Introduction 1 Part I: Preparing to Create the Perfect Home 7 Chapter 1: The Basics of Self-Build 9 Chapter 2: Forking Out the Finances 15 Chapter 3: Finding and Assessing the Building Plot 25 Chapter 4: The Legal Stuff 39 Part II: Before the Build: Getting Everything into Place 47 Chapter 5: Designing Your Home 49 Chapter 6: The Green Light: Getting Permissions and Approvals 59 Chapter 7: Construction Management, Builders, and Subcontractors 77 Chapter 8: Buying Materials 99 Chapter 9: Getting Connected to Services 111 Part III: Structurally Speaking: Understanding Construction 123 Chapter 10: Preparing the Ground 125 Chapter 11: Holding up the House: Walls and Structures 139 Chapter 12: An Open and Shut Case: Windows, Doors, Insulation, and Partitions 157 Chapter 13: Floors and Stairs 177 Chapter 14: Raising the Roof 187 Part IV: The Inside Story 207 Chapter 15: Forming the Landscape 209 Chapter 16: Putting in the Pipes and Wrapping Up Warm 229 Chapter 17: Let There Be Light (And Power and Communications) 249 Chapter 18: Kitchens and Bathrooms 263 Part V: Renovating, Extending, and Converting 275 Chapter 19: Internal Finishes 277 Chapter 20: Upgrading Old Houses 289 Chapter 21: Adding Space 305 Chapter 22: Buying a Property for Conversion or Replacement - the Opportunities and Dangers 317 Part VI: The Part of Tens 327 Chapter 23: Ten Good Reasons for Building Your Own Home 329 Chapter 24: Ten Good Reasons to Renovate 337 Chapter 25: Ten Things You Must Do Before Starting to Build 343 Appendix: Directory of Directories 351 Index 359