September is a really busy month for self-builders as it hosts two major homebuilding events that cannot be missed if you are dreaming about building your dream home.
We hope you got some rest this summer and are ready to move on with your homebuilding plans. If so, visiting the National Self Build & Renovation Show in Swindon will give you the motivation and ensure that your Self Build journey will be as effective as possible!
The NSBRC offers something for everyone, no matter what stage you are at with your project. At the show, you will have the opportunity to speak to the top industry experts and see and test the most current products in a spacious and relaxing setting. There you will find tons of advice on finding a plot, arranging your finances, and deciding on the best building method through to how you will heat your home.
The September show will take place on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th. Find out more and check out our top recommendations for the NSBRC show below!
The National Self Build & Renovation Show is a ticketed event. Tickets are free when booked in advance, or £12 per person at the door. You can get them here. The show’s opening hours are 9am-5pm.
SEMINARS AT THE NSBRC SHOW
The National Self Build & Renovation Show will offer various seminars, one-to-one expert advice and case studies. The events will be split across two theatres: the Build It Theatre and the Sovereign Theatre. There will also be several live demonstration zones at the show, where exhibitors will be presenting their products and services, including our Virtual Reality demonstration sessions at the ACA stand (stand no. 63).
BUILD IT THEATRE
Build It Theatre will cover the key topics every self-builder needs to know, including finding land, budgeting, planning, and the new government-backed ‘Help to Build’ scheme. Below you can see some of the most exciting events taking place at the Build It Theatre:
Heat & Energy Question Time – Panel Session
Everyday – 10:00-10:45
A major concern for all of us is spiralling energy bills and energy supply. How can we mitigate against this in our own homes? Join our panel as they discuss the latest technologies and methods available to us, including air source heat pumps, solar, improved insulation and more. Get your questions answered in this interactive session.
Funding Your Homebuilding Project – Tom McSherry, BuildStore
Everyday – 11:00-11:45
The most successful homebuilding plans are those that have been planned well from the start, and this means knowing your budget and understanding your borrowing options early on. BuildStore is the UK’s leading expert in homebuilding finance with access to a range of borrowing solutions, including exclusive mortgages.
Planning Surgery
Everyday – 13:00-13:45
Stuart Clark from Green Planning Studio (Friday) and Mark Doodes from MD Planning (Saturday) discuss the need to knows of planning for self builds followed by a short Q&A.
Battle of the Building Systems Question Time – Panel Session
Everyday – 14:00-14:45
Timber Frame or Brick & Block? Traditional Oak or Concrete Blocks? Build on-site or in a factory? Find out everything you need to know about the various self-build building systems with our panel of experts.
Solar PV Surgery – Eco Energy Environment & Bee Solar Tech
Everyday – 15:00-15:45
Experts selected by the NSBRC will discuss the key information you need to know about harvesting energy from the sun to provide your home with energy. The session will conclude with a short Q&A.
SOVEREIGN THEATRE
Sovereign will present a series of talks hosted by the exhibitors. Below you can see some of the most exciting events taking place at the Sovereign Theatre:
Energy Efficient Homes with Timber Frame – Frame Technologies
Friday – 10:30-10:55
To keep energy costs low, not only for this winter but for the lifetime of your home, a fabric-first approach is critical. Choose timber – it delivers the most air-tight and energy-efficient envelope of any building material. Self-builders, Frank and Pauline Mace, were inspired by the Passive House principle and were keen to build their dream home to be as thermally efficient as possible. Working with Frame Technologies they managed to exceed all of their ambitions – come and hear how they did it.
The Integrated Design Team – Allan Corfield Architects
Friday – 13:00-13:25
Jenny Chandela of Allan Corfield Architects discusses how to select your design team and when to engage them. An integrated design team is the first step to an efficient and streamlined project – from initial design through to the completed build!
Heat Pumps & Underfloor Heating – Nu-Heat
Friday – 14:00-14:25
Join Nu-Heat’s Self Build Manager, Jo, to find out more about the benefits, considerations and options available to you when choosing a heat pump and underfloor heating for your home.
Discover Honka Fusion™ – A sustainable, healthy living and ecological construction method – Honka
Friday – 15:00-15:25
Honka Fusion™ Building System is set to challenge the conventional building systems with their sustainable, healthy living and ecological construction method. Honka Finland is an industry leader with over 85,000 buildings, delivered into 50 countries since 1958. See them on stand 82.
What to think about when planning your kitchen – Watermark Kitchens
Saturday – 11:00-11:25
Elements of kitchen design and layout that you may not have thought about and how they will affect your build.
Reducing Thermal Bridging in Floor/Wall Junction Designs – Marmox
Saturday – 11:30-11:55
Marmox Technical Manager Mark Bowman will discuss the benefits of using Marmox Thermoblocks for various types of housebuild in order to significantly reduce heat loss through the base of walls.
