Basics
Basic advice for the Selfbuild community who are starting to build, extend or renovate.
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in Advice, Basics, Design, Extension/Renovation Advice, Free Content, Pre design, Uncategorized, WalesPlanning exemptions in Scotland
What you can build without planning permission in Scotland In this article, we cover: If you’re planning to make changes to your home in Scotland — whether it’s an extension, a loft conversion or adding solar panels — you might not need planning permission. That’s thanks to Scotland’s version of ‘permitted development rights’ (PDRs), which […] More
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in Advice, Basics, Design, Extension/Renovation Advice, Free Content, Pre design, Uncategorized, WalesPlanning exemptions in Wales
What you can build without planning permission in Wales In this article, we cover: If you’re thinking of making changes to your home in Wales — like building an extension, converting your loft or installing solar panels — you may not need planning permission. Many minor improvements and additions are allowed under permitted development rights […] More
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in Advice, Basics, Design, Extension/Renovation Advice, Free Content, Pre design, Uncategorized, Wales
Planning exemptions in Wales
What you can build without planning permission in Wales In this article, we cover: If you’re thinking of making changes to your home in Wales — like building an extension, converting your loft or installing solar panels — you may not need planning permission. Many minor improvements and additions are allowed under permitted development rights […] More
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in Advice, Basics, Design, England, Extension/Renovation Advice, Free Content, Pre design, UncategorizedPlanning exemptions in England
What you can build without planning permission in England In this article, we cover: In England, if you’re planning a home extension, loft conversion or even thinking of installing solar panels, you might be wondering whether you need planning permission. The good news is that many building projects can go ahead without the need to […] More
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in Advice, Basics, Building control: completion certificate (NI only), Direct labour tasks, England, Free Content, Getting started on site, New Build, Scotland, Signing off, WalesSelf-build VAT guide
Self-builders building new in the UK are exempt from paying Value Added Tax. VAT for self-builders Before I go into the details, a few words of caution. Be sure to keep on the side of the law throughout. Never pay cash without proper receipts for VAT made out to you. Ideally, never pay cash […] More
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How do I register my new self-build address?
Registering an address is essential for your self-build — from getting utilities connected to meeting legal requirements. Here’s how to apply and what to expect. In this article we cover: Registering an address for your self-build might seem way down on your project’s ever expanding to do list, but in actual fact, you should get […] More
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in Advice, Basics, Budget & Financing, Design, Energy Efficiency, Airtightness & The Environment, Extension/Renovation Advice, Free Content, Heating systems, Pre design, Provisions for on-site electricity, waterGrants in Northern Ireland
A list of grants and financial incentives currently available to help with your self-build or home improvement project in Northern Ireland (NI) today. In this article we cover: When it comes to grants and financial incentives for self-builders in Northern Ireland, the options are unfortunately limited. While there are a handful of schemes aimed at […] More
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Top 5 Tips for a successful self build
Are you planning to build your own home but don’t know where to start? 1. Don’t rush in. Devote the vast majority of your time and energy to the design stage. This means taking the time to find the right architectural designer, and choosing as much as you can in advance – not just building […] More
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Is your house design as eco-friendly as you think?
The Irish Green Building Council has launched a campaign to tackle the whole life environmental impact of buildings, in a bid to think beyond the energy we use to heat and light our homes. Building an eco-friendly home can mean different things to different people; in most cases though it has to do with making […] More
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Cantilevered Staircases
There is no doubt that a cantilevered staircase is one way of making a major visual impact. To the casual observer a cantilevered staircase appears to be floating because it overhangs without any external bracings or supports. What holds it up is a counterweight hidden in the wall, out of sight. Available in straight, quarter […] More
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The softer sides of choosing your site
Here are the questions you need to ask yourself while plot hunting Stamp duty is the government tax levied for changing the documents that specify who owns a particular property. Property is defined as land, a new build or second-hand property, derelict or not. Normally, the only factor affecting the amount of stamp duty is […] More
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in Advice, Basics, Conveyancing, Signing offStamp Duty in Ireland explained
When you’re building a house you usually have to pay stamp duty on the value of the site and in some instances, capital gains tax. Here’s what you need to know. In this article, we cover: What is stamp duty? Stamp duty is the government tax levied for changing the documents that specify who owns […] More
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