After the event in London, the Homebuilding and Renovating show is coming back to Scotland. On the 21-22nd October, the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh will be the capital of self building and renovating. This year, over 120 exhibitors will be available for self-builders to educate them about various self-build areas and their products.
With 8 self-build lectures and 12 Masterclass talks, you can be sure that you will leave the venue with a head full of ideas and bursting with enthusiasm. In order to help you organise your visit to the event, we created this preview which will help you to get the most of the HBR show in Edinburgh as a self-builder.
If you are already building your house or just doing some initial research, then this article is for you. Our team have picked the most valuable talks and masterclasses for self-builders. We have also prepared a list of experts you should speak to and exhibitors that can help you make up your mind, whether it be choosing an optimal construction system or the renewables for your new home.
This article is supplemented by a day guide to the show which will help you achieve the maximum from your visit to the show.
SEMINAR THEATRE TALKS
The seminars at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Edinburgh are divided between two theatres: Seminar and Masterclass. In the first one, 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 Seminar Theatre:
TOP 7 SEMINAR THEATRE TALKS :
1. A beginner’s guide to building your own home
Jason Orme – Editorial Director at Homebuilding & Renovating 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 including serviced plots for custom build, get a self-build mortgage, work out what you can afford to build for your budget, develop a design scheme and how to 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
Planning Aid for Scotland
Everyday at 11:15-11:45
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. Beginners’ Guide to Building a Low Energy Home, from Zero Carbon to PassivHaus
Allan Corfield – Self Build Expert at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine
Everyday 12:45-13:15
The ‘fabric first’ approach to low energy home design and renovation explained. Understand the best ways to optimise insulation values, the importance of balancing air tightness, ventilation, thermal mass and solar gain, plus how to choose the right heating system including renewable energy options for heat and power.
4. The secret of successful home design: the design process explained step by step
Philip McCulloch and Adrian Neville – ASBA Architects
Everyday at 13:30-14:00
Good design is the key to every successful self-build project, but how do you find the right designer and get the home of your dreams within your budget? This session explains the whole process step by step, from selecting a designer and agreeing terms, to formulating your design brief, producing planning and construction drawings, through to the tender process and final delivery of the finished project.
5. How to cut build costs without compromising on quality – for self-builders and renovators
Jason Orme – Editorial Director at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine
Everyday at 14:15-14:45
Discover how to build your home on a tight budget without sacrificing quality or size. Learn how factors such as your choice of materials, fixtures and fittings, design complexity, scale and effective project management all influence construction costs. Whatever your budget, this session will ensure you avoid waste and maximise value.
6. Inspirational design ideas for kitchens and bathrooms
Michael Holmes – Director of Content at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine
Everyday at 15:00-15:30
How to create your dream kitchen by extending and remodelling. Learn the fundamental design rules that will ensure you get the very best use out of your available space and avoid the common layout errors. Plus: the key design rules for creating bathrooms.
7. Self-build: The most common mistakes and how to avoid them
Allan Corfield – Self Build Expert at H&R Magazine
Everyday at 15:45-16:15
Forewarned is forearmed! Learn how to keep your homebuilding project firmly on the rails by avoiding the most common mistakes and disputes when buying property, dealing with neighbours, designers, builders and suppliers, plus a guide on to how best to resolve difficulties if they do arise.
MASTERCLASS THEATRE TALKS
The Masterclass Theatre will feature exhibitors who will discuss their products and share information from their area of expertise. The Homebuilding & Renovating show in Edinburgh will offer 20 masterclasses, below we present our top 7 picks for the show:
TOP 7 MASTERCLASS THEATRE TALKS:
1. Smart Homes – what they are, why every builder and renovator should be aware of them, and what impact the arrival of Google, Amazon, and Apple will have in this fast-moving area of home technology
21 October 10:30-10:50
Smart Home Expert
Stand: 244
2. Heat Recovery Ventilation: Incorporating Mechanical Heat Recovery Ventilation (MVHR) into your homebuilding or renovating project to improve air quality
21 October 11:00-11:20
ADM Systems
Stand: 129
3. Think Fabric First: the benefits of specifying factory insulated, closed panel timber frame wall, roof & floor systems for your self-build home
21 October 12:00-12:20
Scotframe/Val-U-Therm
Stand: 222
4. All you ever wanted to know about building your own home using structural insulated panels (SIPS)
21 October 13:00-13:20
SIPS Industries
Stand: 164
5. How to fund your self-build or renovation project: a guide to stage payment mortgages
21 October 15:00-15:20
Buildstore Mortgage Services
Stand: 325
6. Passivhaus in the UK: what we have learned so far
22 October 11:00-11:20
Ecowin
Stand: 404
7. Finding plots and how to make the most of them
22 October 12:30-12:50
Savills
Stand: 560
ASK THE EXPERTS
The Homebuilding & Renovating show in Edinburgh offers the chance to get first-hand advice from some of the top self-build experts 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. Some of the experts you will be able to speak to in Edinburgh are:
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.
