RCB Academy
The RCB Academy. Everything you need to know before you build.
We believe informed clients make better decisions — and better projects. These guides exist to help you plan, protect yourself and get the right result.
Browse by Topic
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1 guide
Choosing the Right Builder
What to check, what to ask, and how to protect yourself before you appoint a contractor.
1 guide
Planning & Building Regulations
The difference between planning permission and Building Regulations — and why both matter.
1 guide
Understanding Contracts & Costs
How to compare builder quotes properly and avoid the traps hidden in cheap tenders.
1 guide
Insurance & Protection
What insurance a builder should have, what it means, and how to verify it.
1 guide
Principal Contractor Explained
What a principal contractor is, what they do, and why it matters for your project.
8 guides
Project Types
Extensions, loft conversions, refurbishments and more — what each involves and what to expect.
Start With These
The most-read guides — chosen because they answer the questions almost every project starts with.
How to Choose a Builder
A plain-English guide to choosing the right builder. What to check, what to ask, and how to protect yourself before you sign anything.
Planning Permission vs Building Regulations
Two completely different things that many homeowners confuse. Understand what each one means — and why you often need both.
What Is a Principal Contractor?
The difference between a builder who turns up and a principal contractor who takes formal, legal responsibility for your project.
What Insurance Should a Builder Have?
Public liability, employer's liability, contract works — what each one covers, typical minimums, and how to verify a builder actually has it.
How to Compare Builder Quotes Like-for-Like
The cheapest quote is rarely the cheapest project. How to read a quote properly, what to ask for, and how to avoid the common traps.
Types of Solar Panels Explained
PV vs solar thermal vs hybrid panels. Which is right for your property? Costs, efficiency, ROI, and why MCS certification matters.
How to Choose an Architect
RIBA vs ARB, fee structures, what to ask before hiring, and the drawing types you need for planning and construction.
Asbestos in Your Home
Where asbestos is found in UK homes built before 2000, legal requirements, and why your contractor needs awareness training.
Have You Asked Your Builder for Insurance?
Most homeowners never ask. Many builders have no cover. Expired certs, fake documents, wrong cover levels. What to ask and why it matters.
How to Choose Bathroom Tiles
Porcelain vs ceramic vs natural stone. Slip ratings, cost guide, grout colour, and where most people waste money.
How to Choose Windows
uPVC vs aluminium vs timber. Double vs triple glazing. U-values, FENSA, and what thermally broken actually means.
How to Choose a Structural Engineer
CEng vs IStructE, when you need one, fee structures, what they produce, and how to verify their insurance.
How to Choose Roof Tiles
Slate vs clay vs concrete vs synthetic. Cost, lifespan, planning requirements, and flat roof options.
How to Choose Taps
Mixer vs monobloc, water pressure requirements, body materials, finish durability in hard-water areas, and cost guide.
How to Choose Kitchen Units
Rigid vs flat-pack, carcass specification, hinge and runner quality, door finishes, and what the showrooms do not tell you.
How to Choose Flooring
Engineered wood vs LVT vs laminate vs tile, wear layer thickness, subfloor preparation, and underfloor heating compatibility.
Party Wall Agreements Explained
What triggers the Party Wall Act, notice periods, what happens if neighbours object, and surveyor costs.
Planning Permission Guide by Borough
Permitted development rules, Article 4 directions, conservation areas, and borough-by-borough notes for Greater London.
How Much Does a Loft Conversion Cost?
A 2026 UK price guide by type — Velux, dormer, hip-to-gable and mansard. What affects the cost, what is included, and what is excluded.
How Much Does an Extension Cost?
Rear, side return, wrap-around and double-storey extension costs broken down — design, structural and build, plus what affects the price.
How Long Does a Loft Conversion Take?
Typically 6–12 weeks on site. The full phase-by-phase timeline — design, planning, structural, first fix and second fix — and what causes delays.
What Is a Party Wall Agreement?
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 explained. When you need one, the notice timeline, costs per neighbour, and what happens if a neighbour dissents.
Do I Need Planning Permission for an Extension?
Permitted development rights explained — size limits, when you do need planning, conservation areas and Article 4 directions.
What Is Building Control?
Building Regulations explained. Local Authority vs Approved Inspector, what gets inspected, and why the completion certificate matters.
How to Finance a Home Renovation
Remortgage, home improvement loans, 0% credit cards, savings and bridging finance — the pros and cons of each UK option compared.
What Is a Schedule of Works?
Scope of works documents explained — why they matter, what should be included, how to read one, and the red flags to watch for.
How to Plan a House Extension
A complete step-by-step guide from first idea to completion — brief, budget, design, planning, Building Regs, tender and build.
What Is a Snagging List?
Snagging inspections explained — what to check room by room, when to do it, and how to make sure defects are fixed before final payment.
How to Read Architectural Drawings
Plans, elevations, sections, scales and symbols explained in plain English. A homeowner's guide to understanding your plans.
Understanding Building Regulations Part L
The energy-efficiency part of the Building Regs. U-values, insulation, glazing and air-tightness — what Part L means for your project.
What Is Value Engineering?
How to reduce the cost of a project without reducing quality — and how to tell genuine value engineering from plain cost-cutting.
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Guides are a starting point. We can go further.
If you have a specific project in mind, the most useful thing we can do is talk it through with you directly. No obligation — just a clear, honest conversation.