The Selfbuild Podcast
The Selfbuild Podcast offers expert and peer-to-peer advice on all aspects of home building and home improving in Ireland. It covers topics such as planning, design, construction, and renovation, featuring interviews with industry professionals and homeowners sharing their experiences. The podcast aims to guide listeners through the complexities of building or improving a home in the Irish context.
Episodes
Ep101 - All about plant rooms plus insulation mistakes to avoid
At Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Leinster 2026, quantity surveyor Keith Kelliher hosts a talk around the practicalities of building an energy efficient home, with a special focus on:- Plant rooms: optimal sizes and what you need to include in them; optimal layouts and how to make sure systems don’t interfere with one another- &
Ep100 - Interior design masterclass for new builds, extensions and renovations
The interior design tips and pitfalls to avoid as shared by Stephen Blakely of Blakely Interiors, including how to prevent mistakes and how to make your house flow while keeping practicality in mind.Topics include access, natural and artificial lighting, kitchens, colour and more with real life examples.Excerpts from his presentation at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Ulster. Hosted on Acast. See
Ep99 - Mistakes to avoid when building
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
Ep98 - The push to double the output of one-off housing
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
Ep97 - How much does it cost to build in Ireland in 2026?
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 con
Ep96 - Why we should be building more one-off homes in the Gaeltacht
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 Ga
Ep95 - How does a quantity surveyor save you money?
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·&
Ep94 - Driveway, gates and other costs not to forget about
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 considerationsLaw
Ep93 - 2026 Cost outlook for construction materials
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, insula
Ep92 - Where does the money go when you're building?
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 appoi
Ep91 - Wastewater and rainwater system costs
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· &n
Ep90 - Mass timber and ICF: How they compare to traditional builds
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. · W
Ep89 - Floor Plans: Watchpoints
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: typic
Ep88 - Passive house tips
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 h
Ep87 - 2025 build costs in Ireland
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
Ep86 - Is SIPS worth investing in?
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 a
Ep85 - Hidden costs of a self-build
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 treatm
Ep84 - Budget pitfalls to avoid
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?
Ep83 - Bathroom costs: how much and how to save
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 consi
Ep82 - How much does a kitchen cost in Ireland today?
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 mat
Ep81 - Why do windows cost 15k on one house and 50k on another?
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·  
Ep80 - Solar panels that generate electricity: are they worth it?
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 infor
Ep79 - Costed project in NI with update on costs per sqm in Ireland today
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
Ep78 - Show Highlights: Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Belfast 2024
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.
Ep77 - Bathroom design trends for 2024
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· &nbs
Ep76 - Window design
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
Ep75 - Budget busters
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 surveyorPrelim
Ep74 - The process of building your home: cost saving tips
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
Ep73 - Kitchen design trends for 2024
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.· &nbs
Ep72 - Bathroom design trends
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 re
Ep71 - Top 5 pitfalls to avoid when self-building
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
Ep 70 - How much does it cost to build a house in Ireland?
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, wind
Ep 69 - How to get planning permission in Ireland
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- &nbs
Ep 68 - Insulation for new builds and renovations
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 sc
Ep 67 - Build costs in Ireland for 2023
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
Ep 66 - Getting insurance for your self-build in Ireland
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
Ep65 - Passive house retrofit in Co Monaghan
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 airtig
Ep64 - Tiny house building and living
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 a
Ep63 - Which energy grants should you invest in?
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
Ep62 - Are energy upgrades worth it?
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 t
Ep61 - Steel frame self-build in Co Wicklow
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.
Ep60 - Heat pumps and MVHR: are they worth it?
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
Ep59 - Kitchen design
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
Ep58 - Building homes free of defects
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·
Ep57 - Dublin new build on laneway site
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 t
Ep56 - The new concrete levy and how to save on your self-build
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.
