If you plan on building a house or extension you’ll hear the term builder’s finish bandied about, but what does it actually mean? In this article we cover: I have been quoted for a builder’s finish, what does that mean? Keith says: There is no specific definition of the term “builder’s finish” so make sure […] More
From rookie mistakes to scheduling mistakes, we’ve rounded up the 13 budgeting mistakes to avoid on your self-build project if you’re managing the build yourself. In this article we cover: Whether you’re partially managing some aspects of the build or taking on a project on a direct labour basis, there are pitfalls to avoid if […] More
Finding the right builder isn’t as straightforward as you might hope; here are Andrew Stanway’s tips to get it right. In this article we cover: Q: I know it might sound crazy but I’m really worried about choosing the right builder for my new home. I hear so many horror stories and I don’t want […] More
For those who know their build will take a while, here are the long-term self-build insurance options in Ireland. In this article we cover: Q. I’m building in ROI and I know it will take me at least two years to build my house; what’s the maximum timeframe for me to take out self-build insurance? […] More
Neil Hopkins’ house building project in Co Down is now well underway; here he shares what curveballs the site threw his way. In this article we cover: Many years ago, my dream of embarking on a self-building project nestled in the picturesque rural landscape of Comber, Co Down, began to take shape. Having spent my […] 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
You guide to creating a build schedule, what information it should contain and when to change it. In this article we cover: The first articles in this series led up to this point of actually producing the programme. Here are the elements included in a construction programme or build schedule. Gantt Chart Unless you actually […] More
Three years after moving into their tiny home, Michael Rauch and Alex Connolly share what tiny home living is like. In this article we cover: How is the house working out for you? The house is working so well for us and our needs. We have lived in it now for three years and we […] More
A stick build is the DIY way to build a timber frame house; it’s also the method that the late self-build architect Walter Segal favoured. In this article we cover: Stick build describes a method of creating structures that are built up on site from individual pieces of timber. The main architectural objective is to […] More
A handy checklist of what needs to be in place before you start organising your build schedule, and what to prepare yourself for. In this article we cover: By now, all of the information that you will need to create a working programme should have been covered during the design and preconstruction phases. But here’s […] More
The NI energy regs will change in 2024 for insulation, airtightness, heating, ventilation, overheating, and maybe even house size. In this article we cover: Changes to insulation, airtightness, overheating, heating systems and ventilation are all on the cards for new builds in NI, as the Department of Finance publishes a public consultation to change the […] More