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Self Build & Renovation: Live! - Episode 6 - 'Battle of the Building Systems'

Do you know your timber-frame from your steel-frame? Do you understand the difference in cost and performance between Insulated Concrete Formwork and traditional brick and block masonry? Do you know what considerations need to me made for these respective building systems, or how they impact the environment?

In this episode, our Self Build & Renovation: Live! series host Chris Dawes (Visual PR) is joined by experts representing different building systems, to explore the benefits and considerations of each of them...

Our FREE Building Systems Workshop on Saturday 15th March (10:00 – 16:00) is aimed at people in the early stages of a project, who have yet to decide which building method they are using. One of the most important decisions you will make during your project is which building system to use, as this is used to construct the superstructure of the house.

A range of expert advice and presentations is also on offer at The National Self Build & Renovation Show, from Friday 31st January - Sunday 2nd February. Find out more and book FREE advance tickets (£12 each OTD).

Episode 7 of Self Build & Renovation: Live! on Tuesday 21st January (13:00-13:45), will feature a real-life case study, as we proudly chat with Clive Spencer, one of our visitors who has completed a fantastic self build project to Passivhaus standard.

We will also be speaking Rosie Farmiloe, Head of Trader Engagement at Which?, about the importance of trusted traders for your project.

Head over to YouTube and click the 'Notify Me' button to make sure you don't miss us going live!

To watch all our episodes live or on-demand, make sure you’re following our social media channels, including YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Centre soon!

Latest articles


We’re Proud to Be Named Sustainable Business of the Year! 🌱

We’re thrilled to share that The National Self Build & Renovation Centre has been awarded ‘Sustainable Business of the Year’ at the 2025 TBE (Total Business Exchange) Awards!

The awards evening took place right here at our own venue in Swindon - using our spacious and unique setting to celebrate the incredible achievements of local businesses across Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Somerset.

We've officially launched our Brand New Retrofit Zone at the Centre!

We have now officially opened our inspiring new Retrofit Zone, a hands-on exhibit showing homeowners exactly how to upgrade their homes for better comfort, efficiency, and sustainability. If you’re looking to make your home cosier, cheaper to run and kinder to the planet, then this is a must-visit exhibit!

We were delighted to have local MP, Sarah Gibson, join us to cut the ribbon at the new exhibit’s official launch on Friday 7th November - just hours after we took home the title of ‘Sustainable Business of the Year’ at The Business Exchange Awards 2025. This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to helping build better, sustainable homes, and doing better, sustainable business.

Our MD Harvey Fremlin Shortlisted for ‘Employee Owner of the Year’ at EO Awards

We are delighted that our fantastic MD Harvey Fremlin has been shortlisted for 'Employee Owner of the Year' in the prestigious UK Employee Ownership Awards! 👏🌟 Harvey has led our team of employee-owners since 2014 with incredible passion & vision and has taken the business from strength to strength over the past 11 years.

The awards, hosted by the eoa and sponsored by Baxendale Employee Ownership, recognise businesses and individuals who drive effective EO practices and empower employee owners to unlock Great EO impacts.

The National Self Build & Renovation Show: Friday 30th January - Sunday 1st February


Create your perfect home at The National Self Build & Renovation Show! Join us for three days of an unrivalled line up of exhibitors and experts on hand to share their advice, this is an unmissable event for anyone thinking of self building or renovating their home.

The National Self Build & Renovation Show