First fix: Watchpoints Archives - Page 2 of 2

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in Appointing a main contractor, Basic site checklist, Before you start to dig, Collating your ideas, Construction overview, Direct labour tasks, Direct labour vs main contractor, First fix: Watchpoints, Foundations, subfloors and screeds: Watchpoints, Insulation and airtightness: Watchpoints, Joinery: Watchpoints, Landscaping: Watchpoints, News, Quality control inspections, Roofing & External finishes: Watchpoints, Second fix: Watchpoints, Snag lists and retention if main contractor

New self-build guides

The Builder’s Companion is a two part guide to building your home, starting with the pre design stage all the way through snagging and completion certs. The author Philip Fitzpatrick is a serial self-builder, having built seven homes for his family over the years. He’s also a chartered surveyor and builder. This UK & Ireland […] More

by Astrid Madsen February 25, 2022, 12:39 pm
in Advice, Choosing the kitchen, Extension/Renovation Advice, First fix: Watchpoints, Interior Advice, Interiors, On site, Second fix: Watchpoints

Cookers and extractor fans

When deciding what kitchen to go for, you’ll need to consider what cookers are out there and which extractor fans they go with. In this article: Hobs Nowadays most kitchens will separate the oven from the hob, although hobs can be integrated in a range or simpler cooker combination. When separate from the oven, […] More

by Astrid Madsen January 3, 2022, 12:30 pm
in Advice, Budget & Financing, Choosing the kitchen, Construction drawings, Cost savers, Design, Extension/Renovation Advice, First fix: Watchpoints, Interior Advice, Interiors, On site, Pre design

Powering up

There’s a lot of electrics in the kitchen, from appliances to sockets. But music systems and undercounter and inbuilt lighting could also readily be added to your list. You need to know what you want, and where, at the earliest design stage. Lighting On self-builds, hiring a lighting designer is not the norm but […] More

by Astrid Madsen January 2, 2022, 2:20 pm
in Budget & Financing, Building methods, Choosing wall and floor finishes, Construction drawings, Construction overview, Cost savers, Design, Direct labour vs main contractor, First fix: Watchpoints, Insulation and airtightness: Watchpoints, Joinery: Watchpoints, On site, Podcast, Pre design, Roofing & External finishes: Watchpoints, SB+ Podcasts, Second fix: Watchpoints

Ep 45 – The Automated House in County Down

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

by Selfbuild Live December 15, 2021, 1:16 pm
in Budget & Financing, Building methods, Choosing wall and floor finishes, Construction drawings, Construction overview, Cost savers, Design, Direct labour vs main contractor, First fix: Watchpoints, Insulation and airtightness: Watchpoints, Joinery: Watchpoints, On site, Podcast, Pre design, Roofing & External finishes: Watchpoints, SB+ Podcasts, Second fix: Watchpoints

Ep 44 – Cost of steel, timber, insulation: Where to next?

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

by Selfbuild Live November 17, 2021, 2:30 pm
in Advice, First fix: Watchpoints, On site, Pre design, Second fix: Watchpoints, Working out your requirements

Guide to stair lifts and elevators in the home

Although King Henry VIII is said to have had the world’s first chair lift, at his palace in Whitehall, and even though domestic lifts have indeed, until recently, been the preserve of the rich, things are changing fast. Until a very few years ago, few self-builders would even have considered installing a lift. But lifestyles […] More

by Andrew Stanway October 25, 2021, 3:09 pm
in First fix: Watchpoints, Interiors, On site, SB+ TV, Sponsored Content

Future proofing your home George McStravick, GMS Intelligent Systems

George from GMS Intelligent Systems answers questions about future proofing your home, whether you retrofit this system and shows us how the product works. Find out more at GMS Intelligent Systems’ Supplier Hub 11 The Oaks, Lurgan Co Armagh, BT66 6NY george@gms-intellsys.co.uk Tel: 07754 789163 or 0800 2985009 (after 7pm) Website Recorded at Selfbuild Live, […] More

by Selfbuild Live October 8, 2021, 8:40 am
in Energy Efficiency, Airtightness & The Environment, First fix: Watchpoints, Heating systems, News

NSAI Building Services Codes of Practice

The latest Standard Recommendation (S.R.) from the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) in relation to building services has just been published (26th April 2021), and it deals with the design and installation of heat pumps in homes. This new Standard Recommendation (S.R. 50-4:2021) is one of a suite of measures developed by the NSAI […] More

by Astrid Madsen April 27, 2021, 12:40 pm
in Advice, First fix: Watchpoints, On site, Second fix: Watchpoints

Guide to first and second fix

‘First’ and ‘Second fix’ are terms widely used in all kinds of building work. But what do they mean and how do you know if they’re done properly? Most of us building our own home will use either a main contractor, or hire tradesmen ourselves (often referred to as direct labour). Whichever route you take […] More

by Andrew Stanway February 1, 2021, 11:26 am
in Advice, Construction overview, Direct labour tasks, First fix: Watchpoints, Getting started on site, On site, Second fix: Watchpoints

Miscommunication

Gavin McKibbin is a builder by trade who specialises in renovations and extensions, and he built his own house in Co Down, project managing it from start to finish. Here he shares his tips and advice based on his personal experience as he came up against some common self-build pitfalls. Being in the building trade […] More

by Gavin McKibbin January 18, 2021, 3:51 pm
in Advice, Construction drawings, Design, First fix: Watchpoints, On site, Site assessment, Water & Electricity

Electricity supply for your self-build

You can’t do any electrical work yourself but whether you’re renovating or building new, it’s good to get to know the basic requirements and regulations. Whether you’re building new or renovating, know that if you’re undertaking any kind of electrical work in ROI only a Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) is now allowed to carry it […] More

by Astrid Madsen August 2, 2016, 11:14 am