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 140 exhibitors, facilitating face-to-face discussions with some of the industry’s leading specialists. With over 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 2024 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:
Dream Home Realised: Essential Insights and Tips for Aspiring Self-Builders
Mark Stevenson – Self Build Expert Everyday 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 maximising value and customisation.
Mastering Build Costs: Smart Budgeting and Financing Options for Self-Builders and Renovators
Tom McSherry, Finance Expert- Buildstore Tim Philips, Quantity Surveyor. Everyday 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- Homebuilding and Renovating. 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.
Extension Design Guide
Michael Holmes – Director of Content at H&R. Everyday at 12:45-13:20
From kitchen extensions to loft conversions, make sure your new space is a success with this inspirational guide to successful home design. Understand the key principles that will ensure your home works around the way you want to live. Avoid the common mistakes and explore how your approach, both to the exterior and interior design, can make the difference between success and failure
WOW Factor Design
Allan Corfield – Design Expert AC Architects. Everyday 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.
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 22 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
16 November 11:00-11:20 – Internorm
Choosing a building contractor: a guide to choosing the right building contractor for your homebuilding or renovating project
16 November 12:30-12:50 – Federation of Master Builders
Underfloor heating & heat pumps: Efficient, low temperature heating for your home
16 November 13:00-13:20 – Nu-heat
Building with timber frame - the essentials
16 November 14:00-14:20 – Fleming Homes
VAT for self-builders
17 November 10:30 - 10:50 - Andrew Jones: The VAT man
How to fund your self-build or renovation project: a guide to stage payment mortgages
17 November 12:00- 12:20 BuildStore
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:
Alumasc Water Management Solutions
Drainage, Plumbing and Rainwater Harvesting– Stand 251
Alumasc has been promoting the efficient use, retention, recycling and disposal of water. Under the Alumasc Water Management Solutions (AWMS) banner, customers benefit from a complete package of rainwater and drainage products that control the flow of rainwater throughout the entire building envelope; all supported by our unrivalled technical teams.
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.
