DIY & Building Guides
Practical guides for UK home DIY and building projects - material quantities, depths, wastage, ordering tips and more.
Floor Screed Over Underfloor Heating: What You Need to Know
The depth of screed over UFH pipes determines heat performance, cracking risk and drying time. Here are the rules for getting it right.
Read guideDo You Need to Prime Before Self-Levelling Compound?
Yes, almost always. Skipping the primer is the most common cause of SLC failure. Here is why it matters and which primer to use on different substrates.
Read guidePatio Slab Thickness: What Do You Actually Need?
Patio slab thickness depends on the material, the load and the sub-base beneath. Here are the standard thicknesses and why going thinner to save money is a false economy.
Read guideHow to Lay Patio Slabs: Step-by-Step Guide
Laying patio slabs correctly involves more than placing stones on sand. Here is the full process from sub-base to grouting - done properly so it lasts 20+ years.
Read guideTypes of Gravel in the UK: A Practical Guide
The right gravel for a driveway is different from the right gravel for drainage, which is different again from decorative garden gravel. Here is how to choose.
Read guideHow Deep Should Fence Post Holes Be?
The depth of a fence post hole determines whether the fence stands for 20 years or blows over in the first storm. Here are the correct depths and why they matter.
Read guideWhat Is MOT Type 1 Sub Base?
MOT Type 1 is the standard sub base material for driveways, paths and patios across the UK. Here is what it is, why it works and how much you need.
Read guideDo You Need a Permit for a Skip in the UK?
A skip on a public road needs a permit. A skip on your own drive does not. Here is what the rules actually are and how to keep the cost down.
Read guideSkip vs Grab Lorry: Which Should You Use?
A grab lorry is often cheaper and faster for large volumes of loose material - but a skip is better for gradual waste accumulation. Here is how to choose.
Read guideWhat Size Skip for a Kitchen Refit?
A kitchen refit generates more waste than most people expect. Here is a breakdown of what comes out and which skip size you actually need.
Read guideHow Long Does Render Take to Dry?
Render needs to dry and cure before painting or second coats - but the timeline varies more than most people expect. Here are the actual figures and what affects them.
Read guideHow to Render a Wall: Step-by-Step UK Guide
Rendering looks straightforward but has several stages where poor practice causes cracking, delamination or staining later. Here is how to do it properly.
Read guideHow Long Does Mortar Take to Set?
Mortar sets in hours but takes weeks to fully cure. Here are the actual timelines for bricklaying, pointing and tiling work, and what affects how fast mortar hardens.
Read guideRepointing Brickwork: The Right Mortar Mix
Using the wrong mortar mix to repoint is worse than leaving the joints as they are. Here is how to match the mix to the brickwork and avoid expensive damage.
Read guideHow to Mix Mortar by Hand
Mixing mortar by hand is a straightforward skill once you know the ratio, the sequence and what the right consistency looks like. Here is how to do it properly.
Read guideTypes of Floor Screed in the UK: Which One Do You Need?
There are more screed types than most people realise, and the differences matter - for cost, drying time, underfloor heating and floor coverings. Here is the plain comparison.
Read guideHow Long Does Floor Screed Take to Dry?
The standard rule is 1mm of depth per day - but that is just the starting point. Temperature, screed type and what you're laying on top all change the real timeline.
Read guideHow Long Does Self-Levelling Compound Take to Dry?
Most SLC products allow foot traffic within 2-4 hours, but tiling time is longer - and rushing it causes problems. Here are the actual drying times and what affects them.
Read guideHow to Use Self-Levelling Compound
Self-levelling compound looks easy but has several steps where things go wrong. Here is how to do it properly from surface prep to a flat, ready-to-tile finish.
Read guideWhat Can You Put in a Skip in the UK?
Not everything can go in a skip - and the list of restricted items is longer than most people expect. Here is what is accepted, what is banned, and what to do with the rest.
Read guideHow Much Does a Skip Cost in the UK?
Skip prices vary more than most people expect - by size, location, hire period, waste type and supplier. Here are the real numbers and what moves the price.
Read guideTypes of External Render UK: Which One Is Right for You?
There are more external render types than most people realise, and choosing the wrong one creates problems that are expensive to fix. Here is a plain comparison of the main options.
Read guideHow Much Mortar Per m2 of Brickwork?
About 15 litres of mortar per m2 of single-leaf brickwork - but that translates to very different cement and sand quantities depending on your mix ratio. Here is the full breakdown.
Read guideSelf-Levelling Compound vs Floor Screed: Which One?
Both level floors but they are not the same product, the same process, or the same cost. Here is the honest comparison so you can choose correctly.
Read guideWhat Size Skip for a Bathroom Refit?
A bathroom generates more waste than it looks. Old tiles, the bath, the toilet, pipework, plaster and floor screed all add up. Here is what size skip you actually need.
Read guideHow Much Render Per m2? Coverage Rates Explained
Coverage rates for render vary by product type and coat thickness. Here are the numbers that actually matter, with a worked example and bag count table by wall area.
