Basic site checklist
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in Advice, Basic site checklist, Planning red flags, Road openings, Site access, Wastewater, Water & ElectricityTop 3 site-related issues
Find out what the top 3 site-related issues are when building in the Irish countryside. In this article we cover: Before you start building on your dream site, consider these three elements which could bust the budget before you even start clearing the site. This bit of planning ahead could save you thousands on your […] More
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in Advice, Basic site checklist, Budget & Financing, Securing planning permission, Wastewater, Water & ElectricityWhat local authority fees do you have to pay in Ireland?
If you plan on building or extending a house in Ireland, know that you will have to pay local authority fees in both NI and ROI; this is your comprehensive guide to what you can expect to pay in your own county. In this article we cover: Starting a self-build journey is thrilling, but […] More
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in Advice, Basic site checklist, Buying land with an existing house on it, Planning red flags, Road openings, Site access, Site assessment, Wastewater, Water & ElectricityThe first step to building your dream home
The first step to building your dream home is to assess whether or not the site you have is good enough to build on. In this article we cover: The site you build on may not be given that much thought at first. Yet its characteristics will have a significant bearing on the final build […] More
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Dublin infill house
How a retired couple in Dublin downsized in their own garden by creating an infill house. In this article we cover: “Living and raising our family in our semi-detached house in Rathfarnham, with its beautiful garden, was wonderful for over 30 years,” says Linde. “We loved tending to the vegetables and enjoying the privacy and […] More
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in Advice, Basic site checklist, Design, Designing the outside space, Exteriors & Landscaping, On site, Site assessment, Wastewater systems, wells: WatchpointsWhat you need to plan for outdoors
Tackling the outdoors requires a plan at the design stage, from wastewater and fuel to patios and garden design. In this article Les covers: If you went for outline planning permission, you may already be aware of some of the conditions that will be imposed in your planning application. These often have to do with […] More
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in Basic site checklist, Before you start to dig, Block, Budget & Financing, Building methods, Choosing an architectural designer, Choosing external finishes, Choosing the bathrooms, Choosing the kitchen, Choosing wall and floor finishes, Collating your ideas, Cost savers, First fix: Watchpoints, Joinery: Watchpoints, Landscaping: Watchpoints, Living Arrangements, New Build, Other key structural decisions, Planning red flags, Projects, Provisions for on-site electricity, water, Road openings, Roofing & External finishes: Watchpoints, Securing planning permission, Self-build Projects, Site access, Site assessment, The design brief and getting the space right, Two Storey, UlsterBuilding the tin house
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
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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 contractorNew 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
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Solicitors: Their role in a self-build project
When building on a plot – either bought, inherited or gifted – the role of a solicitor is a little more complex than it would be if you were just moving house. The advice from The Law Societies in NI and ROI is to talk to your solicitor as early as possible in the process […] More
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Finding a site to build on
Building a house to your own design and specification is the dream for many people. But like all ideals, it can be difficult to achieve. Individual building sites are not easy to find and you must work that bit harder to secure a good one. Finding the right site to build your house on can […] More
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PROJECT: Planning refused
How my parents’ plan to self-build on the family farm couldn’t get the green light because of the unsafe speed limit on our stretch of road. When my parents moved to Ireland in the 1970s they bought a derelict cottage which they renovated. They subsequently acquired land nearby, nestled into the wooded hillside of The […] More
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