Self Build Cost Estimator

This site has some useful estimating software that allows you to work out the cost of building your own house. The prices are in sterling - and it is a Northern Ireland based company. It has lots of elements that you need to consider when working out your self building budget.
It is free at the time of writing this - but they may charge for it n the future.
I put my measurments in - and the figures are fairly close to ours. I will reveal our costs so far in the next few days.

Kitchen Appliances

We went looking for kitchen appliances on Friday - oven , hobs. dishwasher, washing machine, fridge-freezer. We are still deciding on integrated or not. If we have integrated they cost a bit more - and the kitchen will end up costing more too. We only got to see one shop - because the second shop we went to closed for lunch from 1 to 2. There is still a lot of businesses in Ireland that close at lunch. Most banks and solicitors etc close for an hour as do many shops. It doesn't make sense to me - surely the time people want to use these places is when they are on their lunch break? But then again - it's one of those things that make Ireland different.

Picture of Windows

Picture of the house taken 24th Feb. The windows and doors are all in now. The top ones are there - just covered up still by felt.


The plumber started work on Friday on the "first fix" - getting all the pipework in place before plastering can begin. Also on Saturday someone came to grind out the channels for the wiring downstairs (chasing) - so it's all ready for the electrician who should be coming on Wednesday. The weather is still a bit cold for plastering - but he might make a start on Monday.

Free Sand?

When I turned up at the site yesterday there was a lorry load of sand sittig on what will be the front garden. I assumed it was the plasterer who had ordered it- but soon found out it wasn't him. I checked with Tom the builder - who knew nothing either! I guess someone has dropped it off at the wrong house. There is another house ready for plastering about half a mile away. I rang the peole who are building there - and they were expecting sand that day too - but it had arrived!
I guess the delivery lorry just went to the wrong place - I'll wait and see if I get a bill! In the meantime the plasterer looked at it and said it wasn't the sand he would have chosen and he won't need all of it - but he will make use of it.

Never look a gift horse in the mouth.

Found a Plumber

We finally decided on a plumber. The lad who we thought might do it during weekends and evenings told us he was too busy. We asked his boss for a quote and even though it is more expensive - we have gone with him. He has a few plumbers working for him and as promised to get the first fix pipework in before the end of next week.
He measured up all the rooms and has sized up the boiler and radiators properly. We have to buy the bath, sinks and toilets as well as the Range Cooker - and he will fit them all. Around 9000 euro for the lot and he will put in the gas pipes for the hob and fire too. (Not connect them though). It is above what we were budgeting for - but it might mean things get done quicker and we can move in sooner.

Windows Fitted

The windows are just being fitted as I write this - the fitters arrived before 9.00 and a day earlier than expected. At 12.00 they just had the garage to finish. It's a lot quicker putting in new windows than replacing old ones. (And a lot cheaper)
The black door is looking good. There is a plastic coating on all the windows to protect them - so they look a bit strange.
TJ Grady Windows - Highly recommended - and I'm not getting any commission .

How To: Calculate Radiator Sizes

A local plumber came to the site today (Sunday) and gave me a quick price for installing all the plumbing and heating - excluding the sanitary ware and the showers . He said he would install rads that were 1.5 times that needed - "because the rooms will heat up quicker". I suppose it makes sense in one way - the thermostat will hopefully turn off the heating when it gets hot enough - bit a bit more investigation is needed. No written quote or anything like that - just a price!

Here's a guide to sizing radiators for a house

The size of radiator required for each room can vary. The first factor to consider is the temperature that you want to maintain in the room, a rough guide of the ideal temperatures is listed below.

• Lounge - 21°C
• Dining Room - 21°C
• Kitchen – 16°C
• Bedrooms - 15°C
• Bathroom -23°C
• Stairs/ Hallways - 18°C

The second thing that needs to be considered is the heat that you are going to loose from each room, the calculations for this are quite complicated. If you get this wrong and choose a radiator that is too big then it will be costly and it will overshoot its temperature. If the radiator is too small then it won’t reach its desired temperature.

An easy way to calculate the size of radiator required for each room is to use a BTU calculator which will give you the exact size radiator by amount of heat required. However there is an even easier way to do get the right size radiators and this is by measuring the room in cubic feet and then doing the following:

• In lounges and dining rooms- Multiply cubic feet by 5
• In Bedrooms – Multiply cubic feet by 4
• In common areas and kitchens – Multiply cubic feet by 3
• For rooms facing North – Add 15%
• For rooms with French windows – Add 20%
• For rooms with double glazing – Take away 10%

This should give you the output of any radiator in BTU’s (British Thermal Units). Adding all the totals should give you the total BTU’s for the whole house. If the house contains a hot water tank then add 20% and a further 10% for general losses. This will then give you the approximate size of the boiler you need for your home, it is however advised to get the calculations double checked by a qualified installer.

Sheep wool Insulation

This stuff sounds good - and ecologically sound and all that - but just wondering what the price is? More investigation needed.

Slabbing Contractor

I was recommended a man for doing the slabbing (plasterboarding) - by the plasterer. He came out to see the job on Wednesday and I haven't heard from him since. The builder - who didn't include the slabbing or insulation in his price - has given me a price for doing both. The "professional" slabber did say he wouldn't fit the insulation. If he doesn't get back to me before Monday - I'll probably tell the builder to goa ahead and do it. I could possibly fit the insulation myself -but with a 2 year old boy to look after - it might not get done very quickly.

