Considering a self build - have some questions

loveisdivine

So my husband and I are seriously considering building a home in Ireland. Our "dream home" would be a small 2 storey, eco conscious cob home thats no more than 1500sqf. We are very much of the opinion that its better to spend now, than go cheap and regret it in the future, so we wouldn't be trying to do it all "on the cheap" however, the exceptionally low build figures you here about in relation to cob are appealing!

I'll list out my querys below so its easier to read and answer them, if you can help!

1. Who would usually be the first port of call, the architect (to see if our idea is feasible) or the bank?

2. When looking for a piece of land what are the main aspects we should think about? Do we need to have someone assess the site for suitability etc?

3. You hear and read so much about how cheap cob building is. People are always boasting how they built their dream home for less than 10k. Can it really be done for that little? Well, comparitive to buying a house its very little!

4. Researching cob builds it seems that most of them are built by the owners themselves. Most websites claim that cob building is super simple and literally anyone can do it once you've gone on a course and been shown how. Is this realistic?

5. If we decided we would rather have a professional build the house, are there experienced cob builders in Ireland?

6. Aside from buying the land, architect fees and building/labour/materials, what other significant costs are there? I assume there is a fee to obtain planning permission, having water & electricity connected etc.

Lastly, would an architect take on a project so comparitively small both physically and financially (hopefully!) and would they take charge of the build from start to finish? Do we even need one?! Could we REALLY do this ourselves?

If anyone can answer any of these I would really appreciate it. It can be hard to find coherent information on the net!

DOCARCH

If you are thinking of cob...have a look here <snip>

Maybe worth having a chat with them?

Just also bear in mind that any new house (mud or other) has to meet the requirements of the Building Regulations so you will have to hire professionals to assist in the process.

(the OP has seen the link, its being removed as it also 'sponsers' the people involved)

loveisdivine

DOCARCH wrote: »

If you are thinking of cob...have a look here <snip>

Maybe worth having a chat with them?

Just also bear in mind that any new house (mud or other) has to meet the requirements of the Building Regulations so you will have to hire professionals to assist in the process.

Great website, I shall look through it now.

Would the architect help with the building requirements or are there special assesors or something that legally have to do it?

BryanF

loveisdivine wrote: »

• So my husband and I are seriously considering building a home in Ireland. Our "dream home" would be a small 2 storey,
• eco conscious cob home
• thats no more than 1500sqf.
• We are very much of the opinion that its better to spend now, than go cheap and regret it in the future, so we wouldn't be trying to do it all "on the cheap" however, the exceptionally low build figures you here about in relation to cob are appealing!

I'll list out my querys below so its easier to read and answer them, if you can help!

1. Who would usually be the first port of call, the architect (to see if our idea is feasible) or the bank?

2. When looking for a piece of land what are the main aspects we should think about? Do we need to have someone assess the site for suitability etc?

3. You hear and read so much about how cheap cob building is. People are always boasting how they built their dream home for less than 10k. Can it really be done for that little? Well, comparitive to buying a house its very little!

4. Researching cob builds it seems that most of them are built by the owners themselves. Most websites claim that cob building is super simple and literally anyone can do it once you've gone on a course and been shown how. Is this realistic?

5. If we decided we would rather have a professional build the house, are there experienced cob builders in Ireland?

6. Aside from buying the land, architect fees and building/labour/materials, what other significant costs are there? I assume there is a fee to obtain planning permission, having water & electricity connected etc.

7. Lastly, would an architect take on a project so comparitively small both physically and financially (hopefully!)
8. and would they take charge of the build from start to finish?
9. Do we even need one?!
9. Could we REALLY do this ourselves?

If anyone can answer any of these I would really appreciate it. It can be hard to find coherent information on the net!

welcome to the C&P forum

• when you say 'in Ireland' are you renting/working/living in rural Ireland with the last +7 years? or do you have a site in a town/city available to you
• fare-play glad to here you are environmentally conscious will you be able to walk from say your new home to the shops, pub, work, school?
• 1500sqft is still a big a house and one that'll require careful planning and design especially in cob
• you wont be doing anything cheap - the cob websites you refer to are mainly 'complete self-builders' doing years & years worth of work themselves to achieve a cheap € per sqft result

