At its current growth rate of six per cent YOY, the number of new homes being built in England is expected to reach 16,500 by 2020, according to the Self & Custom Build Market Report 2017 released by Homebuilding & Renovating. But this is still far short of the Government’s target of a million completed houses.
For those interested in taking matters into their own hands, The London Homebuilding & Renovating Show will return to ExCeL, London from 22-24 September 2017, providing inspiration, practical help and resources to turn visitors’ property ambitions into reality.
The event, sponsored for the first time by Everest Ltd, a British company with over 50 years’ experience in double glazed windows, conservatories, doors and more, will offer serious self-builders and renovators the opportunity to discover over 360 specialist exhibitors and access more than 750+ advice sessions, 45+ free seminars and masterclasses. The annual event will be brimming with free detailed advice on specific talking points, ranging from design and decorating ideas to securing support for investing in renewable heating. Real case studies will also be present to share their experiences with people who are facing similar challenges, together with companies from a variety of sectors including architecture; kitchens; bathrooms; ventilation; lighting; doors and windows etc.
New to the show this year is Estimators Online, a company which offers affordable estimating services for domestic building projects such as extensions, conversions, refurbishments and new build dwellings. By using its in-house software and quantification techniques, the team will quickly convert visitors’ drawings into an accurate labour and materials estimate.
On Saturday, visitors will be able to hold 15-minute consultations with celebrity experts who star in their favourite TV property programmes. Charlie Luxton, sustainable architectural designer and presenter of More 4’s ‘Building the Dream’, will talk about eco living, new architectural ideas and homes of the future. Julia Kendell, interior design expert for BBC’s ‘DIY SOS The Build’ and ITV’s ’60 Minute Makeover’, will return to meet with visitors seeking inspiration on how they can revamp their houses through clever interior adaptations.
For attendees in need of fresh ideas or solutions, the Ask the Expert area inside the Advice Centre, sponsored by Internom, Europe’s leading window brand, will be the place to ask questions and explore the most efficient solutions to meet their challenges. 11 resident property experts will be available for 15-minute consultations via interactive sessions. People will be encouraged to bring their plans along and discuss them with specialists including Michael Holmes (director of content and product development for Homebuilding & Renovating magazine); Jason Orme (editorial director of Homebuilding & Renovating magazine); David Snell (self-build and plot finding expert); Bob Branscombe (chartered surveyor and builder); Chris Reeves (legal expert and a chartered builder and lawyer); Tim Pullen (expert in sustainable building and energy efficiency in the home); Mariana Pedroso (interior design expert and architect), and Jo Dyson (renovation expert and diarist).
Within this zone, visitors can also head to the Ask the Builder area and meet experts for advice on their renovation project. All members of the Federation of Master Builders are vetted and inspected on joining to give visitors the confidence when looking for a specialist. In addition, over 15 experienced architects from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) will be at the Ask the Architect area to help consumers achieve their aspirations and vision, add value to their projects, guide them through the design and the bespoke construction process.
Self-builders and renovators with questions or issues about obtaining planning permission will be able to meet with Sally Tagg and her team of experts at the Planning Clinic. Sally is a planning specialist with years of experience helping owners find out where their applications may be going wrong, how to avoid common mistakes and what steps to take when an application has been rejected.
Potton’s self-build experts, renowned for building sustainable timber homes, will also be on hand to help visitors create and design their dream home at the Potton Design Lounge. The company will deliver one-to-one sessions for those looking to discover how to use their building resources efficiently to meet their plan and budget requirements. In addition, the Oakwrights Design Consultation Service will provide access to free 20-minute consultations with designers and craftspeople from its Architectural Design Team, who will blend together traditional skills with modern technology to offer homeowners a tailored oak framing and encapsulation service. Consultation for these two features can be pre-booked via the website.
Live presentations hosted by qualified tradespeople in the Tricks of the Trade section will showcase up-to-date information on everything property-related. Diverse topics will cover how to undertake everyday DIY jobs around the house without breaking the bank.
The show will also provide visitors with access to a mobile app which will personalise their experience, helping them to plan and guide their day through exclusive content. With multiple features throughout the exhibition, it will ensure that consumers make the most of their visit and won’t miss out on key aspects. The app will also notify users of exclusive offers during the exhibition and provide them with an interactive timetable for the relevant seminar and masterclass sessions.
Standard tickets are £12 in advance or £18 on the door (children under 16 go free). For more details, visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk/london or call the ticket hotline on 0871 231 0824 (calls cost 13p per minute plus network extras).
