The Selfbuild Podcast

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, insulation outlook: how to factor prices into your design· What’s the story with timber?· Electrics and plumbing supplies · In which months can you expect price increases from suppliers every year· Why are materials costing a quarter more on average than in 2021· Overview of price and tender surveys· Risks and concerns for 2026· How to mitigate against high costs as a self-builderThis episode was recorded at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Ulster 2025 in November. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 appointing a builderPrelims: what they areHow the build is broken down in terms of cost elementsMost common finishes with examples of cost ranges and where to make savingsWhere the budget gets bustedIs it cheaper to get supplies from NI?Where you'll need to invest after the house is builtThis episode was recorded at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Ulster 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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· What is a percolation test and what’s involved· Wastewater tank installation process· Tank types and pros and cons· Rainwater harvesting tanks: benefits and system sizing· Rainwater harvesting tank costs· Maintenance on both wastewater and rainwater systems Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. · What is Insulating Concrete Formwork (ICF)? Layers and how it’s finished internally and externally, pros and cons. · Design limitations and how to build with modern methods cost effectively.· How quotes are put together, sequence of works for both.· How much do they cost compared to traditional block build, materials and labour.· Structural integrity of systems versus traditional block build.· Impact resistance and power washing.· Working with structural engineers.· John’s thoughts on 3D printing houses.· Major benefits to building the house off site.· Time and labour savings compared with traditional methods.This episode was recorded at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Leinster 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: typical sizes and how to evaluate what you need· Corridors and door placement· Width of stairs and hallways· Quality of light and how far natural light will travel from a window· Dealing with dark corridors· Window placement· The rule of thumb for window sizes · Plant rooms: where and how big · What to include in all floor plansThis podcast is a heavily edited excerpt from John’s floorplans chat at the show. John will be at the next Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live events with his talk that walks you through real floor plan examples.There he will explain the above concepts and more, including dealing with light in open plan areas, utility rooms, solutions for natural light, as well as bedroom design including privacy, where to place the bed, proximity to other rooms, ensuites and dressing room sizes… And are balconies a good idea? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.