1. architect
2. things to think about include but are not limited to - walking distance to everything; exposure; sun path/ orientation of site; access & egress; planning zoning; access to services etc - there will be a site analysis done by the architect and a site suitable test (if waste treatment is required on site) by local authority approved engineer
3. BS imo
4. can you afford to take several years of work, to build a 1500sqft cob home?
5. yes there are several, id be asking if your reasoning is 'environmental' why not consider hemplime, strawbale or even timber/cellulose construction - do note as others have stated that building Regs will make for fun times when trying to comply with insulation requirements in a cob home
6. there are lots of things, that added up to be a significant cost , have you read this thread?
7. 'comparatively small both physically and financially' - most would love to, but like you and everyone else they need to live & support families and so their time, the input that will be required, over a 2/5 year period,in a relatively uncommon building method (with a novice client) will no doubt be reflected in this price
8. they will if you pay them
9. imo yes - who else is going to?
10. define 'ourselves' - imo no

loveisdivine

BryanF wrote: »

welcome to the C&P forum

• when you say 'in Ireland' are you renting/working/living in rural Ireland with the last +7 years? or do you have a site in a town/city available to you
• fare-play glad to here you are environmentally conscious will you be able to walk from say your new home to the shops, pub, work, school?
• 1500sqft is still a big a house and one that'll require careful planning and design especially in cob
• you wont be doing anything cheap - the cob websites you refer to are mainly 'complete self-builders' doing years & years worth of work themselves to achieve a cheap € per sqft result

1. architect
2. things to think about include but are not limited to - walking distance to everything; exposure; sun path/ orientation of site; access & egress; planning zoning; access to services etc - there will be a site analysis done by the architect and a site suitable test (if waste treatment is required on site) by local authority approved engineer
3. BS imo
4. can you afford to take several years of work, to build a 1500sqft cob home?
5. yes there are several, id be asking if your reasoning is 'environmental' why not consider hemplime, strawbale or even timber/cellulose construction - do note as others have stated that building Regs will make for fun times when trying to comply with insulation requirements in a cob home
6. there are lots of things, that added up to be a significant cost , have you read this thread?
7. 'comparatively small both physically and financially' - most would love to, but like you and everyone else they need to live, support families and pay for their accommodation. and so their time and input that will be required, over a 2/5 year period,in a relatively uncommon building method (with a novice client) will no doubt reflect this
8. they will if you pay them
9. imo yes - who else is going to?
10. define 'ourselves' - imo no

Wow thank you so much for all that input! Really helps put things into perspective.

I've been renting and living and working in Ireland for 4 years now. My husband is Irish born and bred. We currently live in Co. Dublin and I am able to walk to work/shops etc. We don't currently have any land, we would be looking to buy a site.

1500 was a maximum figure, it could well be less. We're literally only just starting to think about it and I didn't want to suggest too small a space and end up thinking it would be easier/cheaper than it would really end up being.

In all honesty, we could take some time out from work as we have the option to move in with a family member for as long as we need, rent free. That would come with its own set of struggles though!

We would be totally opne to other building materials. I zoned in on cob because a lot of the articles I was reading seemed to focus on it as a good alternative material.

I'm working my way through that thread.

I will say I think a lot of what I have read already gives the impression that its super cheap and simple to whip up a quick cob home and in reality its probably not really either of those. Unless you already have land and the skills to do it. It may not be practical for us to undertake this.

At this point I'm really just trying to see if its worth going down that road, if we can afford it etc. Theres no plans in place yet. It would seem that we would be looking at at least 100k. Even with the cheaper building/materials cost. By the time we've bought the land, paid the applicable fee's to councils and architects etc it would all soon add up.

BryanF

that architect & carpenter couple did the cob house out west, taking them over 3 years, costing 130k... Then you add county Dublin site costs....

Whatever you do, any site purchase should only be on your 'receipt of planning'

sarcro6

When myself and my partner were planning our self build I spent months researching online. It is hard to find a definitive guide to it. But I did come across a useful website which talks about all aspects of building. I don't know if it will cover the cob aspect of your build but it is worth checking it out.

banned for a week, read the forum charter before posting again

tommykeane45

ive been building 20 years find good builder he will build what u want ,the most important is make plan set budget stick to it ,architects are just middle men with egos who will cost u a fortune building THERE dream ,not what u want .

BryanF

tommykeane45 wrote: »

ive been building 20 years find good builder he will build what u want ,the most important is make plan set budget stick to it ,architects are just middle men with egos who will cost u a fortune building THERE dream ,not what u want .

Tommy,
welcome to to the C&P forum, you'll find several very helpful builders & architects contribute to the forum.

please have a read of the forum charter http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055036302 thanks

given your 20 years experience, can you tell me who certifies that what you have built meets planning/ building regulations, and who signs the stage payment certs for the clients bank so you can get paid?