Best Selfbuild Podcasts (2024)

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Ep74 - The process of building your home: cost saving tips 28:47

22d ago28:47

28:47

Pete Finn, AKA Pete the builder, of RTÉ's Home Rescue and advisory firm Let's Talk Homes joins tiny house builder Paul Lawford of smallchange.ie to chat about the process of building your home in Ireland today with cost saving tips, including: Once the house has been designed, planning permission has been approved, Health & Safety has been done on …

1
HPH354: How natureplus helps you identify sustainable building products - with Tilmann Kramolisch 34:41

24h ago34:41

34:41

Tilmann Kramolisch from natureplus explains why their eco label was established, how materials and products are assessed, and what it means to use a natureplus certified product on your project. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH353: 12 tips for a successful Passivhaus project 22:48

15d ago22:48

22:48

Speakers from the Passivhaus workshop event at the National Self Build and Renovation Centre in Swindon each share a top tip. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH352: Encouraging and supporting home retrofit in your local area 42:28

29d ago42:28

42:28

Neighbours Wookey and Rob Leedham explain why they were motivated to retrofit their homes, how they built up knowledge and why engaging with others on a similar path has been extremely useful. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH351: Creating affordable, high quality, low carbon homes - with Linda Farrow 31:42

1M ago31:42

31:42

Linda Farrow from Agile Homes explains how their prefabricated panelised system can deliver high quality and truly affordable homes that are good for the planet. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep73 - Kitchen design trends for 2024 32:29

2M ago32:29

32:29

Jonny Orr of Daniel George Kitchens and Caroline O'Neill of Digg Mama chat about Caroline’s kitchen design journey including how she went about it and what steps she would recommend self-builders taking. The chat also focused on: · Main things to consider when designing a kitchen; common mistakes to avoid. · Best time to involve kitchen designers a…

1
HPH350: What is value engineering? 29:41

2M ago29:41

29:41

Ben Adam-Smith explains what value engineering is and how it can help us to do more with less. He reflects on a short video about Slate House in Herefordshire that includes some great examples of value engineering. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH349: Timber build approaches – with Meredith Bowles 50:33

2M ago50:33

50:33

Meredith Bowles from Mole Architects shares his experience working with timber as a construction material and explains the benefits and drawbacks of the different build approaches. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep72 - Bathroom design trends for 2024 29:06

3M ago29:06

29:06

Matt Kinloch of SONAS Bathrooms and Darrel McCauley of Spectrum Bathrooms joined us at Selfbuild Live Belfast to talk about what’s trending in bathroom designs and how to get the style on a budget, including Colours and style in general: what’s on trend, e.g. is barbiecore a thing in bathrooms? What are the classics? General budget saving advice: c…

1
HPH348: Why do homes get mould? – with Alexx Stuart 42:54

3M ago42:54

42:54

Alexx Stuart from Low Tox Life shares her experiences of toxic mould exposure and offers some advice on how best to keep your home healthy and mould free. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH347: Common pitfalls to avoid when building a house – with Amelia Lee 57:17

3M ago57:17

57:17

Amelia Lee from Undercover Architect shares some common themes that tend to crop up on owner-builder projects (particularly with people who are doing this for the first time) and explains how they can be avoided by creating a clear foundation of your values and project intentions. Check out the show notes for more information.…

1
HPH346: Passivhaus homes where cooling is a key consideration – with Andy Marlow 41:16

4M ago41:16

41:16

Andy Marlow from Envirotecture explains why Passivhaus homes are a good fit for most climates in Australia, how they approach these projects and what is needed beyond shading to keep the homes comfortable when the outdoor temperatures soar. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep71 - Top 5 pitfalls to avoid when self-building 32:02

4M ago32:02

32:02

Pete Cole of Pete Cole Consulting shares the most common issues he comes across self-build sites, including: How to work to a budget - where to spend your money Evaluating site conditions, from utilities running through the site to contamination Task approval in NI, developer enquiries Variations to designs and importance of site meetings How to ch…

1
HPH345: Why is the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) such a useful tool? – with Sarah Lewis 43:41

4M ago43:41

43:41

Sarah Lewis, the Research and Policy Director at the UK Passivhaus Trust and author of PHPP Illustrated, explains what the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) is and how it is used during the design process. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH344: Hazel Tree Passivhaus – with Janice Gardiner 30:13

5M ago30:13

30:13

Janice Gardiner, an ecologist and the client of last week’s interviewee Josh Wood at Green Trace Architect, is here to tell us what it is like to be the client on a Passivhaus project and share what she has learnt from the experience. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep 70 - How much does it cost to build a house in Ireland? 33:48

5M ago33:48

33:48

DJ Ramsdale of DJ Build Estimations updates us on builds costs in Ireland at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Limerick in January 2024. He covers: How are projects costed for maximum accuracy? How much is an average self-build costing nowadays, per sqm? For what type of house? What is the most cost effective type of house to build? Size, shape, cho…

