Self Building your home

Hello

Our intention is to build a two story house in North Monaghan in 2010. We have heard that there can be significant savings by project managing the self build ourselves rather than engaging a builder to do this on our behalf. On this basis, we would appreciate some help in relation to the following matters.

• Our house will be roughly 3000 sq ft. We would appreciate it if you could recommond a reputable builder that we could depend on to do a good job at a reasonable price;
• What timeframe could a house of this size be build?
• Given the fact that we intend to project manage the project ourselves, how could we safeguard ourselves against shabby work. In particular, is it possible to bind a trades person by way of a written agreement, to ensure that they are fully accountable in the event that the work is not completed to a high standard;
• If anyone has went through this process, we would appreciate some help in relation to the development of a project plan to assist us in organising the project

On the basis that we will be operating from a tight budget (probably about Eur 240,000 assuming our mortgage is approved), we would appreciate some tips from anyone who has previously went through this process.

Many thanks.....