The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2022 – Preview

The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2022 in Birmingham – Preview

After three long years, the biggest homebuilding show in the UK is returning with its first in-person event.  The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show will be returning to NEC Birmingham and will take place over 4 days (24-27 March). This is a great opportunity to develop your self build knowledge and learn about the wide variety of contemporary products available. 

This article presents our top recommendations for you to get the most from the show; from the best seminars and masterclasses, to 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 are very excited to finally be back at the NEC Birmingham for the biggest homebuilding show in the UK! We are sure that the event will equip a new generation of self-builders to build their dream homes.

We know that being new to the world of Self Build can at times be daunting and overwhelming 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 new 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 four-day event will host a record number of over 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 65 seminars and masterclasses in three 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!

Beginner’s Guide to self build

Jason Orme – Editorial Director at H&R Magazine, Tom McSherry – Finance Expert at BuildStore. Everyday at 10:30-11:15

Where do you start? This seminar provides an overview of the process of building your own home, outlines the key choices you’ll need to make and how to avoid some of the common mistakes. Perfect for beginners, you’ll get loads of practical advice on taking the next steps on making the dream of building your own home a reality.

Planning Permission: How to navigate the planning maze

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.

How to build a low energy home

Allan Corfield – Design Expert. Everyday at 12:45-13:20

Building a sustainable home with low running costs requires a design-led approach. Our expert, one of the UK’s leading designers of low-carbon individual homes, explains the key things to get right and how to ensure low-energy living isn’t just a bolt-on.

How to manage your self build

Andy Stevens – Builder. Everyday at 14:15-14:50

This seminar explores the different build route options, from design & build package suppliers to builders. Andy will also explain the pros and cons of managing your own project, and how to do it effectively, reducing costs – and stress. Packed with inside tips from one of the UK’s best-known builders, this seminar is essential for anyone looking to get insight into how to run their own building project.

Costs: How to estimate, manage and reduce them

Tim Phillips – Quantity Surveyor, Everyday 15:00-15:20

Presented by one of the UK’s leading construction cost experts, this seminar will help you understand how much it will cost to build your own home. We explain the factors influencing costs, along with strategies to ensure your build doesn’t go over budget during construction. We also look at how to reduce your costs without affecting quality.

How to get a house designed

Allan Corfield – Design Expert. Everyday at 15:45-16:20

Who will design your house? This seminar explores how to get a house designed in the right way, avoiding unnecessary expense and ensuring that your design experience is a good one. We look at what to pay, how to brief, and how to find the right designer for you.

How to choose the ideal glazed patio door for your home; sliding, bi-fold or hinged?

24 March 11:30-11:50 – Rationel, Stand: G103

Incorporating MVHR into your project: A guide to mechanical ventilation heat recovery systems

24 March 12:30-12:50 – ADM Systems, Stand: K129

Low-energy homes: How to get the design right

24 March 15:00-15:20 – Allan Corfield Architects, Stand: J133

Custom build – your new route to finding land

25 March 11:30-11:50 – Custom Build Homes

What is the government’s new Help To Build scheme and how will it work?

25 March 13:00-13:20 – Help to Build, Stand: J135

A guide to creating the perfect home cinema in any room of your home

26 March 10:30-10:50 – Pure Theatre, Stand: D221

Renewable energy beginners’ guide: Things to consider when buying a heat pump for your home

26 March 11:00-11:20 – NIBE Energy Systems, Stand: G142

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

26 March 14:00-14:20 – BuildStore, Stand: K125

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

27 March 12:00-12:20 – Fleming Homes, Stand: E161

Innovations in heating: Why are people choosing infrared heating?

27 March 14:30-14:50 – Warm 4 Less, Stand: E141

Builders and Tradespeople: How to Find and Manage Them

Andy Stevens – Builder. Everyday at 11:15-11:50

One of the UK’s best-known builders reveals their tips on how to find, hire and work with the best main contractors and tradespeople. What should you look for, and what can you do to avoid difficulties? What do they expect from you? Andy explains the secrets of a successful relationship.