Ep55 - How to apply for your home energy grant in Ireland
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
Ep54 - Buying windows in Ireland
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 unf
Ep53 - Onsite wastewater treatment in Ireland
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 ne
Ep52 - What to consider when self-building plus thoughts about the mica grant scheme
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 rou
Ep51 - Modern Building Methods in Ireland Part 2
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.
Ep50 - Modern Building Methods in Ireland Part 1
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
Ep49 - Where to start with your self-build
This podcast is the first in a series of talks for mica affected homeowners. Mica is a naturally occurring material that has been the cause of thousands of homes crumbling; a redress scheme is being devised through the ROI government to rebuild affected homes. The topic for this first instalment is what to expect from the process of building your home, relevant to all those new to the area of self
Ep48 - Mechanical ventilation systems
David McHugh of ProAir chats through your ventilation options and answers commonly asked questions about mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, including:- Why you need ventilation- What are the requirements- Why you need to sort out which ventilation system you choose early on in the building/renovating process- What are the different types of mechanical ventilation systems available in Irela
Ep47 - Guide to house design
Zeno Winkens of Winkens Architecture chats through spatial design, including:- How to choose the right location for your house- Designing your home from the inside out/outside in- Window and door locations- Budget friendly designs- Difference between an A1, A2 and A3 building energy rated house- Working with a builder and what to watch out for on site- How to work with your architect Hosted on Aca
Ep46 - Direct labour steps for house without central heating
Niamh O'Donovan of Instagram account @passive_build shares her experiencing building her home in Co Waterford, including:- Direct labour tasks from start to finish- Passive house design without central heating- Development fees and planning issues- Budgeting tips and advice Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep45 - Stages of Eco Home Building in Co Down
Mark McCall, of Instagram account @automatedhome, runs through his Co Down home building project including:- the design and build process- issues with foundations- stages of the build from first, second to third fix- design and budgeting tipsThe full story available here: https://selfbuild.ie/project/the-automated-home/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep44 - Cost of steel, timber, insulation: Where to next?
Episode 44 – Quantity surveyor Keith Kelliher discusses the recent material price increase and what it means for self-builders. He covers:– Which materials have been hardest hit– Reasons behind material price inflation– Where to next for material price increases– How to budget for your project– Whether to wait or start building now– Budgeting tips Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in
Ep43 - Secrets to building an eco house
Energy consultant Patrick Waterfield shares his tips and insights into building an eco house without breaking the bank. He covers:- The tricks to building an eco house and how he tackled his own new build project- How to build a house to make it cheap to run- How a humble stove can heat your entire house- How to avoid greenwashing - How to tackle energy efficiency in a new build on a budget Hosted
Ep42 - Site visit on Co Mayo contractor led build
Miyuki Katsu Maloney, of Instagram account @our.japandi.selfbuild , walks us through her self-build project, including:- Japandi design features including the no-shoe zone entrance- How the Japandi interiors had to be adapted to Irish building regulations- Choice of windows- Choice of finishes including a microcement bathroom - Top tips and advice for a novice embarking on a self-buildFor more inf
Ep41 - Passive house design with PV panels
Rodger O'Connor explains how he designed his home to be super energy efficient, including his insulation and airtightness strategy, choice of heating systems, photovoltaic panels and how he managed the build. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep39 - Underground House
Seasoned self-builders Paul and Anne Dyer share how they managed to get planning permission in an area with a presumption against development (hint: it took a while), and how they hand built their underground house, leaving only specialist work such as tanking the roof and walls, to specialist trades. They discuss: - Wildflower roof design and installation- Underground structure and what they woul
Ep26 - Bungalow new build in Co Wicklow
Self-builder David Dobbs shares his experience getting planning permission from Wicklow County Council and running into some trouble with his main contractor. He talks about:- How the existing cottage on the site helped secure planning permission- Bungalow design tips- Experience with architect and quantity surveyor- Opting out of appointing an assigned certifier and health and safety requirements
Ep28 - Roofing methods and roof coverings
