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Allan CorfieldOct 17, 2017 12:00:00 AM12 min read

Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2017 in Harrogate - Preview

Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2017 In Harrogate – Preview

Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2017 in Harrogate – Preview

After two shows in Scotland, the Homebuilding and Renovating Show is coming back to England. On 3-5th November, thousands of self-builders will come to Harrogate in North Yorkshire, in order to get inspiration for their future homes. This year, the Harrogate Convention Centre will facilitate over 220 exhibitors ready to educate guests about their products and solutions from various areas of Self Build.

12 lectures in the Seminar Theatre and over 35 Masterclass talks should help you develop a better understanding of the self-build art and answer all your questions and dilemmas regarding your future home. In order to help you organise your visit to the event, we created this preview which will help you to get the most of the HBR show in Harrogate.

harrogate homebuilding and renovating showIf you have not come across our previous article regarding the HBR shows in 2017 – make sure you check it out! The article presents very useful tips that will help you to get the most out of the show.

If you are already building your house or just doing some initial research, this article is for you. Our team has picked the most valuable talks and masterclasses for self-builders. We have also prepared a list of experts you should speak to and exhibitors that can help you make up your mind, whether you are looking for an optimal construction system or the renewables for your new home.

This article is supplemented by a day guide to the show which will help you achieve the maximum from your visit to the show.

SEMINAR THEATRE TALKS

homebuilding renovating show harrogate

The seminars at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Harrogate are divided between two theatres: Seminar and Masterclass. In the first one, the self-build experts will be delivering talks on all the important parts of the self-build process. Below are our top picks for the Seminar Theatre:

Top 7 Seminars Theatre Talks: 

1. A beginner’s guide to building your own home
David Snell – Author & Contributor Editor at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine
Everyday at 10:30-11:00

Discover how you can build your own individually designed home and save up to 30% compared to buying a new house. Learn how to find a plot including serviced plots for custom build, get a self-build mortgage, work out what you can afford to build for your budget, develop a design scheme and how to decide whether to use a builder, manage the project yourself or get involved on DIY basis.

2. Planning Permission: How to find your way through the planning maze
Sally Tagg – Planning Expert at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine
Everyday at 11:00-11:30

An introduction to the planning system. Discover the tactics that will maximise your chances of getting consent for your homebuilding or renovating project. Learn how the system works, who makes the decisions, how to influence them, when to compromise, when to appeal and more.

3. How to find a reliable builder and compare quotes on a like-for-like basis
Bob Branscombe – Building Expert at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine
Everyday 12:00-12:30

Find out how to find the right builder for your project, from small local building firms to main contractors to custom build ‘turn-key’ home providers. Learn how to check their credentials and make sure you are working with reputable firms. Discover the key to comparing quotes from builders to find the best value for money.

4. Designing to Maximise Energy Efficiency
Tim Pullen – Eco-Expert at Homebuilding & Renovating
Everyday at 13:00-13:30

The ‘fabric first’ approach to home design and renovation explained. Understand how to optimise insulation values in the walls, floor and roof of your home, specifying energy efficient windows, and the importance of balancing air tightness, ventilation, thermal mass and solar gain.

5. Plotfinding Secrets: How to find your dream plot. Plus – an introduction to the ‘Right to Build’
Jason Orme – Editorial Director at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine
Everyday at 13:30-14:00

Discover how to search for plots using professional land finding techniques and how to assess a site’s development potential, including serviced plots for sale on a larger custom build development. Plus a look at the significance of the ‘Right to Build’ registers – and how to ensure your local authority brings forward opportunities for individual and group Self Build in your area.

6. How to build your own home for under £100.000
Bob Branscombe – Building Expert at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine
Everyday at 14:00-14:30

Discover how to build your home on a tight budget without sacrificing quality or size. Learn how factors such as your choice of materials, fixtures and fittings, design complexity, scale and effective project management all influence construction costs. Whatever your budget, this session will ensure you avoid waste and maximise value.

7. The most common self build and renovation mistakes and how to avoid them
David Snell – Author & Contributing Editor at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine
Everyday at 16:00-16:30

Forewarned is forearmed: learn how to keep your self-build or renovation project firmly on the rails by avoiding the most common disputes and disagreements that arise during the project with designers, builders and suppliers, plus a guide on to how best to resolve difficulties if they come up.

MASTERCLASS THEATRE TALKS

The Masterclass Theatre will feature exhibitors who will discuss their products and share information from their area of expertise. The Homebuilding & Renovating show in Harrogate will offer 36 masterclasses, below we present our top 7 picks for the show:

Top 7 Masterclass Theatre Talks: 

1. DIY Project Management: How to manage your own building project efficiently and successfully

3 November 11:00-11:20
JS Building Consultancy
Stand: M124

2. Project Insurance and Warranties: A guide to de-risking your homebuilding or renovating project plus essential health & safety

3 November 11:30-11:50
Sennocke/Self-Build Zone
Stand: M217

3. All you ever wanted to know about building your own home using structural insulated panels (SIPS)

4 November 15:00-15:20
SIPS@Clays
Stand: C303

4. Smart Home? Smart choice: an overview of how smart home technology is going to change the home of the future

4 November 15:30-15:50
Castle Grange Technologies
Stand: M151

5. Renewable Energy Solutions: A guide to heat pumps, solar, biomass and more

5 November 10:30-10:50
Geowarmth
Stand: M150

6. Windows: How to choose the right windows for your self-build or renovation project

5 November 12:00-12:20
Velfac
Stand: C331

7. Choosing the right heating system for your home

5 November 13:30-13:50
Smart Renewable Heat
Stand: B411

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE SELF BUILD EBOOK!

