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“For every project there will be compromises. But it’s important for you to be happy with what they are.”
Self-builders come in all shapes and sizes. You’ve got couples with young families, those approaching retirement who want to downsize, individuals who want to improve where they live.
The houses they build or renovate are just as different to one another. Be it in the way the project is managed or the materials they use.
What they have in common is that they are pioneers, forcing the industry to change for the better. After all, self-builders were a driving force in the uptake of heat pumps.
Self-builders were also early adopters of the passive house methodology, as a means to ensure their homes would be designed and built in such a way that it would be cheap to run. Building regulations followed suit, as Europe pushed the green building agenda, and now we are in a situation where homes are overheating - more on that thorny topic page 90.
In weighing up your options for your dream home, it will be very tempting to settle for what’s always been done. Not doing so does take time and effort, as 2023
Home of the Year winner Rob McConnell explains on page 66.
And oftentimes, it requires money – but not always as DIY stick builder Charles Perpoil shows from page 104.
Even if you choose a traditional route to make savings, there are ways to adapt and customise so as to create a home that’s unique to you. By using simple strategies like lighting (see page 80) and of course, forward planning – more on the Selfbuild Journey from page 93.
The beauty of a self-build is that you’re in charge. Remember that you’ll be the one living in the house at the end, and it only makes sense that you take control of how the house will look and feel. Yes, for every project there will be compromises. But it’s important for you to be happy with what they are.
Astrid
Madsen - Editor astrid.madsen@selfbuild.ie
This issue, we look at what you need to organise before you start building, from securing building control approvals to lining up the trades.
If you have a question, want to share some insights, or simply let us know how you’re getting on with your project, we’d love to hear from you for our Letters page. Email us at letters@selfbuild.ie
what’s inside Contents Projects
26 Building on strong values
Rodger O’Connor’s Co Cork eco build was the product of in depth research and a commitment to sustainability.
36 A family affair
How Rob Gallagher built his mam and dad’s home in Co Derry, as a prelude to his own self-build.
46 The home stretch
Derek and Chloe Basnet’s journey renovating their threebedroom townhouse in Dublin.
56 From damp and dated to stylishly smart
Judith and Phil McClelland’s Victorian home in Belfast underwent a renovation that both modernised it and respected the era it was built in.
66 Forest views
counties; when we refer to the Republic of Ireland the abbreviation is ROI. For Northern Ireland it’s NI.
Home of the Year winner
Rob McConnell shares how difficult it was to build an unconventional house.
72 Sheltered design
Garden plans for a modern home in Co Clare.
News
09 News
Get up to date with the latest in home building and home improving, in both NI and ROI.
18 Show news
Find out what you missed at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live, and get your hands on FREE tickets for our next live events.
20 Company news
The latest products and services to hit the Irish market.
Advice
76 Letters
The dangers of buying online, VAT in NI for both new builds and renovations, and more.
78 Labour costs
Quantity surveyor Keith Kelliher gives an overview of
what you can expect to pay for hired hands.
80 Lighting inspiration
One of the secret ingredients to creating a warm, embracing home.
82 How much will a heat pump cost you?
Find out how much your heating system will set you back.
84 Shine a light
Your guide to solar photovoltaic (PV) panels for new builds and renovations.
87 Are batteries worth it?
If you’re planning to invest in solar panels, you’re likely to think of adding a battery. Energy consultant Patrick Waterfield gives us his take on whether you should make the investment.
88 Bright future
Paddy Fox outlines how he went about installing PV panels on his roof, including capital costs and payback times.
88 Why do Irish homes overheat?
And what you can do about it at the design stage and in a retrofit scenario.
88 Cowboy builders
How to pick up the pieces after a botched job.
Selfbuild Journey
94 Overview
An introduction to Stage 4 of your Selfbuild Journey: Getting started on site.
96 Before you break ground checklist
What needs to be done before you start, from securing building control approvals to lining up the trades.
100 Preliminary costs
What you need to budget for before you start on site.
102 Managing the build: What’s involved
Project manager Andrew Stanway gives tips on how to navigate the emotional side of a self-build and explains why it’s important to get a project manager on board if you’re
managing the build yourself (direct labour).
104 DIY eco build
Charles and Vanessa Perpoil’s stick build project in Co Leitrim is a labour of lover; here they explain how they got to the stage they are at today, which is mid-construction.
