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Quality control: Inspection schedule

In NI, your local authority will arrange a set number of mandatory inspections for your build. You will have to notify your building control officer when they are to call on site.  

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Construction Overview

The day to day running of your self-build site will depend on whether you have hired a main contractor or are managing the trades yourself (direct labour), and your choice of building method….   

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Foundations, subfloors and screeds: Watchpoints

Check your sight lines, rights of way, restrictive covenants and potential need for new entrances.    

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Wastewater systems, wells: Watchpoints

The wastewater company will install the system, possibly under the supervision of your site assessor…   

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Landscaping: Watchpoints

A good site plan as part of your construction drawings will take landscaping requirements into account, although on many self-builds there is little to no landscaping plan apart from complying the planning requirements which usually stipulate the need for native hedging and some trees around the site boundaries.  

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Insulation and airtightness: Watchpoints

Your insulation and airtightness strategy will have been worked out at this stage with your energy assessor  

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Securing planning permission

Planning permission is the government’s written authorisation for you to build a house according to the plans you submit to them, oftentimes with conditions attached.

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Windows and doors: Watchpoints

Nearly all window suppliers and many door suppliers will insist on coming to site to measure the openings directly…  

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Roofing & External Finishes: Watchpoints

On site a carpenter will fit the roof and you or your builder will usually need to supply scaffolding and teleporter; when getting a quotation you will need to clarify who supplies what.  

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Joinery: Watchpoints

Your joiner will most likely be in charge of fitting out the kitchen, internal doors, skirting boards/architraves and staircase…

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First Fix

First fix usually refers to all the work that takes place before you get to plaster your internal walls and ceilings; the exact definition needs to be agreed to with all on site…  

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Second Fix

At this stage the fitting out of all the bathrooms as well as kitchen and other rooms can take place. From a plumbing point of view, the heating system will be commissioned, the fixtures and fittings (sanitary ware, taps etc.)  

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Choosing Lighting

It’s one thing giving the electrician an idea of where you want your sockets, knowing what light fixtures and fittings you will use is quite another…  

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Choosing Wall and Floor Finishes

As with all other second fix aspects, this is an area that can break the bank. The choice of walls and floor coverings is a personal one, and costs here will vary widely.   

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Choosing the Kitchen

Earlier on in the design process your architectural designer will have given you some guidance on the kitchen design to ensure there is enough spacfor what you need…  

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Choosing the bathrooms

The bathroom design will have been considered at the design stage…   

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