1
HPH343: A low cost eco home on a challenging infill plot – with Josh Wood 42:43

5M ago42:43

42:43

Architect Josh Wood gives us an insight into his own self build project, where the balance between keeping costs low and creating a sustainable home have pushed him to come up with creative solutions. By undergoing most of the work themselves, Josh and his partner Amy have been able to transform their snug, back garden plot, into a comfortable and …

1
HPH342: How to incorporate reused materials on a self build - with Kirsty Maguire 40:32

6M ago40:32

40:32

Architect Kirsty Maguire explains why reusing an existing building is always preferable to demolishing and rebuilding. However, when buildings are in terrible condition or need radical alterations to make them habitable we should be looking to reuse, recycle and reclaim as many materials as possible. Kirsty shows us that with intentional and sustai…

1
Ep 69 - How to get planning permission in Ireland 44:49

6M ago44:49

44:49

Architect Mark Stephens, who is based in Co Mayo, chats about how to get planning permission in ROI including: - What is planning permission - Who needs planning permission and under what circumstances - The application process - How to improve your chances of getting permission - Main reasons for getting turned down - Local needs provisions - Requ…

1
HPH341: Should embodied carbon or energy efficiency be our priority? – with Jae Cotterell 37:40

6M ago37:40

37:40

Jae Cotterell, founder of Passivhaus Homes, explains the importance of the choices we make when considering our construction approach. It is possible to create a high performance home with low embodied carbon that doesn't cost the earth if we understand the process, where the impacts lie and where optimisation can make a huge difference. Check out …

1
HPH340: How to reclaim VAT on a self build or conversion - with Andrew Jones 50:00

7M ago50:00

50:00

Andrew Jones explains how to reclaim VAT on a self build home or conversion as well as sharing some common pitfalls to avoid. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep 68 - Insulation for new builds and renovations 34:19

7M ago34:19

34:19

Francis Rilley of Unilin Insulation and Andrew Rennie of Energy Store chat about insulating your home in Ireland today. We caught up with them at Selfbuild Live Belfast 2023 to chat about: The different types of insulation with pros and cons for each including cost, thermal efficiency, fire resistance Recipe for an energy efficient building fabric:…

1
HPH339: What is the Housebuilder's Bible? - with Mark Brinkley 42:45

7M ago42:45

42:45

Mark Brinkley, author of the Housebuilder's Bible, explains how his book can guide you towards building a better home. He also shares some of the themes that have cropped up while he's been editing the latest edition. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH338: How to measure and monitor the performance of a home - with Luke Smith 41:15

8M ago41:15

41:15

Luke Smith from Build Test Solutions talks about making building performance measurement more commonplace, and how you can't manage what you don't measure. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep 67 - Build costs in Ireland for 2023 26:16

8M ago26:16

26:16

Where are build costs heading? We look at the situation in Ireland today, in 2023 with DJ Ramsdale of DJ Build Estimations who tunes in to answer your questions about how much it costs to build in Ireland in 2023, from what method is cheapest to what to expect to pay overall. He covers: What’s the most cost effective construction method? Is a dorme…

1
HPH337: Wind power and solar power - past, present and future 35:19

8M ago35:19

35:19

Dr. Derek Taylor talks about advances in wind and solar power over the last 50 years. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH336 : Ben's Passivhaus 5 years on 35:52

9M ago35:52

35:52

Ben Adam-Smith marks five years of living in his Passivhaus home by reflecting on his self build journey and what the house has been like to live in. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep 66 - Getting insurance for your self-build in Ireland 34:06

9M ago34:06

34:06

Kieran Dwyer of insurance broker SelfBuild Protect chats about: What self-build insurance is and why you need it Is self-build insurance mandatory like car insurance? What do mortgage providers look for What makes it difficult to insure a new build project When do insurance companies insure non-standard builds? How much does insurance cost today Re…

1
HPH335 : Designing an intentional community - with Anne Thorne 53:23

9M ago53:23

53:23

Anne Thorne talks through the architectural design process of Cannock Mill Cohousing community. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH334 : Combining smart home technology with energy efficiency – with Jonathan Dixon 52:35

9M ago52:35

52:35

Jonathan Dixon talks about incorporating home automation into a Passivhaus retrofit of a 1960s detached house, built using cross wall construction. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep65 - Passive house retrofit in Co Monaghan 36:41

10M ago36:41

36:41

Barry McCarron, Chairman of the Passive House Association of Ireland, chats about doing up his family to make it energy efficient, including: Going from a bungalow to an A rated home Cost details and how it compared to building new What is the fabric first approach What are the main types of insulation? Where are each best used? How much insulation…

1
Ep64 - Tiny house building and living 42:04

11M ago42:04

42:04

Paul Lawford explains how he built his tiny home on wheels from scratch, including: What is a tiny house Why he decided to build a tiny house to live in How he built it from start to finish, DIY with no previous experience Where he sourced materials How much it cost The case for tiny house living Tips and advice to others thinking of a building the…

1
HPH333 : What is the One Planet Development scheme? - with Brendan and Ludka Powell 37:56

11M ago37:56

37:56

Ludka and Brendan Powell explain the Welsh ‘One Planet Development’ scheme and how it led them to building an off-grid, straw panel Passivhaus. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep63 - Which energy grants should you invest in? 1:02:09

