The National Self Build & Renovation Centre (NSBRC) is continuing to support self builders, renovators and home improvers with its programme of free Drop-In Clinics, offering project-specific advice from industry experts in a focused, half-day format.
Designed as a more targeted alternative to broader workshops, the clinics allow visitors to explore a single theme in depth and access practical, one-to-one guidance tailored to their own project challenges. Each session is structured around a key area of homebuilding, with previous topics including heat pump integration, solar PV and battery storage, rainwater harvesting, insulation, and design and finishes.
The NSBRC describes the sessions as “free, dedicated clinics” where visitors can “chat to the experts,” with each event developed around themes that reflect current priorities in homebuilding and retrofit.
For those planning or delivering residential projects, the Drop-In Clinics provide a practical opportunity to interrogate technical decisions early in the design process. Sessions typically include expert talks from exhibiting partners, alongside informal consultations where visitors can discuss plans in detail and gain feedback on specifications, materials, and system choices.
The format is particularly relevant for self-builders and custom home clients seeking clarity on complex building systems and performance requirements. Topics regularly focus on key areas such as insulation strategies, airtightness, ventilation, and energy performance, helping attendees better understand how different design decisions interact within a live project.
Alongside expert advice, visitors also gain the opportunity to compare products and technologies in a practical setting, helping to de-risk specification decisions and avoid costly mistakes further down the build process.
The clinics are intended to complement NSBRC’s wider programme of workshops and training courses, which cover the full self-build journey from funding and design through to construction methods and completion.
Open to anyone planning a new build, renovation or retrofit project, the Drop-In Clinics are positioned as a straightforward way for clients and professionals alike to access impartial guidance, refine project decisions, and move forward with greater confidence.
The next Drop-In Clinic is taking place on Saturday 4th July (9:00 – 17:30), at The National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon. Book your place here.
