Frequently Asked Questions

If you are unable to print your tickets, you can simply show your e-tickets on your mobile phone. We will scan the barcode to allow you entry into the exhibition. If you have any further queries, please email the team at builditlive@castlemedia.co.uk

If you accidentally misplace your e-tickets, please contact us directly by emailing builditlive@castlemedia.co.uk. We will resend all confirmation emails before the event, as a reminder to our customers.

Our promotional codes should be applied before selecting your tickets and proceeding with the order. There is a link in blue at the top of the form, where the code needs to be applied. Once applied, the unlocked ticket will appear at the top of the list. Select it and then proceed to ‘Order Now’. If you have a code for free tickets, you will NOT be asked to input your credit card details. See screen shot below of what to look out for:

If you haven’t received your order confirmation email, please contact us on builditlive@castlemedia.co.uk and we will check your order. We resend all confirmation emails closer to the time, as a reminder to our customers.

Our events are specifically tailored to help self-builders and renovators find the advice and inspiration they need to make their project possible. Our free workshops, seminars and Ask Our Experts areas will provide you with the information you need to make sure your project is completed on time and on budget. Our impressive list of exhibitors means all aspects of the self build market are covered. For our full programme, please visit our What’s On page.

For the full list of exhibitors, please visit our Exhibitors page

Build It Live will feature free daily seminars and workshops. Our seminars take place in the Seminar Theatre and take between 20 and 40 minutes each, including question time. The workshops take place in the Workshop Theatre, and take between 20 and 40 minutes, including question time. As the times of the workshops and seminars overlap in some instances, it is only possible to attend all sessions if you visit the show on both days (see below for details). You are welcome to attend as many of these sessions as you like.

No, when you arrive on the first day, simply mention to the door staff that you wish to attend on both days and your ticket will be validated to allow free entry on the second day.

Yes, when you arrive or leave, simply mention to the door staff that you wish to re-enter and your ticket will be validated to allow this.

Our seminar and workshop sessions cannot be booked and are first-come-first-served, so turn up early to ensure you get a seat!

Yes, the Ask Our Experts area requires booking, as it is extremely popular with visitors. To book your time slot, head to the Ask Our Experts area early, where one of our staff members will be on hand to book you in! (Note: You can’t book slots in advance of the weekend).

Our exhibitions are designed to allow for a full day of activities. From browsing stalls, talking to experts and listening to specialists talk, Build It Live offers enough to keep you occupied. Our café also allows for regular refreshment breaks! However, for those in a hurry, it is possibly to plan your visit ahead of time, to ensure you make full use of the exhibition in a shorter space of time.

Our shows open 10am until 5pm on Saturday and 10am until 4.30pm on Sunday.

Yes, children under the age of 16 can attend the show Free of Charge, with an adult ticket-holder.

The Kent Event Centre / Showground do NOT allow dogs in the buildings unless they are guide or service dogs.  Dogs are allowed on the grounds but must be kept on leads.

Bicester Heritage is a working airfield so dogs are NOT allowed on the site as a whole.

Westpoint Arena accept well behaved dogs on a short leash.

Yes, we pride ourselves on making sure our exhibitions are accessible for all our visitors. Wheelchair access is therefore available at all three of our shows.

For information regarding making your way to Build It Live, please visit our Where and When page.

Yes, all our exhibitions offer free parking. Simply follow signage when you get closer to the shows.

Yes, there are spaces allocated at all our shows. Please ask a parking steward as you arrive at then venue.

Yes, all our exhibitions have an on-site café for light snacks, meals and refreshments, as well as a coffee cart and outdoor catering vans serving delicious hot meals.

To make the most of your visit to Build It Live, head to our What’s On pages

To subscribe to Build It, either visit self-build.co.uk/subscribe-to-build-it or www.builditlive.co.uk/booknow/ and select the subscription offer from the available options.

At Build It Live we’re dedicated to running safe events for all. Our exhibition venues has spacious with high ceilings and great ventilation, and everyone can arrive without using public transport. The vast majority of attendees will have been double-vaccinated and everyone else will be required to have taken a lateral flow test.

No-one with COVID symptoms, as defined by the NHS, may enter the show. All exhibitors, visitors and contractors will be required to have proof that either:

• They have been double vaccinated via the NHS App
• They have had a negative lateral flow test within 48 hours
• The NHS App confirms they have natural immunity from previous infection

We will accept various forms of proof and will use a common-sense approach when checking your status.  Your data will not be required nor stored by us, proof can simply be shown to a member of staff, if requested.

Attendees are encouraged to wear masks if this will make them feel more comfortable whilst in the show. Extra cleaning will be undertaken and other measures to minimise COVID risks, please be kind to our staff if this leads to any inconvenience.