Thinking about building your own home? Maybe you want to renovate or add an extension. Here are some interesting facts, figures and sources of information that will help you.

Financial facts to think about:
• Typically,building your own home saves around 30%.
• By extending your home you save the cost of moving – including stamp duty.
• There is a huge range of new buildings and extensions that can be built without planning permission – just building regulations consent.
• You can claim back all the VAT on materials and services for a new house build.
• Converting a property to residential use (eg barn, school etc.) is also VAT free.

Stunning Barn conversion

Here are a couple of magazines you may find useful if you are interested in home buiding and renovation.
• Homebuilding & Renovating is a monthly magazine costing £3.99.
• Move or Improve? is a monthly magazine costing £3.25.
Both are available from W H Smith, Tesco, Sainsburys, ASDA and all other good newsagents. For subscriptions call 01527 834435.

Some useful associations that will assist you on these kind of projects:
• Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) – 0207 580 5533 www.riba.org
• Associated Self Build Architects (ASBA) – 0800 387310 www.asba-architects.org

If you are looking for land check out Plotfinder around 6,000 plots and renovation opportunities countrywide www.plotfinder.net

For live information why not check out the hot property event for 2008
Bring your ideas, your plans, your dreams. Whether you yearn for a barn conversion, a high tech listed farmhouse, a cutting edge contemporary home or a glass basement extension, The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show at the NEC from 10 to 13 April is a ‘must visit’ event.

Now in its sixteenth year and attracting almost 50,000 visitors over four days, the 2008 Show is even bigger and better, embracing The Smart Home Show and The Eco Homes Show. With three Shows in one this really will be the hot property event for 2008.

NEW at the Show this year is the ‘Spotlight’ Feature Areas. There will be seven around the Show where you can get advice and information from independent experts on a one-to-one basis. There will be informative handouts to take away and detailed video overviews on specialist subjects on each of the areas. Make sure you take the opportunity to pick up useful tips and find the right questions to ask before you check out the products and services you are interested in. The seven Spotlight feature areas are Building Systems, External Design, Eco Homes, Smart Homes, Heating and Plumbing, Internal Features, and Kitchens and Bathrooms.

The Eco Homes Show continues to attract a lot of interest, reflecting the demand for more information on eco products and services. The show will feature all key product areas from renewable energy, insulation, heating systems and building materials right through to products designed to save energy and money within the home.

Now in its fourth year, The Smart Home Show is the UK’s premier consumer exhibition dedicated to integrated home technology, bringing to life the practical and affordable reality of smart home solutions through a free, interactive programme of demonstrations, as well as seminars, advice clinics and specialist exhibitors.

If older houses are your passion, The Restoration Pavilion will be a great source of inspiration on restoring period features or renovating a property.

As well as over 550 specialist exhibitors, the show offers an unparalleled series of free seminars and exhibitor-led masterclasses. The seminars take a broad overview on a range of topics from a ‘beginner’s guide to self build’ to ‘what’s it all going to cost’ whilst the masterclasses will be more focused on specifics such as underfloor heating and what to do with your sewerage. There is an incredible total of 120 free sessions during the four days of the show!

The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show at the NEC, Birmingham, is on from 10-13 April 2008. For more information and tickets, visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk. Tickets are £10 in advance by calling 0871 945 4547 or £14 on the door.