110 Getting my ducks in a row
Self-build consultant Gavin Connolly shares how he got started on site, when he built his own house in Co Down.
114 Who’s Who Health & Safety project supervisors.
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New rules help self-builders recycle
Reusing waste soil and stone has just gotten easier, thanks to new EPA guidelines in ROI.
The ROI Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced new National By-Product Criteria for Greenfield Soil and Stone in Ireland’s building sector. This will affect self-builders and those involved in smaller construction projects.
New criteria have been introduced to classify greenfield soil and stone as a byproduct rather than waste. This makes it easier to reuse these materials on other projects without the need for extensive and costly waste disposal processes.
In Ireland, over 9 million tonnes of construction waste are generated annually, with more than 80 per cent being soil and stone. This move is part of a broader effort to shift the construction sector onto a more sustainable path.
This means a chance to save time and money while also contributing to a more circular economy.
David Flynn, Director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Sustainability, stated: “Construction is the largest generator of waste in our country … with the bulk of this being soil and stone waste.”
“Today, the EPA is streamlining the regulation of construction materials to promote the reuse of useful soil and stone that would traditionally end up as waste.” For self-builders, this translates to fewer logistical challenges when managing excavated materials. Instead of organising
and paying for the disposal of large quantities of soil and stone, these materials can be repurposed on-site or sold for other projects like landscaping or land reprofiling.
The criteria represent the EPA’s third national decision in recent years aimed at improving material circularity in construction. Warren Phelan, Programme Manager of the EPA’s Circular Economy Programme, explained: “These criteria present a real and meaningful opportunity for the construction sector to follow a simple set of rules and in doing so reduce soil waste from sites and make tangible savings.”
For self-builders, this means not only potential cost savings but also a clearer framework for managing construction materials, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations while reducing overall waste.
Mayo best for off-grid living
Research by Calor shows Co Mayo as the best county for off-grid living. With a large volume of land per capita and competitive property prices, as well as having the most amount of land for sale per capita, and one of the best natural amenity scores, the green and red county came out top in the research.
Leitrim came in second, then Kerry, Donegal and Roscommon.
Counties Dublin and Meath ranked poorly due to high property prices, but the research says there are plenty of off-grid options there too citing Malahide, Kells and Trim as good alternatives to the areas under urban influence.
Celtic Tiger growth in ROI
One in seven Irish homes are selling for 20 per cent above asking price, according to myhome.ie’s latest housing report. The Q3 2024 Property Report in association with Bank of Ireland shows ROI would need over 200,000 extra homes this year alone to match UK’s housing to population ratio.
“Perhaps the most striking news since our last MyHome report is that Ireland’s population grew by 1.9 per cent pace for a second successive year, to 5.38 million in 2024,” said Conall MacCoille, Chief Economist at Bank of Ireland. “We have not seen population and economic growth at this level since the Celtic tiger era, and as a result the housing market is being put under intense pressure.”
Asking prices went up 7.5 per cent over the year, the highest rate of inflation in two years. Rising incomes and record mortgage approvals are contributing to the rise. As the European Central Bank is likely to reduce interest rates again next year, the report expects growth to continue into 2025, with mid-digit inflation “likely”.
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Poor workmanship and delays plague ROI grants
Reports from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) highlight delays in grant processing, poor workmanship and widespread inefficiency.
Despite a surge in applications and completed projects, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is struggling to keep up with the growing demand for energy upgrade grants.
Lengthy waiting times for approvals and project completions have become a major bottleneck, as highlighted in the SEAI’s 2023 annual report.
Nearly half of the projects required re-work before they could be certified by the SEAI.
Compounding these challenges, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) has found that ROI homes are far from energy efficient, with fewer than 20 per cent achieving the higher Building Energy Ratings (BER) in 2022.
This combined picture raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current initiatives and the ability to reach ambitious retrofit goals.
One Stop Shop service struggles
Launched in February 2022, the One Stop Shop service offers an integrated home energy upgrade solution, including windows and ventilation system.
However, despite an increase in service providers from 12 to 18 in 2023, the average application cycle time for private homes increased by 60 per cent from five months in 2022 to around eight months in 2023.
Fully Funded Energy Upgrade challenges
The Fully Funded Energy Upgrades scheme, formerly known as the Warm Homes Scheme, are free energy upgrades for families receiving government supports such as fuel allowance.
