Converting Your Garage
Converting a garage is a relatively inexpensive way to create more space for your family. Our guide gives you the basics you need to begin. Read more
Written by experienced and enthusiastic experts, our array of well-researched and informative features has been created to inspire and advise you to help you make your home a better place to be.
Converting a garage is a relatively inexpensive way to create more space for your family. Our guide gives you the basics you need to begin. Read more
Running electrics outside gives you lots of flexibility for using outbuildings and the garden but it’s a complex job that will probably need an electrician. Read more
There are quite a few alternatives to gas and electric heating and the choice is getting larger as ecological issues and climate change come to the forefront of our lives. Read more
A conservatory can be a delightful addition to a home and it’s one of the simplest building projects you can do. Read more
A porch can be a very worthwhile and useful addition to a house although there are some rules to follow to make sure it doesn’t turn out to be the street’s carbuncle. Read more
Labour costs are a big proportion of the cost of a renovation project but there are ways you can control those costs and make sure you pay a fair price for good quality work. Read more
Modern living needs different living spaces to those that period houses offer, so it’s worth considering a rearrangement of internal walls to give you what you need. Read more
There’s a bewildering selection of boilers these days and almost as many different heating systems to select from. We guide you through the maze. Read more
Get this bit right and the rest will all follow – we show you how to get your ducks in a row and tackle the start of a renovation process step by step Read more
As your renovation progress it’s vital to stay abreast of it and be ready to adapt if and when things go wrong. Read more
This article looks at how to restore woods and tiles to their former glory Read more
Doors and windows play a large part in defining the style and feel of your house, form the outside at least, and any renovation project should play close attention to them. Read more
Treating the original look and feel of a renovation project with care is likely to reap dividends in the current market, that’s what buyers want to see. Read more
Planning is boring, everyone knows that, but unless you want to throw money down a bottomless pit, it’s an essential factor for success. Read more
Professionals are important to the success of any renovation project but how can you decide where you should use a specialist and where is it safe and sensible to do the work yourself? Read more
Subtle and pleasant changes in the atmosphere of your home can be achieved with creative lighting and sometimes all you need to do is change a few lights and sockets. Read more
If there isn’t enough care and consideration put into foundations and walls then there may not be much point in carrying on with your build. Read more
Wiring up your home used to mean lights and sockets, but as computers, television radio and music all begin to converge in a blur the modern home needs to be wired for sound and vision. Read more
Repairing walls and ceilings is one area where it’s worth spending time on preparation to achieve the best results when decorating later Read more
One golden rule about property sales is that first impressions count for a great deal, so it makes sense to invest in driveways and pavements. Read more
If your renovation project includes a two-storey extension then putting a bathroom in it might give you a good return and it’s usually not as difficult as people think. Read more
Redoing the pointing on the external walls of a property that is in poor condition is essential to prevent water soaking into the walls and breaking them down. Read more
Stairs and landings can be very tricky places to renovate so here are some tips on how to do it, and how to do it safely. Read more
Renovating in a recession? Perhaps it’s not the complete madness that it would first seem; the game has changed but there’s still money to be made for the nimble. Read more
Keeping a record of the condition of your renovation project before you start isn’t just to give you something to look back on, it serves a number of other crucial purposes. Read more
You might think that doing as much of your home renovation work yourself will save money, but often it doesn’t. So choose wisely which tasks you are going to take on. Read more
If you are very lucky and very determined, you might well be able to get some kind of grant to help you in your renovation. Don’t count on it though! Read more
We hear about contingency funds on renovation and developing TV programmes all the time, but what exactly are they and how do you decide how much to put in? Read more
Renovators often shy away from listed buildings and it’s true that you are taking on more work and stress. But as long as you understand and follow the rules the rewards can be spectacular. Read more
There is some great advice out there to help you through the minefield of planning and building laws and complete a successful renovation. Read more