House Planning Help Podcast

HPH298 : Do I need self build insurance? – with Andrew Reardon

10 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Reardon from ProAktive explains the insurance options that are available to anyone carrying out a self build or renovation. Check out the show ...

HPH297 : Why retrofit a Victorian terraced home to Passivhaus standard? – with Guy Hargreaves

20 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Guy Hargreaves explains why he wanted to renovate his Victorian terraced house to Passivhaus standard and how this is going to be achieved. Check out ...

HPH296 : How to connect a new water supply to your home – with John Hernon from Thames Water

30 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

John Hernon from Thames Water explains the process of installing a new connection to a water main. He also outlines the role of water services company...

HPH295 : How to connect a new electricity supply to your home – with Neil Clarke from UK Power Networks

16 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Neil Clarke from UK Power Networks explains how to get mains electricity to a new build home. Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH294 : Using a package supplier to deliver an ecological home – with Adrian Reith

02 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Adrian Reith explains why the joined up design, engineering and quality of a Baufritz home appealed to him. Check out the show notes for more informat...

HPH293 : What is Passive House Accelerator? – with Zack Semke

18 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Zack Semke explains why he's passionate about facilitating the communication and flow of information around Passive House. Check out the show notes fo...

HPH292 : What home automation do you really need? – with Mark McCall and Scott McMurray

04 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mark McCall and Scott McMurray explain what fully integrated home automation is all about. Check out the show notes for more information: 

HPH291 : Having the freedom to build what you want – with Werner Brouwer

21 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Werner Brouwer explains why being able to build a house without restrictions in Oosterwold is also about working together to build a community. Check ...

HPH290 : Being resourceful to bring down the cost of a build – with Colin Rice

07 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Self-building an annexe in an area of coastal erosion meant a low-cost but high-performance build was a priority for architect Colin Rice. Check out t...

HPH289 : Retrofitting period properties – with Roger Hunt

23 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Author Roger Hunt explains why period properties need treating differently when it comes to achieving successful retrofit projects. Check out the show...

HPH288 : Renovating a 1960s house for comfort and efficiency – with Russel Hayden

09 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Architect Russel Hayden explains how he sought to renovate a derelict 1960s house to EnerPHit standards. Check out the show notes for more information...

HPH287 : A beginner's guide to retrofit – with Russell Smith

26 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Russell Smith of Parity Projects explains why a whole house plan is the best way forward for tackling a renovation. Check out the show notes for more ...

HPH286 : What is the Living Building Challenge? – with Martin Brown

12 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Martin Brown from Fairsnape explains how the Living Building Challenge is a holistic standard that benefits health and the environment. Check out the ...

HPH285 : Developing plant-based building materials – with Judith Thornton

29 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Judith Thornton of Aberystwyth University explores how plant-based materials are being used in the building industry, and why they are so important...

HPH284 : Build It magazine's Self Build Education House – with Calum Taylor and Opinder Liddar

01 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Calum Taylor and Opinder Liddar talk through the design and construction of the 'Self Build Education House' at Graven Hill. Check out the show notes ...

HPH283 : Modelling the embodied carbon of your build – with Tim Martel

25 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Martel explains how to model the embodied carbon of your build using PHribbon, a tool that plugs in to PHPP (Passive House Planning Package). Chec...

HPH282 : How to share knowledge, test and debunk! – with Nick Grant

18 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Grant shares his thoughts on the lessons learned from 30 years of the AECB (Association of Environment Conscious Building). Check out the show no...

HPH281 : What's it like to be an owner builder? – with Tully Gallagher

11 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tully Gallagher of Beartooth Passive House, explains what it was like to take a leap of faith in swapping a desk job with building a 'forever home' fo...

HPH280 : A beginner's guide to the Passivhaus Standard – with Jon Bootland

04 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chief Executive of the Passivhaus Trust, Jon Bootland, explains the processes and benefits of building your house to the Passivhaus Standard. Check ou...

HPH279 : A beginner's guide to building terminology – with Lee Fordham from Architype

26 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Lee Fordham from Architype simplifies some of the terminology you might come across if you're thinking about doing a sustainable self build. Check out...

