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If you are extending your home or planning a loft conversion you must visit The National Home Improvement Show at Earls Court, 1 - 3 October.

Educate yourself at the Real Homes Live! Theatre, where you will learn how to create your perfect home, add space and value as well as get advice on how to improve energy efficiency in your home.

However there are plenty more ideas at the show; DIY doctor will tutor you through skimming plaster walls and basic plumbing skills at the Tricks of the Trade.

The Renovation Pavilion will provide you with ideas to sympathetically restore your period property and The Fifth Room will demonstrate how to make the most of your garden.

To kick start your project Real Homes magazine expert Micheal Holmes offers 5 tips to help reduce your renovation costs.

1] Invest in a good design.

Far too many people set out on a renovation project without really planning exactly what they want, or getting accurate drawings.

A more efficient approach is to spend a little more time and money working through all your options at the outset.

2] Cash is king.

Offering to pay in cash can work wonders when negotiating the cost of a job or when trying to get a tradesperson to turn up on-site at short notice.

Cash can also help to secure a discount when buying in person.

3] Use standard size fittings.

Everything from windows and doors to staircases and shower trays come in standard sizes that are available off the shelf.

So to save money, make sure you design your project around these sizes.

4] Keep it simple.

The simpler the design of an extension, the cheaper it will be to build.

A straight wall is the cheapest form and once you start introducing corners and complicated shapes, you will increase labour and materials.

5] Measure twice.

Getting material quantities right is critical.

Having too much creates unnecessary waste, while having too little can mean having to pay another full delivery charge for a tiny order.

There's plenty more renovation ideas with over 300 home improvement companies demonstrating everything you need to extend or convert your home.

Have you a specific query?.

You'll find the help you need at our Specialist masterclasses.

Topics include advice on how extend without planning permission, resolve damp problems, plus plenty more...

Receive advice on the latest, audio, video, lighting, communication systems at The Smart Home Zone .

Plus you can get the best advice on what system would suit you in the Smart Home Theatre.

Bring along your plans, and Ask the Experts how they would enhance your project.

Real Homes magazine experts Charlie Luxton, Michael Holmes, Julia Kendell and Matt James will be on hand throughout the show.

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