Are you considering building your own self-build dream home? If so, download our free ‘introduction to self building’ ebook.

ASK THE EXPERTS

homebuilding renovating show harrogate

The Homebuilding & Renovating show in Harrogate offers the chance to get first-hand advice from some of the top self-build experts in the UK. So bring your plans, ideas and any issues you have regarding your project to the Advice Centre. This is an amazing opportunity to get valuable information no matter which stage of your homebuilding project you are at. Some of the experts you will be able to speak to in Harrogate are:

Top Experts For Consultations: 

Michael Holmes

One of the country’s leading property experts, presenter of multiple property TV Shows and the Chair of the NaCSBA – organisation founded to support self-builders throughout the UK. His book, ‘Renovating for Profit’, is the definitive guide to home renovations that makes a difference to the value of your property. Michael cannot be missed by any conscious self-builder.

Jason Orme

Jason Orme was the long-time Editor of Homebuilding & Renovating and is now Editorial Director. He has been writing about self-build and renovation for 18-years and during that time has given advice to hundreds of people taking on major building projects to their homes. He is an expert on all aspects of building or renovating from construction systems and finding land to energy efficiency and dealing with builders and in recent years has advised the Government on ways to make self-building easier for everyone.

David Snell

One of the most prominent Self Build specialists and authors. For 14 years he was The Daily Telegraph’s ‘House Doctor’ with a regular Saturday column. He also wrote four editions of ‘Building Your Own Home’, and other books related to Self Build. With such an extensive experience David can give advice on almost every area of your self-build project and can help you avoid very costly mistakes!

Sally Tagg

A planning expert with a successful track record of achieving planning permission for a wide variety of clients including individual self-builders and landowners 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!

Tim Pullen

One of the biggest eco-expert in the industry. Contributor to many magazines and newspapers, including the Homebuilding & Renovating magazine. He regularly presents seminars and training on sustainable building and renewable energy, and has written three books on this. If energy efficiency is a priority for your project, you cannot miss this opportunity to speak to Tim!

Bob Branscombe

A chartered surveyor with over 25 years in construction and consultancy, Bob has combined the industry realm with the self-build world via a long-time obsession with hands on self building. If you need some help with the evaluation of your property or to discuss structural issues of your Self Build, Bob is the man you should see!

EXHIBITORS

hbr 2017 summary

There will be over 220 exhibitors at the Homebuilding & Renovating show in Harrogate. You will have the chance to explore their various products and services, which can be useful in supporting your self-build dream come true. There will be companies who specialise in design, renewables, exteriors, interiors, financial services and many other services and products related to self building. It was a really difficult task, but we picked the top 7 exhibitors you should visit when planning a self-build venture:

Top 7 Exhibitors To Visit: 

ADM Systems
Ventilation
Stand No. M140

If you are considering the installation of a heat recovery ventilation system (MVHR), then a visit to stand no. 129 should be high on your ‘exhibitors to see’ shortlist. ADM Systems offer a full range of services such as CAD design and proposals, site surveys, compliance advice, complete installation by BPEC approved engineers and full ventilation system maintenance and aftercare packages. They also offer a ‘buddy’ service for self-builders installing their own heat recovery systems.

Clearly Automated
Home Technology & Security
Stand No. C234

Clearly Automated offer a complete range of services that cover all aspects of home automation, including home cinema, intelligent lighting, multi-room audio. They provide stunning digital solutions to make your home simply complete. Come over to stand no. C234 and check out what they have to offer.

Dowsing & Reynolds
Furniture
Stand No. A322

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.  Come to stand no. A322 and check their offer.

Fleming Homes 
Structural Systems
Stand No. M186

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, come to stand no. M186 and speak to their specialists.

Kit Peel Gardens
Garden Building
Stand No. C295

Kit Peel Gardens designs bespoke, elegant gardens that are both low maintenance and beneficial to wildlife. Our team includes experience in design and horticulture at the highest level. Their goal is to create a beautiful space for you to enjoy all year round, by day and night.

Mary Riley Custom Build Funding Ltd
Professional Services
Stand No. C290

Mary Riley Solutions coordinate professional and financial service providers from A – Z of the build project, helping you get on with the important matter of building whilst secure in the knowledge that the crucial financial aspects are being expertly project managed.

Smart Renewable Heat
Renewables/Microgeneration
Stand No. B411

Smart Renewable Heat provide renewable heating systems such as ground and air source heat pumps, installation finance & smart online metering and monitoring technology to ensure optimum performance. If you are thinking about building an eco-home, maybe it is worth to have a chat with the experts at stand no. B411.

PREPARE FOR YOUR SELF BUILD JOURNEY.
ATTEND OUR SELF BUILD SEMINAR!

Are you considering building your own self-build dream home? Join the top industry experts on the for a full day seminar at the National Self Build & Renovating Centre!

The Homebuilding & Renovating show holds a plethora of information for a prospective self-builder. The recommendations we have created are (in our opinion), the best solutions for people planning to build their dream home.

However, this does not mean that the other seminars, experts or exhibitors are not worth seeing. Depending on the priorities of your project it may be more appropriate to attend other talks. It is worth the effort and time to prepare well for the show, as what you will learn will definitely influence the final outcome of your project!

Are you going to the Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Harrogate? What seminars, experts and exhibitors are on your shortlist? Have you already been to one? What are your opinions? Was it helpful? Do you have any advice for others? Share your opinions in the comment section below!

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE SELF BUILD EBOOK!

Are you considering building your own self-build dream home? If so, download our free ‘introduction to self building’ ebook.

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