Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Show comes to Mayo

THE University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome in Bekan will be home to the Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Connacht Show on Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days, bringing together leading home building professionals, suppliers and industry experts for a weekend of inspiration, expert advice and practical solutions for homeowners across the region.

For timetables, tickets and more, see selfbuild.ie.

Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Connacht is dedicated to bringing together experts that exclusively specialise in building, extending and improving their home - with no distractions. This is where to find the experts if you’re about to tackle a project, or are in the midst of building or renovating.

Back by popular demand, the Bootcamp Theatre sponsored by BEAM, and hosted by Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live's resident self-build expert John Corless, will be a central feature of the show, offering homeowners practical, expert-led advice on the key decisions involved in building, extending or renovating a home.

Modular and additional accommodation solutions will be a key focus.

With new planning exemptions for building in the back garden, extensions, heat pump locations and more, the show will provide homeowners with an opportunity to explore what the changes could mean for their own properties, alongside practical advice on planning, design, construction, energy efficiency and costs.

The new exemptions are expected to put additional accommodation solutions, including modular homes and garden structures, firmly on the agenda for homeowners looking to create more space without necessarily taking on a traditional extension or moving home.

The size of extensions that are exempt from securing planning permission has increased from 40sqm to 45sqm, while the allowance for sheds, gyms, offices and other garden structures increases from 25sqm to 30sqm. The changes create new opportunities for homeowners considering accommodation for family members, additional living space or potential rental use. However, building regulations, fire safety and health and safety will continue to apply.

Speaking about the show, Mark Duffin, Selfbuild Extend & Renovate sales director, said: “The introduction of the new planning exemptions makes this year’s Connacht show particularly timely for anyone looking at ways to create additional space on their property.

“For many homeowners, the possibility of adding a detached auxiliary dwelling or other additional accommodation opens up a completely different set of options. It could be about creating a home for an adult child or family member, providing flexible space for work or living, or exploring the potential for additional accommodation.

“But the planning exemption is only one part of the picture. Homeowners still need to abide to the building regulations as well as the health and safety regulations, not to mention consider design, construction type, costs, energy performance, ventilation and how the new space will work as part of the wider property. The show brings experts from all of these areas together, giving visitors the opportunity to understand their options and ask the questions that matter to their own project.”

Sponsored by BEAM Vacuum & Ventilation, the Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Bootcamp will cover everything you need to know about building your home from start to finish, with selected discussions focused on renovations and extensions also.

The bootcamp brings together experienced industry professionals to tackle the questions and challenges homeowners face at every stage of a project, from planning and design through to construction, costs and energy efficiency. Resident construction expert John Corless is back to compère the panel discussions.

Paula Osborne, sales and marketing director at BEAM Vacuum & Ventilation, said: “We’re delighted to sponsor the Bootcamp Theatre at the Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Show in Connacht. With the changes to planning exemptions and the growing interest in modular and additional accommodation, homeowners have more options than ever when it comes to creating space.

“However, having more options also means having more decisions to make. The systems that support comfort, indoor air quality and energy efficiency need to be considered from the outset, particularly when adding a new living space to an existing property.

“The Bootcamp Theatre is a great platform for giving homeowners straightforward, practical information before they commit to a project. We’re looking forward to meeting visitors, answering their questions and helping them understand how good design and the right systems can make a real difference to the finished home.”

EXPERTS FOR EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR PROJECT

Experts will be on hand throughout the weekend to answer homeowners’ questions.

The Planning Zone will provide further advice for visitors navigating the design and statutory process, while the Build Cost Zone will help homeowners understand the financial considerations involved in taking a project from concept to completion.

At the Solar Zone, visitors can explore renewable energy options for new and existing homes, while the Heating & Ventilation Zone will focus on creating comfortable, energy-efficient living spaces with high indoor air quality.

The Environmental Systems Zone will showcase wastewater and rainwater systems while the Interiors Zone will provide inspiration for homeowners planning new living spaces, extensions or renovations.

A packed programme of talks, demonstrations and expert advice will run throughout the weekend, giving visitors the opportunity to meet specialists, compare products and services and get answers to questions relating to their own projects.

Whether visitors are considering a modular home, extension, renovation, new build or energy upgrade, the show will bring together the information and expertise needed to make informed decisions.

More information here.