Homebuilding & Renovating
June 2021Homebuilding & Renovating is the UK's number-one magazine for home extenders and self-builders. From build costs, planning permission, hiring builders, to project managing subcontractors and step-by-step DIY guides, each issue is packed with the best expert advice to help you deliver your project on time and within budget. You'll also find inspiring case studies of completed projects, and all the design ideas and inspiration you need to create your dream home. Whether you're renovating and extending an existing property, or building a new home, Homebuilding & Renovating magazine is your essential project companion.
in this issue
editor's letter
This spring we said goodbye to the short-lived Green Homes Grant. The Grant was launched in autumn 2020 with the aim of incentivising homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and introduce low-carbon heating solutions such as heat pumps. The scheme was not without its fair-share of issues (or deeply flawed, one might say), but it did represent a step in the right direction. As we’re all too aware, our existing housing stock contributes significantly to our carbon emissions. The funding has been directed towards helping low-income households, which is commendable. However, we’re yet to see a replacement for all homeowners, despite calls from industry for a national retrofit strategy or a reduction in VAT on such work. This seems like a missed opportunity. And while I’m sure many…
the team
MICHELLE GUY is Deputy Editor. She is an experienced homes journalist, and has just completed her kitchen renovation. She’s currently lining up trades to decorate the next room on the reno hit list! NATASHA BRINSMEAD is Associate Editor and has worked for the title for nearly 20 years. She’s recently finished renovating and extending her Edwardian home on a DIY basis. AMY REEVES is Assistant Editor and the writer behind many of our readers’ homes features. Amy is in the process of renovating a dated mid-century property in much need of some TLC. KAREN LAWSON is Homebuilding & Renovating’s Art Editor, and has been designing magazines for over 20 years. She has a particular passion for interior design and architecture. JACOB BARLOW is Homebuilding & Renovating’s Production Editor. A self-confessed eco worrier, Jacob is…
meet this month’s experts...
TIM PULLEN Tim is an expert in sustainable building methods and home energy efficiency. Contact him at Tim@ weatherworks.co.uk. SABATINO TORCHITTI Sabatino is head of quality in Building Regulations at Resi.co.uk. Read his guide to creating a cantilever design on page 161. IAN ROCK Chartered surveyor Ian Rock MRICS is the author of eight popular Haynes House Manuals, and is a director of www.rightsurvey.co.uk. MARK BRINKLEY Is the author of the ever-popular Housebuilder’s Bible and an experienced self-builder. HEATHER DIXON Heather is a freelance magazine journalist, writing about innovative homes, interiors and renovations. DAVID HILTON David is an expert in sustainable building and energy efficiency and a director of Heat and Energy Ltd. He has over 35 years’ experience. MARK STEVENSON Mark Stevenson is a self-build expert, MD of Potton & Kingspan Timber Solutions Ltd, and Chairman of the Structural Timber Association. REBECCA FOSTER Rebecca…
green homes grant scrapped
The Green Homes Grant was scrapped in March 2021, following months of uncertainty about the scheme, which had faced criticism from homeowners, installers and other industry professionals. Having only launched in September 2020, the £1.5billion scheme was designed to help homeowners afford energy-efficient home improvements such as heat pumps and insulation, to help lower their home’s emissions and energy bills. The grant had been set to run until 31 March 2022, after it was extended in November, but only reached 10% of the 600,000 homes chancellor Rishi Sunak promised would be improved. The scheme closed for new applications on 31 March 2021, with all applications made before the end of March deadline to be honoured. The Green Homes Grant has been blighted by problems since its launch. These include homeowners reporting issues…
self-build& renovation
BRIGHTER IMPROVEMENTS Homeowners are becoming more evaluative about the improvements they make to their homes following the pandemic, says Bank of England’s chief economist, with many considering higher quality updates as a result of the ‘accidental savings’ made. Stephen Beresform, head of marketing at window and doors expert REHAU, agrees: “We’ve experienced a 100% increase in requests for a colour swatch, which is reflective of homeowners becoming more discerning and no longer just wanting white windows. “More customers are now choosing from our wide range of coloured options such as pearl grey, elephant grey, midnight black or the more timeless cottage cream and chartwell green, a movement indicative of wider home interiors trends.” VAT REVERSE CHARGE: WHAT IS IT? The VAT reverse charge came into effect across the UK on 1 March 2021, and will…
green
BOOK OF THE MONTH: HOW TO GARDEN THE LOW CARBON WAY Answering questions like ‘which plants are best for absorbing pollution?’ and ‘how can I cut out single-use plastics?’, author Sally Nex, in conjunction with RHS, details how to neutralise the less-positive effects gardening can have on the environment. With tips on setting up a new garden the eco-friendly way and creating a design that considers local wildlife, the step-by-step book is available from Waterstones for £12.99. MMC TASKFORCE BEGINS A Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Taskforce will be backed with £10m funding to accelerate the delivery of MMC homes in the UK. The government announcement was made in the March Budget, which confirmed the taskforce will work closely with local authorities and mayoral combined authorities. MMC is an alternative to traditional housebuilding…
