The Selfbuild Podcast

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 we don't build more one-off homes: emigration a big issue at the moment as is social capital unravelling in rural areasNeed for one-off housing as part of a mix of solutions in context of population growthCost of building not as big a driver of whether or someone will build a house Building regulations and lack of guidance mostly an issue for architectsVolume and price increases for builder’s merchant sectorCosts coming down the line due to new regulations including ones on timber, steel and Repak

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 contractor: pros and cons·      Should you wait to build?·      Reasons to shop around·      Warnings around site-related costs·      How to make savingsThis episode was recorded at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Leinster 2026 in February 2026.

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 Gaeltacht and what needs to change to make them happenReady to Build scheme: how to get serviced sites to the GaeltachtWhat needs to change to make it easier for people to live in the GaeltachtThe need for one-off housing and how to make it work in rural areasThe role that Údarás na Gaeltachta will need to play to make it all happen

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·      What does a QS do and how they save money·      Cost-design pendulum·      Different VAT rates: what to know about them·      How much does a QS cost to oversee a project?·      What to check for before hiring a QSThis episode was recorded at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Leinster 2026

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 considerationsLawns and other landscapingWhat the planning authority might requireBoundaries and wallsWhat's new and adding to the cost, from fire pits to outdoor kitchensRetaining walls and live wallsWhere do the bins go?This episode was recorded at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Ulster 2025.

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.

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

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.