HPH278 : A beginner's guide to self build – with Geoff Stow

19 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Having worked on his own hands-on group self build project, and site managed others, Geoff Stow shares his experience on where to start when it comes ...

HPH277 : The importance of building performance evaluation – with Professor Fionn Stevenson

12 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Fionn Stevenson explains why building performance monitoring and post-occupancy evaluation should be mandatory on new homes. Check out the s...

HPH276 : A case study of Hope View Passivhaus – with Tracey and Roman Iwanczuk

05 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tracey and Roman Iwanczuk explain how they managed to build a Passivhaus on a sloping site in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Check out the sho...

HPH275 : How to reduce the cost per square metre on a self build – with David Snell

29 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With 14 projects under his belt, author and serial self builder David Snell explains how you can stop costs from running away from you. Check out the ...

HPH274 : An innovative cork house, designed for disassembly – with Matthew Barnett Howland

22 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Award-winning Cork House was the world's first to use a solid cork construction system. Matthew Barnett Howland explains the concept and how he manage...

HPH273 : A hemp house that also minimises plastic use – with Paloma Gormley

15 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Architect Paloma Gormley of Practice Architecture explains how versatile hemp can be as a building material, and how plastic use can be reduced on sit...

HPH272 : What is the problem with plastic? – with Emily Penn

08 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Skipper and oceans advocate Emily Penn explains the damage that plastic pollution is having on our oceans, and how we can find solutions. Check out th...

HPH271 : Common questions about the Passivhaus standard – with Ben Adam-Smith

28 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Adam-Smith shares some of the questions that got asked about the Passivhaus standard during a question and answer session at the National Self Bui...

HPH270 : What is the WELL Building Standard? – with Olga Turner Baker from Ekkist

07 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Olga Turner Baker describes the WELL Building Standard and explains how the principles can be applied to improve health and well-being on individual p...

HPH269 : What is snagging? – with Chris Parsons

30 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Parsons returns to Ben Adam-Smith's self build home after a year to look for defects. He explains what snagging is, how the list is compiled and...

HPH268 : The state of self build in the UK – with Jason Orme

23 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Self-builder and renovator Jason Orme reflects on the main challenges you face if you want to tackle a house build in the UK. Check out the show notes...

HPH267 : Self build tips, eco design and the climate emergency – with Kevin McCloud from Grand Designs

16 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin McCloud from Grand Designs shares practical advice on how to approach an ecological build, and comments on how architecture needs to change to a...

HPH266 : How to invest sweat equity into a project while maintaining quality – with Ajay Boardman and Nigel Bowley

10 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Client Ajay Boardman and her builder/carpenter Nigel Bowley share their experience of working together on her self build project. In addition to proje...

HPH265 : Preserving the beauty of a building while renovating to EnerPHit standard – with Jonathan Kearns

06 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Kearns of Kearns Mancini Architects, describes how he tackled a high performance retrofit of a century-old building. Check out the show notes...

HPH264 : Your forever home lifestyle - with Mark Siddall from LEAP

25 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Siddall from LEAP explains his framework the 'Forever Home Lifestyle' and how he uses it with his clients. Check out the show notes for more info...

HPH263 : A step-by-step EnerPHit retrofit of a mid-terrace home – with Harry Paticas from Arboreal Architecture

08 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Harry Paticas of Arboreal Architecture explains why care and hard work have been so important to the retrofit of his 1978 mid-terrace townhouse. Check...

HPH262 : Where do you put a low energy Cube micro home? – with Mike Page

02 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Mike Page explains how The Cube micro home project developed and why land availability turned out to be a major issue for those that liked the idea...

HPH261 : Reducing construction waste and reusing materials – with Duncan Baker-Brown

21 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Duncan Baker-Brown from BBM Sustainable Design explains how we can reduce waste on our projects, given a little more time and with a different approac...

HPH260 : What's the difference between a self build and a speculative development? – with Mark Stevenson

15 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Managing Director of Potton Homes, Mark Stevenson, looks at how self build, custom build and speculative development differ. Check out the show notes ...

