Product Description
Preview
Projects
At the movies – Building your own home has a lot of upsides. One is to have the luxury of adding a home cinema, as this self-build in Co Fermanagh showcases.
Part of the landscape – Co Wicklow is well known for being a difficult place to get planning permission; estate agent David Dobbs and his wife Alex managed to integrate their house into the landscape with a sprawling design.
15% discount – Anthony Cash’s extension and renovation project in Co Antrim was partially financed by a little known VAT rebate for homes left unoccupied for two years or more. It also boasts a unique black brick external finish and polished concrete floors.
The puzzle house – Martin and Saoirse O’Dwyer struggled to get planning permission to extend their home in Co Sligo but manged to get their design over the line with a barrel roof addition. The next step was to figure out how to build it!
The multigeneration house – This newly built Co Antrim brick house fuses an apartment complex for a grandparent and a fully functioning family home; three generations live under the one roof yet everyone has the space and privacy they need.
Standing out to blend in – This new build project in Co Cork was influenced by its forest setting thanks to a clever use of cladding alternating dark green corrugated metal with timber laths.
A keeper – The story behind how a lighthouse keeper’s house in Co Cork has been given a complete facelift, from increasing the level of insulation to installing a heat pump with underfloor heating.
Timber warrior- Chris and Serena Gillick took a very hands on approach to their Co Meath self-build – Chris built the frame himself, with the help of a friend, from timber lengths he cut to size and assembled on site. We also delve into whether this DIY approach is realistic for most self-builders.
Advice
Ask the expert – Get to grips with specifying your heating system and find out if it’s still possible to build a house for under 150k.
Cheap Irish Homes – Top house hunting tips from RTE co-hosts Maggie Molloy and Kieran McCathy.
Budget: Staircases – One of the most expensive items to budget for; here’s where you can save on costs.
Miscommunication – Top tips on how to avoid one of the most common self-build pitfalls, from a self-builder in Co Down.
The hardest working space in the home – The bedroom has to pack a punch to make sure you get a good night’s sleep.
Selfbuild Guide
Overview of the self-build process.
Can you build on the site?
What can you build for your budget?
How will you manage the project?
PROJECT: Building the dream
