Ask An Expert

  • Ask An Expert

    Scheme & Co

  • Ask An Expert

    Communities and Local Government

  • Ask An Expert

    Quotatis

  • Ask An Expert

    Brewers

  • Ask An Expert

    Wallpaper Direct

  • Ask An Expert

    Certass

  • Ask An Expert

    Napit

  • Ask An Expert

    Wherever you see this logo, you know you can call in and make an appointment for a personal consultation with the expert of your choice all for free - on everything from planning regulations to perfect paint techniques!

  • Ask An Expert

    Wherever you see this logo, you know you can call in and make an appointment for a personal consultation with the expert of your choice all for free - on everything from planning regulations to perfect paint techniques!

FREE! One to one advice from professionals

The Daily Mail Ideal Home Show has always
been the place to come for tips and guidance
on everything to do with the home, and the
line-up of experts at the Centenary Show is
better than ever. Throughout the Show, where
you see the Ask An Expert sign, you’ll find a
range of professionals ready to answer your
questions, from wiring to paint. Book your
appointment with the expert or experts of
your choice as soon as you arrive at the Show.

The Experts can be found in three places.

  • At the main Ask An Expert feature in the Home Improvements area of Earls Court 2, experts from a range of companies and helpful organisations will be dealing with practical topics such as paint techniques, wiring and plumbing, moving home, windows, planning regulations and Home Information Packs.
  • Interior design: take your interior design queries to the Scheme & Co stand (ID25) in Earls Court 1.
  • Gardening queries: David Domoney will answer these at the Ask An Expert Gardening stand in the Outdoor Living area of Earls Court 2. Please note: booking is not necessary for this stand.

Paint and decorating advice

Spring is a great time to look around the home and see which rooms could be refreshed with a lick of paint. Do you need advice on what colours go together and which type of paint to go for? Bring your decorating dilemmas to Brewers, suppliers of decorating materials for over 100 years.

Their experts can advise what to use on newly plastered walls or ceilings; what coatings to apply to awkward surfaces such as plastic, glass or galvanised metal, and how to deal with mould in a kitchen or bathroom. They’ll explain how to
prepare surfaces for painting (and why it really doesn’t pay to skip these stages), the difference between primer and undercoat, how to cover dark colours and what paint finishes to use indoors and out.

When applying paint, you’re now spoilt for choice, so Brewers can help you decide on whether to go for a synthetic brush, natural bristle brush or roller, which size to use for which task and how to get the best results.

While colour is a very personal choice, you can learn more about colour families and what shades complement each other, and get up to speed on paints of all kinds, including heritage or environmental.

Find Brewers at the Ask An Expert stand in the Home Improvements Section, Earls Court 2

Consult a professional interior designer

Getting the right look for your home sometimes requires a little help. If you’re about to embark on a design project, go for a free 20-minute consultation at Scheme & Co’s stand (1D25), where interior design experts can help you get the look you want.

Take your plans, photos of the rooms you are working on, magazine cuttings, samples and anything else that will help your Scheme & Co designer visualise the property and what you are trying to achieve. You will leave with plenty of new ideas and professional tips to help you achieve great results.

Book your consultation in advance online or telephone 0800 0381 001. You can also book at the Show by visiting the stand early on the day of your visit.

Ask An Expert at Scheme & Co, Stand ID25, in the Interiors Ideas Section, Earls Court 1

Essential home information and advice

Want to know more about planning, fire safety, building regulations and Home Information Packs? If you are thinking of buying, selling or improving your home, experts from the government department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) can tell you more.

Experts will be concentrating on particular topics each week but they can still answer questions on anything you want to know. If you have a specific question and the expert you need isn’t there when you visit, you can leave it with CLG staff and the answer will be sent to you.

Experts will answer your questions on what planning permission is needed for home improvements, major demolition work and extensions and will tell you how to apply for planning permission. Visit www.planningportal.gov.uk , where you can apply online or view existing applications nationwide.

CLG experts will also tell you about building regulations including what regulations new build properties should adhere to under the Code for Sustainable Homes and how owners of older properties can make them more energy efficient. They will also explain what a Home Information Pack (HIP) is, the documentation that all sellers in England and Wales must now provide. The Pack, with an average cost of £300-£400, includes an Energy Performance Certificate, searches and other legal documents.
Visit www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk

Fire safety in the home will include advice on smoke alarms and preventing fire risks.

Professional compiler of Home Information Packs

If you’re selling your home, you’ll need a Home Information Pack (see above). You can compile it yourself or you can (for a fee) instruct a professional HIP compiler such as HIPPd to do all the work. Experts from HIPPd will tell you more about HIPs and the service HIPPd offers, including a new Hidden Defect Warranty, a discount on their normal HIP fee and a free listing on their “properties for sale” portal.

Ins and outs of moving house

MoveMe.com was founded in 2005 to help relieve the hassle and stress of moving. Its experts will be at the Show to give in-depth advice on anything to do with moving from choosing a removal company to how to notify your change of address and guard against identity fraud.

Windows and glazing

Since 2002 any glazing work (doors and windows) around the home must comply with building regulations and must carry a certificate to this effect. Certass is an approved scheme operator whose members are able to certify that the work they have done meets all current requirements. Certass experts will answer all your questions about windows and glazing and the impact of fire regulations.

Is your wiring and plumbing up to the mark?

Electrical, ventilation, plumbing and heating work done in the home is now covered by a range of regulations to which any work must comply fully. Experts from NAPIT (the National Association of Professional Inspectors & Testers) will guide you through the maze with clear advice about how you can find a reliable tradesperson in your area.

Be sure to book your slot

Communities and Local Government experts are at the Show throughout the event. Not all the other experts are there every day, so visit the central desk at the main stand to find out who’s there when you visit and to book an appointment with the expert(s) of your choice.

Practical issues experts Communities & Local Government, HIPPD, MoveMe, Certass and NAPIT are at Ask An Expert, Home Improvements, Earls Court 2

How does your garden grow?

If it’s a gardening question you have, hot foot it over to the gardening Ask An Expert stand, where gardening guru David Domoney will answer your horticultural questions.

David is at the Ask An Expert stand in Outdoor Living, Earls Court 2. No booking necessary — just turn up.