Making More Space Weekend
For those looking to create more room and value in their home, the weekend gave them inspiration and expert advice on using their space available more effectively. From loft conversions & extensions to ‘going underground’ and advice and demonstrations from our team of experts, the National Self Build & Renovation Centre had everything you would need to know about creating extra living space. Visitor’s were also able to bring along their photos and plans for free one-to-one consultations and to get all their questions about maximising space answered.
Room to Improve?
If buying or building your dream home is out of reach, then why not ‘stay put’ and invest in your current home? Whether its lack of space or wasted space, your home can grow – sideways, backwards, up and down, inside and outside. Not only will you get the space you want and need to, but you can also add value to your house. And with the looming threat of negative equity, that’s good news for the nation’s homeowners. More...
>> Click here for top tips for making more space in your home
Get the space you want - instantly!
The Making More Space Event saw the launch of a new concept in home extensions. The Instant Extension is a new rapid build, highly insulated building system that enables low impact home extensions to be built in a matter of hours! Panels arrive pre-finished with features and fittings such as window apertures, electrical wires and sockets installed prior to delivery.
Instant Extensions are ideal for all types of extension, especially terraced homes with little or no rear access as the panels can simply be carried through the home. The Instant Extension team has developed two Instant Extension designs - a classic brick finish and pitch roof; and a contemporary design with a flat roof that slopes away from the main building.
There were exciting and popular live building demonstrations of the Instant Extension at the Making More Space Weekend, with industry leading suppliers lending a hand, such as; Nu-lok, Velux, Lindab and Modern Timber Systems.
Visitor’s were able to come along and see a spacious, rapid build, highly insulated, air tight, light weight and low impact new room, created ready for family living in front of their eyes within just a few hours!
Free CAD designer sessions - limited availability!
With over 20 years’ experience as a designer, Mike Rignall specialises in the extension, alteration and conversion of existing properties and new build homes.
Mike was on hand to discuss making the best use of space and answered questions on planning permission and building regulations.
He also took the time to take vsiitor’s ideas and create simple 3D illustrations. He also, suggested alternative layouts, simplified plans to make the building process more cost effective, examined construction details and ‘buildability’ and advised how to avoid potential problems with structures and services.
Feature Seminars
Basements – Understand how to Go Underground! (Thermonex)
The physical limitations of your plot as well as planning restrictions can sometimes prevent you building upwards or outwards, so why not build downwards? Ever popular on the continent and making an amazing comeback in the UK, basements are a great way of maximizing available space. In this presentation, Mike Edwards from Thermonex, masters of basement construction, showed how you can maximize the space in your new build project by incorporating a basement into your build.
Attics – Room for More on Top! (The Great Western Loft Company)
Utilising the loft space in your existing home is one of the most cost-effective ways of creating additional space without incurring the expense of moving. In this presentation, Shay Mahon of the Great Western Loft Company explained the essentials of how to convert your loft space including structural implications and an overview of the current building regulations.
Why Move When You Can Make More Space? (Ian Rock, author - Loft Conversion & Home Extension Manuals by Haynes)
In an uncertain property market, it’s understandable that homeowners are reluctant to commit to moving house. However, with the value of properties increasingly dictated by the amount of usable space on offer, why not create more space to make your home better for you while maximising its potential value? In this presentation, renowned author Ian Rock explained the benefits of extending your property or opening up the usable space within an existing property by removing internal walls or converting integral garages and outbuildings. Of course, much of this work does not necessarily require planning approval, so Ian advised what may be allowed under existing permitted development rights. It was a must see for the serious home improver!
For more information visit www.home-extension.co.uk or www.loft-rooms.com
Demonstrations
Roof Lights and Windows – Ventilation and Light (Velux)
Synonymous with creating windows in the roof, Velux are world leaders in their field. In this presentation, visitor’s discovered the full range of products available from Velux, from their classic top hung and centre pivot windows to the outstanding Cabrio range of balcony windows.
To Boldly Go Where No Loo has Gone Before! (Saniflo)
Building more space can throw up additional problems. How do basement toilets work if they are below the level of the drains? What if there is no way of connecting your new en suite in the attic to existing drains? In this demonstration, Saniflo, pioneers of domestic small bore macerating pumps, showed how WC, bathroom and kitchen facilities can be installed virtually anywhere.
Natural Light – Even Where The Sun Doesn’t Shine (Glidevale)
How to create natural light where there are no external walls or windows? The answer is a sun tube; a direct link to be brightest and most cost effective light source of all – daylight! Sun tube technology has improved to include ventilation and conventional lighting solutions and in this demonstration, Glidevale explained how incorporating sun tubes can solve your natural lighting problems.
>> Download daily timetable here
PlotSearch theatre seminars
10.30 – 11.00 | Finding A Plot or Project
Often cited as the hardest part of self build or renovation, finding the right project or that perfect plot can be difficult. However, potential building plots and renovation projects which are ripe for development exist all over the country. Visitor’s were able to learn the basics of how to be the first to find them and how to make an initial assessment to assess viailbity.
12.00 – 12.30 | How to Finance Your Project (repeated again at 15.00 hrs)
Getting the right finance can make the difference between a smooth stress free project and a nightmare. Visitor’s learnt about the importance of cashflow and how Buildstore can provide positive cashflow during your project, making it quicker, cheaper and less stressful.
13.30 – 14.00 | Choosing Your Builders & Buying Your Materials
Managing cost means managing the two things you pay for – materials and labour. Visitor’s found out how to save time in choosing their materials and suppliers and understand the process for identifying and appointing builders.
15.00 – 15.30 | How to Finance Your Project
Incorporating some real case study examples to explain finance in clear and simple terms, this was an essential seminar for anyone wishing to obtain the best possible finance for their projects.
16.30 – 17.00 | Project Managing Yourself with Sub-contractors or a Builder
Could I manage my own development project? Thousands of people do at many different levels and so could you. But in making this decision, visitor’s learnt what is really involved and how much time is really needed.
