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:
- How they managed to do their research and make choices before they started on the design
- Details of the open plan design with children in mind
- Process of changing planning permission to build a different house
- Details of how to go to tender to get the best price from builders
- Details of fixed price contract and how the build was managed day to day
- Insulation details and resulting low heating costs
- Windows mix including roof lights
- Dealing with overheating in summer months
- Choice of heating system and heat emitters
- Managing the budget when their contingency was swallowed up by the foundations
- Reasons for not installing a stove
- Working with an interior designer and how it saved them money
- Full specification, floor plans and supplier list
House size: 3,000 sqft
Plot size: 0.6 acres
Site cost: €100,000
Build cost: €358,000
Landscaping including tarmac: €30,000
Value: €600,000