Speaking in the Dáil in June 2024, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan explained how the scheme had significantly increased the complexity of home upgrades, raising the average cost from €2,600 in 2015 to over €25,800 in 2024.
Although these deeper retrofits take more time to complete, the average waiting time from application to project completion has shortened by 26 per cent, decreasing from 26 months in the previous year to 20 months in 2023.
The Minister attributed the decrease in waiting times to several measures implemented by his Department and SEAI, including:
• a substantial increase in budgets and budget certainty
• additional staffing resources in SEAI
• efforts to tackle supply chain challenges
The Minister also mentioned that SEAI set up a new contractor panel in September 2023, resulting in more contractors participating in the scheme.
Individual Energy Upgrade grants
Individual Energy Upgrades offer grants for home insulation, solar thermal panels, boiler upgrades, and heating controls. These grants are available for homes constructed before 2011.
Waiting times for these grants remained steady in 2023 at five months from the letter of grant offer to payment – unchanged from the previous year.
Half of grant aided contractors pass inspections
The C&AG report identified significant issues with the standard of retrofitting work. In particular, the initial pass rate for inspected works was low, with only 45 per cent passing in one scheme and 54 per cent in the other.
Nearly half of the projects required re-work before they could be certified by the SEAI, raising concerns about the overall quality of retrofitting efforts.
The C&AG recommended adopting a system of random inspections to complement the existing risk-based approach, ensuring more comprehensive quality control.
To be eligible for a grant ROI homeowners must choose from SEAI’s list of around 1,500 approved contractors. This list fluctuates due to new registrations, deregistrations, and drop-offs. Since 2017, SEAI has conducted onsite inspections of these contractors’ work.
Although poor
workmanship has decreased, most contractors still fall into moderate or high-risk categories, rather than the preferred Good Performance/ Low Risk category.
To address progress issues the SEAI shifted its approach from merely assessing contractor performance to actively helping them improve their skills.
Since early 2022, the SEAI has focused on supporting contractors through a new model emphasising collaboration and support. This includes mandatory online induction training for new or returning contractors, free quality management training, and various quality interventions like technical bulletins and performance audits. The goal is to enhance contractor performance rather than just deregistering underperformers.
The C&AG report also questioned SEAI’s ability to meet its ambitious target of retrofitting 65,000 properties to a BER B2 standard by the end of 2025.
The SEAI’s Quarterly Progress Report for 2023 highlights that the main challenges to meeting the 2025 and 2030 targets are ensuring there are enough skilled workers for home energy upgrades and dealing with construction sector inflation and supply chain issues.
The National Retrofit Plan aims to upgrade 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 and install 400,000 heat pumps by 2030. So far, 132,721 homes have received upgrades and of this 36,115 were to a B2 level.
ROI Budget mixed bag for self-builders
Self-builders will benefit from a reduction in VAT on heat pumps and, as already signalled, a further extension to the Help to Buy scheme.
Self-builders weren’t left out in the cold by the so-called ‘giveaway Budget’ of 2025, but not far from it.
As already signalled in April 2024, Budget 2025 makes provisions to extend the Help to Buy scheme to the end of 2029. The Help to Buy scheme gives self-builders tax back to help fund their mortgage.
Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien also confirmed existing grants for older people and those with a disability would get further investment, as announced late September.
The VAT on heat pumps, meanwhile, is being reduced from 13.5 per cent to 9 per cent. In light of inflation, the actual savings to self-builders remain unclear.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland grants are also getting a funding boost, for home energy upgrades, in particular for the Warmer Homes Scheme. Grant amounts aren’t being increased but more funding could mean reducing the backlog.
No extension to waiver
Still, the government has decided not to extend one of its main supports to self-builders. Which is the development levy, known as Section 48, waiver that is currently saving house builders thousands of euros. That measure will lapse as scheduled, at the end of the year.
The funds to Irish Water connection charges will no longer be refunded either. The refunds will lapse at the end of October 2024. Currently, self-builders pay for the connection fees and apply for reimbursement.
Not having to pay Section 48 contributions can represent savings of tens of thousands of euros for self-builders, depending on where they are building.
According to analysis by Selfbuild, for a 200sqm house self-builders were paying on average €6,805 to their local authority for the Section 48 levy, ranging from €1,080 in Co Monaghan to €30,301.50 in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s
new Cherrywood development area.
