If you are hoping to create a truly individual home then a visit to Build it Live at Bluewater’s event venue ‘Glow’ on 22 and 23 February will provide plenty of inspiration and practical advice to ensure you get the home and space you want.
The Build It Live! show is dedicated to putting self builders and renovators in touch with experts and companies who can help realise a house building or renovation dream. Find out what is possible and what you can and can’t do without planning permission, learn how to add space, value and light into your home, and hear from architects about how to plan and realise a home that works for you and your family.
Meet over 100 of the UKs most innovative suppliers offering 1000s of products and services including lofts, kitchens, underfloor heating, folding sliding doors, mortgages and much more.
There will also be the opportunity to meet with architects and other independent experts for one-to-one free advice on a project, from planning to design.
Four new and exciting exhibits this year will include the ‘Naked house’ exhibition which will show a section of a new build to give a fascinating insight into how things are installed in a new home.
Alternative build techniques will be on show with live demos from the ‘Centre for Alternative Technology’ which aims to inspire self builders on the merits of green building, energy conservation and renewable energy generation.
The ‘Plotsearch Zone’ will provide tips on searching for plots of land. Visitors to the show can take advantage of free access to Plotsearch, the UK’s premier live online database and view a gallery of current plots of land available in the South East.
The ‘Self Build Academy’ will provide taster sessions of the training courses available through house builder ‘Potton’. The Self Build Academy courses are designed to give essential knowledge for all self builders.
To find out more about the show which will be open between 10am and 5pm on 22 and 23 February 2014 or to purchase tickets visit www.builditlive.co.uk
There are also FREE Seminars and workshops each day which have been developed to help inspire and give confidence when taking on a renovation or building project. Presented by leading suppliers and specialists, each session zones in on specific problems and choices that self builders and renovators face every day.
Daily Seminar programme
10.30 A step by step guide to self-build
11.15 How to find land and getting planning permission
12.00 Designing your dream home
12.45 The different routes to managing your project
13.30 Finding the right build method for your project
14.15 How to add more space
15.00 Renovating a home with character
15.45 Trouble-shooting: Avoiding the pitfalls
Whatever your question, you’re bound to find the answer at one of our free workshops. Presented by leading suppliers and specialists, sessions range from finding an architect and setting a budget to building with a timber frame and installing renewable technologies.
Workshop Programme
Saturday
10.20 – Choosing and working with an architect
11.00 – Community & custom build schemes – the new way to self-build
11.40 – How to build instant character with Oak Frame
12.20 – Heating systems: understanding the options
13.00 – Building Regulations explained
13.40 – Letting light into your home
14.20 – Smart home systems
15.00 – Setting a budget
15.40 – How to build with SIPs
16.20 – What can I build without planning permission?
Sunday
10.45 – In case it goes wrong: insurance and warranties
11.25 – Why you should build with Timber
12.05 – The Green Deal & Renewable Heat Incentive –how to get the Government to pay!
12.45 – Why you should build with brick
13.25 – Finding land in the South East
14.05 – How to get finance for your project
14.45 – Assessing a development opportunity
15.25 – How to design an eco home