Selfbuild Ireland are the experts when it comes to building your own home or considering an extension. They’ll be back in the this September 14-16 at the Citywest Hotel, hosting their annual event, a guide to everything you need to know before you undertake such a project. We have a zillion things we need to know about what it means to create your own dream home from scratch, and we know you do too. That’s why we’ve asked the editor of Selfbuild Magazine, Astrid Madsen, some of our own heavy-hitting questions as well as yours, but as if that wasn’t enough, we’ve also teamed up with Selfbuild Live to offer you GAFFers FREE tickets to the weekend event. Scroll through to find your exclusive link to tickets below, and get the inside scoop from those in the know.
So, for anyone who wants to build themselves where should they begin?
By defining the dream, your vision will drive the project forward and will ultimately give you the home you want. You’ll then need the finances to match up to the dream. What are the first steps? Then it’ll be a question of finding a design professional to help you put together plans to submit your planning application and when secured, further refine the dream with construction drawings.
What are some of the benefits and pitfalls people should be aware of when considering self-building as an option?
The benefit is getting a home that’s tailor-made and the gratification of having done it yourself. The drawbacks? Well, it’s hard work and will take over your life!
What does the process of a self-build look like?
Once you have your construction drawings you’ll be going to tender (asking builders for quotes to build and project manage the build) or if you want to hire each tradesman and project manage it all yourself, you’ll need to get individual quotes and set up a schedule.
Can it be more cost-effective to self-build than buy an existing home?
This needs to be compared on a case by case basis as house value (check property register) and the cost of building (check calculators such as the one on selfbuild.ie) will vary depending on where you are.
What are the best ways for homeowners to add value to their homes?
Perhaps due to our weather, the garden is an area that is often overlooked but taking care of it will add kerb appeal and value – buyers make up their minds on a property within the first minutes of visiting it.
What are your rules when it comes to planning a renovation?
Same as for a new build: research, plan and stick to the timetable and budget.
What are the best money savers for homes?
In terms of energy use, reducing consumption should be your first port of call, so that usually means investing in insulation first. But remember that if you go the full hog with this, a ventilation strategy is vital.
What are the biggest mistakes people make when renovating?
Being overly optimistic about how much things will cost and attempting to do too much yourself. Employing a professional to oversee everything could save you money because they’ll work more quickly and effectively.
What have been some of your favourite renovation projects you’ve seen or featured in the mag?
I’m always amazed at what people can do when they put their mind to, building and renovating is actually a really creative process. The conversion of a reinforced concrete barn renovation was particularly inspiring as was the railway station conversion.
What can people expect from Selfbuild Live in Citywest this September?
It’s a great opportunity to discover what you can do in your home and meet suppliers all in the one place. There will be loads of advice from experts in every field, from home security to insulation and gardening. The free Bootcamp sessions will provide a complete overview of the process of building a new home. Interior design advisors, bathroom experts and kitchen designers, as well as quantity surveyors to help with the budget, will also be on hand for free one-to-one consultations.
Small homes are becoming a popular option for those who want to avoid big mortgages – what are the challenges?
Building on land that has limited access (e.g. in a garden) will be a major stumbling block in terms of obtaining planning permission. We have an article on the topic in the current issue of the mag.
What are the best ways to find good builders, painters etc for your home renovation?
Ask people you trust to recommend someone if that’s not possible always check references by visiting previous work and clients to see the finished product and get a feel for their level of craftsmanship.
To attend the Selfbuild event for FREE click this link, exclusive just for us GAFFers. Free tickets to Selfbuild Live 2018.