The type of roof covering you choose for your house will have a huge impact on the final appearance of the house. Lagan chats through your options, from lower end to high end finishes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep27 - Bathroom design
Richard Sloan of Sonas Bathrooms and Gwen Kenny of Divine Design explain how to tackle bathroom design in a new build, what the process is and how to approach a renovation project. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 25 - Overview of kitchen design options
The kitchen requires a lot of advance planning, and a good budget, which is why many self-buidlers turn to kitchen companies to help them with design and installation. Here Neptune advises on how to go about it and whether an island is right for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 24 - Guide to carpets
Carpets add a feel of luxury to any bedroom; here Mark McCallister Carpets explains the different types and how they are installed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 23 - Floor covering options from tiles to vinyl
There are many choices of floor coverings out there, with laminate and LVT two popular low maintenance options. We find out more about what they are and how they are installed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 22 - Interior design: room by room
Interior design is essential to get right at the design stage of your build; here Hamilton Interiors shares top tips and advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 20 - Guide to stone cladding
Building your home with stone usually means building a cavity wall with the external leaf solid stone. This method tends to have costly knock on effects on the foundations, window detailing and structural supports such as lintels. An alternative is to use stone cladding, or slices of stone stuck to blockwork with an adhesive, as explained here by Fernhill Stone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv
Ep 19 - Oak frame construction
Building with solid oak is a skill that takes years to master; Grace Design walks us through how to use oak in your self-build project and what to look out for at the design and construction stages. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 18 - Building with laminated timber: CLT & HBE
Cross Laminated Timber construction is a new and exciting method of building, now often used on commercial building and some notable examples of self-builds. But there is a lower cost and lighter weight version known as HBE, iDomus Construction explains the ins and outs of both systems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 21 - What does an interior designer do?
We chat with Stephen Blakely about the role of an interior designer, from working with the architect at the design stage to furniture choice and window treatment. Interior designers charge by the job, e.g. by the square foot as Stephen does to take account of the size of the house, but others may charge by the hour. Costs tend to range from £1/€1 to £1.50/€2 per sqft when they are involved from th
Ep40 - Material price increases
Padraic Rogers of mybuildingsupplies.ie talks through how material prices increases are affecting self-builders:- Causes for price increases- What materials are hit the hardest and by how much- Shipping costs- What self-builders can do to reduce the impact of cost increases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep38 - Concrete paving options
Tobermore's Tarlach Quinn runs through concrete paving options for your garden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep37 - Thermodynamic solar panels
Solar panels come in many forms: those that generate hot water, electricity or both. The way energy is collected from daylight, through collectors in the panel, will depend on the type of system you have. Here Richard White of LVP Renewables chats through how thermodynamic panels work, along with how they are installed and maintained. ** This recording predates the Sustainable Energy Authority of
Ep36 - Budget friendly renovation in Kerry
Mark Coleman explains how he renovated a tired old bungalow into a stylish family home. His choices were guided by the budget and achieving an affordable home to heat. He chats about:-Wall and roof insulation, and why he didn't need external wall insulation.-Why he chose an LPG boiler based on payback times.-Turning the garage into usable space in the home.-His experience doing DIY work as a novic
Ep35 - EPS insulation overview
Expanded PolyStyrene (EPS) is a cost effective insulation product that usually comes in board or bead form. Steven Magee of KORE Insulation Solutions, a leading EPS supplier, explains where and how to use it on a self-build or renovation project. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep34 - Guide to home automation
George McStravick of GMS Intelligent Systems talks about the "smart home" and the internet of things. He chats through the process of installing a home automation system in both new builds and renovations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep33 - Ventilation and central vacuum systems
All properties require an adequate ventilation strategy; Dave Redmond of Beam Vacuum and Ventilation here outlines the options that are open to self-builders and home improvers and also looks at the option of installing a central vacuum system, to further reduce allergens from the home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
