In this article, we offer practical recommendations to help you make the most of the show. Explore a diverse range of seminars and masterclasses led by experts and exhibitors, who will discuss essential areas of Self Building. Whether you are currently planning your dream home or seeking inspiration, this event aims to serve as a source of motivation and guidance for your journey.
We understand that venturing into Self Building can be daunting. To support you, we’ve created a tailored guide for beginners, helping you make the most of the show and kickstart your project. This guide serves as a valuable resource, empowering you to make the most of the show while providing the necessary support to kickstart your Self Build project. We are confident that this event will equip a new generation of self-builders with the knowledge and inspiration needed to realise their dream homes.
The show in Surrey boasts an impressive lineup of almost 200 exhibitors, presenting a wealth of options with a selection of 8 seminars and 25 masterclasses. We have selected the top talks from the main theatres and the top exhibitors you should speak to in order to prepare you for your Self Build venture.
SEMINAR THEATRE TALKS
The talks at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Surrey are divided between two theatres: Seminar and Masterclass. The talks in the Seminar theatre are given by some of the top experts and cover all the main topics needed for a Self Build. Below are our top picks for the Seminar theatre:
TOP 6 SEMINAR THEATRE TALKS:
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 fund it. We’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 process and politics of the planning system is a key element of any Self Build project and it can seem like a complicated and unpredictable process. This seminar explains the key stages, what you’ll need to do, and how to navigate your way through the system. 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 12:00-12:35
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 Budget
Bob Branscombe – Building Expert. Everyday at 12:45-13:20
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.
The Kitchen Design Guide
Julia Kendell, Interior Design Expert – Kendell+Co. Everyday at 13:30-14:05
We all know how important kitchens are for living and eating as well as cooking. This inspirational seminar shows you how to plan the space in order to avoid common mistakes – and achieve the kitchen of your dreams.
Heating, Ventilation and Renewables – How to Pick The Right Mix For Your Self Build Project
David Hilton – Eco Expert, Everyday 14:15-14:50
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 ground and air source heat pumps so solar PV, plus the options for controlled ventilation, heat recovery and air conditioning.
MASTERCLASS THEATRE TALKS
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 25 different masterclasses which will help you to make up your mind. Below, we present our top 6 talks:
TOP 6 MASTERCLASS THEATRE TALKS:
Triple Glazing: the best option to meet Future Homes Standard Part L
01 July 11:00-11:20 – Internorm, Stand: S706
An introduction to Passivhaus
01 July 15:00-15:20 – MBC Timber Frame, Stand: S771
Smart Home Automation – what is it and what are the benefits?
01 July 15:30-15:50 – Design Innovation, Stand: S841
Timber frame design and 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
02 July 12:00-12:20 – Fleming Homes, Stand: S837
How to maximise your investment in solar
02 July 13:00-13:20 – Eco Energy Environment, Stand: S542
How bespoke can your garden room be?
02 July 16:00-16:20 – A Room in the Garden, Stand S665
ASK THE EXPERT
The Homebuilding & Renovating show in Surrey offers the chance to get first-hand advice from some 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 you will be able to speak to in Surrey are:
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. David 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.
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.
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!
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
There will be almost 200 exhibitors in the Homebuilding & Renovating show in Surrey. 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 6 exhibitors you should visit when planning a Self Build venture:
TOP 6 EXHIBITORS TO VISIT:
Architect/Designer – Stand F160
At A Room in the Garden, they design, build and install premium bespoke garden rooms, from summerhouses, offices, annexes, mobile homes and much more. All of their garden rooms are fully insulated, beautifully finished and provide all-year-round use no matter the season.
Home Automation – Stand S841
Design Innovation design and install Smart home automation systems to control lighting, heating, TV’s media and AV, security systems and CCTV. Manage the systems in your home on a single App, whether you’re at home or away.
Structural Systems – Stand E200
Econekt is a company specialising in building Insulated Concrete Formwork homes. You may be a true self-builder looking for the Izodom elements to build at your own pace and in your own time, or you may be a self-builder with a design looking for Econekt to undertake a wind and watertight structural shell for you, or you may even be an architect looking to specify the Izodom elements or a developer looking to maximise your sites.
Structural Systems – Stand S837
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. S837 and speak to their specialists.
Windows – Stand S706
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.
Glazing, Windows and Doors – Stand S806
Since 2006, award-winning Kloeber has offered homeowners and self-builders a range of bespoke glazing solutions, helping clients select the perfect doors and windows for their unique projects. Their vast range of high-end, award-winning products includes bifold, sliding, French and entrance doors, windows, rooflights and fixed glazing elements in timber, aluminium and alu-clad.
ALLAN CORFIELD AT THE HBR SHOW IN SURREY
Allan is a permanent member of the HBR Show team and regularly delivers his talks at the shows. At the Surrey show, Allan will deliver two talks titled: “Wow factor design – and how to get it!” (everyday at 12:00 in the Seminar Theatre) and “From Old Home to Eco Home – How to make your home warm and comfortable and slash your fuel bills!” (with David Hilton, everyday at 15:00 in the Seminar Theatre). Allan will also be available as a Design Expert in the Advice Centre.
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 homes.
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 influence the outcome of your project!
Are you going to the National HBR Show in Surrey? 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!