World Book Day: 6 Books to Help You Build Your Dream Home

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Looking for expert advice to help you build your dream home or finish a renovation or extension? Our World Book Day guide is here to help

Self builders on construction site
(Image credit: Getty Images)

You can never have too much good advice if you’re planning or in the midst of a homebuilding project, so to celebrate World Book Day 2022 we’re signposting the best resources available. 

Choosing to self build your own home is an immensely rewarding experience, helping you to save money on your long-term costs by implementing energy efficient measures, and helping you to know (and hopefully, love) every inch of the home you’ve built.

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The 13th edition of experienced self builder Mark Brinkley’s legendary guide to building your own home is used by self builders and architects alike. It covers everything from finding land, to building the superstructure, right through to choosing the key finishes. Buy The Housebuilder’s Bible at Amazon.

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Homebuilding & Renovating magazine is the essential guide for anyone renovating, extending, converting or building their own home. From the freshest design ideas to learning how to complete your project on time and to budget, subscribing is the first step towards ensuring a smooth journey to creating your dream home. Subscribe now and get a free E-gift card

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Architect Ben Channon is the director at wellbeing design consultancy Ekkist, and in this guide he explores the way good home design - and making small home improvements - can make us feel happier and improve our mood. Buy Happy by Design: A Guide to Architecture and Mental Wellbeing at Amazon

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Chartered Architect Julian Owen’s guide is an essential jargon-free resource for simplifying the self build process. Featuring 230 colour photos, diagrams and plans, it’s packed with inspiring projects and advice to help you every step of the way on your project. Buy Self-Build: How to Design and Build Your Own Home at Amazon

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Extending your home? Homebuilding & Renovating’s ultimate guide will help you establish where best to install your extension and learn what to expect to pay along the way. It also cover everything you need to know about managing the project yourself, if that’s the route you choose to go down. Buy the Ultimate Guide to Extending Your Own Home at Magazines Direct

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Chartered surveyor Ian Rock delves into key stages of building work on self build projects, and answers questions including how much should you do yourself, and how do you go about doing it? Buy Self Build Manual: How to Plan, Manage and Build the Home of Your Dreams at Amazon

Jack Woodfield
Jack Woodfield

Jack has worked in journalism for over a decade and was the former News Editor of Homebuilding & Renovating between 2019 until 2023. In his time as News Editor he broke the most relevant and beneficial stories for self builders, extenders and renovators, including the latest news on the construction materials shortage, planning permission and green initiatives. In 2021 he appeared on BBC's The World at One to discuss the government's planning reforms. 

He enjoys testing new tools and gadgets, and having bought his first home in 2013, he has renovated every room and recently finished a garden renovation.

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