“The measures worked really well … particularly, it made a big difference to those who were building individual homes and paying for it themselves,” said Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien.
The Minister added that self-builders would have an extra year to finish their project, until the 31st of December 2026. The scheme originally required the house to be completed by the end of 2025.
You need to have “commenced on site” before the end of the year to qualify for the waiver. If you qualify, your local authority simply won’t charge you for the Section 48 development levy.
“I always said it would be a temporary measure, particularly looking at a time when we were seeing quite a significant increase in cost,” said Minister O’Brien. “It is a costly measure too.”
“It was also an activation measure and I think we have seen in the last 12 months about 15,000 homes commenced. And a part of the reason for that was the fact that we were able to reduce the cost of developments” thanks to the development
levy waiver and refunding Irish Water charges, he added.
“It’s not for me to extend it into next year. I’m not proposing to do that,” he said. “I would imagine that whatever government comes in post election, that could be a measure that could be looked at.”
“But I’m not going to tie any future government to that, I’ve always said it would be time-bound. It’s worked well.”
Sign the petition!
Selfbuild has set up a petition to extend the waiver indefinitely for self-builders; at the time of publishing this article over 2,200 people had signed the petition.
More building control inspections on cards
The Department of Housing will fine landowners sitting on zoned land from 2025; provide more funding for building control inspectors.
The Building Standards Regulatory Authority will establish a board this quarter (2024) on an interim basis, said Minister O’Brien, in light of the “legacy issues” such as defective concrete blocks.
The Department of Housing signalled the new planning bill will bring more resources to local authorities, including an increase in the number of building control inspectors. Currently, self-build sites are rarely inspected by local authorities.
Meanwhile, landowners who don’t make use of favourable zoning to build a house are subject to the Residential Zoned Land Tax, which according to Minister for Finance Jack Chambers “is an important lever to activate the building of houses on appropriate sites which have been identified by local authorities across the country”.
Landowners who “carry out genuine economic activity on their land” will get an exemption in 2025 if they seek to have their land rezoned to reflect the activity they carry out on their land. In other words, rezone the land so it is no longer zoned as housing.
The Department for Housing will issue Section 28 guidelines to the local authorities; Minister O’Brien said at his Budget 2025 press conference: “Effectively if someone has an existing economic use for the land – farming is the
obvious example – and they want to continue to do that and they do not want that land developed, they will be given the opportunity to seek an appropriate zoning on that. The local authorities as their reserved function will decide.”
To help stimulate housing development, the department is also investing in water infrastructure.
Minister for Housing said:
“In addition to the €1.7bn for Uisce Éireann next year in 2025, we have secured an equity investment of €1 billion for Uisce Éireann to support the delivery of
Home upgrade grants for older people, those with disability, get boost
Changes to the housing adaptation grants makes the subsidies available to more homeowners in ROI, and increases how much you can get.
In a move set to benefit thousands of older homeowners and those with disabilities, the ROI government has announced sweeping reforms to the Housing Adaptation Grants, making it easier for people to receive financial assistance to adapt their homes.
Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien, along with Ministers Alan Dillon and Malcolm Noonan, increased the grant limits by 30 per cent and increased income thresholds by 25 per cent rise in income thresholds, meaning more people will qualify.
For example, if your yearly household income is no more than €37,500 then you are eligible for a full €10,700 grant to upgrade the home for older persons to live in. That same income threshold will get you €40,000 to upgrade the home for people with disabilities.
The planned proposed changes follow the publication of the Report on the Review of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme.
their Capital Investment Plan for 2025-2029. This continued investment in public water services capital infrastructure will be vital to support future housing delivery.”
The government has simplified the income assessment (known as means testing), so only the homeowner or tenant and their spouse’s income will be considered. Additionally, more deductions will be allowed for expenses like mortgage or rent payments, care costs, and the presence of children or full-time carers. These updates aim to ensure that more people, including those who may not have qualified in the past, can now receive assistance.
With these changes set to take effect in early 2025, more households will now qualify for increased financial aid. The rise in income thresholds means that families who may have previously been just over the limit will now be eligible, and the larger grants will help cover a greater portion of the costs.
Full table of how much you qualify for here
Cost of land in Ireland
From
priciest to most affordable, Selfbuild
looks at the cost land in each county of ROI in 2024, plus what you need to know about buying a site to build on.
