Astrid Madsen is the editor of the SelfBuild magazine. Email astrid.madsen@selfbuildextendrenovate.co.uk
What floor screeds are, how they’re most commonly installed in Ireland today and what to watch out for on site. In this article we cover: The screed is the upper layer of the floor ‘sandwich’ upon which the flooring is laid, so it must be finished level, flat and dry. Incidentally (and I have seen […] More
Architect Hugh Wallace says Ireland needs a zero VAT rate for home improvements, and vacant homes grants need less red tape. In this article we cover Hugh Wallace’s presentation at the Hardware Association Ireland (HAI) 2023 conference, including: Architect and TV personality Hugh Wallace railed against the VAT regime, building regulations, and conservation officers’ inconsistent […] More
How Niall and Gillian Brophy built their new home in Co Wexford by hiring the trades themselves. In this article we cover: One of the biggest factors for us as a newly married couple choosing the correct site and location to build our dream home was its exact precise location. We had tried to secure […] More
How Robbie Ingram and Ciara Ryan built themselves a storey and a half ICF home in Co Tipperary with a hefty dose of DIY. In this article we cover: Overview Site size: 0.6 acres House size: 2,500sqft Bedrooms: 4 Heating and hot water: air to water heat pump Ventilation: centralised mechanical with heat recovery Provisional BER: A2 Why […] More
Stephen O’Hanlon shares how he built his insulating concrete formwork (ICF) home build on a budget in Co Tyrone for £250k, thanks to the help of his wife Lisa who’s an accountant. In this article we cover: How did the project get started? I’ve been in construction all my life. I am a multi […] More
Politicians call for the ROI government to give self-builders more time to build their homes, by continuing to give them an extension to their grant of planning permission. In this article we cover: Self-builders who have not been able to start their build, and need to delay it further, will no longer be given an […] More
New homes are unaffordable, say analysts, as supply constraints hit rural areas. But one-off housing in both NI and ROI remains strong. In this article we cover: Analysts predict a tight housing market for 2023, especially in rural areas, as house prices are expected to continue to rise into 2023. On the supply side, there […] More
Jonny Orr of Daniel George Kitchens shares his kitchen design tips, whether you’re building new or renovating your existing kitchen in Ireland today. He covers everything from choosing materials to colour and whether the hob or sink goes on the island. He also looks at the common pitfalls to avoid if you’re building new, replacing […] More
Jonny Orr of Daniel George Kitchens chats about how to design your new kitchen in Ireland today: In this podcast we cover: Favourite More
In this Facebook Live, Jonny Orr of Daniel George Kitchens outlines what you need to know about kitchen design in Ireland today. Jonny Orr of Daniel George Kitchens chats about: Favourite More
Self-builders who’ve built a new home have been waiting nearly a year to get their VAT refund on their new build projects in NI, even though applications are meant to be processed within six weeks. In this article we cover: One self-builder in NI, who appointed a contractor for his new build project, submitted his […] More
Although materials are no longer a problem to source, and price increases are expected to ease, builders still see inflation and access to skilled labour as threats to profitability in 2023. In this article we cover: After the war in Ukraine pushed up the price of everything from steel to aluminium and brick, consulting firm […] More