More stories
-
How to find the right builder
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
-
Long-term self-build insurance
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
-
in Basic site checklist, Before you start to dig, Getting started on site, Projects, Road openings, Self-build Projects, Site access, Site assessment, Two Storey, Ulster, Water & ElectricitySite tips: Building in Co Down
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
-
How much can you save with a self-build?
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
-
in Advice, Certificate of compliance, Construction overview, Direct labour tasks, Direct labour vs main contractor, Snag lists and retention if main contractorHow to create a build schedule
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
-
Tiny home living
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
-
The stick build method
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
-
Ep66 – Getting insurance for your self-build in Ireland
Kieran Dwyer of insurance broker SelfBuild Protect chats about: Favourite More
-
in Advice, Appointing a main contractor, Budget & Financing, Construction drawings, Direct labour tasks, Direct labour vs main contractor, Health & Safety: Appoint PSCS/PC, Health & Safety: Appoint PSDSBuild Checklist
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
-
in Building control: completion certificate (NI only), Building control: Register your project, NewsNI energy regs to change in 2024
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
-
in Advice, Before you start to dig, Budget & Financing, Foundations, subfloors and screeds: WatchpointsFoundation costs
Substructure costs refer to everything below finished floor level; here we look at your foundations costs. In this article we cover: The cost of the substructure is influenced by various factors, including the type of soil (this determines if you need the simplest, cheapest foundation or a more expensive option), level of the water table […] More
-
in Advice, Budget & Financing, Cost savers, Direct labour vs main contractor, Insurance and warranty cover, Site access, Water & ElectricityBuild costs you shouldn’t forget about
What you will end up paying to build or extend your home goes beyond the bricks and mortar; here are the non build costs to take into account. In this article we cover: The site If you don’t have one already, it’s easy to spend a third or more of your entire budget on the […] More
Load More
Congratulations. You've reached the end of the internet.
English