How to

Extending 35A is our third project series on Skill Builder and looks back at a single storey extension that Roger worked on many years ago. In Part 4 of our 35A Extension series, we see a young Robin Clevett go to work on the roof timbers in his first appearance with the Skill Builder team.

The Capel Building Project series follows the renovation and extension of an unusual property designed by architect Michael Newberry in Surrey. Carpenter and Builder Robin Clevett is taking the first glass and steel house in the UK which was built in 1957 and extending it and refurbishing it, including the addition of a pool house, while paying homage to its …

In this series of videos, building industry journalist and expert, Roger Bisby provides an insight into how to build an extension by taking viewers through the build of a side and rear extension on a semi-detached property in the South East of England.  In the latest episode – Episode 9 – Roger tries out a rapid drying screeding product on …

Spoiler alert – not all jobs go according to plan and this one had Roger on the ropes. Replacing a central heating pump is a simple enough DIY job, but years of plumbing experience come in very handy when the job gets too wet. The old broken pump goes out to be replaced by a brand new Grundfos UPS2.

Roger revisits a topic that Skill Builder covered many years ago. Skill Builder’s original how to render video has been one of the channel’s most popular videos but some professionals responded to say that they prefer alternative techniques. Roger Bisby considers some of the points raised in response to the first video and shares some details about how to render …

The Extension project is now up to plate level so it’s time for Pythagoras’ theorem. “Plate level is the timber plate which is going to hold the roof structure including the roof joists, hips and roof rafters. “When you put this on you need to spend a lot of time getting this right because carpenters curse bricklayers like mad if …

Do you have one cold radiator that needs fixing? Would you like to try fixing it yourself? Roger Bisby troubleshoots that problem radiator. “If you have a radiator that isn’t getting hot there are a few things potentially happening. “Your central heating might be on and your other radiators are warm but you have one cold radiator. “If you feel …

In Part 6 of The Extension series, which follows the build of a side and rear extension, we see the joists and steels slotted into position in preparation for the removal of a load bearing wall at the back of the house. The wall is being knocked out to extend the existing kitchen and create a kitchen/diner on the ground …

In Part 5 of The Extension Series Roger and his team make preparations for the first floor.  Roger talks through the key considerations at this stage including installing the lintels and exposing existing joists for bathroom pipework alterations Here’s a link to the Brickbrace video mentioned in this episode. Brickbrace is a system for supporting a wall when you’re going …

This is the fourth part of our second building project series on Skill Builder where we look at cutting roof timbers.

Roger helps you get the perfect ratio for your rendering mix. So what's the best mix for rendering?

This is the third part of our second building project series on Skill Builder. The Capel Build sees carpenter and builder Robin Clevett renovate and extend an unusual property in Surrey. In this episode we look at the timber frames. Robin has now taken delivery of the timber frame which was a day’s work in itself as some of the …

Roger Bisby shares the trials and tribulations of moving drains in the second episode of The Extension project. Builders will often tell you that the hardest part of a job is the bit in the ground. In my case this was true. The ground was made up with rubble, there were two drain runs and manholes to be removed and …

Roger Bisby demonstrates how to lay Palio LooseLay by Karndean with K-Wave Friction Grip which is made for non-expert fitters such as tradespeople and general builders. It’s got the qualities of a luxury vinyl tile but it’s easier to lay. Palio LooseLay uses a unique friction-grip backing to hold the product in place without the need for adhesive. It creates …

In this latest video Roger Bisby shares a trick he has been using for years to move steels and concrete beams. “It helps to have inflatable tyres especially on rough ground. I had some help but you could do this on your own if you levered up the end and propped it first. I am sure you can come up …

In this video Roger Bisby demonstrates how to fit a weather resistant door from JB Kind.  Doors which swell in the winter and shrink in the summer are a common problem for homeowners. JB Kind’s External Extreme door offers a more stable solution as it’s made with Medite Tricoya Extreme Durable MDF, a groundbreaking construction material which we have covered …