The main difference between a self-build mortgage and a house purchase mortgage is that with a self-build mortgage, money is released in stages as the build progresses, rather than as a single amount.
Some lenders will lend you money to purchase land, typically 75% of the purchase price or value, which ever is lowest.

During the build you can borrow typically 75% of the cost of the value of the house as the project progresses, depending on the chosen lender.

There are two methods by which the money can be released during the build, known as arrears stage payments and advance stage payments respectively.

In the arrears stage payment method, the money is released after the stage has been completed and a valuer has visited the site; this can cause cash flow difficulties.

BuildStore developed the advance stage payment method, so that the money required is released, at the start of the stage before work begins.

This advance payment mortgage has become very popular, as it gives positive cash flow during the build.

Also the high percentage lending of 95% of the cost of the build with BuildStore’s Accelerator Self Build Mortgage, makes it is easier to stay in your current house, while the build progresses.

You can borrow up to 95% of land costs, up to 95% of build costs and up to 95% of the end value of your new home

To give self-builders the sort of choice available to house purchasers, a range of different mortgages are available through the Accelerator Self Build Mortgage.

For more detailed information visit:

Web: http://www.buildstore.co.uk/finance

With many people still needing to get on or move up the property ladder, The National Self Build & Renovation Show, sponsored by EDF Energy, will show visitors how to build their way out of the housing slump, through self build, renovation, or home improvement.

BuildStore’s National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon will host the Self Build & Renovation Show, where visitors can discover the many inspirational and educational features and exhibits, including a full-size timber frame Potton house (featured) and a renovation house, a self-build education journey and a Trade Village.

They will be inspired by great ideas in design and innovation, plus inside knowledge on everything they need to know, to build their dream home.

There will be a packed programme throughout the four-day show, featuring daily seminars, product demonstrations, and presentations:

• Visitors can learn about finding land and properties for renovation, securing finance and buying materials from self-build and renovation experts.
• They can book one-to-one sessions with CAD designers to bring their plans to life, meet self build and renovation guru Tommy Walsh and learn how to make their homes more energy efficient, in the Big Green Pavilion, with Burdens Environmental - leaders in delivering sustainabile construction.

The Self Build & Renovation Show will run between Thursday 2nd and Sunday 5th October, at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon, off Junction 16, M4. Entry on the day is £10 per adult, or £15 per couple.

For daily schedules, and ticket booking, log on to:

Web: http://www.mykindofhome.co.uk/show

The London Homebuilding & Renovating Show at ExCeL London from 19th to 21st September, (featuring over 200 exhibitors, 12 free seminars and 12 free master-classes), is the only show in the South East dedicated to improving, renovating, extending or building your own home.

The current lack of confidence in the property market means, for many, moving house is no longer an option and making the most of your current home is the most sensible strategy.

As energy prices continue to rise, environmentally friendly improvements and energy saving measures have to be a consideration; indeed new building regulations insist upon it.

But it’s money well spent, not only to keep up with energy efficiency demands, but also to save money and relieve your eco-conscience.

The Show also offers the opportunity to consider the alternative route of saving money by building your own home, as well as how to make the most of the latest smart home technology.

If you are interested in increasing the value of your current home,(saving between 20 and 30 per cent on a new home), or are simply looking for ideas to get you started, a visit to The London Homebuilding & Renovating Show is a must!

Tickets are £8 in advance or £12 on the door (children under 16 go free).

For more information and to purchase tickets visit:

Web: http:// www.homebuildingshow.co.uk
Tel: (0871) 945 4547.

The French Furniture Company specialise in French painted reproduction furniture in antique white, cream, black, stone and gilt finish and also offer a vast array of stunning and distinctive products, to furnish every room in the home - you’ll be sure to say “oh la la!”

The French Furniture Company supplies striking and exclusive products, ranging from exquisite Venetian pieces, hand made French Shabby Chic furniture, through to the most delicately fashioned objet d’ art.

They also specialise in Ornate Mirrors, gold, silver, white, black and Venetian; many of these handcrafted pieces are limited editions and could well be destined to become the antiques of tomorrow.

A number of pieces are exclusive to The French Furniture Company and this range is always increasing; beautiful items sourced from around the world, in a wide variety of styles and traditions that can furnish an entire house, or just add that Wow factor!

Featured here is the Le Jolie Sofa Set - This sumptuous set includes, Chair and Leg rest Chair, hand carved from solid mahogany; finished in a slightly distressed antique stone coloured paint finish, using a seven step ageing process. Priced at £745.

Chair: height 42 cm x width 60 cm x seat depth 43 cm.
Stool: height 42 cm x max height 71 cm x width 60 cm x length 100 cm.

Whatever you desire, there is a vast range of furniture on offer here, to help you create romantic bedrooms, elegant dining rooms and gorgeous living rooms.

Web: http://www.thefrenchfurniturecompany.co.uk

Tel: (08450) 547528

One of the world’s most important architects, Andrea Palladio, was born on 8th November 1508.

His influential book, I Quattro Libri dell’Architettura (The Four Books of Architecture), includes his designs for symmetrical structures with classical architectural features, including Corinthian and Ionic columns.

Palladian style is still prominent today and features heavily in the Haddonstone Collection; indeed, the company has based many of its columns, temples and pavilions on Palladian principles.

Featured in our picture is a spectacular Pergola with Tuscan columns.

Haddonstone is a leading UK manufacturer of fine landscape ornaments and architectural cast stonework.

To see a full range of Haddonstone’s Collection visit:

Web: http://www.haddonstone.com
Tel: (01604) 770711

Louis Poulsen is celebrating the 50th birthday of it’s PH 5 pendant lights, by introducing the PH 50, a special version of the famous pendant, to create bright lighting for your interior design.

