Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2018 in Somerset – Preview
It has been another successful year for the Homebuilding and Renovating Shows and now it is time for the final show of 2018. On the 17-18th November at the Bath & West Showground, self-build enthusiasts will visit the biggest homebuilding show in the South West. This year, the venue will feature over 120 exhibitors and will host 12 lectures in the Seminar Theatre and 23 Masterclasses.
If you have not managed to visit any Self Building shows this year, and you are considering undertaking a Self Build project soon, then sit comfortably and read our preview article to find out how a visit will benefit your future home.
Before reading this article, make sure you have a read of our general article about the HBR shows in 2018. The article presents very useful tips that will help you get the most out of the show.
As in all of our previous preview articles, we have divided the article into four main categories, that in our opinion are the most useful for you as a self-builder to attend.
Our team has picked the most valuable talks and masterclasses for self-builders. We have also prepared a list of experts you should speak to and exhibitors that can help you make up your mind, whether you are looking for a construction system or renewables for your new home.
SEMINAR THEATRE TALKS
The seminars at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Somerset are divided between two theatres: Seminar and Masterclass. The self-build experts will deliver talks at the Seminar theatre. Below are our top picks for the Seminar Theatre:
Top 7 Seminars Theatre Talks:
1. A beginner’s guide to building your own home
Jason Orme – Editorial Director at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine, Everyday at 10:30-11:00
Learn how you can build your own individually designed home and save up to 30% on completed market value. Find out the best way to find a plot, get a self-build mortgage, work out what you can afford to build and develop a design scheme. Plus how to decide whether to use a builder, manage the project yourself or take the DIY route to reduce costs even further.
2. Planning Permission: How to find your way through the planning maze
Sally Tagg – Planning Expert at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine, Everyday at 11:00-11:30
An introduction to the planning system. Discover the tactics that will maximise your chances of getting consent for your homebuilding or renovating project. Learn how the system works, who makes the decisions, how to influence them, when to compromise, when to appeal and more.
3. How to build your own home for under £100.000
Mike Cruickshank – Self Build and Timber Frame Construction Expert at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine, Everyday at 12:00-12:30
Discover how to build your home on a tight budget without sacrificing quality or size. Learn how factors such as choice of materials, fixtures and fittings, design complexity, scale and effective project management all influence the construction costs. Whatever your budget, this session will help you avoid waste and maximise value.
4. Beginners’ guide to creating a low energy home, from Zero Carbon to PassivHaus
Allan Corfield – Self Build Expert at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine, Everyday 12:30-13:00
The ‘fabric first’ approach to low energy home design and renovation explained. Understand how to optimise insulation values, the importance of balancing air tightness, ventilation, thermal mass and solar gain, plus how to choose the right heating system including renewable energy options for heat and power.
5. Inspirational kitchen design ideas: how to create the perfect family kitchen
Michael Holmes – Director of Content at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine, Everyday at 13:00-13:30
Your step-by-step guide to creating the perfect kitchen, designed around your lifestyle. Discover how to make the most of the potential in your home to maximise the sense of space and light. Find out the fundamental design rules that make all the difference to a successful project.
6. Permitted Development: How to improve your home without having to apply for planning permission
Sally Tagg – Planning Expert at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine, Everyday at 13:30-14:00
An introduction to permitted development rights – the extensions, improvements and alterations you can make to your home without having to submit a planning application. Learn how to make the most of the recent relaxation of permitted development rules in England, plus how to combine Permitted Development and Planning Permission to maximise development potential.
7. How to add wow factor: design Inspiration for your self build, renovation or conversion project
Allan Corfield – Self Build Expert at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine, Everyday at 14:00-14:30
Discover the latest brilliant design ideas and how to incorporate them in your home to add wow factor and create something truly unique. Plus: an introduction to the design process, from choosing an architect or designer, to the delivery of the finished project.
MASTERCLASS THEATRE TALKS
The Masterclass Theatre features exhibitors who will discuss their products and share information from their area of expertise. The Homebuilding & Renovating show in Somerset will offer 23 masterclasses, below we present our top 7 picks for the show:
Top 7 Masterclass Theatre Talks:
2. How to fund your self-build or renovation project: a guide to stage payment mortgages
17 November 13:30-13:50 – Buildstore
3. Kitchen design: How to create more storage space in your kitchen
17 November 15:00-15:20 – Terence Ball Kitchens, Stand: 405
4. Protecting Your Project Against Risk: An essential guide to insurance, warranty and loss prevention for all building project types
17 November 16:00-16:20 – Protek, Stand: 403
5. Building control and structural warranties – ensuring compliance and cover
18 November 11:00-11:20 – Aedis, Stand: 410
6. An overview of Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICFs): a permanent solution
18 November 14:30-14:50 – The Fell Partnership Ltd, Stand: 530
7. Oak Frame Homes: understanding the potential of oak framing and encapsulation for energy efficiency
18 November 13:00-13:20 – Oakwrights, Stand: 215
ASK THE EXPERTS
The Homebuilding & Renovating show in Somerset offers the chance to get first-hand advice from some of the top self-build experts in the UK. So bring your plans, ideas and any issues you have regarding your project to the Advice Centre. This is an amazing opportunity to get valuable information, no matter what stage you are at. Below we have listed some of the experts who will be attending the show in Somerset:
Top Experts For Consultations:
Tom McSherry
BuildStore’s finance expert, Tom, has specialised in finance for self-build and renovation for 13 years. Over the years he has put together hundreds of financial loan deals especially for self-build and renovation projects throughout the UK.