As house prices in Ireland continue to climb, buying land is becoming more attractive to build your own home. However, it’s crucial to understand that paying for a site can take up a substantial part of your total budget, including legal and registration fees.
In this Selfbuild special report, we look at the average prices for building plots across ROI as extracted from daft.ie site sale prices for 2023.
To aim for accuracy and avoid skewed figures, we focused on sites of up to 1.5 acres, excluding larger development sites that could distort average one-off site prices.
The average sale price per acre of building sites in Ireland (excluding Dublin City and County) was €178k in 2023.
Co. Waterford saw the highest average sale price of building sites in Ireland (outside Dublin City and County), at €450k per acre. Dublin tops the list with an average price of €2,144,510 per acre.
On the other end of the spectrum lies Mayo, offering building sites at a fraction of the cost compared to Dublin and Waterford, with an average price of just €51,933 per acre. Following closely behind is Longford, where building sites are priced at an average of €61,375 per acre.
How easy is it to buy a site and build on it?
Anyone can buy a site in Ireland. However, there are regulations about how you can use the site, especially regarding zoning and planning permissions. Local authorities oversee these regulations, and if you’re not originally from the area, getting planning permission can be challenging.
How do I find a site to build on?
Individual building sites are not easy to find and you must work that bit harder to secure a good one. Here are some suggestions:
• Register with estate and land agents,
especially independents, in your desired area.
• Contact local surveyors and architects as they often learn about new sites early. Use the internet to find private sales and listings from various estate agents.
• Check national and local newspapers, though many properties are now listed online.
• Explore the area on foot or by car to spot hidden For Sale signs and gather local information from shops, pubs, and post offices.
• Knock on doors or write to homeowners, especially those with large gardens that could be potential building sites.
• Monitor planning applications for sites with outline approval, as these can be purchase opportunities.
How long does it take to buy a site?
The process, known as conveyancing, typically takes 6-8 weeks. Hiring an experienced conveyancing solicitor can speed up the process.
How does buying a site “subject to planning” work?
If a site doesn’t have planning permission, you can include a “subject to planning permission” clause in the contract. This protects you if planning permission is denied. Your solicitor should help with this.
Do I need to get a survey from an engineer if I buy a site?
It’s advisable to get an environmental
survey to check for soil contamination, flooding risks etc. This survey should be done by an expert post-sale agreement.
What
about boundaries?
Have a surveyor confirm the site’s boundaries to avoid future disputes. Sometimes parts of the land may be restricted from development due to local regulations.
How much stamp duty do you pay on a site?
Stamp duty on a non-residential site is 7.5 per cent. However, there is a refund scheme if you build a residential property within 30 months of purchase. For more details, refer to Revenue.ie.
Average price per acre of land
New Planning Act: What it means for self-builders
The Planning and Development Bill 2023, to be enacted by President Michael D Higgins, is an attempt to consolidate Irish planning law into a single piece of legislation in order to make the planning system easier to navigate and more efficient.
The act will include statutory timelines for planning processes, the reorganisation of An Bord Pleanála into An Coimisiún Pleanála and clearer planning policies and guidance.
The legislation, which underwent over 175 hours of debate and is the third largest piece of legislation in the history of ROI, also addresses judicial review procedures, introduces urban development zones and aims to prevent the abuse of the planning process.
Following approval by the Houses of the Oireachtas, in October 2024 the bill was waiting to be signed into law by President Higgins. The Department of Housing says that the bill provides “clarity, consistency and certainty for all users.”
The aim is to ensure that the planning system is “fit for purpose, both now and into the future”. Here are the highlights:
Faster decisions:
The bill introduces set timelines for planning aspprovals, so as a self-builder you’ll have a clearer idea of when you’ll get an answer.
Changes to development plans: Local authorities will now have 10-year plans in place, and these will be published at the same time. Currently, development plans tend to be valid for five years and published at different times across local authorities.
Simplified guidelines:
Planning rules will be clearer and easier to understand, helping you navigate the system with less confusion.
More consistency across local authorities: Planning policies will become more consistent and should be better coordinated at all levels, so this should mean fewer headaches and more consistency in decisions.
Tailored local plans: Even though planning policies will become more consistent across local authorities, specific areas,
like the Gaeltacht and islands or Urban Development Zones, will continue to benefit from flexible plans suited to their needs.
