Company Profile:

Grant design and manufacture a range of highly efficient, innovative heating technologies including Grant Vortex condensing oil boilers, Grant Aerona³ R32 air to water air source heat pumps, Grant Solar Thermal panels and Grant pre-plumbed hot water cylinders. The company also offers homeowners a diverse range of heat emitters including Grant Uflex underfloor heating, Grant Afinia aluminium & Solo fan convector radiators. In addition to providing cost effective heating solutions which can help reduce carbon emissions, Grant also offer a free of charge bespoke home heating design service which can help ensure compliance on all heating requirements for new build homes.

Seminar Title: Top 20 Home Heating Frequently Asked Questions for Self-Builders & Home Heating Upgrades

Seminar Description: Grant’s presentation outlines 20 key questions that their technical specialists are frequently asked about what heating appliances best suit individual homes and explains key features of their innovative heating technologies that makes them the number one choice for home heating.

Within the presentation, Keith will discuss main heat sources including the Aerona³ R32 air to water air source heat pump and the biofuel compatible Grant Vortex condensing oil boiler. Supporting technologies including the new Grant integrated cylinder also feature along with modern heat emitters including the Grant Uflex underfloor heating system, the Grant Afinia aluminium radiators and smart heating controls.

Speaker Profile: Keith has been working in the heating and plumbing trade for over 24 years, working in both the domestic and industrial sectors. Since joining Grant in 2007, Keith has been involved in technical sales, product commissioning, installer and merchant product training, as well as developing new training courses on new products. CPD training for architects, engineers and energy assessors is also part of his remit. With the new Grant Training Centre coming on line, Keith has designed many new courses to meet the demand for the ever-evolving heating industry.

Company Profile: Xtratherm, Irish insulation manufacturer with a very approachable Technical Team. To reach our Technical Team for support on Self Build issues, please visit ww.xtratherm.ie

Seminar Title: When Self Build becomes a Team Effort. Helping you achieve an affordable ‘A’ rated home.

Seminar Description: You need to achieve an ‘A’ Rated home; regulations ask that. But how do you get there? Insulation, air tightness, renewables. There are may ways to skin a cat – but can you have a cat flap in an airtight house? Our presentation looks at all the questions you’re asking yourself – and how, with the Xtratherm Tech Team, you can get the answers.

Speaker Profile: Danny Kearney leads the Marketing and Technical Sales teams at Xtratherm. He has over 30 years’ experience and has worked on countless self build projects including his own house refurbishment which he completed recently. A champion for achieving practical, affordable, energy efficient new homes, his presentation tackles the most asked questions from Self Builders in their efforts to realise their dream home.

Speaking alongside Sonas Bathrooms

Speaker Profile: Multi-award winning interior designer Gwen Kenny has earned a reputation for excellence based on her personal approach, innovative creativity, exacting attention to detail and unwavering commitment to sustainability. With more than 25 years’ experience, Gwen is considered to be one of Ireland’s most respected designers. She has worked on a host of residential and commercial projects in Ireland and overseas, many of which have been featured by national media. Her clients, past and present, include Teeling Whiskey, The Olympia Theatre, Andrew Rudd’s Medley Restaurant, a number of property investors, hoteliers and management companies along with a host of private home owners. Gwen’s relentless curiosity and hunger for knowledge means her work is influenced by not just the tried and tested, but also emerging innovations and technologies. All of her designs begin and end with sustainability in mind, delivering value for money both in terms of construction and fit-out costs and ongoing maintenance and utility costs. One of Gwen’s unique skills is her ability to seamlessly work across all design styles ranging from period heritage properties to state-of-the-art new builds and everything in-between. Respecting the integrity of a property in a way that honours the design cues and functionality requirements contained within a client brief is a skill that Gwen has honed over the last 25 years, resulting in projects that surpass client expectations. Gwen is a winning designer on RTÉ’s Showhouse, a guest designer on RTÉ’s Room to Improve and featured designer on RTÉ’s About the House. She has appeared on Ireland AM, The Elaine Show and Nationwide and her work has been celebrated in Your Home, 25 Most Beautiful Homes, Ireland’s Homes and Living, Real Home, The Irish Times, and Sunday Business Post. A graduate of TU Dublin, Gwen has an MA in Design and Professional Practice and is a member of the Interiors Association and Institute of Designers. She also lectures at Griffith College.

Company Profile: UK and Ireland Distributor of IntegraSpec ICF. We supply one of the most advanced Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF) currently available to build super energy efficient buildings. we have been building with ICF since 2004.We also ply and fit Thermal Bead Screed to our local market.

