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. Therefore, We have created this guide, designed for the novice self-builder 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.
Across the two-day event, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with over 130 exhibitors, facilitating face-to-face discussions with some of the industry’s leading specialists. With nearly 20 seminars and masterclasses spread across two distinct theatres, we’ve curated a selection of the most impactful talks from the main theatres and identified the key exhibitors you should connect with to extract the utmost value from the show!
SEMINAR THEATRE TALKS
The seminars at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2023 in Somerset 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:
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 finance it. We’ll give an honest assessment of the pros and cons and run through the key mistakes and how to avoid them.
How to get planning permission: the key to unlocking development potential
Sally Tagg – Planning Expert at H&R Magazine. Everyday 11:15-11:50
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.
How to design a life-enhancing home – step by step!
Allan Corfield – Design Expert. Everyday at 12:00-12:35
Allan reveals how to work with an architectural designer to ensure your new home meets all of your aspirations, ideas and lifestyle needs whilst also adding that elusive ‘wow factor’ that makes a truly great home. Understand the key questions you need to ask yourself and your family to develop a clear, concise, but detailed design brief. The session is packed with ingenious examples of how your home can respond to the way you live and help to improve your health, happiness and wellbeing.
Build more for less – how to control build costs
Tim Phillips – Quantity Surveyor, Everyday at 12:45-13:20
Presented by one of the UK’s leading construction cost experts, this seminar will help you understand how much it will cost to build your own home. We explain the factors influencing costs, along with strategies to ensure your build doesn’t go over budget during construction. We also look at how to reduce your costs without affecting quality.
Kitchen design guide – how to create your perfect kitchen
Michael Holmes – Director of Content at H&R. Everyday at 14:15-14:50
This inspirational seminar shows you how to achieve the kitchen of your dreams, from getting the space right to adding individual design touches. Follow the step by step approach to kitchen design to ensure you create a family kitchen that is both economic and beautiful.
The Expert Guide To Energy Efficient Heating Solutions. Understanding Heat Pumps, Solar PV, Battery Storage and more…
David Hilton – Eco Expert. Everyday 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 infra-red, and how to choose the right system for your home. Plus, a look at micro generation and battery storage to use off-peak electricity and how to integrate solar PV with your heating system.
MASTERCLASS THEATRE TALKS
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 17 masterclasses to help you make up your mind. Below, we present our top picks:
TOP MASTERCLASS THEATRE TALKS:
Triple Glazing: the best option to meet Future Homes Standard Part L
18 November 11:00-11:20 – Internorm
The evolution of kitchen design
18 November 12:30-12:50 – Kutchenhaus
The importance of structural warranties and insurance
18 November 14:00-14:20 – Self Build Zone
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
18 November 14:30-14:50 – Fleming Homes
Underfloor heating & heat pumps: Efficient, low temperature heating for your home
19 November 12:30-12:50 – Nu-heat
ASK THE EXPERT
The Homebuilding & Renovating show in Somerset 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 Somerset 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. 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.
MICHAEL HOLMES
Michael is Director of Content at Homebuilding & Renovating (Print, Digital and Live), Chair of the National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA), presenter of multiple property TV shows and author of Renovating for Profit (Ebury). Michael is one of the country’s leading property experts. He was presenter of Channel 5’s ‘I Own Britain’s Best Home’ and previously presented ITV’s ‘Don’t Move Improve’ and ‘Good Bid Good Buy’, as well as ‘Build, Buy or Restore?’ and ‘How to Build A House’ for Discovery RealTime.
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.
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..
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 130 exhibitors in the Homebuilding & Renovating show in Somerset. 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 have chosen the top 7 exhibitors you should visit when planning a Self Build venture:
TOP 6 EXHIBITORS TO VISIT:
Home Technology & Security – Stand 120
The Amica team believes in true home automation, a house that looks after you. Lights that turn on when you enter, and turn off after you leave. Water that shuts off when a leak is detected. Heating that learns each rooms heating & cooling curves, blinds that slowly open to gently wake you for the day ahead. All of these without ever touching a button or raising your voice. True automation is effortless. As a proud technology award winning company they strive to continue pushing the boundaries of modern technology in any home or business.
Finance, Insurance & Mortgages – Stand 204
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. 413 and check out what they have to offer.
Structural Systems – Stand 106
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. 106 and speak to their specialists.
Windows – Stand 331
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.
Underfloor Heating – Stand 326
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. 326, and discover how our award-winning underfloor heating systems, unbeatable expertise in integrating renewables and bespoke system design can benefit your project.
Ventilation – Stand 208
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 no. 208.
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 definitely influence the final outcome of your project!
For more live tips on the Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Somerset follow @acarchitects and @allan_corfield on Twitter.
