Guides
Straightforward answers
Useful guidance before you commit to anything, written to help you understand what's involved, not to sell you on it.
What drives the cost of a house extension?
The factors that move an extension's price up or down - for published £/m² ranges, see our extension cost guide.
ExtensionsRear vs wraparound extensions
Two of the most common configurations, compared.
Planning & PermissionsDo I need planning permission?
A plain-English starting point before you speak to anyone.
Loft ConversionsHow long does a loft conversion take?
The factors that genuinely affect a loft conversion programme.
Garden RoomsGarden room ideas
Office, studio, gym or guest room: making the most of a standalone space.
KitchensHow to create an open-plan kitchen
What's involved in opening up a kitchen, structurally and practically.
RenovationsHow to prepare for building work
Practical steps before the trades arrive, for a smoother project.
Process & PracticalitiesWhat affects construction timelines?
Why some projects run smoothly and others drag on.
Planning & PermissionsPermitted development explained
What it actually allows, and where it stops applying.
Planning & PermissionsParty wall agreements: the homeowner's guide
When the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies, and what the process actually involves.
Planning & PermissionsDo you need planning permission for a conservatory?
The general position, and why an extension is worth considering too.
Planning & PermissionsHow long does planning permission last?
What happens if you don't start work straight away.
Planning & PermissionsBuilding regulations approval explained
How it's different from planning permission, and why you need both for some projects.
RenovationsDo you need planning permission to convert a garage?
When it's permitted development, and when it isn't.
Garden RoomsGarden room planning permission explained
The size and position limits that typically apply.
ExtensionsExtensions without planning permission: what's actually allowed
The permitted development limits that let many extensions proceed without a full application.
Loft ConversionsDoes a loft conversion add value?
What generally influences whether it does, and by how much.
Process & PracticalitiesHow to choose a builder
What's actually worth checking before you commit.
BathroomsWhat to expect from a bathroom renovation
The stages involved, from strip-out to finishing.
Costs & BudgetingHidden costs to budget for on a building project
The costs that sit outside the headline build price, and catch people out when they're not budgeted for.
Costs & BudgetingHow to budget for a home improvement project
A practical approach to setting a realistic budget before you start getting quotes.
Costs & BudgetingIs £30,000 enough for an extension?
What that budget realistically stretches to, and where it goes further.
Costs & BudgetingWhy building quotes vary so much for the same project
Why two quotes for what looks like the same job can differ by tens of thousands of pounds.
Planning & PermissionsDo you need planning permission for a basement conversion?
Converting an existing cellar and excavating a new basement are answered very differently.
Planning & PermissionsDo you need planning permission for a porch?
Porches have their own permitted development rules, separate from extensions.