Direct Labour and DIY

nick200

Can I direct labour the construction of my new build and do DIY aspects of the build. ie building partition wall, install insulation,plumbing, gyproc and plastering and so on All things I have done previously on projects just not in Ireland. Being an overseas qualified electrician pains me to pay an electrician. But I know the reason.

I say direct labour as I'm certain if I took on a main contractor he would not want the homeowner DIYing.

is there a way I can work on my own build or am I just overruled by the warranties and regulations?

mike_2009

Depends on who signs off the certificate of compliance for the overall build. You'll need to find an assigned certifier if opting out at the minimum. They will require certs off all the main contractors you hire - Structural, Roof, Pluming, Electrical. My Architect specified a load of Ancillary Certifiers:

Mechanical Contractor, Electrical Contractor, Window Supplier, Door Supplier Ext, Timber Roof Truss Contractor, Airtight Membrane Specialist, Stairs, Steel Fabricator, Specialist Contractors, Civil / Structural Engineer, Timber Frame.

Now I'm not going with the Architect to build (can't afford them) - I'm due to have a chat with the Engineer I found who will be signing off the build as to which of the above I'll need as each carries a cost if not allowed to do myself. I was told by the Architect hands off for first fix but you could do some second fix. I'd imaging no Sparks would let me touch wiring unless I knew them well and they were happy to sign off at the end, it's their Professional Indemnity Insurance at stake after all. Makes getting extra value add jobs done at the time less attractive due to the additional cost the Electrician will levy. (wiring Shed, driveway nights, EV charging cable run, extra sockets etc that I could easily run wire for myself)

If you get a Homebond structural insurance type package, that also might have some caveats around who can do work. I haven't checked that out yet. They do inspect.

So, yes, you may be able to some DIY but if using a Bank, they will require sign off by a suitable Professional which requires certificates to be signed and supplied so that the Bank is assured they can sell the house from under you if you default and they aren't left with any risk / a lemon.

If you're doing it for cash you may be able to avoid some of them BCAR rules but need an opinion of compliance if ever selling. My friend did his own wiring and paid someone to sign it off (He has basic Electrical Qualifications) so that might be possible but he had a hard time finding someone to sign it off though.

I couldn't afford the main contractor quotes that came in three years ago and hope to go direct labour now. Let me know what jobs you find out you are allowed to do as I'm on the same journey. Hope the plumber lets me do the bathrooms and just connects things up...!!

Mellor

As a very general rule.

If it requires certification, then you can’t do it unless qualified.