How to check a builder on the FMB, TrustMark and Companies House, what a written contract needs, and how to pay in stages so problems get fixed first.
What you can build without planning permission on Article 2(3) land in the Cotswolds: rear and side extensions, lofts, cladding and the 8 metre rule.
Why old Cotswold stone walls need lime mortar, how cement pointing and render cause damp and stone decay, and how to remove cement safely.
When you must give a party wall notice, the 2 month and 1 month notice periods, the 3 and 6 metre rules for digging, and what happens next.
How building regulations approval works: council or private building control, full plans or building notice, completion certificates and local fees.
A checklist for a written building quote: a fixed price, the work and materials, VAT, payment stages, extras, dates and who deals with approvals.
Guides
Plain guides to common problems, the rules and how to check a firm. Each guide lists its sources.