This guide is personalised for a self-builder who is at the start of their self-build journey and who wants to get as much as possible from the show. The virtual show offers a wealth of information, with many seminars, masterclasses, and a full cast of experts on hand to provide 1:1 advice. And you can experience all of this from the comfort of your home.
The Spring show will take place on 24th and 25th April and will be hosted on an online platform built by the team behind the Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine. You will be able to chat to businesses and attend seminars, just like you would do at the live show but from the comfort of your home!
All you have to do is to register for free at the Spring Virtual Homebuilding & Renovating Show website. Then all that’s left is to stock up with snacks and coffee and log into the lobby.
The show will host 10 Main Stage seminars, 10 Expert Advice sessions, over 40 masterclasses and many exhibitors that you will have the opportunity to discuss your project with. From this huge selection, we have chosen the top seminars to attend, and the experts that you should speak with in order to get the most from the show.
THE MAIN STAGE SEMINARS
The seminars at the Virtual Spring HBR Show are divided between two stages: The Main Stage and Masterclass Theatre. Additionally, there are several sessions organised in the Expert Advice Stage. For a prospective self-builder, the most valuable seminars will be in the Main Stage. It is here that the Self-Build experts will deliver talks on the most important stages of the self-build process. See below for our top picks from the Main Stage:
Top 6 Main Stage Seminars:
A beginner’s guide to self-build
Jason Orme – Content Director at H&R Magazine, Saturday at 10:30-11:15
Dreaming of living in a home built for you and your family’s individual needs? Find out everything you need to plan your dream self-build – from advice on finding a plot and securing planning permission to how you can build it on a budget.
10 things you need to know about working with tradespeople
David Gutierrez – Building Expert, Saturday at 13:00-13:45
Whether you’re planning your dream self-build or extension, it’s crucial to work with a builder successfully. Here’s how to find the right one and tips on getting the most from your working relationship.
Planning permission for self-builds and extensions
Sally Tagg – Planning Expert, Saturday at 16:00-16:45
All great self-builds start with the right plot, and finding one can be difficult. Learn how to identify different types of plot and find out what might be an appropriate plot in planning terms. This seminar will save you wasting time and money on plots that simply aren’t viable for development.
The best ways to add wow factor to your home design
Allan Corfield – Design Expert at H&R Magazine and AC Architects, Sunday at 11:30-12:15
Great design is the key to creating a home with a real wow factor. Architect Allan Corfield talks you through the design process and key principles that will help create a home you’ll be proud of for years to come.
Heating options for self-builds and renovations
David Hilton – Eco Expert at H&R Magazine, Sunday at 13:00-13:45
Energy efficiency in our homes is all about reducing the need for energy and then optimizing the technology choices but also balancing this with our lifestyle requirements. In this seminar the ‘fabric first’ approach to low energy home design and renovation is explained. Understand the best ways to optimise insulation values, the importance of balancing air tightness, ventilation, thermal mass and solar gain, plus how to choose the right heating system including renewable energy options for heat and power.
10 things you need to know before self-building
Bob Branscombe – Chartered Surveyor, Sunday at 16:00-16:45
Self-building for the first time can be a daunting experience. This session will help you predict potential problems before they happen and leave you equipped to deal with them in the best way.
MASTERCLASS SEMINARS
The Masterclass Theatre will feature exhibitors who will discuss 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, the masterclasses will help you make up your mind. Below, we present our top 8 seminars:
Top 8 Masterclass Seminars:
How to be a good client
Saturday 10:45-11:00, Sunday 16:15-16:30 – RIBA
Protecting your project from start to finish – essential information about Site Insurance, Structural Warranties and Risk Management
Saturday 11:00-11:15, Sunday 11:00-11:15 – Self Build Zone
Home Cinema, audio visual ans smart home technology: adding the wow factor!
Saturday 11:15-11:30 – Acoustic Pixel
How much does an oak-framed house cost?