For five decades, the PH 5 has proven its unique ability to blend into all types of interiors; the 2008 version, PH 50 comes in five completely new colours that present new decorative options – without changing Poul Henningsen’s design, or the excellent ideas underlying the light processing.

Designed to hang low above a table, the PH 50 provides glare-free lighting - the visible reflectors directing light both vertically and horizontally to create a warm tone of light.

The bright colours are Chilli Red, Mint Blue, Wasabi Green, Coconut White and Olive Black.

Web: http://www.louispoulsen.com

Screwfix is the UK’s leading multi-channel supplier of thousands of high quality screws, fixings, hand tools, power tools, plumbing and electrical supplies.

Combining trade prices with a massive range of leading brand items, Screwfix offers over 18,000 products and is fully committed to customer care and support.

Their latest Catalogue 92 focuses on offering ‘More of The Best’ and comprises a collection of products that provide the best deals, are best for the task and represent the best new brands.

This 118-page issue is packed with new lines from top brand names such as:

• Site and Black and Decker - Site has seven new additions ranging from Combi Drills to Circular Saws.
• A fantastic new Workmate for only £39.99 has been added to the Black and decker collection.
• Crabtree, MK and Volex, have all updated their ranges in line with the new 17th Edition regulations; these are all added to an assortment of top brands such as Leyland Trade, John Guest, No-Nonsense, Victus Swirl, and many more.

You can order all of the great deals from the website, with free next day delivery for most items.

A useful feature of the Screwfix website is the Tradesman’s forum, where builders and craftsmen exchange advice and opinion on a surprisingly wide range of subjects, which provides a great source of hints and tips for DIY enthusiasts.

Each item is supplied with a 30-day money-back guarantee and can be accessed seven days a week at:

Web: http://www.screwfix.com
Tel: Freephone (0500) 414141

Or a visit to one of the growing UK network of Trade Counters.

Spiral Staircases work with their customers to create the best quality staircases to complement their existing home interior design.

Spiral Staircase Systems create technically and aesthetically pleasing designs of glass, stone, steel and wood, focusing on the design, manufacture and installation to achieve the highest level of quality in the finished product.

Working with customers to their design specifications, the company creates stairs that are not only visually striking, but also practical too, to ensure they fulfil their functional purpose in the home.

Staircases are produced for homes, shops, offices and even television locations as seen on ITV2’s The Diary of a Call Girl (featured here):

• This Glass Helical Stair SS 657 is a spectacular helical G-fin design that uses the bare minimum of metalwork for maximum transparency.

Some other examples of Spiral Staircases work include:

• Hermes Staircase - This staircase was built for Hermes on Sloane Street London and features elegant and clean lines, with a plaster balustrade, open hardwood treads and a leather upholstered handrail.
• Glass Spiral Staircase - Is an example of Spiral’s G-Fin tread support system on a spiral stair, composed of spectacular combinations of glass treads, brushed stainless steel metalwork and acrylic panelling to create a transparent stair system for a contemporary look.

The G-Fin system can be used to make straight, spiral and helical stairs.

Prices available on quotation.

Web: http://www.spiralstairs.co.uk

Tel: (01273) 858 341

The National Self Build & Renovation Centre will host its second Self Build & Renovation Show of the year in Swindon, from Thursday 2nd October 2008; offering lots of advice and inspiration, for anyone looking to climb up the property ladder through self build or renovation.

Whilst the wider housing market is suffering a major downturn, due to the credit crunch, building your dream home, through self-build, renovation, or conversion, is becoming a more appealing and realistic option.

At a time when house-builders have ‘downed tools’ and the Government’s new homes targets are under threat, self builders and renovators are taking advantage of the increased availability of land, labour and specialist advance payment mortgages.

BuildStore, the self build and renovation experts behind the National Self Build & Renovation Centre, are the leading providers of self build and renovation advance payment finance, and also own land-finding database, Plot Search.

BuildStore recently revealed that the number of self build land and renovation opportunities had grown significantly in 2008, up 20% between January and June, and over half of available self build plots are priced £150,000 or less; a third of them £100,000 or less, making it possible to self-build a detached family home for less than £200,000.

The Self Build & Renovation Show will run between Thursday 2nd and Sunday 5th October, at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon, off Junction 16, M4.

Entry on the day is £10 per adult, or £15 per couple. Tickets are free, if you book in advance via the website.

For daily schedules, and ticket booking, log on to:
Web: http://www.mykindofhome.co.uk/show

Established in 1970, Orac a Belgian family business, has become a leader in high quality products in plastic for interior decoration.

Their range is broad and complete including, different mouldings, ornaments such as ceiling medallions, pilasters, columns, skirting, niches, garlands, pediments, windowsills, wainscoting and decorative lighting - in short, everything to give your house a new look in no time.

With an extensive range of synthetic mouldings and ornaments, the interior decor specialist ORAC offers a wealth of ideas:

From bathroom and kitchen, to living room and bedroom, ambience is guaranteed.

The company’s ambition, is to provide you with every possible tool to make your interior cosy, original and stylish!

ORAC’s state of the art technology, combined with an ongoing search for user-friendly products, provides endless possibilities in terms of atmosphere, character and most of all, originality.

Our picture features Orac LR_06: A classic living room in a period house:

• On the door: Panel mouldings DX119 and PX117 form squares.
  Around the room CX124 by the ceiling classic cornice moulding and PX120 panel moulding.
  On the walls P8020 panel mouldings forms decorative rectangles. Elements are painted in vintage style to give the impression of being original features of the house.

P8020 is from Orac’s Decor high-density polyurethane collection.
Other mouldings from their Orac Axxent duropolymer collection. (a professional alternative to plaster).

All of the elements are lightweight, shockproof and easy to install.

Web: http://www.oracdecor.com
Tel: (01483) 271211