The Selfbuild Podcast

Quantity surveyor Keith Kelliher asks the experts to guide you through your project. The panel consists of Health & Safety advisor Helena Ryan of Cooga Safety Services, financial advisor Rachel Uí Bhaoill of SPREAG, serial self-builder Julie Burke of Dampmaster and Joe McBride of Walk Your Plans.He looks at ways to save on your house build that most people don’t factor in, from your health and safety obligations to learning from the mistakes of serial self-builders.This episode was recorded at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Leinster 2026. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martin Markey, CEO with the Hardware Association Ireland, chats about the findings in the HAI's latest survey on on-off housing, The Potential For Rural Family Homes - A Survey Review, including:Housing need or locals only rules being the main reason there aren’t more one-off homes being built in IrelandPotential to double the amount of homes built and the huge demand behind itWhat will happen if we don't build more one-off homes: emigration a big issue at the moment as is social capital unravelling in rural areasNeed for one-off housing as part of a mix of solutions in context of population growthCost of building not as big a driver of whether or someone will build a house Building regulations and lack of guidance mostly an issue for architectsVolume and price increases for builder’s merchant sectorCosts coming down the line due to new regulations including ones on timber, steel and Repak Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this 2026 build cost overview for Ireland, quantity surveyor Keith Kelliher looks at labour and material costs, and where they’re heading. Including:·      Labour costs: what the going rates are for trades·      Material costs: where they are and where they’re heading·      Direct labour vs hiring main contractor: pros and cons·      Should you wait to build?·      Reasons to shop around·      Warnings around site-related costs·      How to make savingsThis episode was recorded at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Leinster 2026 in February 2026. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chairperson of BÁNÚ Donncha Ó hÉallaithe chats about one-off housing in the Gaeltacht, including:Why young people in the Gaeltacht aren't able to build on their own landThe loss of the Irish language due to young people not being able to afford to live locallyReasons for planning permission refusals, from housing need to a lack of wastewater infrastructureSolutions to the housing problem in the Gaeltacht and what needs to change to make them happenReady to Build scheme: how to get serviced sites to the GaeltachtWhat needs to change to make it easier for people to live in the GaeltachtThe need for one-off housing and how to make it work in rural areasThe role that Údarás na Gaeltachta will need to play to make it all happen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quantity surveyor (QS) Keith Kelliher chats about what a cost plan is and how a quantity surveyor can save you money:·      What is a cost plan and when do you need one, how much does it cost·      How a QS helps with the tender process·      What is a bill of quantities with examples, how much does it cost·      What does a QS do and how they save money·      Cost-design pendulum·      Different VAT rates: what to know about them·      How much does a QS cost to oversee a project?·      What to check for before hiring a QSThis episode was recorded at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Leinster 2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keith Kelliher chats through the cost components of your driveway, gates and other groundwork you may forget about, including:Comparing different driveway finishes and how much they cost, from chippings to resinMix and match options, practical considerationsKerbing options, what to considerPaving and patio considerationsDrainage optionsGates: what to consider and costingsLighting considerationsLawns and other landscapingWhat the planning authority might requireBoundaries and wallsWhat's new and adding to the cost, from fire pits to outdoor kitchensRetaining walls and live wallsWhere do the bins go?This episode was recorded at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Ulster 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where are material costs heading into 2026? Quantity surveyor Keith Kelliher takes stock of the overall material cost picture at the end of 2025:·      Reasons for higher costs in Ireland than rest of the world·      Are prices still increasing and where are they heading?·      Steel, concrete, timber, insulation outlook: how to factor prices into your design·      What’s the story with timber?·      Electrics and plumbing supplies ·      In which months can you expect price increases from suppliers every year·      Why are materials costing a quarter more on average than in 2021·      Overview of price and tender surveys·      Risks and concerns for 2026·      How to mitigate against high costs as a self-builderThis episode was recorded at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Ulster 2025 in November. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quantity surveyor Keith Kelliher’s step by step guide to extending or building a new home in Ireland today including percentage share for each element of building your house with top tips, including:Site costs, pre-constructionHouse survey for extensions/renovationsProfessionals you'll need to hireCosts relating to fees and taxesCurveball costs pre-constructionBenefits of hiring a QSCosts of appointing a builderPrelims: what they areHow the build is broken down in terms of cost elementsMost common finishes with examples of cost ranges and where to make savingsWhere the budget gets bustedIs it cheaper to get supplies from NI?Where you'll need to invest after the house is builtThis episode was recorded at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Ulster 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cathal Keane of Graf and John Brennan of Molloy chat about on-site wastewater treatment system costs and rainwater harvesting tanks: ·      Retrofit of wastewater systems: upgrade cost examples·      What determines the cost of the system·      New build cost of systems, how much space you need·      What is a percolation test and what’s involved·      Wastewater tank installation process·      Tank types and pros and cons·      Rainwater harvesting tanks: benefits and system sizing·      Rainwater harvesting tank costs·      Maintenance on both wastewater and rainwater systems Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Modern methods of construction mass timber and ICF are two options for those looking for quick, good quality builds. Self-build expert John Corless chats to Danius Prakapavicius of iDomus Brian Duffy of Amvic about:·      What is mass timber construction? Layers and how it’s finished internally and externally, pros and cons. ·      What is Insulating Concrete Formwork (ICF)? Layers and how it’s finished internally and externally, pros and cons. ·      Design limitations and how to build with modern methods cost effectively.·      How quotes are put together, sequence of works for both.·      How much do they cost compared to traditional block build, materials and labour.·      Structural integrity of systems versus traditional block build.·      Impact resistance and power washing.·      Working with structural engineers.·      John’s thoughts on 3D printing houses.·      Major benefits to building the house off site.·      Time and labour savings compared with traditional methods.This episode was recorded at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Leinster 2025.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a podcast recorded at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Leinster 2025, self-build expert John Corless shares what to look out for when assessing your floor plans, including:·      How to interrogate your floor plans·      Ensuring the different rooms and spaces work well together·      House size: typical sizes and how to evaluate what you need·      Corridors and door placement·      Width of stairs and hallways·      Quality of light and how far natural light will travel from a window·      Dealing with dark corridors·      Window placement·      The rule of thumb for window sizes ·      Plant rooms: where and how big ·      What to include in all floor plansThis podcast is a heavily edited excerpt from John’s floorplans chat at the show. John will be at the next Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live events with his talk that walks you through real floor plan examples.There he will explain the above concepts and more, including dealing with light in open plan areas, utility rooms, solutions for natural light, as well as bedroom design including privacy, where to place the bed, proximity to other rooms, ensuites and dressing room sizes… And are balconies a good idea? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The passive house methodology has become the go-to standard for build a new home, a renovate one, to be energy efficient; Seán McKenna of the Passive House Association and South West College chats to construction expert John Corless about: ·      How much more passive houses cost than building regs compliant homes·      The five passive house principles·      What to do for ventilation in the case of a renovation project ·      What happens to ventilation in the case of power cuts·      Easy wins when retrofitting·      Upgrading with EnerPhit·      Dangers of insulating internal walls·      Period home renovation tips·      Double vs triple glazing, issues with roof windows·      Do you reduce window spec to reduce solar gain?·      New builds: how to distribute solar gains around the house·      How to cut costs without cutting corners: achieving space efficiency Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Construction expert John Corless and builder/estimator DJ Rasdale chat about the current state of play in Ireland for build costs at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Leinster 2025, including:-         How much it costs for self-builders to build a house in Ireland-         Indicative cost per sqft for new build and for renovation-         Material costs and labour costs today-         Cost of build types: which is most expensive-         Cheapest designs-         Direct labour vs builder pitfalls and savings, project manager route-         How VAT comes into build costs-         Quality management-         Standard Contract: what it is, pitfalls-         Builder’s finish vs turnkey, what to expect to have finished in each-         Cost overruns: should they happen?