Get ready for one of the most important events in UK home construction! The Homebuilding & Renovating Show is coming to NEC Birmingham from March 21 to 24, offering a golden opportunity to expand your knowledge about Self Building and explore contemporary products. Visit Stand J133 for a free consultation with our experts and a Virtual Reality home walkthrough.
This piece provides valuable suggestions to help you make the most out of the event, including attending seminars and masterclasses, and interacting with experts and exhibitors. Whether you're planning to build your dream home or new to Self Build, this event will provide inspiration and motivation.
We're excited to be back in Birmingham and inspire the new generation of Self Builders. This guide is designed for beginners, offering support to kickstart your Self Build project and make the most of the show.
The three-day event will host over 300 exhibitors and almost 50 seminars and masterclasses in three theatres, providing face-to-face discussions with industry specialists. We've selected the top talks and exhibitors you should engage with for maximum benefit from the show!
SELF BUILD THEATRE TALKS
The seminars at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2023 in Birmingham are divided between three stages: Self Build, Masterclass, Home Improvement theatre. For a prospective self builder, the most valuable seminars will be presented in the Self Build theatre. There, 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 5 SELF BUILD THEATRE TALKS:
A Beginner’s Guide to Building Your Own Home
Mark Stevenson – Self-Build Expert, Tom McSherry – Finance Expert at BuildStore. Everyday at 10:30-11:15
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 finance it. We’ll give an honest assessment of the pros and cons and run through the key mistakes and how to avoid them.
Wow Factor Design – and How to Get It!
Allan Corfield – Design Expert & MD at Allan Corfield Architects Ltd. 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.
How To Budget for Your Self Build Project - and Control Costs
Tim Phillips– Quantity Surveyor. Everyday 11:15-12:00
How to Heat Your Home - The Key Choices Explained
David Hilton – Eco Expert at H&R Magazine. Everyday 15:00-15:45
The choice of different heating technologies available can be daunting - this session cuts through the hype and helps you establish a clear set of priorities for your home that will help you balance installation cost, annual running costs and the requirements of the latest building regulations for energy efficiency. Plus a look at which renewables make sense for you, from ground and air source heat pumps to solar pv, and the options for controlled ventilation, heat recovery, air conditioning and more.
Sustainable Home Design and Construction - Moving Towards Net Zero
Allan Corfield – Design Expert & MD at Allan Corfield Architects Ltd. Everyday at 15:45-16:20
Creating a low-energy, eco-friendly home starts with taking the right approach to architectural design, from the shape and form of the building, to how sits in the landscape. We reveal the secrets to minimising heat loss and overheating by working with your design team from the start of the project. Our expert - an acclaimed designer of low-energy homes - gives an insider's guide to the key principles to ensure your home performs well, is comfortable year-round, and has minimal running costs.
The Masterclass theatre will feature exhibitors who will demonstrate 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 over 30 masterclasses to help you make up your mind. Below, we present our top 7 talks:
TOP 5 MASTERCLASS THEATRE TALKS:
A Guide to VAT Reclaim
24 March 10:30-10:50 – Andrew Jones The VAT Man
Low Energy Homes: How to Get the Design Right
21 March 12:30-12:50 – AC Architects
The Benefits of Solar Panels
21 March 14:30-14:50 – ME Solar
The Benefits of Using Your Property As A Holiday Let. A Popular Reason to Build or Renovate
21 March 15:30-15:50 – Cottages.com
Understanding The Septic Tank And Sewage Treatment Plant Regulations
21 March 16:00-16:20 – Harlequin Manufacturing
HOME IMPROVEMENT THEATRE TALKS
The Home Improvement theatre will feature talks that will help you upgrade and make finishes to your home that you will be proud of. We have listed below our top 5 talks:
TOP 5 HOME IMPROVEMENT THEATRE TALKS:
Planning Permission: An Expert Guide to Navigating The Planning System
Sally Tagg – Planning Expert. Everyday at 12:45-13:20
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.
The Kitchen Design Guide
Michael Holmes – Director of Content, H&R. Everyday at 12:00-12:45
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 the common mistakes - and achieve the kitchen of your dreams.
Upgrading Your Home Heating - Your Options Explained
David Hilton – Eco Expert. Everyday at 13:30-14:15
If you are extending, renovating or just upgrading and old house to make it more comfortable and reduce running costs, 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.
