This article presents our top recommendations for you to get the most from the show, ranging from the best seminars and masterclasses to the top experts and exhibitors. So, if you are planning to build your dream home, this event will be the inspiration and motivation you need!
We know that being new to the world of Self Build can, at times, be daunting 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 novice 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 two-day event will host over 210 exhibitors providing the opportunity to discuss your project face-to-face with some of the industry’s top specialists. There will also be over 30 seminars and masterclasses in two 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!
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SEMINAR THEATRE TALKS
The seminars at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2025 in Farnborough are divided between the Seminar and Masterclass theatres. For a prospective self-builder, the most valuable seminars will be presented in the Seminar Theatre, where 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 SEMINAR THEATRE TALKS:
Beginner's Guide to Self Build: Essential Insights and Tips for Aspiring Self-Builders
Mark Stevenson – Self Build Expert. Everyday at 10:30-11:05
Explore the advantages of self-build and learn how you can save an average of 30% on the cost of a bespoke, individually designed home. This session will guide you through the essential steps, from finding the perfect plot of land to selecting an architectural designer and choosing a build route that fits your needs. We'll examine the pros and cons to help you determine if self-build is the right path for you. Join us to unlock the potential of creating your dream home while maximizing value and customisation.
Mastering Build Costs: Smart Budgeting and Financing Options for Self-Builders and Renovators
Tom McSherry – Finance Expert, Tim Phillips – Quantity Surveyor, Everyday at 11:15-11:50
An expert guide to budgeting and financing your self build project. Covering everything from high level budget planning to the latest on labour and materials prices, this seminar will also help you work out how to predict and manage costs, understand where there is scope to make savings without compromising quality and how to ensure that your project is completed on budget.
How to get planning permission: the key to unlocking development potential
Sally Tagg – Planning Expert at H&R Magazine. Everyday 12:00-12:35
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.
Wow factor design – and how to get it!
Allan Corfield – Design Expert. Everyday at 13:30-14:05
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, including the key principles for creating a 'healthy' and 'sustainable' home.
The expert guide to renewables and energy-efficient heating solutions
David Hilton – Eco Expert. Everyday at 15:00-15:35
Whether a new build or a renovation, our independent expert explains the pros and cons of the latest heating options from heat pumps to infrared, and how to choose the right system for your home. Plus a look at micro generation and battery storage to make use of off peak electricity and how to integrate solar PV with your heating system.
From old home to eco home – how to make your home warm and comfortable and slash your fuel bills!
David Hilton – Eco Expert and Allan Corfield – Design Expert, Everyday at 15:45-16:20
Practical and realistic solutions for retrofitting an existing house to reduce running costs without compromising space and architectural character. This sessions looks at the options to improve the thermal performance of your roof, walls, floors, doors and windows, as well as how to seal drafts and manage ventilation whilst avoiding condensation and damp, plus a look at the best way to upgrade you heating system.
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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 which structural system is best for your project or which renewables will be appropriate for you; there will be 25 masterclasses to help you make up your mind. Below, we present our top picks:
Top Masterclass Theatre Talks:
Building with timber frame ' the essentials
18 January 11:00-11:20 – Fleming Homes
High-Performance Triple Glazed Windows – Why They Make Sense
18 January 11:30-11:50 – Internorm
The importance of structural warranties and insurance
18 January 13:30-13:50 – Self Build Zone
Increase thermal performance on your renovated home
18 January 15:30-15:50 – Pura NFC
Choosing a building contractor: a guide to choosing the right building contractor for your homebuilding or renovating project
19 January 12:00-12:20 – Federation of Master Builders
Selecting sliding doors for your project: 8 things you need to consider
19 January 14:00-14:20 – Minima Sliding
Designing beautiful and practical kitchens - our top tips for every project
19 January 14:30-14:50 – Chisholm Design
Maximising your solar investment
19 January 15:00-15:20 – Eco Energy Environment
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ASK THE EXPERT
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 over 210 exhibitors in the Homebuilding & Renovating show in Farnborough. 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 that specialise in the 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:
Renewables – Stand L135
They specialise in enabling households, businesses, schools, and community buildings throughout London and the Home Counties to generate their own electricity by installing PV (photovoltaic) systems, on their roofs. We also install ground-mounted solar systems in fields or paddocks.
Structural Systems – Stand H107
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. H107 and speak to their specialists.
Windows – Stand C102
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.
Smart Home Technology – Stand B114
Since 2003 the company have assisted clients with designing and installing home automation, lighting systems and home cinema rooms. They are design-led in their approach and are industry partners with the BIID and RIBA. They have recently gained Member of Excellence status, one of only eight Control4 and Lutron certified showrooms in the UK.
Construction Systems – Stand D107
As a 2018 UK Customer Satisfaction Award winner and the only heating supplier awarded a Distinction from the Institute of Customer Service, Nu-Heat is the chosen supplier for thousands of discerning homeowners. Meet their experts on stand no. D107, and discover how our award-winning underfloor heating systems, unbeatable expertise in integrating renewables and bespoke system design can benefit your project.
Professional Services – Stand C110
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.
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!
For more live tips on the Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Farnborough follow @acarchitects and @allan_corfield on Twitter.
GET THE FREE TICKETS TO THE HOMEBUILDING & RENOVATING SHOW IN FARNBOROUGH HERE!
