On March 26th, 2022, Carl Dodd, PRL Founder, appeared at The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show to answer Homeowners Questions.
The Homebuilding & Renovating Show at the NEC is the go-to exhibition for self-builders and renovators.
Carl - alongside builders, architects and planning teams - gave specialist advice to members of the public who wanted guidance on their projects and construction issues.
People brought their project specifics along with them and asked questions during a 15-minute booked session. Carl describes this as, ‘…a form of speed dating for the construction and design industry.’
Carl was able to give advice to around 20 people on the day and the questions that people asked him varied enormously.
There was an interesting selection of standard questions and also some more detailed, about sustainability and energy efficiency - which Carl and the other experts were able to elucidate on.
One project featured a church conversion in South Wales; the enquirer in this case wanted to know about the type of process they would need to follow.
There were also quite a few questions about the process of appointing professionally qualified builders. Other queries related to the correct installation of energy efficiency measures (without unintended consequences) and the appropriate forms of building contract.
Less complex questions were asked on the day as well, including: how to ensure that costs and specifications are accurate and reliable.
Some people wanted an overview of their existing design and architect proposals, there were also quite a few planning issues around changes to drawings and how planners may react to these.
Carl was also able to put forward his key message: it’s vital to employ professionals and to invest in detailed design and planning - before starting projects.
The subject of historic renovations was mooted and also: planning issues, new builds, insulated panels, and the integration of environmentally sound building materials to retrofit.
Carl Dodd was also asked to join discussions with other builders and architects - to add further value, as PRL is noted for having a collective, unique and comprehensive knowledge base.
Carl was glad to see that the message of environmental and retrofit techniques is becoming more prevalent in the minds of renovators and new build self builders.