-         Role of a quantity surveyor: benefits, how much do they cost-         Professional fees: percentage to budget for-         Overall cost percentages Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Derek McIntyre of JML SIPS chats about the modern building methods that is Structural Insulated Panels:Are SIPS worth investing in? How much does it cost?What is it and what are the two main types?How are roofs built with SIPS - process and benefits.The DIY options of installing SIPS yourselfAirtightness and insulation benefitsEnvironmental credentialsHow it compares with blockwork, timber frame and ICFProcess of getting a SIPS home built from start to finishCurrent lead timesCertificationThis podcast was recorded at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Ulster 2024; for show dates this year go to live.selfbuild.ie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chartered surveyor Keith Kelliher chats to Cathal Keane of Graf who’s just finished building his own home, and to quantity surveyor Jimmy Walsh of Modern Eco Projects, to uncover the hidden costs of a self-build, including:- Costs associated to being gifted land- Site suitability report, cost of the test and watchpoints, how long they are valid for- Average cost of an onsite wastewater treatment system on a self-build, average maintenance costs- Solicitor fees- Development contribution fees- Site clearance and scaffolding costs- Service costs, how to get connected and how much, watchpoints- Issues with lead times for electricity connections- Insurance costs- Difference between direct labour and hiring a builder- Costs of running the site- Professional fees and who to hire at an early stage- Sequence of works and planning ahead- Plumbing package costs- Planning permission tips and typical conditions- Next steps after planning, where to start- Grants available- Cost-design pendulum and the need for accurate costings- Assigned certifier - what it is and what cost - opt in versus opt out and how it works with mortgages- Health and safety - roles of PSDS and PSCS - and who to assign those roles Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Part 4 of a four part series about build costs in Ireland, quantity surveyor Keith Kelliher explains how to budget for your build and what pitfalls to avoid, including:Why the most common budget buster is not having a budget in the first placeHow to deal with price increases for materials when self-buildingRate of inflation on materials 4 per cent per yearCan ground conditions be budgeted for? Worst case scenarios.Most common budget busters: lighting and electrics, how much each electrical point will set you back, how many do you need?Benefits of quantifying each elementPre-existing services, how to prevent nasty surprisesPC Sums not being realistic, e.g. windows including costing estimatesWhere windows are coming from and how they're designed, knock-on effects with blindsWhere money goes into windows, ironmongery costsKitchen costs, how the add-ons workBathroom costs, where to spend and where not to spendWhich trades are more expensiveStaircase and carpentry costsWill modular homes save you money?Benefits of employing a quantity surveyorBenefits of employing an architectural designer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Part 3 of a four part series about build costs in Ireland, quantity surveyor Keith Kelliher sheds light on how much you can expect to pay for your new bathroom in Ireland today, including:Common things people forget to budget forWhere people are spending unnecessarilyImporting from abroad: Pros and cons and what savings can really be madeTiler costsWall hung toilets for where, and what to considerBespoke trays and glass – are they worth the moneyPump requirements Choice of floor finishes: costs for different types and how to saveHow tile shapes affect cost, patterns and reducing wasteImportance of waterproofing and is timber ok on the floor outside the shower area?Saving money on bathrooms: sanitaryware choices for each bathroom typeLowdown on wetroomsHow to budget for the bathroom effectively Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Part 2 of a four part series about build costs in Ireland, quantity surveyor Keith Kelliher sheds light on how much you can expect to pay for your new kitchen in Ireland today, including:Cost components and how they can bust the budgetCommon things people forget to budget forProduct options, weighing durability vs costWhat you can expect to pay for a solid wood kitchenWays to reduce cost on materials usedCountertop options with costingsWorktops: vinyl/laminate vs wood vs stone vs quartz comparisonIssues with stone and other heavy materials as countertopsCost of appliances and other add-ons to the kitchenPros and cons of hot water tapsDowndraught extractor fans pros and consCan you use MVHR instead of extractor fansCost of finishes around the kitchenIronmongery costs and how they can bust the budgetCost of electrical points and lightingServices to the islandBenefits of sink in the islandHow to budget for the kitchen effectivelyPC Sums: what are they and how they work for kitchens Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Part 1 of a four part series about build costs in Ireland, quantity surveyor Keith Kelliher sheds light on how much you can expect to pay for your windows and doors including:·      Why is one house 50k and another 15k for the windows and doors?·      Types of windows and doors products available to self-builders in Ireland·      How windows and doors are costed·      Costs per sqm for different types·      Costs off the shelf versus bespoke·      Regs for fire doors plus notes on costs·      Ironmongery costs·      Watchpoints for windows and doors·      Dangers of costing a house based on averages Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Belfast 2024, Michael O'Donnell of Solarfix NI and Suzie McKee of Start Solar joined us to chat about photovoltaic (PV) panels, including:What are PV panelsHow they workWhat are the componentsWhat can go wrong on themHow much do they costWhat's the paybackHow to best use themShould you get a battery? