Virtual Homebuilding & Renovating Summer Show – Preview
COVID-19 has impacted every area of our lives for the past months, including the cancellation of the Homebuilding Shows. However, the organisers have announced a new and creative way to continue to support and help self-builders. On the 24th and 25th of July they will host the first ever Virtual Homebuilding & Renovating Show.
This guide is personalised for a self-builder who is as the start of their self-build journey and who wants to get as much knowledge as possible from the show. The Virtual HBR Summer 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 first show will take place on the 24th and 25th of July 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 Summer 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 seminars, over 50 masterclasses and over 130 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 and exhibitors that you should speak with in order to get the most of the show.
The organisers of the show have listened to self-builders’ feedback from previous events and in response have organised the Land Hub. This area is entirely devoted to a crucial and challenging part of the Self Build journey – plot hunting.
Michael Stevenson from Potton will host a number of seminars from appraising a building plot to describing the plot buying process.
If you are at the stage of looking for a plot of land, then we would recommend a visit to the Land Hub.
SELF BUILD THEATRE SEMINARS
The seminars at the Virtual HBR Summer Show are divided between two theatres: Seminar and Masterclass Theatre. Additionally, there are several sessions organised in the Expert Panel and the Land Hub. For a prospective self-builder, the most valuable seminars will be in the Seminar Theatre. It is here that the Self Build experts will deliver talks on the most important stages of the self-build process. See below for out top picks from the Seminar Theatre:
Top 7 Self Build Theatre Seminars:
Beginner’s guide to building your own home
Jason Orme – Content Director at H&R Magazine and Tom McSherry – Finance Expert at BuildStore, Friday at 10:00-10:45
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.
Plots and Planning – how to find a site you can build on
Sally Tagg – Managing Director at Foxley Tagg, Friday at 11:30-12:15
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.
Creating a low energy home
David Hilton – Eco Expert at H&R Magazine, Friday 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.
What will your project cost?
Mark Stevenson – Managing Director at Potton, Friday at 14:30-15:15
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.
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.
Working with Builders & Project Management Routes
Mark Stevenson – Managing Director at Potton, Saturday 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 getting the best from your builder or project manager.
10 Ways to Successfully Self Build
Michael Holmes – Chair of NaCSBA, Saturday at 16:00-16:45
If you’re planning a self-build project, then you need to watch this. Experienced self-builder Michael Holmes shares the 10 key steps to making sure your Self Build is a success.
MASTERCLASS THEATRE 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 Theatre Seminars:
Benefits of building with timber frame
Friday 10:30-10:45 – Fleming Homes
Secrets to a great kitchen design
Friday 11:00-11:15 – Kitchens for DIY
Protecting your project from start to finish. Essential information about Site Insurance, Structural Warranties and Risk Management
Friday 12:00-12:15 – Self-Build Zone
Internorm Glazing for the Future
Friday 12:30-12:45 – Internorm
Underfloor heating – the truth behind the myths
Friday 13:15-13:30 – Nuheat
Your guide to garden rooms
Friday 14:30-14:45 – Arctic Cabins
Low-energy Timberframe and SIPs build-solutions
Friday 15:30-15:45 – Timber Innovations
Bifold vs sliding doors – which is right for your project?
Saturday 11:45-12:00 – Kloeber
How to choose the right building contractor for your homebuilding and renovating project
Saturday 12:45-13:00 – Federation of Master Builders
Do you need a formal heating system, or are you insulating and sealing-up your home so well, a heat pump ventilation system could do it all?
Saturday 14:30-14:45 – Kensa Group
ONLINE DESIGN CONSULTATIONS WITH ACA
EXPERT PANEL DISCUSSIONS
At the Virtual Homebuilding & Renovating Summer Show, visitors will have the opportunity to experience a new seminar formula – panel discussions. You will 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 5 panel discussions:
Expert Panel Discussions:
Choosing Doors & Windows
Friday 16:00-16:45. Alan Burgess – Masterframe, Harry Grimshaw – Cherwell, Darren Long – Internorm.
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.
Getting Your Interior Design Right
Friday 16:00-16:45. Ally Dowsing-Reynolds –Dowsing & Reynolds, Adrian Graves – Piqu Kitchens
It’s easy to leave interior design decisions to the last minute but planning the finishing touches is key. Tune in to this talk for your guide to allocating your budget, getting the layout of your home right and choosing an interior style.
Protecting Your Project With Insurance
Saturday 16:00-16:45. Moderated by 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.
