The people behind TrueBuild
Every guide here is written, tested and signed by a person. Four regulars, no ghostwriters.
Sonia Marchetti Lead writer
Eleven years in site management, impatient with rough junctions. she writes only methods that survive a real site.
- Designing payment milestones: questions and pitfalls
- Before-and-after documentation: from zero to fluent
- How long design should take: is the investment justified
- Conditions paint needs: priorities at three stages
- Building a realistic programme: priorities at three stages
- What to check on taking delivery: settled in one read
- Seal on windows and doors: solutions by condition
- Gaps in joinery: don't get carried by claims
Cecily Hart Contributing editor
Independent designer focused on small flats. she prefers dimensions and details you can measure on a drawing.
- Recording every change: solutions by condition
- A three-month post-move review: priorities at three stages
- The order of structural changes: questions and pitfalls
- Sequencing the installs: boundaries before methods
- Who acts as project manager: settled in one read
- Tapping for hollow tiles: a grounded explanation
- How to test electrics: solutions by condition
- Judging paint finish: settled in one read
Gideon Stark Staff writer
Seven years writing renovation content, having seen too much rework. he starts with standards, then style.
- Documents to collect at handover: a grounded explanation
- What to prepare before demolition: don't get carried by claims
- When electrics come in: priorities at three stages
- When furniture arrives: a grounded explanation
- What half-contract really covers: don't get carried by claims
- Wall flatness: settled in one read
- Testing drainage: where rework happens
- Worktop joints: settled in one read
Rupert Sloane Regular contributor
Former materials buyer who knows every vague line in a quote. he unpicks cushion colour strategy item by item.
- How warranty periods count: turning experience into steps
- Which dimensions to measure: questions and pitfalls
- Handing over from tiling to carpentry: boundaries before methods
- How long to ventilate before moving in: questions and pitfalls
- Who should choose full self-managed: don't get carried by claims
- Writing the project review: priorities at three stages
- Square internal corners: is the investment justified
- Acceptable hollow-tile rates: boundaries before methods