Seminar Title: Building With Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF’s)

Seminar Description: a short introduction to our company and then a brief outline of the history of ICF construction before having a more in depth look at ICF and why you should build with this way. We will look at IntegraSpec and its product range along with some tyticipal details and finally have a look at some recent projects for inspiration.

Speaker Profile: An engineering graduate who formerly worked in the aircraft industry before joining the family Quarrying business in 1999. Having learned of ICF construction in 1992 an opportunity arose to travel to Atlanta in 2000 to attend the INHB show to research ICF further. In 2004 we completed our first ICF build and have been developing the market for ICF construction every since. Jonathan has gain considerable experience of ICF builds over the last 16+years.

Company Profile: Supplier and Distributor of Porotherm clay blocks and components. Offering a variety of thermal wall solutions to the building industry, including a ‘one-stop shop’ supply and install service.

Seminar Title: Porotherm in Ireland

Seminar Description: An overview of the Porotherm System products and components, including its benefits through lifecycle, construction and end-user.

Speaker Profile: Robert is our Technical Director and is responsible for the strategic and operational development of the business. Robert has more than 20 years’ experience in architectural design, business management and innovative energy technologies. He has gained a broad wealth of knowledge of the relevant Irish and European Construction Industry Regulations and has directed this knowledge into the heart of the Company’s technical focus.

Company Profile: At Ulster Bank we have been providing mortgages to our customer for over 175 years, we cater for all mortgage customers such as First Time Buyers, Switchers, Investment properties and we are experts on Self Build Mortgages. We are passionate about ensuring that we support and provide excellent service to all of our customers in getting in to their new home, this is Help for What Matters.

Seminar Title: Self Build Mortgages Hints & Tips to get mortgage ready

Seminar Description: Providing an insight in to how the UB Mobile Mortgage Team can help customers to get Self Build Mortgage Ready and the excellent 1:1 service that we provide.

Speaker Profile: Seán is a fully qualified financial advisor ( QFA), with almost 20 years experience working in the Financial Services sector. Sean is an expert on the Self Build mortgages application process and prides himself on being able to support customers in achieving their ultimate goal of building their dream home. Sean will guide you through every step of the mortgage process from first contact to completion so that your mortgage journey is seamless and stress free. If you have any questions or queries for Sean following the presentation please do not hesitate to contact Sean via phone or email.

Company Profile: Mannok is one of the UK and Ireland’s most diverse and experienced manufacturers of construction products, producing a wide range of premium building materials including high-performance rigid insulation, aircrete thermal blocks, cement, rooftiles and precast concrete products. Self Build with Mannok is specifically tailored to suit self builders, with custom package solutions, product discounts, expert technical support and construction solutions to help build a home for life.

Seminar Title: Aircrete: A New Lease of Life for Cavity Walls

Seminar Description: Cavity walls are the most common construction method in Ireland, but with heat loss through walls accounting for up to 35% of a home’s total heat loss, there’s room for improvement. Aircrete blocks can transform this traditional form of construction into one which can compete with other more modern forms of construction. This seminar will show how a simple change to introduce aircrete blocks in the construction can significantly elevate the thermal performance, and give traditional cavity wall construction a new lease of life.

Speaker Profile: Jason Martin heads up the Technical by Mannok team and has extensive experience in using smart product specification to improve the performance of the building. Jason is an advocate of a fabric first approach to achieve superior energy efficiency and more sustainable homes. He has led the development of industry leading thermal bridging and wall construction solutions using Mannok’s aircrete blocks.

Company Profile: Only AIB (NI) assigns a Self-Build Specialist to assist you during the self-build mortgage process. That’s an expert adviser who helps keep your self-build on-time and on-budget—and it’s totally free. The Self-Build Specialist is an independent adviser from a top construction firm. They will work with you to ensure budgets and plans are managed from the outset, helping ensure your build runs smoothly. That will make the whole self-build process simpler for you—and let you focus on move-in day.

Seminar Title: AIB Self-Build Mortgages

Seminar Description: Learn all about the Self-Build Specialist service that AIB provides, free of charge with every self-build mortgage.

Speaker Profile: Michael is an AIB Mortgage Adviser

Seminar Title: Building Contracts Explained

Seminar Description: The presentation will seek to outline the benefits of having a contract, the different types of contract (fixed price, lump sum, remeasureable etc), dealing with risk, programme, retention, insurance, sub-contractors, responsibilities, changes, payments, VAT and dispute resolution. It will be a whistle stop tour of contracts in domestic construction (N.B. The presentation will be based on the RIAI forms but similarities in JCT for NI self builders will be discussed).