Making the most of your outside space with a Garden Room
Saturday 16:00-16:45. Moderated by Gareth Parkinson – Arctic Cabins
It’s easy to forget your outside space when you’re preoccupied with a major build or extension project, but factoring in any changes you want to make to your garden from an early stage will save you time and money. Here’s our guide to garden rooms and planning your landscaping.
Renewable Energy Systems
Saturday at 16:00-16:45 Moderated by Phil Hurley – NIBE Energy Systems
Reducing energy use in our homes is not only better for the environment, it’s also better for our bank balances in the long run. Tune in to discover the more efficient energy sources for your self build or renovation project.
LAND HUB SEMINARS
The Land Hub is entirely devoted to a crucial and challenging part of the Self Build journey – plot hunting. If you are looking for a plot of land, then we would recommend that you take part in the sessions organised here. See below for our recommendations:
Land Hub Seminars:
How to start your plot search
Friday at 11:15-11:45. 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.
The best ways to find a plot
Friday 14:15-14:45. 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.
The plot buying process
Saturday 12:45-13:15. Mark Stevenson – Potton
Buying a plot is not the same as buying a house. The process should minimise risk and protect any investment you make – we’ll explain how.
Paying the right price for a plot
Saturday 15:15-15:45. Mark Stevenson – Potton
Valuing a plot correctly is key to making sure your project doesn’t come off the rails before it is even started. The plot experts will explain the valuation process and how to maximise the profitability of your project.
EXHIBITORS
There will be over 100 exhibitors in the Virtual Homebuilding & Renovating Summer Show. You will, therefore, have the chance to learn about their array of products and services, there is even the option to schedule a video call with them for specific advice on your project. The specialities covered by exhibitors will include design, renewables, exteriors, interiors, financial services and much more. It wasn’t easy, but we manage to chose our top 8 self-build exhibitors:
Top 8 Exhibitors To Visit:
Furniture
Dowsing & Reynolds is an online design, LED lighting and home decor company specialising in products you won’t find on the High Street. From bespoke lighting such as vintage light bulbs, fabric cable and statement light fixtures, to modern, unusual hardware such as industrial plug sockets and leather handles.
Structural Systems
Econekt is a company specialising in building Insulate Concreted framework homes. You may be a true self-builder looking for the Izodom elements to build at your own pace and in your own time, or you may be a self-builder with a design looking for Econekt to undertake a wind and watertight structural shell for you, or you may even be an architect looking to specify the Izodom elements or a developer looking to maximise your sites.
Structural Systems
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,
Windows
Internorm is a strong family business. From the birth of the UPVC window to the production of timber/aluminium windows and the high-tech and high-design innovations nowadays, Internorm is setting standards Europe-wide. Continuous technological further development and continual innovations make us a pioneer in the brand.
Heating, Renewables
Kensa Heat Pumps is one of the UK’s most popular ground source heat pump brands with an extensive range and award-winning heritage since 1999. Ideal for heating Self Builds and renovations Kensa ground source heat pumps can save you money on heating bills and maintenance. It will also generate a guaranteed quarterly income through the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI); seven years income for single builds, twenty years income for multiple units.
Doors & Windows
Kloeber has offered homeowners and self-builders a range of bespoke glazing solutions, helping clients select the perfect doors and windows for their unique projects. Kloeber specialises in providing its clients with the full package, from the initial meeting and showroom visit to liaising with architects and builders involved in the project. The company can also offer a detailed site survey to guarantee a smooth installation carried out by its own in-house fitting teams.
Professional Services
NIBE value their Nordic heritage by reaping the renewable energy of nature, and by combining it with new smart technology, they can offer effective solutions that protect people and nature. Their wide range of products provides your home with cooling, heating, ventilation and hot water with minimal impact on the environment.
Professional Services
Protek Insurance provides Site Insurance and Structural Warranties for new self build, renovation, extension and conversion projects irrespective of whether the work is being carried out by builders, trades or as part of a self-build, Custom Build or DIY renovation project. We are very familiar with the self-build sector and understand the risks you face when building, converting or renovating your own home.
The Virtual Homebuilding & Renovating Summer 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 Summer Show
Don’t worry….the Homebuilding & Renovating team have announced two additional virtual events:
- Virtual Homebuilding & Renovating Autumn Show – 26-27 September
- Virtual Homebuilding & Renovating Winter Show – 27-28 November
The traditional shows are coming back next year. See below the list of upcoming events in 2021:
- Farnborough – 16-17 January 2021
- Harrogate (Postponed from 2020) – 26-28 February 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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