Whether you’re building a totally new house or doing a substantial makeover you may need to think very carefully about how and where you live while it’s all happening. Building a house from scratch or doing massive alterations to your existing home can be both exciting and terrifying at the same time. But unlike other […] More
Most self-builders do a lot of homework, possibly involving months of time, energy and money, before they even get to the tendering stage. Professionals have been involved, the planners had their say, topographical surveys done, bats and Roman ruins ruled out. Yet we can still get terrible surprises when the quotes come in. Many people […] More
Q: For a house under construction, would the building work not require a different type of insurance to that required by my lender? If I use contractors do they not have their own liability insurance? A: Your bank or mortgage lender will want to know that everything to do with the works is properly covered […] More
Project management is the management of people, time, money and quality by an individual or a team to ensure the efficient commencement, progress and conclusion of a project. All these elements apply to construction projects regardless of their size. Eddie Weir, principal partner of Architectural Design Partnership and CIAT Northern Ireland Regional Chairman, shares his […] More
Not only are certain types of insurance cover and warranties necessary to secure a mortgage, they’ll also help you hedge the risks which might affect you during building work. Without the necessary financial investment no self-build, extension or renovation project will reach a successful conclusion. And with investment comes risk, as we’ve been made acutely […] More
With an uptake in building and renovation activity, research by plentific.com shows that the black economy could be alive and well with 45 per cent of NI adults admitting to having paid a tradesman in cash to get a cheaper deal. Plentific is a website that allows homeowners to find and pay tradesmen online; the […] More
Building Control is responsible for ensuring that the Building Regulations, a set of construction standards laid down by the UK Parliament, are enforced in your local Council. There are 11 local councils in NI and they are part of the umbrella group Building Control Northern Ireland. Building standards include requirements on health, structural stability, fire […] More
When we carry out work at home the safety aspect seems to the be the last thing on our mind, until something happens that is! Here’s a real-life example of how to get the builders on board without sounding like a schmuck At some stage, we will all have someone in our home doing a […] More
To project manage your project with a Lean attitude is just as difficult as going on a diet. In both cases motivation is key, but the results are equally impressive. In this article we cover: What Lean construction is and why it could save you money Principles of Lean construction when project managing your self-build […] More
Find out how to keep on top of the budget and save money with our handy step by step self-build budget guide. In this article we cover: When you set out to build yourself a home, the last thing on your mind is accounting. But keeping a watchful eye on the finances can make the […] More
Depending on how good or bad your builder was, you may end up with less than you expected. This is where the snaglist comes in – an inspection report highlighting defects in an existing home or recently completed project. In this article we cover: House building projects should ideally be completed to the standards stated, […] More
How Fiona and Cormac Mitchell’s dream self-build in Co Cork turned into a nightmare. The good news is, there’s a happy ending. In this article we cover: Overview House size: 370 sqmGarage size: 190 sqmSite size: 0.45 hectaresGround floor: 150mm PIR insulation, 150mm concrete and 75mm screed.First floor: Precast slab with 75mm screed.Walls: Outer leaf 100mm concrete block, 150mm platinum bonded […] More