Speaker Profile: Keith has over 20 years of direct experience across all aspects of the construction industry including road and motorway construction, housing developments, apartment and commercial developments and private domestic project works. Keith is a quantity surveyor, contract specialist and a dispute resolution consultant who also specialises in Arbitration, Adjudication, Conciliation, Mediation to general Negotiations. Keith is also an experienced trainer and provides training on construction contracts and dispute resolution processes for leading organisations including the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Construction Industry Federation. Keith has experience across the full suite of Contracts including government contracts PWC, RIAI contracts and general subcontract documents. Keith has assisted private clients from small extensions to large one off properties throughout his career and the domestic market still represents the largest part of his practice. Keith has assisted many clients who having ended up in dispute with their builder, have come to him for assistance to get the project completed and issues resolved and unfortunately this part of the practice is growing all the time. Keith has been writing a regular series in the Self Build Magazine around the area of costs and understanding the costs of the various elements and choices in self builds

Company Profile: The Keystone Group is the UK and Ireland’s largest Steel Lintel manufacturer and Europe’s fastest growing Roof Window manufacturer. With a strong focus on innovation the company has grown to its present position in the marketplace by establishing a reputation for reliable supply of quality specialist products.

Seminar Title: Lintel Innovation and Thermal Bridging

Seminar Description: Ciaran will focus on how Keystone’s high quality lintels, designed and manufactured in NI , have helped create unique lintel designs and how they have produced innovation solutions to combat Thermal Bridging in the home.

Speaker Profile: Ciaran has been with Keystone for 10 years gaining a vast array of experience and knowledge across the Keystone Group specialising in Keystone Lintels and Keylite Roof Windows. For the past 4 years Ciaran has been delivering CPDs and Specification support and Technical services to Architects and Specifiers across the island of Ireland.

Company Profile: Graf UK are the European market leaders in rainwater harvesting. Over the years as our knowledge and experience of rainwater harvesting has grown, we have added to our business in order to provide a full package of design, supply, installation, commissioning and maintenance for all customers, in particular one-off private builds and extensions. We also added product groups and other specialist areas which now include stormwater management, wastewater treatment and above ground garden tanks and containers.

Seminar Title: On site Wastewater Systems

Seminar Description: Cathal will discuss where and why wastewater treatment systems are needed. Who or what decides what system one needs. Regulations for Wastewater treatment systems for Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland. The different types of systems available on the market. The Disposal methods for the final discharge and Ongoing maintenance.

Speaker Profile: Cathal Keane heads up the Irish branch of Graf UK as area sales manager, who has more than 17 years’ industry experience providing tailored specification and sales support for domestic and commercial customers. Cathal’s goal of GRAF UK in Ireland is all about providing the best possible service to our Irish audience: from initial advice, right through to system design, installation and ongoing maintenance.

Company Profile: As Ireland’s leading Manufacturer & Supplier of bathroom products, at SONAS Bathrooms our purpose is to help create perfect bathroom solutions for everyone.

Seminar Title: Planning Your Bathroom

Seminar Description: Get advice from award winning interior designer Gwen Kenny of Divine Design; and Richard Sloan, Managing Director of SONAS Bathrooms

Speaker Profile: Richard leads the team at SONAS Bathrooms, and is passionate about helping customers create their perfect bathroom solution. He has almost 20 years experience in developing and marketing bathroom product solutions with consumers, installers, specifiers and retailers.

Company Profile: Cedral – The new home of Tegral Slates As part of the Etex group – a global organisation specializing in building materials, we now unite our residential products and services under one global brand – Cedral – where our mission is to build more beautiful worlds. We are committed to driving the industry forward by developing affordable and environmentally sustainable building products. Everything we do is underpinned by a dedication to striking a balance between aesthetics and quality, along with eco-friendliness as sustainability and energy efficiency become more prevalent than ever before. Whether it’s a new build or a renovation project, for your roof or façade – we have a range of products that are designed to complement each other and help you to blend in or stand out. With over 80 years’ experience in Ireland, we have been putting roofs over heads since 1936. We remain Irish made for Irish weather, based in Athy, Co. Kildare and are proud Guaranteed Irish members, supporting local products and jobs. With local Cedral advisors all across Ireland, as well as a dedicated internal customer service team and technical support department, we are on hand to guide you through every stage of your project.

Seminar Title: Cedral Roofs – How to get the perfect roof.

