Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2023 in Farnborough – Preview

Another year has just started with an amazing opportunity for all people who want to build their home. This year the Homebuilding and Renovating Show will begin on 14th-15th January in Farnborough. The Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre will facilitate about 200 exhibitors from all over the UK ready to answer guests’ questions and help them make informed decisions about solutions and products for their projects.

This article presents our top recommendations for you to get the most from the show; ranging from the best seminars and masterclasses, to the top experts and exhibitors. So, if you are planning to build your dream home, this event will be the inspiration and motivation you need!

We know that being new to the world of Self Build can, at times, be daunting as there is so much information to learn. However, the more you learn, the better chance you have of a successful project. We have therefore created this guide, which is designed for the novice self-builder who is at the beginning of their journey. This guide will help you get the most out of the show and will support you in getting your Self Build project off the ground.

The two-day event will host about 200 exhibitors providing the opportunity to discuss your project face-to-face with some of the industry’s top specialists. There will also be over 30 seminars and masterclasses in two different theatres. We have selected the top talks from the main theatres, and the top exhibitors you should speak to in order to get the most out of the show!

A beginner’s guide to building your own home

Michael Holmes – Director of Content at H&R Magazine, Tom McSherry – Finance Expert at BuildStore. Everyday at 10:30-11:05

Interested in building your own home? Get an insider’s guide on how to get started – and decide whether it’s for you. We’ll outline the key steps, the main choices and considerations, along with a look at what it might cost – and how to finance it. They’ll give an honest assessment of the pros and cons and run through the key mistakes and how to avoid them.

Planning permission: an expert guide to navigating the planning system

Sally Tagg – Planning Expert at H&R Magazine. Everyday 11:15-11:50

Understanding the planning permission process is a key element of getting a house built – but it can be difficult for amateurs to get to grips with. This seminar explains the process, what you’ll need to do, and how to navigate it. Presented by a leading self build planning consultant, you’ll learn how to maximise your chances of success.

Wow factor design – and how to get it!

Allan Corfield – Design Expert. Everyday at 12:15-12:50

Be inspired by this guide to how to make your home truly amazing through thoughtful, tried and tested design techniques. Our expert architectural designer reveals the must-have features to make your home special – both to look at and to live in.

Successful Project Management: How To Complete Your Project On Time and On Budgtet

Bob Branscombe – Building Expert at H&R Magazine, Everyday at 13:00-13:35

There are many different ways to build or renovate your own home. From using a design and build package company through to managing your own team of contractors, this insider’s guide explains the pros and cons, and how to make the right choice for you. Includes a guide to finding and managing builders.

Heating, ventilation and renewables – how to pick the right mix for your Self Build project

David Hilton – Eco Expert. Everyday at 14:30-15:05

The choice of different technologies available can be daunting – this session cuts through the hype and helps you establish a clear set of priorities for your project that will help you choose between gas, oil, or electric heating, which renewables make sense from the ground and air source heat pumps so solar PV, plus the options for controlled ventilation, heat recovery and air conditioning.

From old home to eco home – how to make your home warm and comfortable and slash your fuel bills!

David Hilton – Eco Expert and Allan Corfield – Design Expert, Everyday at 15:15-15:50

Practical and realistic solutions for retrofitting an existing house to reduce running costs without compromising space and architectural character. This sessions looks at the options to improve the thermal performance of your roof, walls, floors, doors and windows, as well as how to seal drafts and manage ventilation whilst avoiding condensation and damp, plus a look at the best way to upgrade you heating system.

Triple Glazing: the best option to meet Future Homes Standard Part L

14 January 11:00-11:20 – Internorm

ICF Insulated Concrete Formwork – Building Benefits

14 January 13:00-13:20 – Insul Hub

How to maximise your return on battery and solar storage

14 January 14:00-14:20 – Eco Energy Environment

Low carbon biomass heating

14 January 16:00-16:20,  Windhager UK

Insurance and warranties: Protecting your build now and in the future

15 January 12:00-12:20 – Self Build Zone

The importance of indoor air quality

15 January 14:00-14:20 – The Unico System

Timber frame design & build; An overview of the benefits of timber frame as a build system and working with an offsite timber frame package provider to realise your project

15 January 14:30-14:50 – Fleming Homes

How smart technology can drive healthy & green living

15 January 15:30-15:50 – New Wave AV

Bob Branscombe

Bob Branscombe is one of the UK’s leading Chartered Surveyors and with over 30-years’ experience in both self-build and construction, he still harnesses a long-time obsession with hands on self-building.

