Have a think about what you can re-use, or what materials are available either free, or cheaply, for your project. Are these materials safe (strong enough, pollutant free)? Do they have to be transported far? Can they be recycled again?

Rercalimed timber can add a lot of character to your home. Tips for choosing and using reclaimed timber:

Reclaimed bricks can be more expensive than new bricks, because excavated sites are in high demand for landfill and so manufacturers can afford to sell new bricks very cheaply. The main reason for choosing reclaimed bricks (other than good recycling practice) is that they are often of better quality, and therefore will last longer, than modern equivalents.