Jason Orme
Jason Orme was the long-time Editor of Homebuilding & Renovating and is now Editorial Director. He has been writing about self-build and renovation for 18-years and during that time has given advice to hundreds of people taking on major building projects to their homes. He is an expert on all aspects of building or renovating from construction systems and finding land to energy efficiency and dealing with builders and in recent years has advised the Government on ways to make self-building easier for everyone.
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 the prospective self-builder’s 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.
EXHIBITORS
There will be over 120 exhibitors in the Homebuilding & Renovating show in Edinburgh. You will have the chance to explore their various products and services, 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 many other services and products related to self building. It was a really difficult task, but we picked the top 7 exhibitors you should visit when planning a self-build venture:
Top 7 Exhibitors To Visit:
1. ADM Systems
Ventilation
Stand No. 129
If you are considering the installation of a heat recovery ventilation system (MVHR), then a visit to stand no. 129 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.
2. Buildstore
Finance, Insurance & Mortgages
Stand No. 325
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. 325 and check out what they have to offer.
4. Fleming Homes
Structural Systems
Stand No. 425
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. 425 and speak to their specialists.
3. Links Intelligent Homes
Home Technology & Security
Stand No. 122
Links Intelligent Homes offers the ultimate smart home automation solutions and home cinema solutions by integrating everything from lighting, music, video, climate control, security, window furnishings, seamlessly together to provide a user friendly, easy to control , personalised for you and your home that will enhance your life style with added comfort, savings, convenience and peace of mind.
5. Oakwrights
Structural Systems
Stand No. 364
Oakwrights are a multi-award winning company specialising in the design and construction of all styles of oak framed houses. Their unsurpassed reputation has been built on the excellence of design, quality of product and professionalism of service. Oakwrights are considered one of the most progressive company in their field by successfully combining the best of modern methods of manufacturing and state of the art technology with traditional craftsmanship leading the way in 21st century oak framing. If you are considering oak framing for your Self Build you cannot miss their stand.
7. SIPS Industries
Structural Systems
Stand No. 164
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. B139 and have a chat with their specialists to find out if SIPs is for you.
7. Tangram
Furniture/Internal Decor
Stand No. 213
Tangram work with clients and architects from the earliest stages of design to specify and supply wardrobes, sliding partitions, blinds, curtains and furniture from a portfolio of leading European brands. If you are thinking about interiors for your project, maybe it is worth to have a chat with their experts at stand no. 213.
21st October 2017 (Saturday)
9.00-9.30 – Arrive at the RHC and park close to the entrance, grab some breakfast to eat in the queue!
9.30-10.00 – Start queuing, if you want a slot with your preferred expert at the Advice Centre, you need to be quick. Remember to prioritise your shortlist of experts depending on your project priorities. Keep in mind that you cannot book your time slots with the experts in advance, these can only be booked on the day.
10.00-10.30 – Make your way to the Advice Centre and secure your free 15-minutes appointment for a suitable time during the day. We would suggest getting one later on in the day, as you may think of more questions as you go around the show, and make sure that it will not coincide with the seminar/masterclass you want to see! Remember to update the programme with the times of the consultations you have booked onto.
10.30-11.00 – Head to the Seminar Theatre for your first talk: A beginner’s guide to building your own home by Jason Orme. He is an Editorial Editor at HBR Magazine – a top-class specialist when it comes to Self Build. This is the best choice for a warm up to the show.
11.15-11.45 – Stay in the Seminar Theatre for another talk: ‘Planning Permission: How to find your way through the planning maze’. Planning Aid for Scotland will teach you the tactics that will maximise your chances of getting consent for your homebuilding project.
11.45-12.45 – This time slot can be spent on booked consultation with your chosen expert or the exhibitors’ tour. Remember that if you own a smartphone, you can download a free app and use it to create a personalised map of the exhibitors and receive alerts when shortlisted seminars and masterclasses are about to start. This can help you to strategically plan your visit and save time. You can download it here.
12.45-13.15 – Another talk in the Seminar Theatre – Allan Corfield will present to you his beginners’ guide to building a low energy home – a seminar which explains Fabric First approach. Must see if you are thinking about building a low energy home!
13.15-15.00 – This time slot can be spent on booked consultation with your chosen expert or the exhibitors’ tour.
15.00-15.20 – Head to the Masterclass Theatre and learn from the specialists at Buildstore (325) how to fund your self-build or renovation project, in a guide to stage payment mortgages.
15.45-16.15 – Go back to the Seminar Theatre where Allan Corfield will explain to you what are the most common self-build mistakes and how to avoid them. Allan will supplement the seminar with a guide on how to resolve problems if they do arise.
16.15-17.00 – This time slot can be spent on booked consultation with your chosen expert or the exhibitors’ tour.
The Homebuilding & Renovating show holds 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 does not 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 Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Edinburgh? 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 Edinburgh follow @acarchitects and @allan_corfield on Twitter. As Allan is part of the show team, ACA has access to some free tickets for the shows – If you are interested contact us on marketing@acarchitects.biz