Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2019, Somerset – Preview
It has been another successful year for the Homebuilding and Renovating Shows and now it is time for the final show of 2019. On 16-17th 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.
If you have not come across our previous article regarding the HBR shows in 2019 – make sure you check it out!
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!
SEMINAR THEATRE TALKS
The seminars at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2019 in Somerset are divided between two theatres: Seminar and Masterclass. The Seminar Theatre will host a variety of experts, who will deliver talks on all the important aspects of the Self Build process. Below we have detailed our top picks for the Seminar theatre:
Top 6 Seminar Theatre Talks:
Beginner’s guide to building your own home
Jason Orme – Editorial Director at H&R Magazine, Everyday at 10:30-11:00
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 DIY basis.
Finding your way through the planning maze
Sally Tagg – Planning Expert at H&R Magazine, Everyday 11:00-11:30
Understanding planning permission is a key element of finding land and building your own home. We reveal how to use the planning system to help you identify potential building plots; how to submit planning applications in the best way, and what you can do to ensure your designs pass smoothly – and what to do if you encounter opposition.
Build Costs: how to estimate, save and manage your budget
Bob Branscombe – Building Expert at H&R Magazine, Everyday 11:30-12:00
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.
House Design: how to make your new home amazing
Allan Corfield – Self Build Expert at H&R Magazine and AC Architects, Everyday at 12:30-13:00
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.
How to Manage Your Project
Bob Branscombe – Building Expert at H&R Magazine, Everyday 14:00-14:30
How best should you approach your Self Build or renovation project? Can you really manage it yourself and save £1,000s in the process? This seminar gives you the inside track on how to become a project manager, learn how to manage tradesmen and understand the critical flow of materials through construction planning.
House construction explained
Allan Corfield – Self Build Expert at H&R Magazine and AC Architects, Everyday 15:30-16:00
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 the construction systems (from blockwork to timber frame) to what the traditional topping out ceremony is all about, don’t miss this vital session.
MASTERCLASS THEATRE TALKS
The Masterclass theatre will feature exhibitors who will demonstrate their products and share information from their area of expertise. If you are unsure of which structural system is best for your project or which renewables will be appropriate for you, there will be different 23 masterclasses to help you make up your mind. Below, we present our top 6 talks:
Top 6 Masterclass Theatre Talks:
Smart home controls, including lighting control and design, curtains or blinds, audio-visual and home cinema solutions and smart security systems
16 November 11:00-11:20 – Intelligent Abodes
Project Insurance and Warranties: A guide to de-risking your project plus essential health & safety advice
16 November 13:30-13:50 – Self Build Zone
How to fund your self-build or renovation project: a guide to stage payment mortgages
16 November 14:00-14:20 – Buildstore
Harvest the power of nature to create the perfect indoor climate – understanding the benefits of renewable heating systems
17 November 12:00-12:20 – NIBE
How to choose the right windows for your project Velfac
17 November 13:30-13:50 – Velfac
Kitchen design: how to create more storage space in your kitchen
17 November 15:30-15:50 – Terence Ball Kitchens
ASK THE EXPERT
The Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Harrogate offers the chance to get first-hand advice from many of the top Self Build specialists 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 of your homebuilding project you are at. Some of the experts available to meet in Somerset are:
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.
Bob Branscombe
A chartered surveyor with over 25 years in construction and consultancy, Bob has combined the industry realm with the self-build world via a long-time obsession with hands-on Self Building. If you need some help with the evaluation of your property or to discuss structural issues of your Self Build, Bob is the man you should see!
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.
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.
Jason Orme
Jason Orme is Editorial Director of Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine and has worked in the Self Build sector for 20 years. He has built and renovated several homes, self-building for the first time at the age of 28, and has recently completed a major renovation and extension project. He has advised 100s of self-builders and renovators on how to make their projects a success and helped to advise Government on Self Build policy. He is a well-known broadcast expert on building and renovating homes and is the author of The Self Build Dream.
EXHIBITORS
There will be over 120 exhibitors in the Homebuilding & Renovating show in Somerset. You will have the chance to explore the various products and services they have to offer, 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 much more. It wasn’t easy but we chose the top 7 exhibitors you should visit when planning a Self Build venture:
Top 7 Exhibitors To Visit:
Structural Systems – Stand No. 102
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,
Professional Services – Stand No. 233
Jhai Ltd is an Approved Inspector, licensed every five years by the government – via the Construction Industry Council (CIC) – to carry out Building Regulations approvals (Building Control) as an alternative to local authorities. They have processed over 65,000 Building Control applications in the last five years. The team behind jhai’s success: Technical Experts, Department Heads and Directors all work together to ensure that they deliver the very best services to construction professionals and to individual property owners.
Doors – Stand No. 211
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.
Professional Services – Stand No. 501
Nibe value their Nordic heritage by reaping the renewable energy of nature, and by combining it with new smart technology, they can offer effective solutions that protect people and nature. Their wide range of products provides your home with cooling, heating, ventilation and hot water with minimal impact on the environment.
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.
Stair, Stairparts & Lifts – Stand No. 129
StairBox manufacture staircases from softwood right through to elegant oak and glass. All their staircases are made in the UK in their Midlands based factory and delivered to your home in as little as 7-10 days. They also supply a range of staircase parts, available to order direct from their website. StairBox supply to the public and trade.
Doors & Windows – Stand No. 320
VELFAC is the UK’s leading supplier of composite aluminium/timber doors and windows specified for the system’s slim, uniform frames, distinctive, contemporary style, exceptional thermal performance, and cost-effective pricing. VELFAC glazing is installed in projects of every size and in every sector, including education, healthcare, commercial, and residential. VELFAC Direct also supplies windows and doors directly to private clients, who are often planning their own ‘grand design’ home.
The HBR Show boasts 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 doesn’t 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 HBR 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!
For more live tips on the Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Somerset follow @acarchitects and @allan_corfield on Twitter.
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