Meet a self-builder in NI who’s built his house from IntegraSPEC insulating concrete formwork (ICF) and who outlines the benefits of this building method, with visuals of the house under construction. Favourite More
Episode 39 – Seasoned self-builders Paul and Anne Dyer share how they managed to get planning permission in an area with a presumption against development (hint: it took a while), and how they hand built their underground house, leaving only specialist work such as tanking the roof and walls, to specialist trades. They discuss:– Wildflower […] More
My site is large, on a slope and uneven; can a robot lawnmower be installed and if so what can I expect from installation and maintenance? A decade ago, robot lawnmowers weren’t as advanced as they are now and we would have shied away from installing them on rugged sites. But now with slope control […] More
Brian Corry from Selfbuild Ireland talks to Niall Healy from Healy Corneilius about Project Management. Their conversation covers how a self-builder might go about choosing whether to go down the main contractor/ project manager or direct labour route of a self-build project. Favourite More
Episode 37 – Solar panels come in many forms: those that generate hot water, electricity or both. The way energy is collected from daylight, through collectors in the panel, will depend on the type of system you have. Here Richard White of LVP Renewables chats through how thermodynamic panels work, along with how they are […] More
The room has to be at least 4m by 4m to make an island workable, and in an L or U shape kitchen you will need a 1m to 1.2m gap between island and worktop. In an open plan configuration, the island will delineate the kitchen from the other areas. So you may want to […] More
Ask the Expert – Brian Corry of Selfbuild+ chats with self-build expert John Corless about how to keep on top of costs on site. They discuss the need to have a budget and a schedule in place, as any deviation from these will lead to delays/additional costs in making right. A quanitity surveyor will help […] More
Does your stonework need some TLC? Crafted Stone is here to repair, replace, or extend your stone walls and surrounds – all at an affordable price. Offering a one stop shop solution, Crafted Stone can repair or replace stonework on your existing home. Crafted Stone can also carry out structural work, including adding an extension […] More
Episode 36 – Mark Coleman explains how he renovated a tired old bungalow into a stylish family home. His choices were guided by the budget and achieving an affordable home to heat. He chats about:-Wall and roof insulation, and why he didn’t need external wall insulation.-Why he chose an LPG boiler based on payback times.-Turning […] More
Tips on Building Your Own Home – Quantity surveyor Lisa O’Brien, on behalf of the Irish Concrete Federation, shares her advice and tips before you start building your home. Favourite More
Episode 35 – Expanded PolyStyrene (EPS) is a cost effective insulation product that usually comes in board or bead form. Steven Magee of KORE Insulation Solutions, a leading EPS supplier, explains where and how to use it on a self-build or renovation project. Favourite More
Gwen Kenny of Divine Design explains the ins and outs of extension projects, in conversation with self-build expert John Corless. Favourite More
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