Rebuild costs feel the squeeze in 2023 due to a rise in labour costs and material prices in both NI and ROI. In this article we cover: Rebuild costs in ROI have increased by an average of 12 per cent, says the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI), which revised its rebuild cost calculator for […] More
Timber frame homes are built so that moisture doesn’t go near the timber elements but how is timber treated to prevent moisture ingress – and how fire resistant is it? In this article we cover: The ecologically balanced first step approach to timber preservative is that if it doesn’t need it, don’t use it. Nevertheless, […] More
Booking website Airbnb says it will fund restoration work and maintenance costs for historic homes in Ireland. In this article we cover: Short stay booking website Airbnb announced it would provide funding for the maintenance and restoration of some of Ireland’s most historic homes. It’s part of the American company’s pledge to support the preservation […] More
Find out what type of timber is used to build structural timber frame walls, from CLS to engineered wood. In this article we cover: As with all structural timber, whether the timber is coming to you via a builders’ merchants or a timber frame manufacturer, the timber producer’s stamps on every item of timber should […] More
What is timber frame, structural considerations, environmental considerations and how to design around the eco friendly building method. In this article we cover: Building your walls out of timber frame is, in most cases, environmentally friendly, provides flexibility in design, and quick to put up on site. In the world of self-building, timber frame most […] More
Internal door inspiration for your new build or renovation project, from slimline to panel doors. In this article we cover: Internal doors can cost as little or as much as you can imagine, with styles and materials, and assembly options, to suit all budgets. Don’t forget to add the cost of the ironmongery to the […] 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 grant to replace oil and gas boilers has been axed in NI due to ‘budget constraints’, as UK rolls out wider boiler upgrade scheme. In this article we cover: To avail of the Boiler Replacement Scheme, offering a grant of up to £1,000, your fossil fuelled appliance had to be at least 15 years […] More
The controversial tax on concrete products was rolled out in September 2023, with a last-minute exemption for precast products. In this article we cover: Precast products will not be subject to the 5 per cent Defective Concrete Products Levy (DCPL) introduced in September 2023, announced ROI Minister for Finance Michael McGrath. The DCPL will continue […] More
Why you need to go all in to reap the benefits of a passive house design. In this article we cover: I started my journey with the Passive House standard, as defined by the Passive House Institute in Germany, eight years ago in 2015. In this time, the most common question I’ve been asked by […] More
As the First Home Scheme opens to those building a new home, and with the Help to Buy scheme to be extended to 2026, ROI Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien says there’s now €100k in supports for self-builders. We look at the maths. In this article we cover: Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien told reporters […] More