Virtual Homebuilding & Renovating Winter Show – Preview
Since the COVID-19 outbreak in March last year, 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 last summer and autumn . The events were very well received and reviewed highly by visitors.
Building on the success of the first shows, they have now released dates for a third, the winter edition of the virtual show, which will take place on the 16th and 17th of January.
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 Winter 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 Winter show will take place on the 16th and 17th of January 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 Winter 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.
At the Autumn show, the organisers created the Expert Advice Stage.
This new area will also be at the Winter Show and will present expert panel sessions with the top-class experts from various areas of homebuilding.
THE MAIN STAGE SEMINARS
The seminars at the Virtual HBR Winter 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:
The Ultimate Guide to Building Your Own Home
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.
Your Guide to Project Cost?
Mark Stevenson – Managing Director at Potton, Saturday at 11:30-12:15
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.
How to find the Right Builder, and Work With Them Successfully
Andy Stevens – 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.
The Most Common Self Build Mistakes… and How to Avoid Them
Bob Branscombe – Chartered Surveyor, Saturday 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.
Plots & Planning: Everything You Need to Know
Sally Tagg – Managing Director at Foxley Tagg, Sunday at 10:30-11:15
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 appropriate plot in planning terms. This seminar will save you wasting time and money on plots that simply aren’t viable for development.
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.
How to Create a Sustainable Home
David Hilton – Eco Expert at H&R Magazine, Sunday at 13:00-13:45
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.
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:
Budgeting for your build
Saturday 10:30-10:45 – The Federation of Master Builders
Protecting your project from start to finish – essential information about Site Insurance, Structural Warranties and Risk Management
Saturday 11:00-11:15 – Self Build Zone
Why structural timber delivers the self-build dream
Saturday 12:00-12:15 – Structural Timber Association
Bifold vs sliding doors – which is right for your project?
Saturday 12:15-12:30 – Kloeber
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
Home cinema, audio visual and smart home technology: Adding the wow factor!
Saturday 15:30-15:45 – Acoustic Pixel
Secrets to a great bedroom design
Sunday 11:00-11:15 – Bedrooms for DIY
Lighting design for new builds
Sunday 11:15-11:30 – Lumination
The benefits of MVHR Ventilation in your home
Sunday 12:15-12:30 – Total Air Quality
The future of electrical installations: Understanding smart home technology
Sunday 12:30-12:45 – Niko Home Control
ONLINE DESIGN CONSULTATIONS WITH ACA
EXPERT ADVICE STAGE
At the Virtual Homebuilding & Renovating Winter 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:
Expert Advice Panel: Green Energy Options
Sunday 11:00-11:45. Michael Holmes, David Hilton, Paul Testa
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?
Expert Advice Panel: Choosing external finishes for you home
Saturday 11:00-11:45. 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.
Expert Advice Panel: Choosing windows and doors
Saturday at 13:00-13:15. Jason Orme, Matt Highs- Kloeber, Brendan Barrett- ODC, Vasilis Giannopoulos – EcoHaus/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.
Expert Advice panel: Project Management Options
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 get the best from your builder or project manager.
Expert Advice Panel: How to build a good relationship with your builder
Sunday at 12:00-12:30. Michael Holmes, Gordon Nelson – FMB Scotland, Alli Gay – Chi Homes, Nik Nelberg – Earl and Calam Design and Build
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.
Expert Advice Panel: Protect Your Project
Sunday 14:00-14:45. Michael Holmes, Peter Richardson – Self Build Zone
Don’t start planning a major self-build or renovation project until you’ve loooked 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.
Expert Advice Panel: 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 Homebuilding & Renovating Winter 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, Sunday – 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 – 14:00-16:00 and Sunday – 15:00-17:00
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
Sunday – 13:00-16:00
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
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!
Michael Holmes
Saturday – 10:00-12:00, 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 Winter 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 Winter 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:
- Glasgow – 22-23 May 2021
- Surrey – 26-27 June 2021
- Birmingham – 8-11 July 2021
- London – 24-26 September 2021
- Edinburgh – 16-17 October 2021
- Harrogate – 5-7 November 2021
- Somerset – 20-21 November 2021
- Farnborough – 15-16 January 2022
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