Practical guidance for planning and building your own home
Practical guidance from real self-build journeys.
The story behind House Planning Help
From first ideas to a completed home — and the lessons that shaped everything that followed.
Everything you need to plan and build your own home
Practical guidance from construction professionals and self-builders who have done it before.
Self-build planning
Sustainable building methods
Real project case studies
Featured in leading self-build magazines and construction websites
Recognised across trusted sources for self-build advice, sustainable homes, and real project insights.
Where are you in your self-build journey?
Choose your stage and explore the guidance designed to move you forward.
Start here: recent conversations
Conversations with people who have already built — sharing what worked, what didn’t, and what to do differently.
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HPH401: Let’s build something
Listen to episode →: HPH401: Let’s build something -
HPH400: Three couples build a terrace of three Passivhaus homes
Listen to episode →: HPH400: Three couples build a terrace of three Passivhaus homes -
HPH399: The Good Building Book – with Jon Broome and Nick Grant…
Listen to episode →: HPH399: The Good Building Book – with Jon Broome and Nick Grant…
The key areas every self-build revolves around — from finance to performance.
Discover practical insights and expert advice on the most important aspects of designing and building a sustainable home.
Planning permission
Sustainable materials
Energy efficiency
Build costs
Passivhaus design
Practical insights from real projects
Lessons from architects, builders and self-builders — based on real projects, not theory.
Managing your build
Managing your build, budgets and communication with contractors
Energy and sustainability
Low-energy homes, sustainable materials and reducing environmental impact.
Planning your project
Guidance on planning permission, regulations and navigating the approval process
Ready to start your self-build journey?
Explore the podcast, guides and expert advice — everything you need to move forward.
