Having lived in Australia, single level, open plan living was what Anne and Niall Jordan wanted from their Kilkenny renovation and extension project. In this article we cover: Anne and Niall had a clear idea of what they wanted for their first family home. Six years of apartment living in Australia had instilled a huge […] More
Matthew and Hannah Sterrett of @ourweecountryhome share their story of building what they call the tin house: how it started and the obstacles they came up against. In this article they talk about: Contents Part 1 – Avoiding the rent trap – Skip to Part 1 Part 2 – The tin roof – Skip to […] More
Resident construction expert John Corless chats about flash points to consider when building your home, including: • Managing heat loss, U-values and airtightness• Ventilation• Insulation• Space and water heating including thoughts on PV• Intermediate floors• Roofs• Contracts• List of other considerations: security, waste, health and safety, equipment hire, etc. Michael Doherty of the Mica Action […] More
You’ll be painting the ceiling, but your bare floor and walls will need a bit more thought. The go-to solution is bathroom tiles but there are alternatives… In this article about bathroom tiles and other floor and wall coverings, we cover: With the majority of bathrooms around 10sqm or less in area, the overall impact […] More
Easy ways to make your home cosy, with practical tips on how to decorate your home on a budget or with no budget at all. In this article we cover: After the plasterboard is up and the white paint is layered on, your newly built house will need a little TLC to elevate it into […] More
Even when carefully planned and managed, self-build projects tend to come under financial strain – not so much because of the builder but because of you, the client. There is no doubt that material costs, from steel to timber, have gone through the roof. And while this is a serious issue for anyone who wants […] More
Episode 45 Mark McCall, of Instagram account @automatedhome, runs through his Co Down home building project including: – the design and build process– issues with foundations– stages of the build from first, second to third fix– design and budgeting tips The full story available here: selfbuildextendrenovate.co.uk/project/the-automated-home/ Favourite More
Episode 44 – Quantity surveyor Keith Kelliher discusses the recent material price increase and what it means for self-builders. He covers:– Which materials have been hardest hit– Reasons behind material price inflation– Where to next for material price increases– How to budget for your project– Whether to wait or start building now– Budgeting tips Favourite More
Episode 24: Carpets add a feel of luxury to any bedroom; here Mark McCallister Carpets explains the different types and how they are installed. Favourite More
Episode 23: There are many choices of floor coverings out there, with laminate and LVT two popular low maintenance options. We find out more about what they are and how they are installed. Favourite More
Episode 22: Interior design is essential to get right at the design stage of your build; here Hamilton Interiors shares top tips and advice. Favourite More
Episode 21: We chat with Stephen Blakely about the role of an interior designer, from working with the architect at the design stage to furniture choice and window treatment. Interior designers charge by the job, e.g. by the square foot as Stephen does to take account of the size of the house, but others may […] More
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