Pat and Sarah Donlan have built a contemporary single-storey home for their retirement which is energy efficient and easy to maintain. "It’s warm, bright and easy to clean. We consider this house an investment for our future. Nobody is served by going into an institution in their old age… by building this house we hope to be able to avoid that.”

Des Littlefield has extended and transformed a house in Hampshire to create a fun family home with enough space for play and lots of room for entertaining. He designed the house himself and passed it on to an architect to draw up for planning. “Fareham Council passed the plans straight away. The area needed modernisation and so I think they were pleased with what I designed,” says Des. The new elements to the house mean the original building is unrecognisable, almost double in size. “We wanted a house that would suit a young family. We didn’t want to compromise on anything,” he says.

Ploughing all of their money into a derelict Grade II-listed Victorian church, Phil Evans and Joanne McGirr found themselves mortgaged up to the hilt and teetering on the brink of financial ruin. Despite numerous setbacks, including appalling weather, they have complete the huge conversion project to form an amazing new three-bedroom home – all while working, bringing up a young family and living 90 miles away from the site. "It totally took over our lives, and cost every penny we owned, but to see the building being used again is so rewarding. it is definitely a very special place," say Phil.

Connecting their 1920s house to its beautiful garden was the incentive behind David and Jane Catchpole’s contemporary glazed extension. “We briefly considered knocking it down to build a replacement, but the house was so structurally sound and well built that it would have been a shame,” says Jane. “The front has a boxy appearance, with a recessed entrance, but the rear is more Arts and Crafts in style and overlooks the fantastic garden. We wanted to bring it up to date without sacrificing the original character.”

Oak framing is a time-honoured building system which has enjoyed a relatively recent revival and is now a firm favourite with selfbuilders. But before embarking with this construction option, you should consider all the factors carefully. Oak frame doesn’t suit all designs, and has its limitations and special requirements. Read our Beginner’s Guide to decide if it is for you.

Richard McLane explains why a good staircase is just as important to your new home as a kitchen or bathroom and offers his eight top tips for staircase design.

Presenter of Channel 4’s Inside Out Homes, and co-presenter of Grand Designs: House of the Year, Zac Monroe has spent the last 20 years transforming uninspiring properties into inspirational homes, and is on a mission to breathe new life into the UK suburbs.

Oliver Pearce created a large open-plan kitchen to act as the centrepiece of his client's the home.

News of new self- and custom-build opportunities in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire; and further serviced self build plots go on sale at Graven Hill in Oxfordshire.

From tables and seating to pavilions, pergolas and outdoor ovens, we offer you some inspiration for making the most of the garden of your new home.

Robert Matthews continues his in-depth analysis of the German Passive House standard.

Legal advice: Property law specialist, Guy Elyahou, looks at whether a buyer has any comeback for faulty plant bought at auction.

Plot Doctor, Roy Speer casts his eye over an urban infill plot for sale.