Self-building a home

bkrahmer

Hello. I have built 2 houses in the US for my family in the past, and am wondering if it is possible to do the same in Ireland. In most locations in the US, if you are building your own home, you can do all of the carpentry, plumbing, electrics, etc. Is the same possible in Ireland, or are there requirements that licensed tradesmen do certain parts of the work?
Also, I have read a lot about planning permission. If I bought a plot of land with planning permission already in place, how strict must that be followed? Must the external dimensions and finished be followed to the letter? How about internal walls, etc? Is it very easy to amend the permission with a slightly different design, or would it be like starting from zero? Thanks much.
brian

North West

Hi Bkrahmar
You have posted a lot of questions. I would advise you contact a architect or engineer who can advise you. The building regs in every country are different. Use the qualified people to help you.
NW

corkplumber

The electrics has to be certified and the same applies for gas central heating.

but your better seeking advice from an eng or architect.

vicwatson

Eh, Brian is seeking help here boys and girls !

Of course it's worth consulting the professionals but he needs some outline help here.

Only thing I can help you with is that if you buy a site with Outline permission it basically give permission to build a house on that site in principle.

Full planning permsission for a house on a site? You must build that particular house but of course you can reapply for a New planning permission to supercede the existing one though it might not be granted and you are stuck to build the house that came with the site - a lot of people purchase sites "subject to planning" - in other words you can pay a deposit and if you get the planning you want then you proceed with the sale, if not you take back your deposit and the deal is off.

Can't help with any other questions sorry.

Here's more info on Planning Permission

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/planning_permission/planning_permission_general.html

bkrahmer

Thanks for the reply Vic. That is helpful.

Still looking for someone who can verify whether I can do my own electric & plumbing. It wouldn't be the end of the world if I had to hire it out, but I would be interested to get the answer.

cheers,
brian

corkplumber

bkrahmer wrote: »

Thanks for the reply Vic. That is helpful.

Still looking for someone who can verify whether I can do my own electric & plumbing. It wouldn't be the end of the world if I had to hire it out, but I would be interested to get the answer.

cheers,
brian

you have no restrictions on the plumbing and heating as long as your not fitting gas appliances. the electrics will need to be certified.

jjf1974

You will have to get your electrics certified, More info here http://www.safeelectric.ie For gas installers look here http://www.Rgii.ie

prospect

If you are getting a mortgage the Bank will require Engineers reports throughout the build.

Try this:
www.wikihouse.cc

bbam

Theroetically you could do the electrics and then have them tested and certified by a qualified electrician.. However they won't do this and to be honest I don't blame them, god knows how the work has been done and they can't be expected to put their reputation and registration on the line. the ESB won't connect the supply without it being certified..
The result is you need a registered electrician to do the electrics.

Anything gas needs also to be done by a registered installer.

As stated before if you're dealing with a bank they will insist that the house is certified by an engineer at specific stages. You should be able to get an engineer happy to certify your work providing its up to current Irish standards.

Only very minor deviations are allowed with house plans, particularly external changes and the position of the house on the site. Once the planning is granted it needs to be complied with.. You can apply to have ammendments made, and depending how substantial the changes are how much work is involved.

dathi

from the first of june you will have to appoint a pscs (project supervisor construction stage) for any work taking more than 30 days due to new hsa legislation and the building control act comes into force on the first of march next, and under that legislation you will be obliged to hire a builder to build your house, as under the act he has to certify that he understands the building regs and has built the house according to the regs

bkrahmer

Thanks for all of the replies. That helped answer most of my questions.

brian

bbam

dathi wrote: »

from the first of june you will have to appoint a pscs (project supervisor construction stage) for any work taking more than 30 days due to new hsa legislation and the building control act comes into force on the first of march next, and under that legislation you will be obliged to hire a builder to build your house, as under the act he has to certify that he understands the building regs and has built the house according to the regs

Hi..
have you any links for these requirements ??

dathi

http://www.environ.ie/en/Legislation...d,32732,en.pdf thats the legislation covering the need to hire a builder,

dathi

http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Legislation/Ne...i4610f2012.pdf and thats the amendment to the safety act that now requires you to have a pscs for self builds enjoy your light reading;)

bbam

dathi wrote: »

http://www.environ.ie/en/Legislation...d,32732,en.pdf thats the legislation covering the need to hire a builder,

dathi wrote: »

http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Legislation/Ne...i4610f2012.pdf and thats the amendment to the safety act that now requires you to have a pscs for self builds enjoy your light reading;)

Can you repost the links as they're not opening..
Cheers

dathi

http://www.environ.ie/en/Legislation/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad,32732,en.pdf

dathi

seams to be working now the hsa one if you go onto their site hsa.ie the link is on the page the construction legis is five or six acts which have to be read together to make any sense.