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Belfast 2024, DJ Rasdale of Build Cost Estimations runs through a real life example of costing a build from start to finish, and provides an update on how much it costs to build a house in Ireland today, including:·      Labour and material costs as of September 2024·      Cost estimations: how they’re put together·      Details of a costed project in NI·      Direct labour versus main contractor: how much can you save?·      Project details: issues with foundations and how much they set the project back·      Variations during the build, PC Sums·      Kitchen costs, ways contractor saved money on the project·      Budget busters and best value-for-money ways to cost a project·      Traditional (concrete blockwork) vs timber frame vs ICF vs SIPs: how they compare cost wise·      Heat pump with underfloor heating costs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A snapshot of what to expect at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Belfast 2024, including testimonials from self-builders who attended the event and special offers from a few of the 150+ companies exhibiting at the show; clips from: Kitchen Pod, Breedon Tiles, 3DNA, SolarFix, Viltra, NIE Networks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bathroom consultant Gareth Holland chats about how to go about your renovation or new build project, including:·        How much to budget for your bathroom for a good finish·        Dangers of buying online·        Where to start when renovating a bathroom·        Where to start with a new build·        What to bring on your initial consultation·        Typical design constraints·        Shower choices·        How bathroom suppliers liaise with trades·        Sequence of works·        Considerations for a wetroom and bath in a small bathroom·        Storage solutions for small bathrooms·        Size of small downstairs bathrooms with design ideas for wow factor·        Which bathroom is worth investing the most in?·        New build bathrooms: budgeting tips·        Tiling trends for 2024·        Trends and making brassware work·        Timeframe to create recessed shelves (niches) in stud walls, benefits·        Futureproofing and typical bathroom lifetime·        Typical lead times·        Maintenance for taps Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Acheson of Internorm chats about window and door design, including:How to compare windowsHow much self-builders are spending on windows and doorsHow to save money on your window and door designU-values explained in detailThe case for triple glazed windowsAluclad options: uPVC vs timberWindow replacement: what you need to considerTrickle vents in windows: pros and consHow quotes for windows are put togetherMitigation for overheating with window design, including low-g glassShading devices pros and cons, from brise soleil to blinds and curtainsLift and slide vs bifold doors: pros and cons, design limitationsDoor types, how they're builtHow to compare doors from different suppliersPrice points for doors and hardwareChoice of front doors vs other entry pointsSolutions for coastal locationsRetrofitting new external doors, watchpointsLead times, factory holidaysTimeframe for ordering windows depending on the building methodTroubleshooting with product issuesTroubleshooting installation issues Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Craig Jones of Land Options Ireland chats about how much it costs to build a house in Ireland today, including:Budgeting for your build: why a cost per sqm is the best place to start - and what the next steps areThe typical budget busters on a buildHow to check if the site won't cost a fortune to build onHow much reports costHow much to set aside for architect, engineer and quantity surveyorPreliminaries: what are they and how much will they set you backCosts per sqm as of mid-2024What's the cheapest building method and will we be building with blockwork in 20 years' time?What is value engineering and how does it workWhat's the most cost efficient way to build Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pete Finn, AKA Pete the builder, of RTÉ's Home Rescue and advisory firm Let's Talk Homes joins tiny house builder Paul Lawford of smallchange.ie to chat about the process of building your home in Ireland today with cost saving tips, including:Once the house has been designed, planning permission has been approved, Health & Safety has been done on the design, what are the next steps?What is the first thing to happen on site - what needs to be organised before you can start on the buildOverview of the steps from foundations to roof finishes on a traditional buildThe process of building a tiny houseWays to save during the buildHow to prepare for the building stage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonny Orr of Daniel George Kitchens and Caroline O'Neill of Digg Mama chat about Caroline’s kitchen design journey including how she went about it and what steps she would recommend self-builders taking. The chat also focused on:·        Main things to consider when designing a kitchen; common mistakes to avoid.·        Best time to involve kitchen designers and do they do 3D renders? ·        How much do kitchens cost and where can you save money?·        Downdraft extractors vs traditional hood, which is best?·        Lighting tips including task lighting when using an in-hob extractor and whether to include lighting in all units.·        Hardwearing materials and colours, how to make sure the kitchen won’t go out of fashion.·        Not thinking of putting in an oven, is that a bad idea? If I plan to have a pantry, do I need less cupboards?