12M ago1:02:09

1:02:09

Rodger O'Connor of ROC Energy explains when it makes sense to apply for an energy grant from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, including: What grants are available and which ones suit which budgets How much it costs to carry out a One Stop Shop upgrade How to apply for the grants: dos and don'ts Pros and cons of going for a One Stop Shop…

1
Ep62 - Are energy upgrades worth it? 44:13

1y ago44:13

44:13

Dr Ciara Ahern chats about what energy upgrades and if they're worth doing, issues people are having with heat pumps and heating systems and what can be done about it, plus what changes we can expect coming from Europe in relation to energy and the building regulations. More specifically, she covers: What is the difference between a shallow and a d…

1
HPH332 : How accurate are Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)? – with Tom Gwilliam 36:20

1y ago36:20

36:20

Tom Gwilliam explains what Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are, how they are created and why they are unlikely to be a useful measure of how energy efficient a building is. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep61 - Steel frame self-build in Co Wicklow 36:42

1y ago36:42

36:42

In this episode, David Magnier chats about his self-build in Co Wicklow: Design process Securing planning permission Choice of building method: pros and cons How day to day went on site Working through Covid Switching from main contractor to direct labour Keeping on top of the budget Keeping on top of quality Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy …

1
HPH331 : What is a mechanical services engineer? – with Alan Clarke 52:04

1y ago52:04

52:04

Alan Clarke explains the role of a mechanical services engineer on a low energy house build, in designing a heating and ventilation system that works efficiently and is affordable. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH330 : What is a planning consultant? – with Andy Moger 47:18

1y ago47:18

47:18

Andy Moger, from Tetlow King Planning, explains the role of a planning consultant and the benefits they can bring to a project. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep60 - Heat pumps and MVHR: are they worth it? 43:33

1y ago43:33

43:33

Gavin Millar of BPC Ventilation chats through the benefits of heat pumps and MVHR, including: - What is mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) and is it worth the money? What are the benefits? - What are heat pumps and are they worth it? What's the payback? - Why are heat pumps and MVHR more efficient than traditional systems? How much mo…

1
HPH329 : What does a structural engineer do? – with Beth Williams 47:52

1+ y ago47:52

47:52

Beth Williams from Build Collective outlines the role of a structural engineer and explains what tasks might be undertaken on a house build. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH328 : Insulating internally with a thin layer of wood fibre board - with Martin Twamley from Steico 36:27

1+ y ago36:27

36:27

Martin Twamley from Steico explains how to use breathable internal insulation, while avoiding the risks of condensation and mould. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep59 - Kitchen design 36:09

1+ y ago36:09

36:09

Jonny Orr of Daniel George Kitchens chats about how to design your new kitchen in Ireland today: - Optimal kitchen size - Current trends, including colours and handles, and must haves - Where the most savings can be made in a kitchen, including countertop materials - Common mistakes people make and what to think about when planning your kitchen - T…

1
HPH327 : Upskilling in DIY during a home retrofit – with Es Tresidder 56:02

1+ y ago56:02

56:02

As someone with no previous interest or skills in DIY, Passivhaus Consultant Es Tresidder explains why he went about changing that for his own deep retrofit project. Check out the show notes for more information:By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH326 : Is it worth upskilling your knowledge of Passivhaus? – with Simon Bell 32:52

1+ y ago32:52

32:52

Landscape Architect and Director of HLM Architects, Simon Bell, explains why he decided to upskill when it came to building his own house. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep58 - Building homes free of defects 32:09

1+ y ago32:09

32:09

Eoin Ó Broin, a TD who’s written a book called Defects, chats through the issue of quality control when building a house in ROI. He talks about: · How the building control system works in ROI and why it’s broken · Opting in or out of appointing an assigned certifier · How we got to this point · Prospects of changes to the system · Where to next Hos…

1
HPH325 : What reduces the performance of insulation? – with Mark Siddall 31:47

1+ y ago31:47

31:47

Mark Siddall explains how thermal bypass – or air movement around insulation layers – might impact a self-build or retrofit project. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH324 : Why robust planning is vital for a home retrofit in stages – with Alan Budden 34:37

1+ y ago34:37

34:37

Alan Budden explains how a phased retrofit might work and what preparation is required. He also shares how he's retrofitted his own home, which includes trialling an innovative roof solution. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep57 - Dublin new build on laneway site 56:52

1+ y ago56:52

56:52

Laura and Ronan Campbell built themselves a house on Ronan’s parents’ laneway. Here they chat about: Difficulties with planning permission and why they had to leave a deposit with the local authority for three years. How they made a narrow site work with their design vision. Choice of steel frame construction and challenges building the house. Dela…

1
Ep56 - The new concrete levy and how to save on your self-build 19:45

1+ y ago19:45

19:45

Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes talks about: The new concrete levy due to come into force September 2023 in Ireland How to reduce the amount of concrete you use on your build How to save on your build costs What's the most cost effective build route nowadays? Where are build costs heading? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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