Residential annexes, sometimes referred to as ‘granny flats’, are a popular form of development. They are often required to accommodate relatives while providing them with some degree of independence. While such proposals are generally acceptable to

Like most tradesmen, I readily admit that snagging is the part of the job I least look forward to. Most of the time, the work has been done and we are looking forward to moving onto the next job, but over the years, I have had some small snagging lis

A well-designed patio frequently takes centre stage in one’s imagination when picturing the ideal outdoor area. The attractiveness of a new patio is evident — whether it’s used as a bustling gathering place for weekend barbecues or as a peaceful hide

Discovering that the property you want to buy is afflicted by dry rot can be enough to induce a panic attack in all but the most optimistic of home buyers. To make matters worse, at the slightest suspicion of fungal decay, mortgage lenders commonly i

HOMEOWNER Ray Burch PROJECT Top-floor extension LOCATION East London HOUSE TYPE Detached new build SIZE 50m² BUILD ROUTE Architect and contractor, project managed by architect CONSTRUCTION METHOD Steel primary structural frame making the roof additio

Have you recently completed a self-build, renovation, conversion or extension project? Then we want to hear from you! The Homebuilding & Renovating Awards have been showcasing and celebrating Britain’s best homes for more than 30 years. This year, we

HOMEOWNERS Stephen and Helen Surtees LOCATION South Yorkshire PROJECT Self-build bungalow SIZE 289m ² (including garage) BUILD ROUTE Built by main contractor CONSTRUCTION SIPs panel system with masonry outer leaf BUILD TIME 15 months PLOT/HOUSE COST

Designing a layout that makes the most of the space in your loft is key to ensuring that the money you spend transforming all that lovely room within your roof is well worth it. The best loft conversions take into account not only the size of the spa

Outdoor spaces typically get pushed down the list of priorities during a self-build or extension project and it’s only when you come to the end of the building work and look out through your expanse of new glazing that you might regret not making it

When planning an expensive home improvement or self-build project it’s easy to focus on the house and forget the surrounding landscape. Cost often plays a big factor in this — you might be working to a tight budget, and decide to chalk landscaping up

HOMEOWNERS Carol and George Fraser LOCATION Edinburgh PROPERTY Victorian detached villa PROJECT One-and-a-half-storey extension connected to existing Victorian stone house; replacement of garage with new lean-to; internal remodelling SIZE Gross inter

Unsurprisingly, there’s more to cutting down a tree if it is in the way of your build than just revving up a chainsaw. While in many cases you don’t need special permissions or permits to remove a tree on your property, there are occasions where stri

As I mentioned last month, one of the busiest times of any build is when the fit-out begins, the first fix. I’ve already covered the completion of the thermal envelope (insulation and airtightness) along with the installation of the MVHR systems, so

HOMEOWNERS Phillip and Sandra Prior LOCATION Essex/ Cambridgeshire border PLOT PURCHASED 2016 PROJECT New build manor-style four-bedroom house SIZE 620m2 BUILD ROUTE Bespoke architectural design by Pete Tonks, regional architectural designer at Oakwr

A 12m ² open-plan kitchen/dining/living rear extension, clad in charred larch and connected to the garden by a stepped deck, has transformed the Clifford family’s 1930s semi-detached Devon home. “It’s quite a tricky, sloping site, but local company B

The word loggia originates from the Italian for ‘lodge’ and is an architectural term used for an outdoor corridor with a roof and outer wall built into the structure of the building but open to the elements. They were introduced by the Romans to prov

Flat roof extensions can provide a simple, cost-effective solution that ticks all the right boxes, especially for many smaller extensions. The comparative ease of constructing flat roof extensions, as well as their discreet visual impact, can prevent

The original concept for the rear extension to this ground-floor flat within a conservation area in Hampstead, north London, was based on the reinterpretation of the decorative bay windows of the Victorian building’s front façade. The existing flat h

While the concept of broken-plan living is still seen as relatively new on the house design scene, it is actually an idea that has grown considerably in popularity in recent years — and for good reason. This type of layout holds many benefits compare

Millions of Brits could be inadvertently breaking the law by not correctly abiding by privacy rules when they are operating their home security systems. Statistics show that nearly half of Britain’s homeowners have some type of surveillance system in

This style of seating is a great way to utilise a corner or bay window in a kitchen or dining room and being bespoke, it will perfectly fit a space. It can also be used to divide a long layout or zone an area in a large room. There are so many possib

Outdoor kitchens that are well designed have functional zones for cooking and food preparation as well as space for socialising. Just like an indoor version, you should factor in the positioning of units and appliances and elements like worktops, flo

As much as I love looking at the incredible projects we feature in every issue of the magazine, it’s the individual stories of the homeowners that really grip me. Whether it’s the extended planning battles that people finally win so they can transfor