Summer 2018
More stories
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Beautiful views for Co Cork rental home
Lyons and Nicci O’Keeffe originally built their home in Co Cork with the intention of holidaying there, but they’ve since turned it into a short term rental home. This is how they built it. In this article we cover: The last thing on most self-builders’ minds is to rent out their home. But as an […] More
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How to choose a designer for your build
Although it’s possible to design your new build completely on your own, it’s almost certainly a false economy and a decision that could cost you dearly in time, energy, stress and money. But how to choose that essential designer to help you on your journey? Before you even go to meet the designer you hope […] More
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in AdviceHow self-builders can make villages thrive
We should be building homes in village clusters, argues Emer O Siochru, just like our rural-dwelling ancestors used to. How can self-builders help reverse the decline of rural towns? Main photo: Cloughjordan eco-village To revive Ireland’s rural towns and villages, we need an alternative to badly built developer estates and isolated oneoff houses. Building secluded […] More
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Solar panels lowdown
With the price of photovoltaic (PV) modules falling significantly since 2009, by up to 80 per cent depending on installation type, it’s starting to really make sense to invest in solar. In this article we cover: Ireland actually enjoys a very healthy amount of solar radiation, not unlike that of the South of England. To […] More
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Renovation Examples: Upgrading the energy performance of your home
A turnkey solution for ROI renovators who want to heat their home for less, and improve their health. Upgrading the energy performance of a home can be a daunting prospect, with horror stories of cavity wall insulation projects gone wrong and high costs for little return. Doing your research will point to the fact that […] More
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Building methods explained
Ronan McKee provides a bird’s eye view of the most common building methods available to self-builders in Ireland today. In this article, we cover: How self-builders are building homes in Ireland today Design considerations before choosing your build type How Building Control will be involved Building Regulations requirements Full chart comparing the most popular build […] More
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Project management advice for your self-build
Project management is the management of people, time, money and quality by an individual or a team to ensure the efficient commencement, progress and conclusion of a project. All these elements apply to construction projects regardless of their size. Eddie Weir, principal partner of Architectural Design Partnership and CIAT Northern Ireland Regional Chairman, shares his […] More
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10 step guide to planning an extension
1. Check whether you need planning permission You don’t necessarily have to get planning permission to extend your home but you need to tick all the boxes to qualify. There are restrictions on floor area (in ROI less than 40sqm), eaves height (in NI no more than 3m high), etc. If you have any doubt, […] More
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County Tyrone Barrel Roof House
Serial self-builders Eric and Gladys Black built their cost-effective barrel roof house to make the most of the rolling countryside views. In this article, Eric explains how he tackled building his home including: Throughout his career as a contractor Eric has built and renovated many houses for himself and for others. But this present house […] More
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Semi detached makeover
Clíodhna and Enda Rooney had a choice between moving or extending; they decided to stay put and inject the wow factor into their semi detached home. In this article we cover: “Even though we love where we live, our concern about renovating was that it might be difficult to make it more comfortable considering the […] More
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Barn conversion at its finest
Even though Andrew and Julie Rogers’ barn conversion, completed over a decade ago, gave them the home they always dreamt of, once they were living in the house they realised they could do with some additions. In this article Andrew and Julie explain how they went about their barn conversion project in Co Down, including: […] More
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