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Allan CorfieldMar 20, 2019 12:00:00 AM15 min read

National Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2018 in Birmingham - The Ultimate Preview

National Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2019 in Birmingham – Preview

National Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2019 in Birmingham – Preview

It is the time of year that every ambitious self-builder is waiting for. In just over 2 weeks time, the NEC in Birmingham will welcome 40,000 excited self-builders and become the capital of homebuilding for the UK.

The National Homebuilding & Renovating show is the biggest homebuilding event in the United Kingdom and even if you do not live in this area, it is really worth travelling for. This year, the National Homebuilding & Renovating show will take place from 28th-31st March and as always, will offer many seminars, masterclasses and an opportunity to discuss your project with industry-leading Self Build experts and hundreds of exhibitors.

This guide is personalised for a self-builder who is just beginning their self-build journey and wants to get as much knowledge as possible from the show. The Birmingham show is the largest in the United Kingdom and offers a wealth of information, with almost 80 different seminars and masterclasses, and a full cast of experts ready to give you one-on-one advice!

homebuilding renovating show birminghamWe know that starting a self-build project can be overwhelming and you may be unsure of where to go first. This is why we have developed the ultimate guide to the National Homebuilding & Renovating show in Birmingham.

We have selected the top seminars, experts and exhibitors you should speak to in order to get the most of the show! We would always suggest going to the Birmingham show over 2 days, as there is so much to do – however, if you can only go one day then you will have to pick and choose what to fit in!

The organisers of the show have listened to self-builders’ feedback from the previous years and in response have organised the Land Hub. This area is entirely devoted to a crucial and challenging part of the self-build journey – plot hunting.  If you are at the stage of looking for a plot of land, then we would recommend that you should take part in some of the sessions organised here.

SELF BUILD THEATRE SEMINARS

The seminars at the National HBR Show 2019 are divided between four theatres: Self Build, Home Improvement, Masterclass and Tricks of the Trade. Additionally, there are several sessions for ‘plot hunters’ organised in the Land Hub. For a prospective self-builder, the most valuable seminars will be presented in the Self Build theatre. Here the Self Build experts will be delivering talks on all the important parts of the self-build process. Below are our top picks for the Self Build theatre:

Top 7 Self Build Theatre Seminars: 

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

Jason Orme – Editorial Director at H&R Magazine, Everyday at 10:30-11:15

Discover how you can build your own individually designed home and manage to 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.

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

Sally Tagg – Planning Expert at H&R Magazine, Everyday at 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. Building Secrets Explained: How to run your building project (from D&B to self managed/DIY)

Sian Astley – Building Expert and Serial Renovator, Everyday at 12:00-12:45

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 the critical flow of materials through construction planning.

4. Getting the Best from Builders and Tradesmen

Andy Stevens – Professional Building Expert, 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.

5. Beginners’ Guide to Building a Low Energy Home, from Zero Carbon to Passivhaus

David Hilton – Eco Expert at H&R Magazine, Everyday at 14:15-15:00

The ‘fabric first’ approach to low energy home design and renovation explained. Understand the best ways to optimise insulation values, the importance of balancing airtightness, ventilation, thermal mass and solar gain, plus how to choose the right heating system including renewable energy options for heat and power.

6. Build for Less: Reducing and Managing Costs

Bob Branscombe – Building Expert at H&R Magazine, Everyday at 15:00-15:45

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

Michael Holmes – Director of Content at H&R Magazine, Everyday at 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.

MASTERCLASS THEATRE SEMINARS

hbr homebuilding renovating show edinburgh

The Masterclass Theatre will feature exhibitors who will discuss 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 many masterclasses which will help you make up your mind. Below, we present our top 10 seminars:

Top 10 Masterclass Theatre Seminars: 

1. Kitchen Design Masterclass: How to create more storage space in your kitchen

28 March 11:30-10:50 – Terence Ball Kitchens

2. How to Build a PassivHaus: Understanding the construction options for building an ultra-low-energy home

28 March 16:30-16:50 – Flight Timber Structures and Val-U-Therm

3. Windows and Doors: A design guide to making them special

29 March 11:00-11:20 – Weru Windows

4. What is custom build, and how can it help you realise your dream of creating an individual home?

29 March 12:00-12:20 – Border Oak

5. Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs): All you ever wanted to know

29 March 13:30-13:50 – SIPs Industries

6. Building control and structural warranties explained

30 March 11:00-11:20 – Aedis

7. Underfloor heating: The truth behind the myths

30 March 12:30-12:50 – Nu-Heat  Underfloor Heating & Renewables

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

30 March 14:30-14:50 – BuildStore

9. Saving Money Through Ventilation: A Guide to Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery Systems

31 March 12:00-12:20 – ADM Systems

10. Latest trends in lighting design revealed

31 March 15:30-15:50 – Sam Coles Lighting

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE SELF BUILD EBOOK!