Michael Holmes
One of the country’s leading property experts, presenter of multiple property TV Shows and the Chair of the NaCSBA – organisation founded to support self-builders throughout the UK. His book, ‘Renovating for Profit’, is the definitive guide to home renovations that makes a difference to the value of your property. Michael cannot be missed by any conscious self-builder.
Jason Orme
Jason Orme was the long-time Editor of Homebuilding & Renovating and is now Editorial Director. He has been writing about self-build and renovation for 18-years and during that time has given advice to hundreds of people taking on major building projects to their homes. He is an expert on all aspects of building or renovating from construction systems and finding land to energy efficiency and dealing with builders and in recent years has advised the Government on ways to make self-building easier for everyone.
Mike Cruickshank
Mike is an expert in self build and timber frame construction. He is a member of the Structural Timber Association (STA), regularly contributes articles to Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine, has been involved with various TV programmes including My Flatpack Home, DIY SOS and has appeared on BBC TV’s DIY Donnie programme as well as delivering talks at the various shows across the UK.
Allan Corfield
Allan is a Chartered Architect and ACA’s founder, the Self Build Architectural practice, working on one-off homes throughout the UK. His goal is to provide prospective self builder’s with the inspiration, support, and education they require to build their own cost effective, energy efficient, dream home. You can read more about Allan here.
Sally Tagg
A planning expert with a successful track record of achieving planning permission for a wide variety of clients including individual self-builders and landowners seeking to unlock the development potential of their land. If you think, that your project may be challenging in terms of achieving planning approval, or just want to give yourself peace of mind, consultation with Sally is recommended!
EXHIBITORS
There will be over 120 exhibitors at the Homebuilding & Renovating show in Somerset. You will have the chance to explore their various products and services, which can be useful in supporting your self-build dream come true. There will be companies who specialise in design, renewables, exteriors, interiors, financial services and many other services and products related to self building. It was a really difficult task, but we picked the top 5 exhibitors you should visit when planning a self-build venture:
Top 5 Exhibitors To Visit:
Professional Services, Stand No. 410
Aedis provide building control and structural warranties for homeowners, self-builders, architects, contractors and developers in the UK. Our complementary building and insurance solutions link key aspects together to add value, reduce risk and minimise costs. With a personal, professional, practical approach and commitment to exceptional service, we can help make ambitions a reality; whether you’re building a dream home, planning a housing development or working on a multi-million-pound commercial project.
Doors & Windows, Stand No. 328
Internorm, the leading window brand in Europe, offers high quality low-energy and Passive House window and door systems. At this year’s Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Somerset, Internorm will be offering visitors to its stand one of the widest range of Passivhaus and low energy windows and doors on offer. If you are interested in building a low energy home, you need to come over to stand no. 328 and check out what they have to offer.
Renewables/Microgeneration, Stand No. 216
With over 20 years of experience and over 1,000 Ground and Air Source Heat Pump projects across the UK, award winning Smart Renewable Heat are Renewable Heat experts. They specialise in designing, supplying, installing, commissioning and maintaining bespoke, energy efficient, heating solution.
Service/Products, Stand No. 302
As a 2018 UK Customer Satisfaction Award winner and the only heating supplier awarded a Distinction from the Institute of Customer Service, Nu-Heat is the chosen supplier for thousands of discerning homeowners. Meet our experts on stand 302, and discover how our award-winning underfloor heating systems, unbeatable expertise in integrating renewables and bespoke system design can benefit your project.
Kitchens, Stand No. 111
Potton specialise in creating dream homes for self builders, working hard to make your dreams a reality. They have a wealth of experience having designed over 6,000 self build properties. Potton offer a variety of different design routes for customers to choose from.
The Homebuilding & Renovating show holds a plethora of information for a prospective self-builder. The recommendations we have created are (in our opinion), the best solutions for people planning to build their dream home.
However, this does not mean that the other seminars, experts or exhibitors are not worth seeing. Depending on the priorities of your project it may be more appropriate to attend other talks. It is worth the effort and time to prepare well for the show, as what you will learn will definitely influence the final outcome of your project!
Are you going to the Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Somerset? What seminars, experts and exhibitors are on your shortlist? Have you already been to one? What are your opinions? Was it helpful? Do you have any advice for others? Share your opinions in the comment section below!
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