Articles by: Sam Webb | Homebuilding

Sam is based in Coventry and has been a news reporter for nearly 20 years. His work has featured in the Mirror, The Sun, MailOnline, the Independent, and news outlets throughout the world. As a copywriter, he has written for clients as diverse as Saint-Gobain, Michelin, Halfords Autocentre, Great British Heating, and Irwin Industrial Tools. During the pandemic, he converted a van into a mini-camper and is currently planning to convert his shed into an office and Star Wars shrine.

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A red classic porsche parked on a street with georgian houses in the background

Self builder designs ultimate garage for his classic car collection

BySam Webbpublished20 April 23

The amazing space hosts has a workshop and five bays with underfloor heating and moveable parts to control lighting and airflow — plus its own air source heat pump

The abbey dates back to the 12th-century

Boycie’s home after Only Fools and Horses goes on sale for £1.5 million

BySam Webbpublished20 April 23

Late actor John Challis bought the property in 1998 and renovated it with his wife

Family living off grid in shipping container with alpacas told to dismantle home

BySam Webbpublished15 April 23

Dan and Stacey Bond used to live in a bus they converted to a home on their land where they run an alpaca retreat

Worcester Bosch's hydrogen boiler prototype

Will a loophole allow gas boilers in new homes after 2025?

BySam Webbpublished11 April 23

There are fears 'hydrogen-ready' boilers will sidestep looming net-zero legislation

The dumped rubbish consisted of timber, mattresses, carpets, tiles, and other household waste

Renovator fined after contractor fly-tips building waste

BySam Webbpublished10 April 23

The prosecution demonstrates the importance of ensuring a contractor disposes of waste responsibly

Can I cut wet grass — and how do I know if my grass is too wet?

BySam Webbpublished9 April 23

Mowing after a deluge can have an impact on your lawn and potentially mess up your mower. Here's our guide on when to mow and when to whoa...

How to cut long grass — according to the experts

BySam Webbpublished8 April 23

You can prevent the risk of damage to your lawn and your mower by taking a few simple steps. We ask the experts their verdict on cutting long grass

John and Helen told Kevin McCloud they needed to build a new home that could meet their enforced new requirements

Vaillant Heat Pump Challenge: Kevin McCloud searches for pioneering heat pump installations for new filming project

BySam Webbpublished6 April 23

The Grand Designs star is looking for heat pump projects that are unusual or have overcome installation challenges

A man in a blue shirt wityh a pressure washer cleaning patio slabs

How to clean patio slabs: Step-by-step guide

BySam Webbpublished3 April 23

春天的开始是最完美的时间去整理your patio and make it look inviting. We explain the best way to clean patio slabs, the products you should use — and those you should avoid

Grass seeds germinating with new grass growth on soil

How long do grass seeds take to grow? Our guide to good grass germination

BySam Webbpublished2 April 23

There is more to a verdant lawn than simply throwing handfuls of seed about. We explain how long germination takes as well as what makes grass grow quicker

How to overseed a lawn: Step-by-step

BySam Webbpublished1 April 23

If your lawn is looking a little sparse after a tough summer and winter, it might be worth overseeding. Here we ask the experts how is best to do it

Woman shocked when looking at her rising bills

Water bills rate rise: See how much your water company is hiking its prices by

BySam Webblast updated29 March 23

Homeowners warned as water bills set to rise by highest rate for 20 years

Heat pumps 'three times more efficient than boilers'

BySam Webbpublished26 March 23

Heat pumps performed well even on the coldest observed days, according to the UK government research

Households told to apply for planning permission for garden fences

BySam Webbpublished25 March 23

Four homes on a street in Wales were told by the council they needed to make an application for planning permission after erecting fencing between their gardens

A street view of newbuild homes in Cotchett Village near Derby

How an extension can void your newbuild warranty

BySam Webbpublished24 March 23

We explain why building work at your newbuild could cause problems with your warranty after a recent case in a village near Derby highlighted the issue

A Bosch heat pump beside a grey stone wall

Bosch tells homeowners heat pumps don’t work in old homes

BySam Webbpublished23 March 23

The heat pump manufacturer is advising homeowners not to install heat pumps in older houses and opt for boilers instead

What is the cost of artificial grass? Types and cheapest options

BySam Webbpublished20 March 23

Whether you are doing it yourself or hiring a contractor, here's a guide on the costs you can expect

Many homeowners opt for artifical grass because of the way it looks

How to lay artificial grass: A step-by-step guide

BySam Webbpublished19 March 23

There is a lot to take into account when laying an artificial lawn but the result will be the ultimate low-maintenance garden. Here's our expert guide on how to do it

Mulching on a rose bed with rose bushes growing out of it

What is mulching? How mulch makes plants healthier and helps save water

BySam Webbpublished18 March 23

Mulching is great for your plants and garden. Here's everything you need to know, including the different types of mulch, how to do it and how it can save water in the summer months

Moss being held in a hand with a scarify rake nearby

Extreme moss growth warning for gardeners

BySam Webbpublished17 March 23

Moss is thriving with the current weather conditions, leaving gardeners scrabbling to protect their grass health

Immigration rules to be relaxed to ease skills shortages for builders

BySam Webbpublished16 March 23

The government has changed the rules to help construction firms struggling to meet post-pandemic demand

Battery breakthrough could see storage hit 1,200 Wh/kg — four times existing capacity

BySam Webbpublished13 March 23

The new technology has the potential to tackle one of renewable energy's biggest hurdles

It is not known how long the property has been empty for

Britain's most expensive doer-upper? Derelict mansion on sale for £22 million

BySam Webbpublished12 March 23

The dilapidated property sits in one of the most exclusive postcodes in Britain and comes with a large garden

Too mucb thatch can severely hamper the lawn's health

How to scarify a lawn using a leaf rake —plus petrol or electric scarifier methods

BySam Webbpublished11 March 23

Scarifying can help rejuvenate your lawn by removing excess organic matter. Here's our easy guide on how to do it

Government hands out additional £14 million for heat pump scheme

BySam Webbpublished10 March 23

The government has added another £14 million worth of funding to the controversial Boiler Upgrade Scheme despite calls for it to be scrapped

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