Subterms
This garden design project in Co Galway was all about creating an elevated patio that was level with the kitchen floor. In this article we cover: The owners of this modern home in the peaceful countryside had one stipulation for their garden patio. It needed to be at the same level as their kitchen floor. […] More
Recent court ruling against ribbon development in NI indicates self-builders could be denied planning permission in some greenbelt areas. In this article we cover: In a potential landmark legal win, environmental activist Gordon Duff’s challenge to a planning decision by the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council could have “far-reaching” implications for rural development. The […] 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
As the draft Transport Plan for ROI undergoes public consultation, rural advocates are calling for fairness and equitable treatment for people living and wanting to build in rural areas. In this article we cover: The proposed transport plan by the Department of Transport, aiming to reduce emissions, has sparked criticism from rural advocates and TDs […] More
Find out about the most common ways to cost your self-build project in Ireland today: bills of quantities and schedules of work. In this article we cover: Schedules of work v BOQ A bill of quantities is usually drawn up by a quantity surveyor and consists of lists of those quantities as described in the […] 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
If you plan on building or extending a house in Ireland, know that you will have to pay local authority fees in both NI and ROI; this is your comprehensive guide to what you can expect to pay in your own county. In this article we cover: Starting a self-build journey is thrilling, but […] More
Find out what the kitchen trends are for 2024 and which ones will stand the test of time. Q: I’m excited to get started on my kitchen design and I’m wondering what the kitchen trends are for 2024? Jonny says: From the point of view of colour we’re seeing a move away from the blues […] More
The Co Tipperary man who was ordered to demolish his mobile home clad in timber, will now be given ‘social housing supports’. In this article we cover: A 65-year-old man who was refused planning permission for his ‘log cabin’ home will now be offered ‘social housing supports’, Tipperary County Council tells Selfbuild. Sean Meehan applied […] More
In a new build, should I consider a decentralised vs a centralised ventilation system? Can it save on costs or are there any other benefits? Q: I would like to install a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system in the house I’m building and have been looking around at centralised systems, but today I […] More
There will be a saving if you manage your house build yourself (direct labour) as opposed to hiring a main contractor to manage the build; here we look at how much you can really save with a self-build. In this article we cover: What’s the price difference between a direct labour vs contractor led project […] More
A design that gives you a garden that’s easy to access will make a big difference to how you use it; here’s an example in Co Galway of how it can be done. In this article we cover: A garden should of course look beautiful and complement the home it graces, but a good designer […] More