HPH259 : Constructing the masonry superstructure of Portree Passivhaus – with Mike Coe

29 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Coe has a progress report from Portree Passivhaus, which is now almost watertight. We pick up the story as the groundworks begin and look at some...

HPH258 : Using a turn-key design and build company to deliver an ecological home – with Neil Sutherland

19 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Neil Sutherland explains how using a design, manufacture and delivery company can give you a better quality of construction. Check out the show notes ...

HPH257 : 4 ways a self build project can go wrong – with Ben Adam-Smith

06 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Adam-Smith runs through the biggest problems you could face on your self build journey. He also looks at what can be done in those situations. Che...

HPH256 : What makes a well designed MVHR system? – with Tom Heywood

28 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Heywood from Green Building Store explains why we need mechanical ventilation with heat recovery in high performance homes and why it needs to be ...

HPH255 : How do you specify high performance windows? – with Chris Herring

19 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Herring, Director at Green Building Store, explains why careful consideration should be given when specifying windows. Check out the show notes ...

HPH254 : Transitioning to an ecological civilisation – with Jeremy Lent

14 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jeremy Lent, author and integrator, looks at how and why we should transform the fundamental basis of our civilisation. Check out the show notes for m...

HPH253 : Would property investors buy sustainable homes? – with Rob Bence

05 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Property developer and podcaster, Rob Bence, advises on what's needed for undertaking a successful building development project. Check out the show no...

HPH252 : How to reduce the embodied carbon of your new home – with Chris Magwood

01 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Magwood, a director at the Endeavour Centre in Canada, explains the importance of embodied carbon and how building with plant-based materials co...

HPH251 : Adopting a 'do less, but better' mentality for your house build – with Charlie Luxton

24 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Charlie Luxton shares lessons he's learnt from visiting projects on Building The Dream, running an architectural practice and completing his own self ...

HPH250 : 10 inspiring self builds – with Ben Adam-Smith

17 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Adam-Smith picks out ten of his favourite new build homes. These are all homes he has visited and which have impressed him in different ways. Chec...

HPH249 : How to create a light and airy contemporary home – with Danny Luhde-Thompson

10 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Danny Luhde-Thompson explains why he chose to demolish the bungalow he was renovating, to build a contemporary Passivhaus. Check out the show notes fo...

HPH248 : The benefits of joining a cohousing development – with Jan Chadwick

01 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Resident of Marmalade Lane cohousing, Jan Chadwick, explains why living in a multi-generational community is so important to her. Check out the show n...

HPH247 : Two radical retrofits that use an internal wall insulation strategy – with Bill Butcher

24 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Bill Butcher from Green Building Company, the construction division of Green Building Store, explains how they tackled two radical retrofit projects i...

HPH246 : Self build mortgages that promote sustainable living – with Paul Ellis from Ecology Building Society

17 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Paul Ellis, Chief Executive of Ecology Building Society, explains their approach to mortgages that reward energy efficiency and sustainability. Check ...

HPH245 : How do you create a healthy home? – with Elinor Olisa

03 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Elinor Olisa explains why her family's health was always paramount to the decision making on this build. Check out the show notes for more information...

HPH244 : Is tiny house living right for me? – with Jenna Spesard

27 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Tiny house and lifestyle blogger, Jenna Spesard, explains why she didn't want to spend her life working to pay for a house, but instead wanted a house...

HPH243 : Embracing the "Not So Big" philosophy – with Sarah Susanka

20 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Architect and author Sarah Susanka explains why bigger isn't always better when it comes to building a house. Check out the show notes for more inform...

HPH242 : How to make a cohousing scheme a reality – with Phil McGeevor from Cannock Mill Cohousing

21 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Phil McGeevor, Chair of Cannock Mill Cohousing, describes the 12-year journey it's taken to realise their cohousing community for older adults. Check ...

