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Garden: bareroot planting
In winter, one of the great enjoyments for the gardener is bareroot planting – plants that are dormant and have no soil around their roots. In this article we cover: What is bareroot planting Why it’s better to buy bareroot plants than ones in containers Which plants are best suited for bareroot planting How to […] More
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Energy efficiency requirements in NI
An overview of how they work plus why changes to the energy requirements of the NI building regulations could still be some way away. It seems a very long time since I served my two terms on the NI Building Regulations Advisory Committee (2006-2012). And even longer since the previous three years spent on an […] More
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Tendering a construction project
To go to tender, or tendering, is the most common selection process to find a main building contractor. Most self-builders who choose to hire a main contractor to oversee all the work on their self-build project will go to tender, unless they are sure of who they will be hiring. A standard tender process should […] More
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Cheap Irish Homes
RTÉ’s Cheap Irish Homes co-hosts Maggie Malloy and Kieran McCarthy are on a quest to help renovators find the dream project to turn into a home. Here they share their top house hunting tips. Maggie Molloy on……. Location versus potential It’s funny how these two words mean such different things to different generations. Before my […] More
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Is it still possible to build a house for less than €120,000
We just finished our own self-build in the past 12 months and I would say it is completely feasible but that’s if you don’t count your own time; break the build down into bite sized chunks: Site clearance. Foundations: strip vs raft (slab), shuttering, steel mesh and concrete. Up to floor level: trunking, service pipes […] More
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in Advice, Appointing a main contractor, Choosing an architectural designer, Direct labour tasks, Direct labour vs main contractor, Getting started on siteHiring Self-Build Skilled Tradespeople
The contribution made by self-build tradespeople is essential to the success of any self-build project, so who does what and when? Even if you plan to use your skills to build your house, you will need to hire some specialist tradespeople – at the bare minimum the regulations stipulate you have to hire a qualified […] More
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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
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in AdviceSeed Saving
Seed saving is fun and yes, frugal, but above all it is a fundamental way to both connect with the garden and play your part in saving the planet and its biodiversity, writes ethnobotanist Fiann Ó Nualláin. Gardening should be about getting your hands dirty – to engage in all the aspects, from making your […] More
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Bedroom design checklist
As the average human spends about 25 years sleeping, or attempting to sleep, bedroom design is all about creating a relaxing, clutter-free environment, writes interior design expert Marion McGarry. Bedrooms are multifaceted spaces: they are for rest and sleep, but also are for storage and for dressing. Planning for all these functions, using the right […] More
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