Read guideMortar Mix Ratios Explained: Which One Do You Need?
The number on the bag does not tell you which mix to use for your job. Here is a plain guide to mortar ratios, what they mean in practice, and which applications need which strength.
Read guideHow Thick Should Floor Screed Be?
The right screed depth depends on how it is being laid - bonded, unbonded or floating - and what is going under it. Get the wrong depth and you will have cracks, or worse. Here is the full guide.
Read guideHow Much Self-Levelling Compound Do I Need?
The formula is simple: area x depth x coverage rate. Here is how to use it, with worked examples and a bag count table for common floor sizes.
Read guideHow Long Does Concrete Take to Dry? UK Curing Times Explained
Concrete does not just dry - it cures. And the curing process continues for weeks. Here is when you can walk on it, when you can drive on it, and how to get the best strength.
Read guideHow to Mix Concrete by Hand: Ratios, Method and When to Stop
Mixing concrete by hand is fine for small jobs - but the mix ratio, water content and consistency all matter. Here is how to do it properly.
Read guideBlock Paving Sub-Base Depth: What Do You Actually Need?
Block paving that sinks, ruts or rocks is almost always a sub-base problem. Here is the correct depth specification for driveways and paths, with quantities and build-up details.
Read guideHow Much Concrete Do I Need for a Driveway?
Concrete driveways are low-maintenance and long-lasting - but getting the volume right before calling the ready-mix supplier is essential. Here is how to calculate it properly.
Read guidePlasterboard Sizes UK: Which Board Do You Need?
Plasterboard comes in more varieties than most people realise. Standard, moisture-resistant, fire-rated, acoustic - here is a plain guide to which board goes where and why.
Read guideTypes of Aggregate: Which One Do You Need?
Builders merchants sell dozens of types of aggregate and the names vary by region. Here is a clear guide to what each type is, what it is used for and how they differ.
Read guidePatio Sub-Base Depth: How Deep Should It Be in the UK?
The sub-base is what keeps your patio level and stable long-term. Get the depth wrong and slabs start rocking within a season or two. Here is what depth you actually need.
Read guideHow Much Concrete Do I Need for a Garden Path?
Concrete paths are practical and long-lasting - and a good DIY project. Here is how to work out the concrete quantity, depth and bag counts for any path size.
Read guideHow to Calculate Patio Size: What Area Do You Need?
The most common patio regret is going too small. Here is how to work out how much space you actually need before you start calculating slabs and sub-base.
Read guideHow Much Concrete Do I Need for Fence Posts?
The amount of concrete per fence post varies with hole size and depth. Here is how to calculate it for Postcrete bags, dry mix or ready-mix - with worked examples.
Read guideMOT Type 1 Compaction Factor: Why You Always Need to Order More
The compaction factor is the most commonly misunderstood part of ordering MOT Type 1. Here is what it is, why it matters and how to apply it correctly.
Read guideGravel Driveway Depth: How Deep Does the Gravel Need to Be?
Getting the depth right is what separates a gravel driveway that looks good for years from one that disappears into the ground within months. Here is the full picture.
Read guideHow Much Aggregate Do I Need?
Aggregate covers a huge range of materials - MOT Type 1, ballast, sharp sand, scalpings and more. Here is how to calculate the right quantity for your project.
Read guideConcrete Driveway Thickness: What Depth Do You Need in the UK?
Get the concrete thickness wrong on a driveway and you will have cracks within a few years. Here is what thickness you actually need for cars, vans and different ground conditions.
Read guideHow Many Plasterboard Sheets Do I Need?
Calculating plasterboard is easy to get wrong - doors, windows and board orientation all affect the count. Here is how to work it out properly, including screws and jointing compound.
Read guideHow Much Sub-Base Do I Need?
Getting the sub-base right is more important than almost anything else in groundwork. Here is how to calculate the right amount for patios, driveways and paths.
Read guideHow Much Concrete Do I Need for a Garage Base?
A garage base needs more concrete than a shed base - and more care. Get the thickness, mix and quantity right with this step-by-step guide.
Read guideHow Many Patio Slabs Do I Need?
Calculating patio slabs is simpler than it looks - but joint gaps, cutting waste and pack sizes all affect your order. Here is how to get the numbers right.
Read guideHow Many Bags of Postcrete Per Fence Post?
Postcrete is brilliant for setting fence posts quickly - but how many bags you need depends on your hole size and post dimensions. Here is a clear guide with worked examples.
Read guideHow Much Gravel Do I Need for a Driveway?
Gravel is one of the most cost-effective driveway surfaces - but getting the depth and quantity right is where most people come unstuck. This guide walks through the numbers.
Read guideHow Much MOT Type 1 Do I Need?
MOT Type 1 is the go-to sub-base material for driveways, patios and paths - but getting the quantity right catches people out because of the compaction factor. Here is how to order the right amount.
Read guideHow Much Concrete Do I Need for a Shed Base?
Working out concrete for a shed base sounds straightforward - but the right depth, wastage allowance and choice between bags and ready-mix can trip you up. Here's how to get it right.
Read guide