Recent reports from Plotfinder reveal a 31 per cent year on year increase in the number of plots that are becoming available to home builders in the Midlands. At this year’s National Homebuilding & Renovating Show, people interested in finding, assessing and buying the right plot for their project will be assisted for the first time by masterclasses from the Land Hub, a new self-build stage at the show, in association with Plotfinder and Potton’s Self Build Academy.

The show, sponsored by Hormann, will also welcome for the first time Sian Astley, builder and TV presenter for BBC2’s Watch This Space. She will tackle topics ranging from fresh design ideas, cost-effective styling, and mixing traditional style with a contemporary edge, to underfloor heating and insulation, based on her vast knowledge garnered over 22 years.

Providing a wealth of industry knowledge from more than 500 exhibitors and 16 free daily seminars and masterclasses, the event is a premium showcase of cutting-edge products and services by specialist companies from a wide variety of industries including kitchens, bathrooms, doors and windows, extensions and conversions, eco and heating, architecture, design, financial services, planning permission and more. People can also interact with real case studies to find out the most common obstacles they might face during their self-build and renovation process.

The Advice Centre, a drop-in clinic for personalised, impartial guidance, is open to people who are keen to run ideas past industry-leading specialists with years of experience in their fields.

This section will see the return of the Ask the Builder area, where members of the Federation of Master Builders will offer tips to visitors on hiring accredited, highly skilled construction workers.

Visitors interested in finding out more about the design, planning and construction process are encouraged to visit the Ask the Architect area, where chartered specialists from the Royal Institute of British Architects will provide tailored advice via one-on-one sessions.

For personalised tips on all aspects of self-build and renovation, the Ask the Expert zone will offer 15-minute consultations via interactive sessions with the UK’s leading property experts. Visitors will be able to discuss their ideas, plans or problems with property experts Michael Holmes and Jason Orme, interior designer and architect Mariana Pedroso, construction expert Peter Richardson and Mike Cruickshank, and finance expert Tom McSherry. Building experts David Hilton and Bob Branscombe, eco expert Tim Pullen, builder Andy Stevens, home renovator Jo Dyson and planning expert Sally Tagg, will also be on hand.

To assist visitors in the pre-construction phase, Oakwrights Design Consultation and The Potton Lounge will be offering bespoke consultations with members of their skilled design teams across the four days. Attendees who are interested in these sessions can pre-book their entry in advance via the event’s website.

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.