Saturday 14:00-14:15 – Oakwrights
Bringing your home to life through lighting design
Saturday 14:30-14:45 – Lumination
Designing for home working/living
Saturday 16:15-16:30, Sunday 10:45-11:00 – RIBA
Budgeting for your build
Saturday 16:00-16:15, Sunday 10:30-10:45 – Federation of Master Builders
Bifold vs Sliders: which one is right for your project?
Saturday 15:30-15:45 – ID Systems
At the Virtual Spring Homebuilding & Renovating Show, visitors will have the opportunity to experience a new seminar formula – panel discussions in The Expert Advice Stage. You will have the opportunity to listen to a panel of top experts debating various Self-Build topics from how to build an eco-home to the latest interior design trends. Below, we present our top 7 panel discussions and seminars:
Top 7 Expert Advice Stage Events:
How do I choose the right windows and doors?
Saturday 11:00-11:45. Jason Orme, Matt Higgs, Brendan Barrett, Vasilis Giannopoulos
Discover everything you need to know before choosing windows and doors for your renovation or self-build, from the latest glazing technology to costs and finding the right supplier for your project.
How can I make sure my project is protected?
Saturday 13:00-13:45. Michael Holmes, Peter Richardson – Self Build Zone
Don’t start planning a major self-build or renovation project until you’ve looked into how to protect yourself from financial risk. In this seminar, we’ll look at the importance of project insurance and how to make sure it covers everything you need.
What are your options for project management?
Saturday 14:00-14:45. Mark Stevenson
Choosing a route to build, that suits both you and your budget is an essential ingredient of any successful building project. This seminar explains the options available and provides the inside track on how to save £1000’s by getting the best from your builder or project manager.
How do I find the right architect and work with them successfully?
Saturday at 15:00-15:30. Kunle Barker, Property Expert, Journalist & TV Presenter
Whether you’re planning your dream self-build or extension, it’s crucial to work with an architect to get the perfect design for you and your family. Here’s how to find the right one and tips on getting the most from your working relationship.
What are the best green energy options?
Sunday at 11:00-11:45. Michael Holmes, David Hilton
Whether you’re self-building or renovating, it’s well worth having an understanding of the green energy options available. With the Government advising against conventional gas boilers, what are the alternative options, and which is right for your project?
How do I choose external finishes for my project?
Sunday 12:00-12:30. Michael Holmes
How you choose to finish your home’s exterior can make or break your project, whether you opt for timber cladding, render or composite cladding, a combination of them all. Join this panel for advice on making the most of your home’s exterior.
The impact of design on health and wellbeing
Sunday 15:00-15:30. Michael Holmes, Ben Channon – Assael Architecture, Ellie Ratcliffe – Environmental psychologist and lecturer
Discover the impact great home design can have on your health and wellbeing with this session from our headline sponsor, RIBA.
ASK THE EXPERT
The Virtual Spring Homebuilding & Renovating Show offers the chance to get first-hand advice from many of the top Self-Build specialists in the UK. So, prepare your plans, ideas and any issues you have regarding your project and book your consultation slot with the desired expert. 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 at the show are:
Laura Crombie
Saturday – 16:00-17:00,
Laura Crombie has been writing about homes and interiors for 13 years. She’s the presenter of the Real Homes Show and currently DIY renovating a 1960s house.
Jason Orme
Saturday – 14:00-16:00 and Sunday – 10:00-11:00
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
Saturday – 10:00-12:00
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
Sunday – 11:00-13:00
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!
Bob Branscombe
Saturday – 12:00-14:00
Bob Branscombe is one of the UK’s leading Chartered Surveyors and with over 30-years’ experience in both self-build and construction, he still harnesses a long-time obsession with hands on self-building.
The Virtual Spring Homebuilding & Renovating Show holds a vast amount of information for a prospective self-builder. The recommendations we have made are for people planning to build their dream home. 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 appropriate to attend other talks.
Can’t take part in the Virtual Spring Homebuilding & Renovating Show? Don’t worry…. You will be able to access the platform for some time after the show.
