The BIG IDEA DIY GUIDE

Calculators

Fencing And Fence Panel Calculator

Measure and sketch the fence before you order. This calculator works for straight runs of prefabricated timber panels. Work out each run separately, including...

Brick Dimensions & Block Wall Calculator: A Complete DIY Guide

Building or repairing a brick wall requires careful planning, particularly in calculating the necessary materials. Whether you are constructing a garden wall or repairing...

The Ultimate Weight Conversion Chart: Tonnes to KG

The Metric System of Measurements uses the mass units: gram (g), kilogram (kg) and tonne (t). And when something weighs a tonne, that is 1000 kilograms. Unless...

What Is The Most Efficient Way To Insulate A Loft?

In the current climate of raising costs of energy prices and overall living costs increasing with the highest rate of inflation for forty years...

DIY & How To

Why Are My Windows Wet Every Morning?

If the windows are wet again this morning, start with a dry cloth. Where the moisture sits matters more than how much of it...

Loose Brick, Crumbling Mortar or Leaning Wall? What to Check First

A single damaged brick, a patch of worn pointing and a wall that has started to lean call for different responses. Start by looking...

Coffee Table Decorating Ideas from the Experts

There’s a certain art to tinkering with your interiors; editing your setup for the love of the game; teasing out latent potential with the...

Which Mortar Do I Need for My Garden Wall?

The mortar for a garden wall depends on the brick or block, the weather exposure and the type of work. Start by identifying whether...

How to Put Up a Panel Fence on a Slope

A fence built from rigid rectangular panels can follow a slope in level steps. The important decisions are where each step falls, what happens...

How to Replace a Fence Panel Without Replacing the Posts

A broken fence panel can often be replaced between the existing posts. Before you buy one, check that both posts are sound, identify how...

Is an Ottoman Bed Worth It? Storage Solutions for Modern Bedroom Design

When planning a bedroom renovation or refresh, storage is often the limiting factor. Wardrobes take up wall space, built-in cupboards require structural work, and...

How to Fit Fascias and Soffits: A Complete Guide to Installation

Fascias and soffits are an essential weatherproof part of maintaining your exterior and roofline, ensuring both the aesthetic appeal of your home and its...

Designer Bedrooms On A Budget

If you’re looking to update your bedroom without breaking the bank, embracing some do-it-yourself (DIY) skills can save you a considerable amount of money....

What's the Big Idea?

The Big Idea is a showcase of experts in the building industry and it is in essence a How To Guide site aiming to give helpful tips and DIY guides for everyday folk, for small and big ideas.
The articles will hopefully give assistance in any project from grand designs to small home improvement jobs that need ticking off your list.

Meet the Big Idea Team

David Dooley

David Dooley
David started work in the building industry at 14 to earn some pocket money and has not looked backwards since. His father was his first boss and instilled into him the mantra “that’ll do will never do” and to this day it is his ethos. Having worked in London, Dublin, Paris and Sydney he is now resident in Brighton and has renovated a number of homes. His current project is finishing his own place much to the joy of his wife and two children.

Bob Taranto

Bob Taranto
Bob Taranto has 20+ years of experience in the construction industry. He has a keen eye for DIY work and he loves to create and build for himself and for others who need the help.

Sue Taranto

Sue Taranto
Sue Taranto has a deep love for anything to do with interior design. With 12+ years working as an interior designer, she has helped turn many homeowners' interior ideas into reality.

Home Ideas

Garden Ideas