HPH241 : 10 tips for better budgeting on a self build – with Ben Adam-Smith

08 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Adam-Smith shares 10 tips for creating a budget, which is detailed and realistic. Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH240 : How to start planning a self build – with Ben Adam-Smith

30 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Adam-Smith runs through a few ideas of how to get started on your self build journey. Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH239 : 3 great eco developments in New Zealand – with Matthew Cutler-Welsh

23 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Matthew Cutler-Welsh takes us through three exciting projects that are making an impact in New Zealand. Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH238 : Making Passive House homes affordable – with Adam Cohen

16 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Architect Adam Cohen explains how his modular construction system is making Passive House building simple and affordable. Check out the show notes for...

HPH237 : A SIPs Passivhaus build on a tight budget – with Richard Dudzicki from RDA Architects

10 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Architect Richard Dudzicki explains the tricks and challenges of designing a £500,000 house on a £250,000 budget. Check out the show notes for more ...

HPH236 : What next for House Planning Help? – with Ben Adam-Smith

05 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Adam-Smith's house build was a core part of House Planning Help. Having completed the project in 2018, Ben Adam-Smith looks at what should come ne...

HPH235 : My entire 6-year house build (told through my audio journal) - with Ben Adam-Smith

31 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Having recorded an audio journal the whole way through his project, Ben Adam-Smith plays back some key moments so you can hear what is involved in a s...

HPH234 : How well did I do on my self build? – with Ben Adam-Smith

23 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Having completed his house build this year, Ben Adam-Smith evaluates his own performance as a self-builder. Check out the show notes for more informat...

HPH233 : How to choose a construction system for a house build – with Mike Hardwick

14 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Self build consultant, Mike Hardwick, explains the pros and cons of different construction systems. Check out the show notes for more information. 

HPH232 : Which parts of a house build can you do yourself? – with Ben Ribbans

05 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Ribbans is a self-builder who decided to take on more and more responsibility during his project. He explains how he gained the confidence to do t...

HPH231 : How to design an interior for a modern home – with Gabrielle Blackman

15 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Interior Designer Gabrielle Blackman explains how, when planned properly, good interior design should take the owner's personality and stamp it on the...

HPH230 : What is lime render? – with Martin Brown from Best of Lime

24 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Martin Brown explains how this ancient material can be used in the modern world. Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH229 : How do you build a straw bale house? – with Barbara Jones

04 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Straw Works co-founder Barbara Jones explains the different methods of building with straw. Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH228 : What is a site meeting? – with Ben Adam-Smith

29 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Having had his last site meeting, Ben Adam-Smith explains what they are and how they fit into the construction process when building a new house. Chec...

HPH227 : What's the best way to build an airtight structure? – with Paul Jennings

19 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Air leakage expert Paul Jennings looks at how best to achieve that all important airtightness when using particular construction methods. Check out th...

HPH226 : 10 things I'm looking forward to about my new home – with Ben Adam-Smith

14 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

With a matter of weeks until he moves into his new home, Ben Adam-Smith shares a list of ten things that he's excited about. Check out the show notes ...

HPH225 : How to create a load-bearing straw bale Passivhaus home – with Andrew Goodman

08 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Architect Andrew Goodman explains what it took to create the UK's first load-bearing straw bale Passivhaus home. Check out the show notes for more inf...

HPH224 : What due diligence should you carry out before buying land? – with Rob Wiggans

29 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Rob Wiggans explains how you can minimise risks when buying land for development. Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH223 : What is it like to self build at Graven Hill? – with Dean Scott

22 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dean Scott takes Ben on a tour of the Graven Hill development, and of his own energy-efficient self build. Check out the show notes for more informati...

HPH222 : How easy is it to buy land at Graven Hill? – with Karen Curtin

15 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

With the first phase well under way and residents already moving in, Karen Curtin, Managing Director of Graven Hill Village Development Company, talks...

HPH221 : The build schedule for my cavity wall Passivhaus home – with Ben Adam-Smith

08 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

As Ben Adam-Smith's build enters the final few weeks he reviews his project's schedule and sequencing. Although a lot of the detail pertains to buildi...

HPH220 : How to finish a self build when money is tight – with Mike Coe

01 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Coe provides a progress update on his second self build project, with finances being stretched as construction is set to begin. Check out the sho...

HPH219 : Why landscaping plans always get put on hold – with Ben Adam-Smith

19 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Adam-Smith looks at why self build projects often eat into the budget set aside for landscaping. This includes Ben's new home where initial garden...