Protection against unnecessary objections: New measures will prevent baseless objections and blockages, so you won’t have to deal with unnecessary delays or people demanding money to drop their opposition.
The bill will be phased in to ensure a smooth transition across the planning system, with current laws remaining in
place until the new provisions take effect. Local authorities, An Bord Pleanála, and other key stakeholders are being consulted. A review of planning regulations is also in progress, with public input on key exemptions.
A Ministerial Action Plan to support these reforms is nearing completion and will soon be considered by the government.
For more about the planning system in ROI
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New water plan to enforce penalties for faulty septic tanks
The ROI Water Action Plan 2024 aims to improve the uptake of septic tank grants for rural homeowners, and enforce penalties of up to €5k for non-compliance.
As part of the Water Action Plan 2024, the ROI government will monitor the uptake of grants to upgrade septic tanks, instruct local authorities around enforcement, and make a decision on whether zero discharge nature-based solutions are suitable to Ireland’s climatic conditions.
Every year since inspections began, around half of all septic tanks inspected by local authorities failed inspection, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The state agency says the failure to fix faulty septic tanks is a “risk to human health and the environment”.
The Water Action Plan 2024 will also lead to more homeowners facing penalties if they don’t upgrade their septic tank, after getting an advisory notice to do so. The Water Action Plan 2024 states the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will “issue a policy direction” to local authorities “to enforce advisory notices under the National Inspection Plan”.
The National Inspection Plan highlights “that failure to resolve older cases needs to be addressed as a priority”, adding that failure to comply with an advisory notice “is a prosecutable offence with a potential fine of up to €5,000”.
Constructed wetlands: zero discharge systems
As part of the Water Action Plan the Department of Housing is “to consider the outcomes of the research project into the application of zero discharge naturebased solutions and their
applicability or not within Ireland’s climatic conditions”.
The research is being carried out by Trinity College Dublin and Leitrim County Council with results expected in the second quarter of 2025.
Six years ago the Environmental Protection Agency’s Code of Practice stopped short of allowing constructed wetlands as a wastewater solution for self-builders. Leitrim County Council have allowed constructed wetlands in some applications and these sites are being monitored.
Grants
The Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems grant scheme has already been extended to help cover the costs of remediating septic tanks in high-status water areas and Priority Areas for Action, where defective systems pose a risk to water resources.
This increase in grants for repairing or replacing faulty on-site wastewater treatment systems in ROI was announced in November 2023, raising the amount from €5,000 to €12,000. This change took effect on January 1, 2024.
For self-builders in rural areas, these grants provide substantial assistance. Constructing a home in the countryside typically involves relying on a septic tank for wastewater treatment, making it vital to ensure these systems are both functional and compliant with environmental standards.
However, most homeowners with a defective septic tank still don’t qualify for the grant as it is only
available to those who have failed an inspection. This greatly limits access to grant supports.
This situation is unlikely to change as the Water Action Plan highlights that government policy continues to be to “prioritise inspections to areas of greatest environmental and public health risk and secure upgrading works where required”.
The Water Action Plan is aware of a lack of uptake of the grant scheme due to the “difficult nature of the grant application process”. The Water Action Plan also notes there is a need for more investment and inspectors “for proper inspection of all the malfunctioning DWWTS [domestic wastewater treatment systems]”.
The Department of Housing has tasked the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) to assess the level of uptake of the septic tank grants, impediments to uptake and to make recommendations for improving uptake. Results are expected late 2024.
Water charges on the cards
The Action Plan also signals domestic customers will be “charged for water and/or wastewater services when the individual use of water puts the objectives of the [EU Water Framework] Directive at risk”.
The Water Action Plan 2024 states: “Ireland has legislation which sets out a reasonable use allowance for households each year. Following a period of time to address leaks and/or reduce demand, anyone that uses water above this annual allowance will be charged for water and/or wastewater services.”
The allowance has been set at 1.7 times the average rate of water demand. Uisce Éireann will inform domestic customers if they are using water above this level, which the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and Uisce Éireann estimate will be in approximately 10 per cent of cases.