Allan Corfield

Allan is a Chartered Architect and founder of ACA, the self-build architectural practice, working on one-off homes throughout the UK. His goal is to provide prospective self-builders 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.

David Hilton

David is an authority in sustainable building and energy efficiency, with extensive knowledge in building fabrics, heating systems, heat recovery ventilation, emerging technologies and renewables, including heat pump technologies, Solar systems, biomass and also conventional heating systems. Often works with architects and house builders and designs and project manages appropriate performance tech and heating systems to achieve the healthiest outcome for every home.

Julia Kendell

With over 30 years’ experience as an interior design professional, property renovator and kitchen specialist, Julia specialises in interior transformations that uplift and energise to have a positive impact on wellbeing. Julia is best known as the interior designer on BBC1’s hugely popular DIY SOS, and has taken part in eight series, including a Children in Need special. Julia is also a regular on ITV1’s 60 Minute Makeover series, having been on the interior design team for nine series and ITV’s “Rebuild Our Home”, with Nicky Campbell.

Tom McSherry

Tom has worked in the financial services industry for 27 years – 14 of these, specialising in self build mortgages and finance at BuildStore, providing expert advice to hundreds of customers embarking on major homebuilding projects whether to live in, let or sell. Tom has completed two major homebuilding projects himself, and is widely regarded as a self build finance expert.

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 land owners 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!

Eco Energy Environment

Renewables – Stand D102

They specialise in enabling households, businesses, schools, and community buildings throughout London and the Home Counties to generate their own electricity by installing PV (photovoltaic) systems, on their roofs. We also install ground-mounted solar systems in fields or paddocks.

Fleming Homes

Structural Systems – Stand H107

Fleming Homes has a long-standing presence within the UK timber frame construction industry. If you want to build a timber framed house, or still considering different alternatives, come to stand no. H107 and speak to their specialists.

Internorm

Windows – Stand C102

Internorm is a strong family business. From the birth of the UPVC window to the production of timber/aluminium windows and to the high-tech and high-design innovations nowadays, Internorm is setting standards Europe-wide. Continuous technological further development and continual new innovations make Internorm a pioneer in the brand.

NEW WAVE AV

Smart Home Technology – Stand B114

Since 2003 the company have assisted clients with designing and installing home automation, lighting systems and home cinema rooms. They are design-led in their approach and are industry partners with the BIID and RIBA. They have recently gained Member of Excellence status, one of only eight Control4 and Lutron certified showrooms in the UK.

Nudura by ICF Southern

Construction Systems – Stand F103

Building codes today demand buildings and structures to be built with greater energy efficiency by utilising continuous insulation. Nudura insulated concrete forms allow you to complete the building envelope with one building product for a stronger, more efficient structure. ICF’s give you the opportunity to build residential, commercial and a variety of other build projects while achieving the demands of todays, and future, building codes. For product and Technical advice or training, contact the Team at ICF Supplies Ltd, the UK’s leading authorised distributor of Nudura concrete forms.

Self Build Zone

Professional Services – Stand C110

Self-Build Zone are the market leading provider Site Insurance, Structural Warranties and Legal Contract packs for Self-Builders, Community Groups, Renovators and Enabling Developers. Your builders Public Liability cover will not adequately cover the whole project and home insurance excludes renovation and alteration works, so to find out how to correctly insure your project, have a chat with one of the team. Self-Build Zone is the sole provider for Site Insurance and Structural Warranty products for the NHBC for self builders.

For more live tips on the Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Farnborough follow @acarchitects and @allan_corfield on Twitter.