Virtual Homebuilding & Renovating Autumn Show – Preview
Since the COVID-19 outbreak in March, all homebuilding shows in the UK were postponed. However, the organisers of the Homebuilding & Renovating show’s pioneered a new and creative way to support self-builders – through a virtual show that took place this summer. It was very well received and reviewed highly by visitors.
Building on the success of the first show, they have now released dates for a second virtual show, which will take place on the 26th and 27th of September.
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 HBR Autumn 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 Autumn show will take place on the 26th and 27th of September and will be hosted on a platform called Vfairs. This replicates a live event, so visitors can ‘walk’ through the stands, 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 Virtual Homebuilding & Renovating Autumn 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 and masterclasses to attend, and the experts that you should speak with in order to get the most of the show.
For the Autumn show, the organisers created the Expert Advice Stage. This new area presents expert panel sessions and grows on the popular, land hub seminars from the previous shows. If you are currently looking for a plot of land, then we would highly recommend the talks by Mark Stevenson.
THE MAIN STAGE SEMINARS
The seminars at the Virtual HBR Autumn 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 7 Main Stage Seminars:
Beginner’s guide to building your own home
Jason Orme – Content Director at H&R Magazine and Tom McSherry – Finance Expert at BuildStore, 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.
Design: How to make your new home ‘wow’
Allan Corfield – Design Expert at H&R Magazine and AC Architects, Saturday 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.
How much will your project cost?
Mark Stevenson – Managing Director at Potton, Saturday at 13:00-13:45
Anyone taking on a self-build project will be wondering how much it will cost and how they’re going to finish the build within their budget. This seminar will explain the costs involved and what factors must be managed to make sure you don’t bust your budget.
Beginner’s guide to plots and planning permission
Sally Tagg – Managing Director at Foxley Tagg, Saturday at 16:00-16:45
Learn how to identify different types of plot, what might be an appropriate plot in planning terms. Understand what to look for when you search for plots to help you avoid pursuing plots that will be likely to be difficult to deliver through the planning process. The pre-application process, technical reports and what you need to do before you decide to apply for planning permission.
How to find and work with an architect
Kunle Barker – Property Expert, Sunday at 11:30-12:15
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.
How to create a low-energy home
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.
Should I manage my own project?
Mark Stevenson – Managing Director at Potton, Sunday at 14:30-15:15
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 get the best from your builder or project manager.
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 10 seminars:
Top 10 Masterclass Seminars:
How to design and build a sustainable home
Saturday 10:30-10:45 – Justin Bear
How to choose the right building contractor for your homebuilding and renovating project
Saturday 10:45-11:00 – Federation of Master Builders
Protecting your project from start to finish – Essential information about Site Insurance, Structural Warranties and Risk Management
Saturday 11:15-11:30 – Self Build Zone
Bifold vs sliding doors – which is right for your project?
Saturday 11:30-11:45 – Kloeber
Why structural timber delivers the self-build dream
Saturday 15:30-15:45 – Structural Timber Association
How to choose the right windows for your self-build project
Sunday 12:30-12:45 – VELFAC
How much does an oak-framed house cost?
Sunday 13:30-13:45 – Oakwrights
CPD: The importance of airtightness in construction
Sunday 14:30-14:45 – White Haus
Understanding Smart Home Technology & why you need to budget for it
Sunday 15:15-15:45 – Niko Home Control
Secrets to a great kitchen design
Sunday 15:45-16:00 – Aristocraft Kitchens
ONLINE DESIGN CONSULTATIONS WITH ACA
EXPERT ADVICE STAGE
At the Virtual Homebuilding & Renovating Autumn 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. You will also be able to see some seminars devoted to one of the most crucial and challenging parts of the Self Build journey – plot hunting. Below, we present our top 7 panel discussions and seminars:
Top 7 Expert Advice Stage Events:
How to start your plot search
Saturday at 11:00-11:45. Mark Stevenson – Potton
This session explains the importance of planning authority self build registers in England and why finding a plot is the hardest part of the self build journey for most people. We’ll explain why understanding local planning policy is so important and help you understand who you’re competing against.
Expert Advice Panel: The impact of design on health and wellbeing
Saturday 12:00-12:30. Michael Holmes, Ellie Ratcliffe, Ben Channon.
Discover the impact great home design can have on your health and wellbeing with this session from the headline sponsor, RIBA.
Expert Advice Panel: Green homes and sustainable energy options
Saturday 14:00-14:45. Jason Orme
A beginner’s guide to eco-friendly energy options for your self-build or renovation project.
Protecting Your Project With Insurance
Sunday 12:00-12:30. Michael Holmes
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.
The best ways to find a plot
Sunday 13:00-13:15. Mark Stevenson – Potton
Plot hunting involves much more than trawling websites and search engines. We’ll explain some of the tools used by professional plot hunters and broaden your search skills to increase your chances of finding a suitable plot.
Secrets of great home design
Sunday 14:00-14:45. Jason Orme
Whether you’re renovating or extending, getting the design of your project right is integral to its success. Two top architects share their insider secrets on great home design.
How to build a good relationship with your builder
Sunday at 15:00-15:30. Michael Holmes
Having the right tradespeople on board can make or break your project. In this seminar, experts from the Federation of Master Builders explain how to assemble a team that will deliver your project to the highest standards.
ASK THE EXPERT
The Virtual Homebuilding & Renovating Autumn 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 – 10:00-11:00
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 – 11:00-13:00 and Sunday – 15:00-16:00
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 13:00-14:00
Allan is a Chartered Architect and ACA’s founder, 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
Saturday – 15:00-16:00
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!
Michael Holmes
Sunday – 11:00-13:00
One of the country’s leading property experts, presenter of multiple property TV Shows and the Chair of NaCSBA – the organisation founded to support self builders throughout the UK. His book, ‘Renovating for Profit’, is the definitive guide to home renovations that make a difference to the value of your property. Michael cannot be missed by any conscious self builder.
The Virtual Homebuilding & Renovating Autumn 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.
If you can’t take part in the Virtual Homebuilding & Renovating Autumn Show
Don’t worry…. You will be able to access the platform for some time after the show.
The traditional shows are coming back next year, subject to Government advice. See below the list of upcoming events in 2021:
- Farnborough – 16-17 January 2021
- Birmingham – 25-28 March 2021
- Glasgow – 22-23 May 2021
- Surrey – 26-27 June 2021
- London – 24-26 September 2021
- Edinburgh – 16-17 October 2021
- Harrogate – 5-7 November 2021
- Somerset – 20-21 November 2021
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