The Water Action Plan says the timescale to implement this is “TBD”, To Be Determined.
show news
Show highlights
We’re in the midst of Show Season here at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live – here’s a recap of what’s happened to date and what to expect at our upcoming events.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll have heard the Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live events are now happening across all four Irish provinces. This is where you’ll find everything you need to build or renovate your dream home, all under the one roof.
Exhibitors showcase their latest and best products, and bring their experts to advise you on the technical aspects of your project you need help with.
We also have independent 1-2-1 advice experts on hand to answer your design and cost questions, at our Selfbuild+ Advice Clinics.
Every show has at least two theatres to give you an overview of the most
important topics, and latest trends, in the world of home building and renovating. And we’re adding new features all the time, so we
thought we’d share some of the good news with you.
Build cost theatre
Inaugurated at Selfbuild
Connacht in November 2024, the Build Cost Theatre will be back in 2025, in Munster (January) and Leinster (February).
Featuring experts in their field, the talks in Connacht were guided by quantity surveyor and Selfbuild magazine contributor Keith Kelliher.
Keith chatted about everything from how to budget for your self-build to details about how much every aspect of your build will cost, from glazing to internal fitout.
The Build Cost Zone has experts available for 1-2-1 advice clinics, ready to answer your questions about all aspects of costing your build.
Show freebies
At every single one of our events there are great giveaways to sign up to, from winning a free installation to bagging iPads and other treats. For most of these prizes, you have to attend to get in on the action… it’s yet another great reason to make it down to the show.
For instance, launched at Selbuild Extend & Renovate Live Belfast was the fantastic giveaway from Calor Gas, Future Renewables and Duracell Energy, to win a £10k energy upgrade. The prize consists of:
• Solar PV fully installed by Future Renewables including a 5kW solar peak performance PV panel system comprising 12 panels (30 year warranty), a Duracell Energy peak performance Dura-i-inverter (10 year warranty), a Duracell next-generation Energy Dura5 5kW battery (10 year warranty), the Duracell Energy monitoring app with smart ecosystem, multi-point quality check installation, and a FREE 6-month peak performance review by Duracell Energy.
• Calor Ireland installation including a Bosch LPG boiler (10 year warranty) with installation costs up to the value of £2,000 (Terms and Conditions apply), £500 of free Calor LPG to get you started, and first year tank rental free.
The Calor/Future Renewables competition is open to residents in both NI and ROI and the good news is, you can still enter the draw here (Limited time only)
Celebrity factor
We’ve had everyone from TV personality Pete the Builder to celebrity architect Hugh Wallace give expert advice at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live.
At Connacht, Hugh chatted about the ins and outs of a successful home renovation project, from design to fitout. Pete the Builder came to Munster last year to chat about the process of building your home from start to finish, from filing your commencement notice to snag lists and conveyancing.
Get up to date information as to who will be at the each of the shows on live.selfbuild.ie.
Next show dates
Come and check out the latest products and services available to self-builders in Ireland today and chat to experts for 1-2-1 advice about your very own project – just bring your plans.
Connacht University of Galway
Connacht GAA Airdome Oct 2025
11-12 Jan 2025
Book your FREE tickets on live.selfbuild.ie today with promo code MAG.
Munster University of Limerick Sports Arena
New MVHR unit from ProAir
New to the market is ProAir’s PA700LI unit, developed and manufactured in Galway in conjunction with Atlantic Technical University. It’s a centralised Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) unit that boasts 95 per cent efficiency on homes up to 270sqm in size.
The PA700LI has a Specific Energy Consumption (SEC) rating of A+ and operates continuously at low speeds to minimise electrical consumption.
The ProAirVENT Connect is a new mobile app which gives homeowners easy access to conveniently control the PA700LI system on their smartphone.
An additional Bluetooth app, ProAirVENT Local Control, is used to commission the unit and allows users to change the settings locally.
Sensors monitor temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide to provide intelligent ventilation and the optimal indoor environment, controlling Summer Bypass and Boost functions.
Touch pads provide simple and straightforward control and the option to manually boost the system.
ProAir is Ireland’s only manufacturer of MVHR system.
More information from proair.ie
Belfast tool library
We’ve all been there. Having to buy a piece of equipment to only use it for a short period of time, then let it gather dust in the shed.
Self-builders in particular are often faced with the conundrum of buying or renting their equipment. Here to help is the Belfast Tool library which charges a small annual fee (£30) to become a member, at which point you can borrow up to six tools a week.