·        Design tips for islands and peninsulas (breakfast bars) in the kitchen layout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Kinloch of SONAS Bathrooms and Darrel McCauley of Spectrum Bathrooms joined us at Selfbuild Live Belfast to talk about what’s trending in bathroom designs and how to get the style on a budget, includingColours and style in general: what’s on trend, e.g. is barbiecore a thing in bathrooms? What are the classics?General budget saving advice: consider number of bathrooms, size? How about renovations, how to save with existing bathroom upgrade?Sanitaryware: what’s on trend, e.g. wall hung basin/toilet and standing bath, and how to save and still get the lookFittings: what’s on trend, e.g. is gold still fashionable, and how to save and still get the lookRadiators: what’s on trend and how to save, e.g. output?Mirrors: what’s on trend, is it still LED and Bluetooth mirrors, and hacks to save.What are the other big ticket items in the bathroom and how can self-builders save? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pete Cole of Pete Cole Consulting shares the most common issues he comes across self-build sites, including:How to work to a budget - where to spend your moneyEvaluating site conditions, from utilities running through the site to contaminationTask approval in NI, developer enquiriesVariations to designs and importance of site meetingsHow to choose a builder and pitfalls of going direct labourWhat can go wrong and examples of the need for site supervisionWhat contract to sign with your builder in NIWhat to do if you want to do some work and/or hire some trades yourselfIssue of availability of skilled labour and changing technologiesIssues with pitched warm roofs, including potential of condensation with panelsHow to deal with defectsWho has PI insurance and who needs to sign off on changesPractical examplesRecorded at Selfbuild Live Belfast in October 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DJ Rasdale of DJ Build Estimations updates us on builds costs in Ireland at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Limerick in January 2024. He covers:How are projects costed for maximum accuracy?How much is an average self-build costing nowadays, per sqm? For what type of house?What is the most cost effective type of house to build? Size, shape, choice of building method for floor, walls roof, window, setc?What are the typical budget busters?Direct labour versus hiring a main contractor: what savings can you make?Is it cheaper to build with timber frame or blocks?Can you haggle with builder's merchants? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Architect Mark Stephens, who is based in Co Mayo, chats about how to get planning permission in ROI including:-         What is planning permission-         Who needs planning permission and under what circumstances-         The application process-         How to improve your chances of getting permission-         Main reasons for getting turned down-         Local needs provisions-         Requests for further information: what it is and what the planners commonly ask for and how that's changed over the years with computerisation-         How to make changes to an existing application that already got approved-         When to amend an application or make a fresh one-         What kind of specialist reports do you need and how much do they cost-         Examples from Mark's experience lodging planning applications Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Francis Rilley of Unilin Insulation and Andrew Rennie of Energy Store chat about insulating your home in Ireland today. We caught up with them at Selfbuild Live Belfast 2023 to chat about:The different types of insulation with pros and cons for each including cost, thermal efficiency, fire resistanceRecipe for an energy efficient building fabric: insulation and airtightnessTypical wall build up scenario for a building regulations compliant house vs NZEB: block builds and timber frameTypical roof build ups and typical floor build upsPerformance gap: how can self-builders ensure that the design is right and the installation is done correctly?Typical retrofit scenarios: how to insulate an existing home (existing cavity walls, solid walls, floors, roofs) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where are build costs heading? We look at the situation in Ireland today, in 2023 with DJ Ramsdale of DJ Build Estimations who tunes in to answer your questions about how much it costs to build in Ireland in 2023, from what method is cheapest to what to expect to pay overall. He covers:What’s the most cost effective construction method?Is a dormer cheaper than a two storey house? For an existing house is it more cost effective to demolish and rebuild, or renovate?Will material costs and labour costs stabilise? Are prices coming down enough to start a direct labour build or is labour still too expensive?What percentage of the budget goes into substructure, superstructure, internal finishes?What does a contractor typically need for a tender?What kind of house can you build today for €/£150-170k?What is the average cost per square metre these days?What exactly will the mortgage cover? How far in the build does it get you?What is a builder’s finish, what does it cover? For more on build costs go to the Selfbuild Cost Hub. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kieran Dwyer of insurance broker SelfBuild Protect chats about: What self-build insurance is and why you need itIs self-build insurance mandatory like car insurance?What do mortgage providers look forWhat makes it difficult to insure a new build projectWhen do insurance companies insure non-standard builds?How much does insurance cost todayRenovations and extensions: when does self-build insurance kick in?New duty of care legislation in Ireland and whether it will lead to lower premiumsCompetition in ROI vs NI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Barry McCarron, Chairman of the Passive House Association of Ireland, chats about doing up his family to make it energy efficient, including:Going from a bungalow to an A rated homeCost details and how it compared to building newWhat is the fabric first approachWhat are the main types of insulation? Where are each best used?How much insulation is enough: cost optimal amount to installWhy is airtightness important?How to install insulation and airtightness correctlyThe benefits of following a set standard like the passive house standard What the future of house building and retrofitting looks like Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Lawford explains how he built his tiny home on wheels from scratch, including:What is a tiny houseWhy he decided to build a tiny house to live inHow he built it from start to finish, DIY with no previous experienceWhere he sourced materialsHow much it costThe case for tiny house living Tips and advice to others thinking of a building themselves tiny houseLessons learned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rodger O'Connor of ROC Energy explains when it makes sense to apply for an energy grant from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, including:What grants are available and which ones suit which budgetsHow much it costs to carry out a One Stop Shop upgradeHow to apply for the grants: dos and don'tsPros and cons of going for a One Stop Shop grantShould you invest in solar panels? How much will it cost and what's the grant?Should you invest in a heat pump? How much will it cost and what's the grant?When does it make financial sense to invest in energy upgrades?Are energy upgrades worth it? What are the benefits? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Ciara Ahern chats about what energy upgrades and if they're worth doing, issues people are having with heat pumps and heating systems and what can be done about it, plus what changes we can expect coming from Europe in relation to energy and the building regulations. More specifically, she covers:What is the difference between a shallow and a deep retrofit?If someone has a house, how can they tell if they should consider a shallow versus a deep retrofit, e.g. would homes with medium gains always need a deep retrofit?Recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD): What are the headline changes coming from Europe and when we can expect them to come into forceEPBD implications for end users: new builds, renovations and those selling propertyWhy energy ratings don’t show how much energy the house will consume: does the recast EPBD take that into account?How to optimise the operation/performance of existing heating systems in the homeIssue with oversizing heating systems and what homeowners can doIssues surrounding heat pump installations, what needs to happen industry wide to make sure they’re done correctly and to the right sizing? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, David Magnier chats about his self-build in Co Wicklow:Design processSecuring planning permissionChoice of building method: pros and consHow day to day went on siteWorking through CovidSwitching from main contractor to direct labourKeeping on top of the budgetKeeping on top of quality  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gavin Millar of BPC Ventilation chats through the benefits of heat pumps and MVHR, including:-   What is mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) and is it worth the money? What are the benefits?-   What are heat pumps and are they worth it? What's the payback?-   Why are heat pumps and MVHR more efficient than traditional systems? How much more do they cost?-   How much more do they cost?-   Should settings on ventilation systems be adjusted according to the outside temperature, e.g. summer, winter?-   Which ventilation system is best for an ICF house?-   Are MVHR units noisy?-   Energy upgrades: the case of changing a 1950s house from oil heating to air to water, is that the best option?-   Is it efficient to mix underfloor and radiator heating?-   Can one heat pump be used for two buildings? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonny Orr of Daniel George Kitchens chats about how to design your new kitchen in Ireland today:-         Optimal kitchen size-         Current trends, including colours and handles, and must haves-         Where the most savings can be made in a kitchen, including countertop materials-         Common mistakes people make and what to think about when planning your kitchen-         Tips to get the most out of walk in pantry-         Magic corner cupboards: are they worth it?