Blog
Practical guides and insights for UK homeowners managing their own builds.
Builder Deposits and Stage Payments in the UK: What's Normal, What's a Red Flag (2026)
Typical UK builder deposits run 10-15%. Stage payments are tied to milestones, with 5% retention held back. Here is what should be in your contract and the warning signs to walk away from.
UK Building Measurements: Why a 4×2 Isn't 4 Inches by 2 (And Other Imperial vs Metric Traps)
A homeowner's decoder for UK building measurements. Why timber, pipes, bricks, and bags use mixed imperial and metric, what to actually order, and the US import traps that wreck extensions.
First Fix vs Second Fix: What You Need to Know Before Your Extension
First fix and second fix explained for UK extension homeowners: what each stage covers for electrics, plumbing, and carpentry, and the decisions you must lock in before cables are run.
Justifying the Builder Deposit: A Worked Example with Real Numbers
An £80k extension with a 15% deposit means handing over £12,000. Here is what that money actually pays for in week one, with real invoice data.
Lessons from a 35-Month Kitchen Extension: What I'd Do Differently
Real lessons from a UK kitchen extension that took 35 months and cost £172,900 against a £45,500 builder quote. First-person account with invoice-level detail.
Should You Project Manage Your Own Extension? A Realistic Guide
Real numbers from a 35-month, self-managed UK extension build. What DIY project management costs in time, money and stress, with a decision framework.
Building Control Inspection Stages for Extensions
Every building control inspection stage for a UK extension, including what the BCO checks, when to book, what happens if you fail, fees, and why the completion certificate matters.
Kitchen Extension Cost UK 2026: What to Really Budget For
The real cost of a UK kitchen extension in 2026, broken down by category. Most guides quote the builder's work only. This one tells you about everything else.
The Complete Timeline for Project Managing a UK Kitchen Extension
A real timeline from a 35-month kitchen extension: every phase, what went wrong, and what it actually cost. Written by someone who project managed their own build.