Astrid Madsen is the editor of the SelfBuild magazine. Email astrid.madsen@selfbuildextendrenovate.co.uk
This internal redesign with small extension transformed this family home into a space that’s both functional and beautiful. In this article we cover: By adding just 20sqm to their ground floor area, Stephen Arthur and Paula Robinson completely transformed their family home in Co Antrim. Why did you decide to do up the house? Even […] More
€5k advice grant now available for anyone considering availing of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. In this article we cover: Those who are thinking of buying a vacant property with a view to doing it up are now eligible for a €5k grant; the catch is the deadline for applications is the 31st of July […] More
Now that you know the site is viable, what do you need to get started with your self-build project? We look at what prep work needs to be done. In this article we cover: This early stage of your project is all about refining what you’re going to build and how you’re going to finance […] More
McGonigle McGrath Architects won two Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) Awards 2024 for rural one-off housing projects, the third year in a row that the practice scooped the accolade, thereby securing itself a hattrick. In this article we cover: House on Redbrae Farm, by McGonigle McGrath architects, with Alice Nickell named Project Architect of […] More
Pete Finn, AKA Pete the builder, of RTÉ’s Home Rescue and advisory firm Let’s Talk Homes joins tiny house builder Paul Lawford of smallchange.ie to chat about the process of building your home in Ireland today with cost saving tips, including: Favourite More
Before you go applying for planning permission, check if the zoning rules don’t come under local needs. In this article we cover: In ROI, the overarching planning document in relation to who can build in rural areas is the Department of Housing’s Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines, which dates back to 2005. The planning document was […] More
Jonny Orr of Daniel George Kitchens and Caroline O’Neill of Digg Mama chat about Caroline’s kitchen design journey including how she went about it and what steps she would recommend self-builders taking. The chat also focused on: · Main things to consider when designing a kitchen; common mistakes to avoid. · Best time to involve kitchen designers […] More
Homeowners in ROI can now borrow between €5,000 to €75,000 at a discounted interest rate, subsidised by the government, to make their homes warmer and cheaper to run. In this article we cover: The new low cost Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme, launched on April 24th 2024, is offering lower cost interest rates than what’s […] More
Self-builders will not have to pay local authority development levies until the end of the year, waiver for water and wastewater connections only extended to October, the ROI government confirmed on April 24, 2024. In this article we cover: The ROI cabinet has approved an extension for the waiving of local authority Section 48 development […] More
Funding for repairs and improvement works on rural laneways in ROI is being increased, eligibility criteria loosened. In this article we cover: The €40 million spending packet represents the highest ever allocation for the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS), announced Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys on April 23rd 2024. To qualify, homeowners must […] More
A renovated 1920s terraced home in Dublin won RTÉ’s Home of the Year Award 2024. In this article we cover: Shane Murray and Marty Campbell, finalists from Episode 6 of RTÉ house programme Home of the Year, bagged the coveted end-of-season award. The couple purchased their 1920s terraced house in Dublin in 2022 in a […] More
Matt Kinloch of SONAS Bathrooms and Darrel McCauley of Spectrum Bathrooms joined us at Selfbuild Live Belfast to talk about what’s trending in bathroom designs and how to get the style on a budget, including Recorded at Selfbuild Live Belfast in October 2023. Favourite More