Are you considering building your own self-build dream home? If so, download our free ‘introduction to self building’ ebook.

ASK THE EXPERTS

Homebuilding Renovating Show London

The National HBR show 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 which stage of your homebuilding project you are at. Here is our list of the top 7 experts that every self-builder should speak to at the NHBR show:

Top 7 Experts For Consultations: 

1. Sian Astley

Sian Astley is a lady builder and home renovator with 22yrs experience. Beginning with a small damp proofing company in the 90s she now runs a successful property consulting and interior design business, and manages a buy to let portfolio. She enjoys taking part in property shows, with the BBC1s Getting The Builders In being her most recent TV project, and also writing a home blog called The Moregeous Notepad. She’s currently mid her own self build and extensive renovation at home in Manchester, running bi-monthly walking workshops for beginning renovators or those stuck in a design rut.

2. 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!

3. Jo Dyson

Jo Dyson is an experienced property renovator who enjoys unlocking the potential of a property through clever reconfiguring and interior design. She is also a features writer, diarist and expert for Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine.Jo has become a regular presenter at the London Excel Homebuilding & Renovating show and co-founded residential property consultancy Mae House Design.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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!

EXHIBITORS

Homebuilding & Renovating Show Birmingham HBR SHOW BIRMINGHAM 17

There will be over 500 exhibitors in the NHBR show. You will, therefore, have the chance to explore their various products and services, which can be used in your project. There will be companies who specialise in design, renewables, exteriors, interiors, financial services and many other categories of services and products related to Self Building.  It wasn’t easy, but we chose the top 7 self-build exhibitors you should visit:

Top 7 Exhibitors To Visit: 

1. SIPS Industries

Structural Systems, Stand No. H123

If you want to build a low-energy house and are wondering what construction method to adopt, The National Homebuilding and Renovating Show is an amazing opportunity to speak with the companies offering sustainable home building solutions and to find the best one for your project. Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) offer a modern, cost-effective, environmental and energy efficient solution to building construction. Come to stand no. H123 and have a chat with their specialists to find out if SIPs is for you.

2. ADM Systems

Ventilation Stand, No. H121

If you are considering the installation of a heat recovery ventilation system (MVHR), then a visit to stand no. H121 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 Mortgage Services

Finance, Insurance & Mortgages, Stand No. E149

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. E149 and check out what they have to offer.

4. Fakro

Windows Stand, No. D221

Established in 1991, FAKRO is a dynamic, innovative and one of the fastest growing manufacturers of roof windows in the world, with around 15% of the global market at present. Come to stand no. D221 to discuss your project with their specialists and be inspired by the variety of design options.

5. BuildStore Custom Build

Professional Services, Stand No. H175

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.

6. Plotfinder 

Professional Services, Stand No. J142

You may be surprised to know that Plotfinder.net isn’t just about building plots ‒ we have helped thousands of people to find their dream conversion, renovation or redevelopment project too. Start your project in the best way with the UK’s leading land and renovation finding service. If you are looking for your Self Build plot you cannot miss their stand.

7. Internorm

Windows, Stand No. D157

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.

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The National HBR Show holds a plethora of information for a prospective self-builder. The recommendations we have created are, in our opinion, the top solution 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. Or if you are able to visit the show for three days you can definitely widen your agenda to see more. 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!

If you have decided to visit the show, ACA is happy to offer you 2 free tickets for the show. Just click the button below and fill the form.

ACA AT THE NATIONAL HBR SHOW

Allan is a permanent member of the HBR Show team and regularly delivers his talks at the shows. However, due to the arrival of his second baby, Allan will not be at the NHBR show this year. You can to meet him at all of the other shows in 2019.
If you are planning to build a low energy home you should speak to our friends at  SIPs Industries’, who will be exhibiting at National Exhibition Centre. Head over to stand (no. H123) and speak to the team and find out whether SIPS is the best solution for your future home. David & Sean from ACA will be on the stand ready to help with your Self Build queries.
Our Chartered Architect Iga will also be at the National Homebuilding & Renovating Show. She will be helping discuss Custom Build options with enabling developers at the Custom Build Homes’ stand (no H175). If you are interested in this route of homebuilding, you can speak to Iga on Saturday and Sunday.

If you can’t attend this time

Don’t worry….there will be many other shows that may be in more convenient locations and dates for you. Here is the list of the remaining HBR shows in 2019:

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