Find out how to keep on top of the budget and save money with our handy step by step self-build budget guide. In this article we cover: When you set out to build yourself a home, the last thing on your mind is accounting. But keeping a watchful eye on the finances can make the […] More
How Eilis and Liam Looney managed to hold down their full time jobs, raise their young children and undertake a well insulated self-build. In this article, Eilis and Liam share how they tackled their insulated self-build project including: House size: 3,000 sqftPlot size: 0.6 acresSite cost: €100,000Build cost: €358,000Landscaping including tarmac: €30,000Value: €600,000 Self-builders tend to have a knack for timing; […] More
Package suppliers aim to take some of the stress out of self-building; so what do you get when you sign up? Self-build kit homes may be a relatively recent phenomenon but they have their origins in the pattern book builders of the 18th Century. Pattern books allowed people in one country to copy the styles […] More
You will have to wear many hats on the job when you’re project managing your self-build. Consult with or be the client: The role of client and project manager need to be clearly defined from the start. You could choose to carry out both functions or have your partner act as the client. The important […] More
Project managing your own self-build project will require juggling a number of tasks at the desk. Construction drawings: On the basis of your preliminary (planning) drawings, construction drawings will need to be prepared. You can get an architectural technician to do this or you could use the architect or engineer who may have helped you […] More
Project managing a construction project like a self-build or extension is hard work, so before you take the plunge, ask yourself, are you up to the task? You’ve got planning permission, have the finances in place and are now ready to build the house or extension of your dreams. First job is to decide who […] More
A comparison of what mortgage providers want in ROI. Remember that even if you ‘opt out’ in ROI, your mortgage provider will in all likelihood require that you have various milestones signed off on by a design professional to release the stage payments. Here’s a roundup of the main banks’ policies in relation to self-build […] More
What it takes to build a tiny house on wheels, by a self-builder in Co Down who’s been through the process. In this article Michael Rauch describes his tiny house building project, including: My partner Alex and I dream of buying our own land to build an eco home, and the choice to live in […] More
To assess the quality of the home you are about to build or buy, energy isn’t the only thing to consider. In this article, we cover: Why an energy efficient house isn’t necessarily an eco house How to assess sustainability What Building Environmental Assessment Methods are and how they go further than building regulations The […] More
Steel frame construction is increasing in popularity in Ireland; we look at what this modern material has to offer and what you need to know about it. In this article we cover: Steel is widely used throughout the construction industry, as a structural support, yet many of us overlook the potential of steel frame as […] More
Building with earth isn’t just for hot countries; in fact in Ireland building with cob used to be commonplace and in eco-circles, it’s certainly made a comeback. But there are other earth building alternatives, including rammed earth… Earth when used as a building material is fireproof, contributes to the regulation of the indoor environment (temperature […] More
The most versatile of building materials, timber is eco friendly (if responsibly sourced) and usually a pleasure to work with. Here’s the story behind nature’s gift, starting with the tiny seed… Timber has a high strength to weight ratio – pine and spruce are 16 times lighter than steel, five to six times lighter than […] More
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