Get ready for one of the most important events in UK home construction! The Homebuilding & Renovating Show is coming to SEC Glasgow from May 11 to 12, offering a golden opportunity to expand your knowledge about self-building and explore contemporary products.
Visit AC Architects at Stand E139 or AC Structures at Stand C116 for a free consultation with one of our experts. You will also get a chance to try out our state-of-the-art Virtual Reality system.
This piece provides valuable suggestions to help you make the most of the event, including attending seminars and masterclasses and interacting with experts and exhibitors. Whether you're planning to build your dream home or are new to self-building, this event will provide inspiration and motivation.
We're excited to be back in Glasgow 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.
This event will host over 140 exhibitors and almost 50 seminars and masterclasses in two theatres, providing face-to-face discussions with industry specialists. We've selected the top talks and exhibitors you should engage with to maximize your benefit from the show!
SEMINAR THEATRE TALKS
The seminars at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2024 in Glasgow will be split between the Seminar and Masterclass Theatres. For a prospective self-builder, the most valuable seminars will be presented in the Seminar 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 Seminar Theatre:
TOP 5 SEMINAR THEATRE TALKS:
A Beginner’s Guide to Building Your Own Home
Mike Cruikshank – Self-Build Expert, 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 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. Every day 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.
How To Make Your Home Warm and Comfortable and Slash Your Fuel Bills!
David Hilton – Eco Expert at H&R Magazine & Allan Corfield – Design Expert & MD at Allan Corfield Architects Ltd. Every day at 13:30 - 14:05
Practical and realistic solutions for retrofitting an existing house to reduce running costs without compromising space and architectural character and a look at the key principles of energy-efficient home design for self-builders. This session looks at the options to improve the thermal performance of your roof, walls, floors, doors and windows, as well as airtightness and controlled ventilation to avoid condensation and damp.
How To Create The Perfect Kitchen
Michael Holmes - Director of Content at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine. Every day at 15:45-16:20
This inspirational seminar shows you how to plan your new space in order to avoid the common mistakes - and achieve the kitchen of your dreams through conversion, extension, renovation and remodelling.
How To Find and Manage Builders
Mike Cruikshank - Self-Build Expert. Every day at 15:45-16:20
Expert advice on how to find, hire and manage builders. Learn about your options from design and build contractors, to employing subcontractors directly and managing the project yourself. What should you look for? Should you use a contract? What do they expect from you? Can you still get involved on a DIY basis? We explain the secrets of a successful relationship to ensure you complete your project on time and on budget.
The Masterclass theatre will feature exhibitors who will demonstrate their products and share information from their areas 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 20 masterclasses to help you make up your mind. Below, we present our top 5 talks:
TOP 5 MASTERCLASS THEATRE TALKS:
Structural Engineering Design: The Benefits of Early Engagement on Self-build Projects
11 May 12:30-12:20 – AC Structures
Heat Pumps: What Makes Them Efficient?
12 May 12:30-12:50 – IMS Heat Pumps
Triple Glazing: The Best Option to Meet Future Homes Standard Part L
11 May 11:00-11:20 – Internorm
How to Cost Your Timber Frame Self-build
11 May 12:30-12:50 - Fleming Homes
Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems
11 May 12:30-12:50 -ADM Systems
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. It comes to the theatres with talks designed to inform you of the latest trends and advancements in home energy and help you make your home leaner and greener.
Home Energy Academy
The Home Energy Academy is another new addition to the show. The academy offers free advice at its Advice Centre to help you understand how to make the most of the energy in your home, save money on your bills, and reduce your carbon footprint.
ASK THE EXPERT
The Homebuilding & Renovating show in Glasgow 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 Glasgow are:
SIMON RIX 
A professional planning consultant, Simon began his career working in local government in the 1990s. He became an elected councillor shortly after. After his time in government, he set up Planix.UK – a planning consultancy that helps people get planning permission. Simon is known for his extensive knowledge of the planning system, as he has experience working from both sides.
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.
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.
EXHIBITORS
There will be over 140 exhibitors in the Homebuilding & Renovating show in Glasgow. 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. 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 5 exhibitors you should visit when planning a Self Build venture:
TOP 5 EXHIBITORS TO VISIT:
Architect/Designer – Stand E139
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 E139 to answer any questions and demo their state of the art Virtual Reality system.
Construction – Stand B122
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.
Structural Systems – Stand B122
Discover a range of flexible products and services from an award-winning team who are on hand to help get your timber frame self-build project successfully to wind and watertight.
Ventilation – Stand F119
ADM are one of the longest-established independent MVHR specialists in the UK. Operating nationwide and with a hands-on approach, we provide a range of services from 2D and 3D design, surveys, supply, installation, commissioning and balancing and servicing as well as our well renowned'"Buddy Service" which provides the self-builder hands-on support on site.
Structural Systems – Stand C116
Led by Chartered Structural Engineer and SER Certifier David Gallagher, ACS now offers a market-leading service for both ACA & external clients, including several top Architects & MMC kit suppliers.
ACS provide value from the early design stages by working closely with their clients and designers rather than as a traditional reactive engineering service. Their vast experience in Timber Frame, SIPS, and ICF means that ACS are the right choice for your project.
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 Glasgow show, Allan will deliver a talk titled: “Wow factor design – and how to get it!” (everyday at 12:00-12:35 in the Seminar Theatre). Allan will also be available as a Design Expert in the Advice Centre.
ACA and ACS both have their own stands (E139 & C116), where we will advise visitors on their projects and demonstrate our state-of-the-art virtual reality system. We will also be available for free architectural and structural engineering consultations.
SELF BUILD SEMINARS WITH ACA
The ‘How to self-build successfully’ seminar will take place on 24th May 2024 at our office in Dunfermline and will be hosted by industry expert Allan Corfield.
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 is completely free 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 Glasgow? 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 Glasgow follow @acarchitects and @allan_corfield on Twitter.