Slabbing

The walls of the loft and al the ceilings have to be slabbed - i.e plasterboard fitted to them - before a thin skim of plasetr is added . Insulation also needs to be fitted between the roof rafters and in the stud walls upstairs - especially the walls that face out to the roof space. We will aslo need some insulation in the first floor- mainly for sound and fire proofing - same for the stud walls between the upstairs rooms.

Plasterer also booked

We were recommended a plasterer about a year ago - and we had a chat with him to let him know we were thinking of using him - about 5 months ago. He has agreed to do the job - but only the plastering - not the plasterboard (or slabbing) on the ceilings or inthe upstairs at roof level. Inside and out and the outside of the garage will take him about 5 weeeks. He could start the outside as soon as the windows are fitted - but he might want to do inside first? I still need to have a chat with him when we know when the elctrician and plumbing first fixes will be done.

Electrician Booked

We have booked an electrician - he has already been and marked out where all the ground floor switches and plugs will be - as well as TV and telephone points. I am now waiting for a man who specialises in wall chasing - i.e cutting channels in the blocks for the cables to slot into. He should be coming to have alook at the job later today or early tomorrow . If he can get the walls chased next week - then the wiring (first fix) should be started in about 10 to 12 days from today.
The electrician was driving a 2005 Audi - so there's money to be made in that job!

Window Installation date

We have been given a date of Feb 24th for the installation of the windows and external doors. Less than a week away. Once the dormer windows are in - then the plastering around them can be done and the roof slating can be finished off.

Still looking for a plumber!

Not a great start to the search for a plumber. The man who asked me to call him today so he could come and see the house - was on the way to Dublin! - I have to try him again tomorrow. I have another one to ring on Monday too. I wish I had done this earlier.

Finding Plumbers

We had a plumber in mind that we had spoken to months ago - but ha now tells us he is busy till the summer! So it's back to the phone and asking around to find a plumber who is free to do the work soon. I am ringing one in a few minutes. The next job on the house is really the first fix of the plumbing pipework - which needs to be done before any plastering or partition walls can be completed. I will hopefully have founf a plumber before long.

Kitchen Planning

We have finally chosen a local Kitchen maker/fitter to install our Kitchen. He was round to measure up and do the final plans last Monday. We are hoping to have a solid fel range cooker which will also help with the heating and hot water. We plan to hav a gas (lpg) hob and also lpg oven if we can get one. To use up some floor space and provide a bit more storage and a seating area for stools we are having a small island in the kitchen. The price ranges for similar layouts were from 4500 euro to 13500 euro - and I am sure there are plenty of dearer options out there.
Kitchen design is probably one of the most important part of the house - and I wish we had started earlier - even before the house planning. If I was doing it again (building a house) I would plan the ideal kitchen -and then plan the walls and windows around the kitchen. It is the only way to be sure you get exactly the kitchen layout you want.

Feb 9th - closer view from the front.

Feb 10th - from the front. (The pile of soil you see in front of the house will eventually be spread over the garden). Chimney finished and plastered now.

The roof windows at the back were added today - they are made by Fakro - see the website for more details.

Getting an Electrician in Ireland

RECI - About Us

RECI is one of the independent electricians "registration" organisations in Ireland. They are recognised by the electro technical council of Ireland .
Your wiring has to be certified by a registered electrician before ESB will give you a supply.
The other registration group is the ecssa Electrical Contractors Safety & Standards Association Limited
Basically you must get your house wiring certified by a member of these organisations. (Not neccesarily done by one though - the RECI will send out an inspector for a fee of €360 euro if you have it done by a non registered electrician) It is probably safer to make sure your electrician is registered first. Both websites have search facilities to find members.

Windows - Pilkington K Glass

Pilkington K Glass�
We ordered all the windows and external doors today. The windows will have Pilkington K glass . We ordered from TJ Grady Ltd - based in Charlestown County Mayo.
All the windows and doors come to 6600 euro. That includes a door and 2 windows in the garage , a back door, french doors, and 13 windows.
The rep , Paul, was really helpful. I think they operate all over Ireland. I will update you on progress - but so far so good with the windows.

Looking at Range Cookers

About Us

We are still getting prices for kitchens - and the only thing we are certain about (for now !!) is that there will be a range cooker (solid fuel) . This wasn't our original plan - we were going to have a wood berning stove originally - but changed our minds a few months ago.
We have had the hole for the flue made in the kitchen wall - bt now realise that the range might be too far over to one side - which will mes up the kitchen unit design. So now we are looking at other ranges that might have the flue outlet on the left hand side ! There are only really 2 brands - Stanley or Rayburn. I think the Rayburn are a bit more expensive - but we will find out soon hopefully. (No prices on the website)

Phase 2 getting near.

The first phase of the house build wil soon be over. The roof slates will go on next week (weather permitting) and the first floor partition walls will be put up.
We hired one builder to do the foundations, walls and roof. Once these are finished - we have to organise electician, plumber, plasterer, tiling, flooring, sewage, drains, painting, kitchen (have I forgoten anything?) So up to now it has been fairly easy going. It might get a bit more stressful during the next few weeks.
We have had a couple of Kitchen prices - nearly 80% difference in them. We are seeing another one on Monday. I am talking to an electrician on Sunday. We might have a temporary supply of electricity in soon. The man from the ESB (Elec Supply Board) was over last week checking out the best way to bring the supply to the house, There is a transformer in the next field - so they are going to run a cable underground from there.
We need to start thinking about internal doors, bathroom suites, and loads of other things soon. Should be fun.

Jan 30th - view of the roof from the side of the house. (Bad photo - sorry)

Jan 30th - both dormer windows are done now and most of the felt is on.

Jan 28th - the first of the 2 dormer windows in the roof is almost finished and the felt laying has started.