Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2019 in London – Preview

Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2019, EXCEL London – Preview

Summer has come to an end, which means that the time has come for the 5th Homebuilding & Renovating Show of 2019. The show will be returning to the ExCeL Centre in London and will take place over 3 days (4-6 October). 

This article presents our top recommendations to get the most from a day at the show; from the best seminars and masterclasses to the experts and exhibitors discussing crucial areas of Self Building. 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 and overwhelming. There is so much information to learn and take in, 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 self-builder who is at the beginning of their journey. It will allow you to get the most out of the show and will support you in getting your Self Build project off the ground.

The three-day event will host almost 350 exhibitors providing the opportunity to discuss your project face-to-face with some of the industry’s top specialists. There will also be over 60 seminars and masterclasses in four different theatres. We have selected the top 7 talks from the main theatres, and the top 7 exhibitors you should speak to in order to get the most out of the show!

1. Self Build Explained: a beginner’s guide to building your own home

Jason Orme – Content Editor at H&R Magazine, Tom McSherry – Finance Expert at buildstore Everyday at 10:30-11:15

Discover how you can build your own individually designed home and save up to 30% compared to buying a new house. Learn how to find a plot, get a self-build mortgage, work out what you can afford to build for your budget, develop a design scheme and decide whether to use a builder, manage the project yourself or get involved on a DIY basis.

2. Planning Permission: How to find your way through the planning maze

Sally Tagg – Planning Expert at H&R Magazine, Everyday 11:15-12:00

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. Getting the best from builders and tradesmen

Andy Stevens – Master Builder and Broadcaster, Everyday at 12:45-13:30

What should you be paying tradesmen and builders, and what should you expect in return? Find out how to find the right builder for your project, from small local building firms to main contractors to custom build ‘turn-key’ home providers. Learn how to compare quotes, check their credentials and make sure you are working with reputable firms.

4. House construction explained – a step by step guide to how a house is built, and the key choices

Bob Branscombe – Bulding Expert, Everyday 13:30-14:00

This concise overview of how a house is built, step-by-step, from site clearance through to snagging will help anyone thinking of building their own home understand exactly what’s happening – or should be happening – on site at each stage. If you want to understand your first fix from your second, the difference between warranty and building control inspections, to what the traditional topping out ceremony is all about, don’t miss this vital session.

5. How to Add Wow Factor to Your New Home: 10 Must-Have Design Features Explained

Allan Corfield – Design Expert at H&R Magazine and AC Architects, Everyday 14:00-14:30

The ultimate in house design inspiration: we reveal the very best design ideas and features that you should consider including in your new self build or renovated home. If you want to make your new home truly special, don’t just rely on your designer – listen to our experts.

6. Build for Less: Reducing and managing costs

Bob Branscombe – Building Expert at H&R Magazine, Everyday at 15:00-15:30

How to bring your building project in on time, on budget – for less than you might think. Avoid the biggest pitfall for self builders and renovators with our ultimate guide to reducing and managing your build budget. Can you really save £10,000s on your building project without compromising on quality? We think you can – and here’s how.

7. Home Design: A step-by-step guide to designing your dream home

Allan Corfield – Design Expert at H&R Magazine and AC Architects, Everyday 15:45-16:30

The design process explained, from concept sketches to planning drawings, from building regulations to detailed drawing packages. Learn how to make sure your home design meets your aspirations, ambitions, budget, and makes the very most of its location, by formulating a clear design brief and finding and appointing the right architectural designer.

1. Renewable Energy Beginner’s Guide: Harvest the power of nature to create the perfect indoor climate

4 October 12:00-12:20 – NIBE Energy Systems Ltd, Stand: D110

2. How to choose the right windows for your project

4 October 14:30-14:50 – Velfac, Stand: C109

3. Clean Air Quality in the home – the benefits of mechanical ventilation from health to quality of living

5 October 11:00-11:20 – Total Air Quality, Stand: K122

4. The secrets of great kitchen design

5 October 13:00-13:20 – Kitchens for DIY, Stand: G120

5. How to fund your self-build or renovation project: a guide to stage payment mortgages

5 October 13:30-13:50 – BuildStore Mortgage Services, Stand: G135

6. Custom Build & New Routes to Finding Land

6 October 12:30-12:50 – Custom Build Homes, Stand: H134

7. Mechanical Ventilation and how a Heat Recovery System works

6 October 14:30-14:50 – Airflow

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 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.

Michael Holmes

One of the country’s leading property experts, presenter of multiple property TV Shows and the Chair of NaCSBA – the organisation founded to support self builders throughout the UK. His book, ‘Renovating for Profit’, is the definitive guide to home renovations that make a difference to the value of your property. Michael cannot be missed by any conscious self builder.

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. A career spent with several main contractors and major UK name surveying consultancies has helped reinforce his approach that cost-estimating and control are a fundamental tenet of self-building, and the benefits of cost certainty are a common theme in his approach to any project.

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. He presents Finance Masterclasses at The Homebuilding and Renovating Shows throughout the year, and provides one-to-one consultations on finance in our Ask the Expert Advice Centre.

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!

1. Abel

Home Technology & Security – Stand No. C130

With over 50 years experience in the security industry, Abel has grown to become one of the UK’s largest privately owned nationwide providers of electronic security systems. Since 1965 thousands of homeowners and businesses, many of them leading national companies, have put their trust in Abel to meet their security requirements.

2. ADM Systems

Ventilation – Stand No. E140

If you are considering the installation of a heat recovery ventilation system (MVHR), then a visit to stand no. E140 should be high on your ‘exhibitors to see’ shortlist. ADM Systems offer a full range of services such as CAD design and proposals, site surveys, compliance advice, complete installation by BPEC approved engineers and full ventilation system maintenance and aftercare packages. They also offer a ‘buddy’ service for self-builders installing their own heat recovery systems.

3. Buildstore Mortgages

Finance, Insurance & Mortgages – Stand No. G135

For the vast majority of self-builders getting a mortgage for building their dream home is a necessary mission. Buildstore offers mortgages for clients who are either building their own house, renovating or looking for a better rate on their current house while planning a project. Come over to stand no. G135 and check out what they have to offer.

4. Custom Build Homes

Professional Services – Stand No. H134

BuildStore Custom Build is the UK’s leading provider of Estate Agency, Marketing & Development Solutions for Developers, Landowners and Local Authorities operating in the custom and self build development sectors.

5. Internorm

Windows – Stand No. E125

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 us a pioneer in the brand.

6. Lightwave

Home Technology – Stand No. M113

Lightwave makes life easier with beautifully designed smart home technology. Remote control and monitoring of lighting, heating and power via a range of easy to install devices operated manually, by smartphone app or voice, via a smart speaker.

7. New Wave Doors

Doors – Stand No. G143

New Wave Doors, based in Bristol, South West, is a dedicated systems company, supplying patented Magnaline™ hardware and aluminium extrusions to trade manufacturers around the UK and Ireland. The New Wave slide & swing patio door was first released in the UK in 2012 as a result of the endeavour of New Wave Doors to find a better solution for wide span, multi panel patio doors than the technically and operationally flawed bi-folding door, or as they are more commonly known, bifold doors. It is also a smarter choice than conventional inline or lift & slide patio doors as you can achieve a full and clear opening.

Are you going to the HBR Show in London? 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!

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