What is the Help to Build loan? The Help to Build loan will help people with small deposits (from just 5%) access the finance they need to build their own home. This equity loan scheme is provided by the government to top up a standard self-build mortgage. Following MP Richard Bacon’s review of the sector,… Read more »
Custom build house ideas – inspiration for your dream home Design for Me has a community of hundreds of architects and architectural designers all across the country and we’ve complied the most inspiring custom build house designs for you. If you like the look of one, you can click on the image to see that architect’s other work… Read more »
This week, Hugh, one of the architects on Design for Me, has offered up some top tips on finding building plots for a self-build house in London. However, much of the advice extends to other areas in the UK too. Hugh, London based architect on Design for Me Self-build plots are notoriously difficult to find in… Read more »
Hollow clay blocks are not new. They have been a staple of the German construction industry (and elsewhere on the continent) for a long time. After decades of cavity-wall construction, the the UK market is now recognising hollow clay blocks as a viable alternative, and has been gaining popularity for its excellent thermal and acoustic… Read more »
Sponsored post If you want to redecorate this year and make your home more inspiring – more you – here are some simple tips to help. 1. Add an entertainment wall Entertainment walls are a popular feature of many living rooms and are a fierce competitor of the classic feature fireplace as the key… Read more »
If you’re starting a self-build project you may already be aware that the key to a successful, stress-free project is thorough research and planning! Choosing the right building materials and construction method are important early decisions. This week, we’re here to give you a helping hand on choosing your construction method. Have you ever heard of SIPs? Here… Read more »
One of the first things you’ll consider is finding a plot of land. This is a huge decision and has implications on the size, shape and style of building that would be suitable. For example, if you are planning a modern design in steel and glass, you should question how far the restrictions go in… Read more »
What is the new planning policy for brownfield sites? An amendment to the Town and Country planning act (General Permitted Development) in 2020 has allowed development of new build houses to benefit from fast-track planning on small brownfield sites. The official published guidance states that the following criteria should apply: ‘Owners of vacant and redundant… Read more »
It’s a common assumption that terms are interchangeable, particularly in relation to new build housing. This is a simple guide to explain the difference between outline planning and permission in principle in basic terms, and which route might be the most suitable for your project. In short, they are essentially very similar. However, permission in… Read more »
Straw-bale construction is becoming a new phenomenon in the UK. Unlike the common misconception that houses constructed with straw will be “blown down,” presumably by a wolf, this method of construction has actually been proven to be both energy efficient and cost effective for self builders. What is Straw-bale Construction? Straw-bale construction is a building… Read more »