HPH218 : Stopping and later restarting a self build – with Alex Baines

06 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Baines explains the impact a mid-construction delay has had on him, his family, and his Long Barrow Passivhaus project. Check out the show notes ...

HPH217 : What to do if your partner wants to build a house! – with Kay Adam-Smith

31 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Adam-Smith chats to his wife Kay about what it's been like building a house. She never wanted a new build, preferring to buy a period property ins...

HPH216 : Do self builds get any easier for a seasoned pro? – with Mark Brinkley

23 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

With decades growing his knowledge of self-building, Mark Brinkley shares some of the surprises, challenges and joys involved. Check out the show note...

HPH215 : 10 things I've learned during construction – with Ben Adam-Smith

28 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Adam-Smith reflects on what he's learned so far during the construction phase of his self build. The project is halfway through and the finished h...

HPH214 : What self-builders can learn from commercial land buyers – with Rob Wiggans from RMP Property

18 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Rob Wiggans shares his expert tips on how to find a plot of land for a self build project. Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH213 : Do I need a contract with my builder? – with Steven Thompson from RICS

11 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Steven Thompson, from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, explains why it can be sensible to have a contract, and what type you might need for...

HPH212 : What challenges does an 'L' shape Passivhaus present? – with John Fenwick

04 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

John Fenwick discusses the challenges of building his award-winning Passivhaus with an atypical form. Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH211 : How does a local building contractor approach a competitive tender? – with Mark Feldman

19 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Feldman of MARS Building Ltd offers an insight into how he prices up potential new jobs (including when he's invited into a tender process). Chec...

HPH210 : A future-proof contemporary eco home – with Liz and Mike Hill

10 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Mike Hill explain the decisions behind the design of their contemporary eco home. Check out the show notes for more information

HPH209 : Why consideration for others matters when designing a new home – with Marlen and Tony Godwin

02 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Marlen and Tony Godwin explain why it was important for their modern, minimalist Passivhaus home and office designs to be sympathetic to the neighbour...

HPH208 : Bringing down the cost of my self build – with Ben Adam-Smith

23 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Adam-Smith looks at some of the reasons why his tender returns might have been so high. He then sits down with his wife Kay to consider possible s...

HPH207 : Opening our tender returns – with Ben and Kay Adam-Smith

16 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Parsons from Parsons+ Whittley outlines a traditional procurement route. And Ben and Kay Adam-Smith receive their tender returns. Check out the ...

HPH206 : What solar PV panels should I get for my roof? – with Robert Flynn from Solarbarn

07 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Robert Flynn from Solarbarn explains how to choose a solar array to suit your needs. Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH205 : Specifying a house and creating tender documents – with Dan Higginbotham

31 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Architectural technologist Dan Higginbotham from Parsons + Whittley Architects talks about producing construction drawings and a scheme of works fro...

HPH204 : Why you shouldn't rule out custom building on a developer estate

26 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Five self-builders explain how they came to build their houses on the edge of a developer estate. Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH203 : Putting craftsmanship at the centre of your eco build – with Will Anderson

22 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Author and self-builder Will Anderson talks about realising his self-build dream not once but twice! Check out the show notes for more information. 

HPH202 : Designing the ventilation, heating, and hot and cold water systems for Ben's house – with Alan Clarke

15 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Building Services Engineer Alan Clarke explains how he has designed and specified the ventilation, heating, and hot and cold water systems for Ben's n...

HPH201 : A recap of my self build journey (after reviewing 200 podcasts!) – with Ben Adam-Smith

31 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Adam-Smith reflects on how he's changed while making 200 podcasts about self and custom building. He also looks at how the podcast has changed wit...

HPH200 : 20 Self build tips (learned from 200 podcasts) – with Ben Adam-Smith

26 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Adam-Smith shares 20 insights about self-building that he has learned while making 200 podcasts and also tackling his own project. Check out the s...

HPH199 : The challenges of building close to your boundaries – with Oliver Smallman

19 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Self-builder Oliver Smallman tells us about planning, building and living in his London Passivhaus. Check out the show notes for more information.