Low carbon & natural materials for retrofit – what they are, why they are important, where we use them – Hartwyn
Saturday – 15:00-15:25
Hartwyn is a one-stop shop for low carbon design, costing and project support. In this talk, Joe Duirwyn, Operations Director of Hartwyn, will give you an overview of some fantastic materials that will drive your retrofit or new build project towards a zero carbon future.
LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS
There will be several live demonstration zones at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre, where the exhibitors will be presenting their products and services.
Virtual Reality – Allan Corfield Architects
Everyday – 10:30 and 14:00, Stand 63
ACA will be hosting Virtual Reality sessions at our stand no. 63 which will show visitors the capabilities of VR and how it can help in the design process. You will be able to walk around and fully appreciate the external design and internal spaces of a virtual house in unbelievable 4K clarity!
Pura NFC® cladding – Pura® NFC
Everyday – 10:30 and 13:30, Stand 96
Come along to stand 96 to learn useful tips and tricks on how to install Pura® NFC cladding onto your property, garden room or garage and discover an array of design options for your cladding project, and see the range of matching accessories for the professional finish.
Plumis demonstration
Everyday, Front car park
Fire suppression specialists, Plumis will be demonstrating how Automist, their award-winning watermist system works in action. The system which uses 90% less water than a traditional sprinkler is trusted to protect over 10,000 properties, helping homeowners across the UK and beyond to meet building fire safety regulations. Look out for the Automist van located in the main front car park. If you’re interested in a demo please speak to the Plumis team at stand 22.
Rockwool demonstration
Everyday, Front car park
See, feel, and hear how stone wool insulation performs by joining our live demonstrations in our ROCKWOOL Demonstration Experience truck in the main front car park. Also find them on stand 176.
THE NEW BUILD TOUR & POTTON SHOW HOME
Join the NSBRC experts for an in-depth, guided tour of the centre’s Educational Zones; the New Build Zone, which walks you through each key stage you’ll encounter in a Self Build, and the Potton Show Home, a dilapidated 1920s property showing the before/after of the home renovation process. There will be several talks organised there:
- How to create a design brief and basic cost plan – every day at 11:00
- Planning approved? How to move your project forwards – every day at 12:30
- Finding, appraising and valuing a plot – every day at 14:00
Places for both tour and the talks are limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis. Book at the booking desk in the Piazza.
Our top 3 tips for making the most of your visit to the National Self Build & Renovation Show:
- Bring your plans, drawings and sketches – it will help the experts and exhibitors give you the best advice.
- Arrive early! There is a packed programme of talks, demos, case studies and tours. The show starts at 10am each day and you’ll want plenty of time to browse over 200 exhibitor displays.
- Don’t be shy to ask questions! Many experienced representatives will be on hand to answer your questions and offer support based on their experience.
EXHIBITORS
The National Self Build & Renovation Centre has over 200 permanent exhibitors, and many of them will be present at the show to provide expert advice to visitors. You will have a chance to learn about the various products and services they have to offer, and how they can benefit your project.
There will be exhibitors who specialise in construction, covering areas such as design, renewables, exteriors, interiors, financial services and many more.
CONSULTATIONS WITH EXPERTS
The National Self Build & Renovation Show will give you a unique opportunity to book a one-to-one slot with architects, planning experts, project managers, structural engineers and other specialists in the Professional Services Hub. This will provide you with a chance to discuss your project and learn what products and solutions will best meet your expectations.
The selected experts will be able to help you with:
- Architectural Design
- Planning
- Building Control
- Project Management
- Eco Design
- Heating Systems
VISIT OUR STAND AT THE SHOW
Our experts Jenny, Craig and Pearl will be available at our stand (no. TV63) to speak to you about your project and demonstrate our renowned Virtual Reality system. The VR sessions will be at 10.30am and 2pm on both days of the show.
Jenny will also deliver a very interesting talk (12 noon on Friday at the Sovereign Theatre) on the role of the integrated design team, where she will discuss how to select your team and when to engage them.
An integrated design team is the first step to an efficient and streamlined project – from initial design through to the completed build!
SELF BUILD SEMINARS WITH ACA
The ‘How to self-build successfully’ seminar will take place on Saturday 29th October at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre and 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 £60 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.
Visiting the National Self Build & Renovation Centre is beneficial for anyone who wants to build their dream home and should be in the calendar of every conscious self-builder who wants to prepare thoroughly for what will be the biggest investment in their life.
The NSBRC is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 – 17:30, Sunday 10:00 – 16:30.
The National Self Build & Renovation Centre, Lydiard Fields, Great Western Way, Swindon, SN5 8UB
For more information visit: www.nsbrc.co.uk.
