The number of new homes registered to be built within the London region has reached more than 5,500 – a 58 per cent increase compared to 3,549 last year – according to recent reports from The National Housebuilding Council.
To help identify, appraise and secure the perfect plot to turn their property ambitions into reality, for the first time this year, visitors to the London Homebuilding & Renovating Show, returning to ExCeL from 4-6 October 2019, will be supported by masterclasses from the Land Hub, a self-build stage in collaboration with Plotfinder and Potton’s Self-Build Academy.
The show will also see the return of Sian Astley, lady-builder and project manager for BBC2’s ‘Your Home Made Perfect’ alongside Jo Dyson, property renovator, interiors specialist and founding partner of home design consultancy Mae House Design. Sian will tackle themes ranging from fresh design ideas, cost-effective styling, and mixing traditional style with a contemporary edge, to underfloor heating and insulation, drawing upon her extensive knowledge accumulated over 23 years. Jo will offer indispensable advice and expertise on re-modelling, re-designing and restoring the home to people who wish to transform a house into a home, by applying her know-how amassed over numerous construction ventures as well as a family background in property.
No matter the phase of a building or renovation project, attendees can access reputable expert support and expertise on all aspects of self-build and renovation over the three days. They will be able to find up-to-date information on a vast range of topics including renovating, building your own home, extensions and conversions, eco and heating, doors and windows, and more, discussed extensively by specialists at over 45 free seminars and masterclasses.
Consumers will also have the chance to discover innovative products and services from over 360 national and local brands that will be exhibiting. In addition, they will be able to interact with real case studies on site to discover the most common challenges they might encounter during the build process.
Self-builders and renovators who are keen to run their ideas past industry-leading property experts are encouraged to visit the Ask the Expert area inside The Advice Centre, sponsored by Internorm, Europe’s leading windows and doors manufacturer. Specialists include Michael Holmes (director of content and product development for Homebuilding & Renovating magazine); Jason Orme (editorial director of Homebuilding & Renovating magazine); Bob Branscombe (building expert); David Hilton (eco expert); Sally Tagg (planning expert); Tom McSherry (finance expert), and Mariana Pedroso (interiors expert).
This section will also house the Ask the Builder zone, where members of the Federation of Master Builders will offer tips to visitors on hiring accredited construction workers.
For those interested in finding out more about the design, planning and construction process, the Ask the Architect area in The Advice Centre is a mandatory stop where chartered specialists from RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) will provide tailored advice and support via one-on-one consultations.
One of the most important stages of undertaking a building project is obtaining planning permission. Sally Tagg and her team of experts from Foxley Tagg will impart the latest information on new regulations and laws and find a realistic route to deliver the aesthetic outcome desired.
All attendees can navigate their way on site with the help of the show app, available on iPhone and Android. They will be able to schedule and receive alerts for key seminars and masterclasses, browse through the list of professionals available at the Advice Centre, and access the latest offers and information.
Standard tickets are £12 in advance or £18 on the door (children under 16 go free). For further information visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk/london or call the ticket hotline on 0871 231 0824 (calls cost 13p per minute plus network extras).