Seminar Description: Your roof is one of the most important elements when building your home – after all, it is what keeps you and your family safe from the elements. And, seated at the edge of Europe in the Atlantic, we really know all about volatile weather! This aim of this seminar is to take you through inspiration and information. For starters, we will look at the various roofing materials that are available in the market place and will outline the various features and benefits of each. As part of this we will also showcase some beautiful homes from across the country. The second part will focus on a little technical information that will be incredibly advantageous to a self-builder. We will outline the relevant slating and tiling regulations and what it means for you and your home, as well as talk you through some of the key factors to ensure you get a roof that not only looks great, but will be long lasting, durable and strong – give you and your family peace of mind. You will come away from this seminar confident about what to ask your roofer / builder and will know what the steps are to roofing your dream home. You will have a better understanding also of budget considerations and hopefully you will gain some inspiration too!

Speaker Profile: Specifications Manager for Cedral, working closely with specifiers for Cedral, Viriform, Euronit and Equitone materials.

Company Profile: healycornelius design ltd. is a multi-award winning CIAT Chartered Practice providing a wide range of architectural design services on private residential and commercial projects for a growing client base in the South West of Ireland and South East of England.

Seminar Title: Choosing an Architectural Designer

Seminar Description: This presentation will explain the differences between the disciplines of Architect, Architectural Technologist, Engineer, and Surveyor. These terms are often used in an interchangeable manner and defining the roles will help lay foundations for the presentation. Niall will also include references to the various professional bodies and explain in detail the importance of engaging a properly qualified professional.

Speaker Profile: Niall is the Founder and Managing Director of healycornelius design ltd. with over 30 years experience working in architectural practice. Niall’s experience in practice includes high-end residential, restaurant, retail, and leisure design as well as contract administration to completion and delivery. Having established healycornelius design in 2004, the multi-award winning practice has grown from strength to strength.

Company Profile: Importers and distributors of Icynene Spray Foam to Ireland & The UK

Seminar Title: Icynene Spray Foam Insulation for an energy efficient home

Seminar Description: An introduction to Spray Foam insulation for residential homes for thermal, acoustic and air tightness properties.

Speaker Profile: Gerry Sheridan is the MD of GMS Insulations who are distributors of The Icynene Spray Foam Insulation System since 2004, previously he was a director at timber frame manufacturer Century Homes.

Company Profile: Pollock Lifts are Ireland’s only lift manufacturer. They manufacture and install lifts in Ireland, UK and across the world. They really do have a solution for any access problem…

Seminar Title:Pollock Lifts: Service on Every Level

Seminar Description:This presentation will introduce the company, explain why you might need a lift, who typically buys our lifts and then will give an overview of each product.

Speaker Profile:Jeff Scott has been in the lift industry for over 20 years and is a graduate of Queens University in Electrical Engineering. He later obtained an MBA from the University of Ulster. He is now Commercial Director at Pollock Lifts.

Company Profile: Structural and Civil Engineering Consultants based in Belfast and Derry.

Seminar Title: The role of the structural engineer.

Seminar Description: The presentation will highlight the benefits of appointing a structural engineer for your project and when best to do so.

Speaker Profile: Owen is a Principal Chartered Structural Engineer with a wide varied of experience including modern bespoke dwellings to multi storey buildings.

Company Profile: Self-Build Zone offers award winning self-build insurance and structural warranties for anyone building their own home. We can offer cover anyone doing a Renovation, Conversion, New Build and Extension. Get a Quote online now!

Seminar Title: Protecting your project from start to finish

Seminar Description: Essential information about Site Insurance, Structural Warranties and Risk Management

Speaker Profile: Michael has been with the company for three years, he is our masterclass expert during our exhibitions.

Company profile: The team at the Garden Design shop are award winning designers who are dedicated to the creation of beautiful garden spaces and a design service that is flexible enough to cater to any requirement, at any budget. Twice awarded Gold at Garden Show Ireland, their work stands among the best in its class.

Seminar Title: The Garden Design & Build Process Unravelled

Seminar Description: From the smallest city terrace to the largest residential property, visitors will learn that the desired landscaped garden can be created to suit all budgets. Having a great outdoor space can be used for entertaining, relaxation and many other features if designed correctly. Attendees will learn about how to make the most of their outdoor room using top tips from an award winning garden designer.

Speaker Profile: Having started the company in 2008, Michael O’Reilly works today as the Director and lead designer at the Garden Design Shop – a Belfast based garden and landscape design company. Throughout this period, Michael has designed and produced numerous beautiful garden designs both locally and nationally. Michael has recently achieved MGLDA status, reflecting his expertise and enduring commitment to the field of Garden Design.