Building Ideas - With Mark Millar

Mark Millar looks into what is happening with the Future Home Standard as we kick off 2026, best approach and what impact it'll have on the construction industry this year, based on what we know about it to this point.

Mark Millar catches up with Carpenter, Andrew Walker, who joined Mark on one of the first ever episodes to talk about his barn conversion. All of these years later, Andew is finally on the finishes touches. Ben Raynor joins to talk about a new project and shares fresh news about the project he's been on the show to discuss twice in 2025. Fix Radio Presenter, Todd Glister phones in from his self bu...

Mark Millar looks into what many are saying are the biggest changes coming to the buy-to-let market for generations and also claims that it's 'all over in six months' for Landlords in the UK. Property Expert, Rick Gannon joins the show to layout some of the changes, shares his thoughts and talks about where the opportunities are in the market. Paul Shamplina, Founder of Landlord Action shares his...

Mark Millar talks to Planning Consultant, Simon Rix from Planix and asks for advice on how to navigate planning permission in England and improve your chances of having planning approved. Mark and Simon talk about the inherent challenges and out to work with and around them as best as you can. There's explanations on why this can be so tricky and therefore how to 'play the game' and gain the best...

Mark Millar has a quick look into how 2025 has been and what next year might be like from a self build perspective. Mark asks QS Tim Phillips to join him and share his thoughts and also checks in with Tom McSherry from Buildstore to ask a few questions from a financing perspective. 

Lord Marvin Rees joins Mark Millar to talk about the vision for Bristol as a major European city and some of the major ongoing developments like Brabazon and the YTL Arena.

Mark Millar talks to Marcus Beck about the sustainability pledge that he’s taken with his wife, Abigail, to live green in Wales under the unique One Planet Development policy.

Mark Millar is joined by Interior Designer - Charlotte Dawson. Charlotte is ready to save your renovation job and help you avoid disaster, Charlotte talks about the biggest mistakes to avoid, How to manage and plan a timeline and also the importance of having a second opinion on renovation projects.

Passivhaus Architect, GIl Shalom joins Mark Millar at the Fix Radio studios to have a longer conversation and get into more depth with regards to the Passivhaus standard and building method. Gil talks about retrofitting and renovating to reach Passivhaus certification, compared to building groun up. Gil talks about materials, the role heat pumps and EPC ratings play, the history of Passivhaus and...

Mark Millar looks into some of the ongoing and planned developments in Bristol and the surrounding areas. Mark talks to Jason Collard from Hive about their sustainable focus and approach and then chats with Seb Loyn & John Thompson from YTL Group about the ongoing creation of Brabazon, a new town that promises an exciting future for the city and it's residents.

Mark Millar looks into how we can improve our home and make better use of space, design, rooms and features. For those of you fed up and wanting to sell, Mark looks into how to improve the home to add value and increase demand. Guests include: Natallia Tanko & Kevin Porter

Mark Millar looks into two projects in France and Greece taken on by Brits and invites them to share their experiences and an insight into what it's like taking on a renovation project abroad. Guests include: Ash Waters (France) as well as Chris Bishop & Jo Thompson (Greece)

Mark Millar invites guests to join him and talk about where they feel there's a lack of ingenuity and good application of ideas in the domestic building process. Mark talks about whether some things are a matter of taste or just bad design as well as what the ideas more worthy of exploration might be. Guests include: Tim Philips, Julian Owen & Robin Clevett. 

Mark Millar is joined by a developer (Nick Webb - Prism Construction) about his struggle to get planning to build houses on the site of a pub that has been derelict for a considerable period of time. Nick has sunk £1 million into the prokect so far and feels he's out of options as red tape holds him back from getting the vital planning permission he requires. Marsworth Parish Council Chairman, Bob...

Mark Millar looks into how we deal with subsidence issues with experts from the industry and ponders whether buying properties with existing issues, solving them and selling for profit could be a good business model.

Mark Millar introduces a new guest on the show, Dale Wherton, who is an incredible skilled Bricklayer beginning his journey in property development. Mark also catches us with Ben Rayner who first joined the programme in May to talk about his plans for his now completed build! 

Mark Millar is joined by Jasper Thompson, founder of Help Bristol's Homeless to talk about the ways he's helping homesless people in Bristol find temporary and long term options for housing.

Mark Millar is joined by Alice Chapman to talk about her work building tens of thousands of tents at music festivals like Glastonbury, Boomtown and others. Mark also answers a listener question about self build as we head out of the summer. 

Mark Millar looks into an interesting partnership in Hull between Giroscope, who provide social housing and Plumbing firm, Kesselmann Plumbers Ltd. Guests include: Govind Manocha from Giroscope & Paul Tozer from Kessellmann Plumbers Ltd. 

Mark Millar is joined by Andy Barton to discuss his Glamping 'Yellow Submarine' on the coast in Cheddar. Andy tells the story of how he came into possession of the lifeboat and how he converted it into something you can stay in on your holidays!

Mark Millar looks at going at it again and what you can learn from your first build. Guests include: Scott Baggaley AKA Scott DIY & Jools Cardozo

Mark Millar is joined by Ian Cowie from Blyth in Northumberland to talk about what he's doing to regenerate the local area. Ian tells an incredible story from drug addiction and prison to helping the community he once terrorised.

Mark Millar looks into getting the electrical aspects of your self build sorted. Mark talks to Paul Collins, Technical Director from the NICEIC about the importance of doing your due dilligence with regards to who you get to do the work. Electrical Contractor, Mike Toulson about options and possibilities with regards to smart home technology and touches on timescales, money and availability.

Mark Millar is joined by Richard Collins, founder of the CSR-A Accreditation and Sustainablity Advocate with a keen involvement in the construction industry. Richard talks about the accreditation and why he's created it, How you can build more sustainably and how to do it without it costing you more. 

Mark Millar invites Chartered Planning Consultant, Mark Doodes to join him and run through some high profile planning misshaps that made the national and local press. They talk through what went wrong or the challenges presented, what could have been done differently, how to avoid running into similar issues and Mark Doodes gives some solid advice at the end to recap.