31st March 2020

And at least two construction publishers temporarily ceasing publication

This weekend should have seen the opening of the biggest show of the self–build calendar, the National Homebuilding & Renovating Show, at the NEC. However, even amidst the current crisis, website traffic is booming and people are going online …..

….. as their only way to find information and advice.

So the Homebuilding & Renovating Show organisers have launch a new product: Homebuilding & Renovating Home School.

Home School will provide the best information, ideas and advice to homeowners looking to create their dream home through self build, extending or renovating, and will also introduce homeowners to the companies who supply the products and services they need.

What is it?
Home School is a mix of education and advice, interaction and experience. There will be a series of online initiatives in the coming days:

Online tutorials: videos of experts providing advice on everything from finding land to kitchen design – and most things in between, all backed up with additional project guides.
An Emergency Industry Advisory Panel: so that the latest information, news and market soundings can be passed on.
Publicising consultations: publicity for Homebuilding & Renovating clients who are providing video consultations with current and potential customers.
There will be more products and initiatives to come – including a virtual live event.

Why bother?

Suppliers and homeowners can’t meet in person, so the interaction is online – so suppliers’ web presence is more important than ever.
People are spending an unprecedented amount of time in their homes, so will be deciding on changes they want to make – a key time to influence and support them.
Many suppliers’ products have long decision times. People spend months deciding on bigger purchases before placing orders – and they’ll be using this downtime to make those decisions.
This initiative can help to put clients in touch with people who are locked in their homes, but still able to do many of the tasks they were already preparing for.

Homebuilding & Renovating is looking for suppliers and other who:

1. have any short videos to upload
2. are interested in uploading fuller masterclass-style videos
3. would like to provide expert advice to the audience

For further details, click here and you will be contacted.

In other news, Plant & Civil Engineer has taken the decision to temporarily halt production of the magazine. For further details, email Justin Carrigan.

Also, Waverley, publisher of MMC and School Building magazines, is ceasing publication of both the online and printed magazines at least for the month of April. Waverley will be closely monitoring developments and is hopeful that activities will be able to resume in May. At the moment it plans to publish both magazines as late Spring/early Summer issues with a view to them being with the readership by the 10th of June. For further details, contact Lyn O’Donnell.