Self-Builders

Yesterday’s Right to Build Summit at the House of Commons saw Richard Bacon MP welcome industry guests as he marked the Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 and the launch of the Right to Build Portal. He hosted the event alongside the All Party Parliamentary Group on Self-Build, Custom and Community Housebuilding and Placemaking and […]

Innovative Community Custom Build in Edinburgh

Architect John Kinsley’s lightbulb moment was sparked by reading a magazine article. “The piece was all about the merits of community projects in South America, where one in four new homes is created this way,” says John, who credits the article for his decision to collectively buy a plot  of land and construct a block […]

Upside Down Timber Frame House in Scotland

We were delighted when Aileen and Dave Downie got in touch with Fleming Homes to discuss their sixth self build project (their fifth built with timber frame). Having worked with them before, we knew they were consummate self builders and their projects are always interesting given the couple are ahead of the curve when it […]

Passivhaus Open Days: Best UK Homes to Visit

Passivhaus is a German standard developed in 1988 that aims to reduce the energy consumption of our buildings. In the UK, self builders have been adopting this model to reduce bills and carbon emissions. The main principle behind Passivhaus is to reduce heat loss in our homes. This is done by using  high levels of […]

How to Get the Best out of Building with SIPs

Despite their popularity in Scandinavia and the fact they offer a number of benefits for home building projects, structural insulated panels (SIPs) have only recently been established as a mainstream option in the UK. The system comprises pre-insulated panels, usually made from engineered wood-based sheets sandwiched together with a core of high quality rigid insulation […]

Search again

Not found what you're looking for?

Our sponsors