How To Find, Hire and Manage The Right Builder
Andy Stevens – Master Builder & Broadcaster. Everyday at 16:00-16:45
From Old Home to Eco Home - How to Slash Your Fuel Bills
Marianne Suhr – MRICS, SPAB Lethaby Scholar. Everyday at 12:45-13:30
Practical and realistic solutions for retrofitting an existing pre-1900s house to reduce running costs without compromising space and architectural character. An acclaimed expert in the field explains how to renovate a period property and incorporate high levels of insulation and the latest renewable heating technologies - even in a listed building.
HOME ENERGY HOUR
Designed to help you improve the efficiency of your home. With all-new theatre sessions and eco-energy focused experts at our Advice Centre, there’s no better place to figure out your home energy goals.
Home Energy Hour
The Home Energy Hour is a brand-new feature at the show and comes to the theatres with talks designed to inform you of the latest trends and advancements in home energy and help you to make your home leaner and greener.
Home Energy Academy
The Home Energy Academy is another new addition to the show. The academy will help you to understand how you can make the most of the energy in your home, save money on your bills and reduce your carbon footprint with free advice at their Advice Centre.
ASK THE EXPERT
The Homebuilding & Renovating show in London 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 what stage of your homebuilding project you are at. Some of the experts available to meet in London are:
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.
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.
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.
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 300 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 that specialise in design, renewables, exteriors, interiors, financial services and much more. It wasn’t easy, but we have chosen the top 7 exhibitors you should visit when planning a Self Build venture:
TOP 7 EXHIBITORS TO VISIT:
Architect/Designer – Stand J133
Since 2009, ACA have worked on over 500 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 F160 to answer any questions and demo their state of the art Virtual Reality system.
Ventilation – Stand A133
Total Air Quality are independent, award-winning Ventilation Specialists, with 35 years’ experience in the industry. Their goal is to ensure everyone is aware of the importance of clean fresh air in the home. Speak to them at their stand A133
Doors & Windows – Stand H131
VELFAC is the UK’s leading supplier of composite aluminium/timber doors and windows specified for the system’s slim, uniform frames, distinctive, contemporary style, exceptional thermal performance, and cost-effective pricing. VELFAC glazing is installed in projects of every size and in every sector, including education, healthcare, commercial, and residential. VELFAC Direct also supplies windows and doors directly to private clients, who are often planning their own ‘grand design’ home.
Finance – Stand D200
A small team of 6 specialising in processing VAT claims under HMRC reclaim system called VAT431, previously called VAT DIY Reclaim. They make the process very simple, hassle and stress-free for every self-builder. A team member will visit you to collect your invoices and ask a few basic questions. Do not worry about where you are in relation to us, we service your area with regular visits. We will accept your paperwork in whatever format you have used throughout your build.
Construction – Stand J125
SIPs Industries was established in 2000. As the longest established SIPs company in the UK we provide a complete SIPS design, manufacture & installation solution under one roof. Whether you are planning a new home or development or a commercial or institutional build, you need your new building to be both comfortable and energy efficient. The high level of insulation in SIPs leads to low heating costs and a high degree of comfort.
ACA AT THE HOMEBUILDING & RENOVATING SHOW
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 two talks titled: “Wow factor design – and how to get it!” (everyday at 13:30-14:05 in the Self Build Theatre) and “Sustainable home design and construction – moving towards Net Zero” (everyday at 15:45-16:30 in the Self Build Theatre). Allan will also be available as a Design Expert in the Advice Centre.
ACA and ACS will have our own stand (J133), where we will advise 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 discuss designing low-energy homes in the Masterclass Theatre (Thursday 12:30-12:50).
SELF BUILD SEMINARS WITH ACA
The ‘How to self-build successfully’ seminar will take place on 26th April 2024 at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre and will be hosted by Jenny.
This one-day course gives you practical advice and guidance from a panel of established experts in their fields of expertise, ready to impart their knowledge and experience to you. The course registration costs £40 and includes lunch, refreshments, a full day of expert advice and opportunities for individual consultations.
SOME TOPICS THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE SEMINAR:
- Project feasibility
- Your project team and the design process
- Project delivery options
- Future home standards and construction systems
- Renewable systems integration
- Virtual reality demonstration
To find out more about the event and the experts and to book your place, click the button below.
Are you going to the HBR Show in Birmingham? 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 Birmingham follow @acarchitects and @allan_corfield on Twitter.
