Book excerpt: Written for small builders and tradesmen such as bricklayers and carpenters, as well as householders wanting to provide more space and enhanced living conditions without the substantial cost of moving house. While there are many books that deal with the construction aspects of extending a house, there are few sources that combine the planning, construction and regulatory aspects into one easily accessible source. Extending and Improving a Home meets that need. By focussing on specific building elements – foundations, walls, roofs, services, finishes etc – the book neatly provides a comprehensive, accessible guide to the areas of home improvement that cause most concern for householders and small builders. Extending and Improving a Home will: Guide you through the maze of legislation that affects most building alterations and extensions; show how to go about getting a project realised in terms of design, choice of contractor and construction, successfully and to budget, and give sound technical solutions for all the elements of a project that also comply with Building Regulations.