The ability to specify products and materials is one of the benefits attracting self-builders and their influence is significant, making them a key target for manufacturers and suppliers wishing to target the sector. The supply chain is fragmented, with builders’ merchants thought to account for approximately 50% of the market (if you are logged-on, a database of the UK’s top 260+ builders’ merchant chains can be downloaded here). Specialist distributors, direct suppliers (including specialist internet-based suppliers) and wholesalers are thought to make up the remaining 50%.
The market is especially important for those businesses offering innovative, environmentally friendly, energy-efficient and higher-value design products. Examples would include underfloor heating, central vacuuming systems, alternative energy systems such as solar heating, eco-friendly insulation materials (sheep’s wool, hemp, mulched paper, etc.), and smart home technology systems (automated lighting, entertainment systems, etc.). The market for energy efficient materials is likely to continue growing in the custom and self-build (and other house construction) sector, buoyed by consumer demand and the UK government’s ambition decarbonise the economy and promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.
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This issue was previously highlighted by research firm Building Link. Their research (a survey of self-builders generating 491 completed questionnaires) concluded that, in a typical self-build project, an average of some 86% of all products used were selected by the self-builder with a higher percentage of 90% when restricting the product range to those that are selected for aesthetic reasons. The report further revealed that the majority of planning applications showed only generic products, suggesting that, at the planning stage, 80% of self-builders had not made a definite decision on the majority of products to be used. This indicates that potential suppliers have the opportunity to secure specifications beyond the usual house building process and a wide range of marketing channels have evolved over the last 20 years offering access to the self-build decision maker.
Print and Digital Media
Homebuilding & Renovating
Circulation: 12,020 (2025)
Frequency: Monthly
Web: https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advertising-info/
Build It
Circulation: 13,387 (2025)
Frequency: Monthly
Web: https://www.self-build.co.uk/advertising/
The Selfbuilder
Circulation: 9,336 (2025)
Frequency: Bi-monthly
Web: http://www.sbhonline.co.uk
Improve Magazine (Windows, doors, conservatories, extensions) (online)
Circulation: 16,500 (2025)
Frequency: Quarterly
Web: https://mediapack.selfbuild.ie/magazine/
Ireland
SelfBuild
Circulation: 24,000 subscribers
Frequency: Quarterly
Web: https://mediapack.selfbuild.ie/magazine/
Exhibitions UK
National Homebuilding & Renovating Show, NEC Birmingham
Homebuilding & Renovating also runs a programme of annual, regional self-build and home improvement shows throughout the year in the following locations:
Edinburgh
Farnborough, Hampshire
Glasgow
Harrogate, North Yorkshire
London
Shepton Mallet, Somerset
Sandown Park, Surrey
Previous attendance: 69,425 (total visitors for all shows, except Edinburgh, held in 2023-24)
Web: www.homebuildingshow.co.uk
Build It Live
Annual events held in Detling (Kent), Manchester and Bicester (Oxon)
Previous attendance: On request
Web: www.builditlive.co.uk/
Ideal Home Show
Previous attendance: 163,000
Web: https://www.idealhomeshow.co.uk/
Ideal Home Show at Christmas
Previous attendance: 51,000
Web: https://www.idealhomeshowchristmas.co.uk/
Ideal Home Show Scotland
Previous attendance: 31,000
Web: https://www.idealhomeshowscotland.co.uk//
Love Your Home
Previous attendance: On request
Web: https://loveyourhome.show/
Grand Designs Live
Annual events held in Birmingham and London
Previous attendance: 46,217 (Birmingham, as part of UK Construction Week) (2024) and 71,534 (London) (2024)
Web: www.granddesignslive.com
Scottish Self-Build and Renovation
Annual events held in Inverness and Aberdeen
Previous attendance: On request
Web: https://www.scottishselfbuild.com/
Selfbuild, Extend & Renovate Ulster
Lisburn
Previous attendance: 20,173
Web: https://live.selfbuild.ie/belfast/
The Southwest Home & Garden Show
Previous attendance: On request
Web: https://southwesthomeshow.co.uk/
Cornwall Home Improvement & Self Build Show
Previous attendance: On request
Web: https://cornwallselfbuildshow.co.uk/
National Self Build & Renovation Show
Thrice-yearly events
Previous attendance: On request
Web: https://www.nsbrc.co.uk/whats-on/our-events/the-national-self-build-and-renovation-show/
Ireland
Selfbuild, Extend & Renovate
Annual events held in Galway, Dublin & Limerick
Previous attendance: On request
Web: https://selfbuild.ie/
Permanent Exhibition
The National Self-build & Renovation Centre is based in Swindon, Wiltshire, and is a permanent exhibition centre of custom and self-build related products in the UK. It houses over 240 exhibits and provides visitors with information, advice and a programme of themed seminars and other related events throughout the year.
Web: www.nsbrc.co.uk
Award Ceremonies with Sponsorship Opportunities
Build It Awards
Promoted by Build It Magazine in association with Buildstore, the Awards celebrate all aspects of self-build and renovation, including completed projects, products, services and suppliers.
Web: http://builditawards.co.uk/
The Scottish Self-Build & Renovation Awards
Web: https://www.scottishselfbuild.com/awards
Other Media Offering Promotional Opportunities
www.selfbuildportal.org.uk
An information and advice site operated by NaCSBA with a membership made up of custom and self-builders. The Self-build Portal's Suppliers Directory offers an index of product manufacturers and suppliers selling into the sector. Suppliers can also join NaCSBA and receive benefits such as an entry in the directory and have direct email marketing communications sent to all members.
www.selfbuildit.co.uk
An information and advice site with some banner ads, a product directory and links.
The Modern Builder
A construction procurement platform that connects suppliers with self-builders and property developers.
Web: https://www.themodernbuilder.co.uk/signup
Grand Designs (online)
Web: https://www.granddesignsmagazine.com/advertise
Email marketing services
Build It Magazine provides email marketing opportunities to its database of over 50,000 active self-builders.
The Modern Builder is a construction procurement platform that connects suppliers with self-builders and property developers. Our soon to launch tool, LeadFlow, gives you early...