The library also has a large workshop space for members to work on their own projects
following a safety induction. This shows you tool operation basics, workshop health and safety plus the safe use of larger workshop equipment.
And if you’ve finished your self-build and want to help the cause, know that the library accepts tool donations.
Sign up and get more information on belfasttoollibrary.com
New self-build guide
Magazine contributor and 1-2-1 Expert at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live events, Craig Jones of Land Options Ireland is now offering an online self- build course.
Called the 90-Minute Self-Builder, this digital product is designed to give you all the basics you need to get started on your self-build without relying on expensive consultants to answer every question you have.
Priced at €297 + VAT, the entry level course is aimed at increasing the knowledge of selfbuilders with advice on planning permission, construction, build costs, and appointing contractors and consultants. Including:
• How to find the right land or property
• The planning permission process
• Understanding building costs
• How to hire a contractor
• A real-life case study to guide you through the process
The course also comes with a free handbook and a build cost calculator to help you keep track of everything.
See platinumproperty.ie to book.
Aussie stove now in Ireland
Next generation Ilektro electric fires are now available for the first time across Ireland, both NI and ROI. Flameless, flueless, and remarkably efficient, they’re ideal for today’s low energy, airtight homes.
Designed in Australia by renowned fireplace designer Paul Agnew, Ilektro fires provide the ambience of a traditional wood burner, with the convenience and comfort of electric.
The Ilektro range includes aspect and landscape models, available in a choice of seven popular sizes from 950mm to 2,600mm. Whichever size you choose, every model benefits from a choice of real wood or driftwood log sets, and a fully customisable flame picture – allowing you to control colour and brightness.
For ease of operation, every Ilektro fire is supplied with a wireless remote control, and can also be controlled using the Ilektro app.
‘A’ rated for energy efficiency, the inbuilt heater provides up to 2kW of heat on demand –ideal when you want to add heat to a room quickly and easily. Alternatively, when you desire the ambience of a fire, but without the heat, you can simply switch to ambient mode.
A great choice for media wall applications, Ilektro fires are distributed by Kernohan Distribution and available from resellers across Ireland.
To find your local stockist, visit Ilektro online at ilektro-fires.com or call 028 (NI) / 048 (ROI) 9127 0233.
Greening our boilers
Firebird, located in Cork, has developed what it says is the best home heating condensing oil boiler in Europe – the Envirogreen. Efficient and reliable, it’s also ready for the biofuel known as hydrotreated vegetable oil or HVO.
Firebird says the ROI government needs to recognise and support the uptake of biofuels, to help it reach its EU Effort Sharing Regulation target of a 42 per cent emissions reduction by 2030.
“The government’s recognition of biofuels is a crucial step toward closing this emissions gap, protecting thousands of jobs in the heating industry and ensuring that Ireland meets its climate commitments,” Firebird Managing Director Mark Doyle said.
If the ROI government were to support the uptake of biofuels, Firebird says over 700k homeowners with existing oil fired boiler homes would have access to financially viable technology choices that meet their unique needs and allow them to positively support Ireland achieve its climate action targets.
Firebird has trialled and tested HVO in Ireland and the UK to prove that it can be implemented almost immediately. The company says conversion requires no modification to existing home heating systems at the 20 per cent blend proposed.
For years, Firebird has been working closely with oil distributors, service engineers, and other home heating solution manufacturers to tackle this issue. Together, they have put in significant effort to convince the ROI government to officially recognise biofuels for heating and to remove the obstacles to its use.
For more information see firebird.ie
Eco-friendly acoustic panels
Cradle-to-cradle acoustic panels by Troldtekt have landed in Ireland, with SIG Ireland appointed approved distributor of Troldtekt acoustic solutions for both NI and ROI.
The combination of wood and cement provides Troldtekt acoustic panels with their sound absorbing properties, ensuring good acoustics in all types of buildings.
The panels are robust and durable with high moisture tolerance and a service life of at least 50-80 years. The wood fibres in Troldtekt are encased in non-flammable cement, which contributes to effective fire protection.
All Troldtekt cement-bonded wood wool products in natural and standard colours are Gold certified by the Dutch Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.
And if you want to go even more eco-friendly, you can choose from the range of Troldtekt FUTURECEM products which have a carbon footprint that is 26 to 38 per cent lower over their lifecycles than standard Troldtekt panels.