-         Ideal size of an island-         Pros and cons of building in a dining table into the island-         Sink or hob in the island -         What extractor fan options there are for the island, can you rely on heat recovery ventilation-         Extractor fans in a passive house: what to consider-         How to incorporate a deep standalone fridge-         Kitchen lighting options -         Oven heights-         Hand painting versus factory painting-         Timeframe to get kitchen installed and ordering kitchens cross border in Ireland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin Ó Broin, a TD who’s written a book called Defects, chats through the issue of quality control when building a house in ROI. He talks about:·        How the building control system works in ROI and why it’s broken·        Opting in or out of appointing an assigned certifier·        How we got to this point·        Prospects of changes to the system·        Where to next Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura and Ronan Campbell built themselves a house on Ronan’s parents’ laneway. Here they chat about:Difficulties with planning permission and why they had to leave a deposit with the local authority for three years. How they made a narrow site work with their design vision.Choice of steel frame construction and challenges building the house.Delays (due to windows and Covid) and how they affected the build. Choosing finishes that look the part and saved money.How much DIY they did and their top tips for others considering building a laneway house.Budget considerations and how they kept a lid on costs.Main headaches and what they would do differently.Read more about their project on https://selfbuild.ie/project/dublin-laneway-house/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes talks about:The new concrete levy due to come into force September 2023 in IrelandHow to reduce the amount of concrete you use on your buildHow to save on your build costsWhat's the most cost effective build route nowadays?Where are build costs heading? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Susan Andrews of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland chats about how to get a grant for your home energy upgrade, including:- The three types of grants available in ROI and how each of them work- One Stop Shop (OSS) vs individual grants: the extras you get with OSS- Cost of home energy upgrades for detached houses in Ireland- How you can get up to half the cost of the works funded through the grants- What the application process looks like and what timescales to expect for each- Whether you can reapply if you've availed of a grant before- Benefits of living in a more energy efficient home Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tony Dunne, Managing Director at MBC Project, chats about the ins and outs of buying windows in Ireland today, including:- Main types of windows available in Ireland: timber, uPVC, aluminium, alu-clad- Average cost of windows on a self-build today- Double vs triple glazed, options for quadruple glazing- What specifications to look out for when choosing windows, certs/standards- How the process unfolds from choosing the right windows for your project to installation and maintenance- Material price increases and how it affects window costs- Window upgrades in renovations - Watchpoints for both new builds and energy upgrades, from choosing windows for the right exposure (wind loading, coastal, etc.) to protecting your windows on site Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connecting your sewage to the mains is not always an option when you're building in the countryside. You might need to install an onsite wastewater treatment system instead, which is a mini sewage treatment plant. In ROI, if an onsite system is not feasible you will more than likely be denied planning permission. Cathal Keane of Graf Environmental gives us a crash course and highlights what you need to know, including:- Who needs an onsite wastewater treatment system.- What’s a typical setup? Brief overview of primary, secondary and tertiary treatment.- What are the requirements in NI and ROI and how they differ. Main Building Regulations requirements to be aware of.- The process of choosing an onsite wastewater treatment system in NI and ROI.- Maintenance and keeping the system working at its best to protect environmental and human health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Resident construction expert John Corless chats about flash points to consider when building your home, including:•Managing heat loss, U-values and airtightness•Ventilation•Insulation•Space and water heating including thoughts on PV•Intermediate floors•Roofs •Contracts•List of other considerations: security, waste, health and safety, equipment hire, etc.Michael Doherty of the Mica Action Group rounds up the talk with a chat about the ROI government’s remediation scheme to rebuild homes that were built with defective concrete blocks. Michael talks about the skewed grant amounts, based on 2007 costings of house rebuilding costs by the Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland (SCSI), plus eligibility for Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland grants.He also discusses planning exemptions, retention amounts for contractors and what building methods mica affected homeowners are considering. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brian Corry of Selfbuild+ introduces self-builders to modern ways of building in Ireland today. In Part 2 he chats about:- Insulating Concrete Formwork (ICF) with Ballantine Building Solutions - Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) with FutureTek - Hemp block construction with Hempbuild Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brian Corry of Selfbuild+ introduces self-builders to modern ways of building. In Part 1 he chats about:- Timber frame construction with Redwood Timber Frame in Dungannon- Structural polystyrene construction known as M3 with Passive Housing in Kildare- Steel frame and precast concrete with Future Cast in LeitrimFor more about the building methods available in Ireland today, check out the Selfbuild guide to building methods here:https://selfbuild.ie/guides/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.