Extension Design Masterclass

Allan Corfield – Design Expert. Everyday at 12:00-12:35

Not every extension is a good extension. Our guide, presented by one of the UK’s most experienced house designers reveals the secrets of good extension design both inside and out.

Do I Need Planning Approval? A Guide to Planning for Existing Buildings

Sally Tagg – Planning Expert. Everyday at 12:45-13:20

From Permitted Development to Prior Approval, from extensions and loft conversions to barn conversions and beyond – our expert guide to ensuring your building work complies with planning laws, and how to navigate the process in the right way.

How much will my extension cost?

Tim Phillips – Quantity Surveyor. Everyday at 13:30-14:05

This seminar tells you all you need to know about successfully estimating the cost of your extension project. Our expert will reveal where the money goes, and how you can reduce the costs of the project without impacting on quality. And – crucially – how to keep your budget on track once you’ve started.

Extensions Made Easy

Jason Orme – Managing Director. Everyday at 14:15-14:50

An ideal session for first-time home extenders. If you’re looking to extend your own home, it’s difficult to know where to start. We outline the process and explore the different routes to making an extension project successful and stress-free.

From Heat Pumps to Solar: A Guide to Generating Your Own Energy

David Hilton – Eco Expert. Everyday at 15:00-15:35

An independent expert guide to choosing renewable energy solutions and ensuring they are suitable for your home – with insight into the pros and cons – and weighing up costs to benefits. Also – how to get started, and who to speak to.

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.

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.

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.

Tim Phillips

Tim Phillips is a Quantity Surveyor with almost 30 years of experience across the commercial and residential construction sector. He has worked on many varied projects in this time, for corporates, public bodies and private clients, managing multi-million budgets. For the past 13 years, Tim has worked on a freelance basis, whilst managing his rental property portfolio. He also has extensive experience of undertaking his own full-scale house renovations.

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!

ADM Systems

Ventilation – Stand K129

If you are considering the installation of a heat recovery ventilation system (MVHR), then a visit to stand no. K129 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.

Allan Corfield Architects

Architect/Designer – Stand J133

Since 2009, ACA have worked on over 450 projects across the UK, including small extensions, one-off homes and large housing developments. ACA’s designs are all low energy, built around the Fabric first approach. We use modern methods of construction such as Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) and Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF). We are also Certified Passive House Designers. We will be on hand at stand J133 to answer any questions and demo their state of the art Virtual Reality system.

BuildStore

Finance, Insurance & Mortgages – Stand K125

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. K125 and check out what they have to offer.

Fleming Homes

Structural Systems – Stand E161

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. E161 and speak to their specialists.

Help to Build

Financial Services – Stand J135

Help to Build is a new government equity loan that will be available to people in England who want to custom build or self build their own home. With Help to Build, we can offer you an equity loan based on the estimated costs to buy a plot of land and build the home.

Self-Build Zone

Professional Services – Stand K119

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.

Nudura by ICF Central

Insulation & Damp Proofing – Stand J122

ICF Central Ltd provides quality insulated concrete forms for individuals, builders, self-builders, architects, councils and housing authorities across Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, South Wales and across the UK.

Allan is a permanent member of the HBR Show team and regularly delivers his talks at the shows. At the Birmingham show, Allan will deliver three brand new talks titled: “How to build a low energy home” (everyday at 12:45 in the Self Build Theatre), “How to get a house designed” (everyday at 15:45 in the Self Build Theatre) and “Extension Design Masterclass” (everyday at 12:00 in the Home Improvement Theatre). Allan will also be available as a Design Expert in the Advice Centre.

For the first time, ACA and ACS will have our own stand (J133), where we will advise the visitors on their project and demonstrate our state-of-the-art virtual reality system. We will also be available for free architectural and structural engineering consultations.

Also, Jenny Chandela, our architect running the ACA office in the National Self Build & Renovation Centre, will talk in the Masterclass Theatre on how to get the design right in a low-energy home project (24 March at 15:00-15:20).

There will be almost 350 exhibitors in the Homebuilding & Renovating show in Birmingham. Therefore, 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: