Continuing with our tips for things to consider during your self-build process, here is part 2 of our list.
Heat Recovery Ventilation:
If you are putting in HRV, put the external inlets and outlets on the protected side of the house – to prevent whistling in the system. Make sure you start talking to the HRV installer early – as there is a lot of coordination required with where ducting is placed.
Soundproofing:
Consider improving sound insulation between bathrooms and bedrooms and between living spaces and first floor or living and bedroom - use either rockwool insulation or proprietary sound insulation.
Smoke and Burglar Alarms:
Even if you have no plans of putting in a burglar alarm, it is cheap to wire for one now – so do it.
You can also link smoke alarms which might be connected at a future date.
Kitchen:
Have lots and lots of sockets - you can never have enough!
Bathrooms:
If you are going to tile your walls, consider putting in WBP (weather and boil proof) plywood on the walls. Also make sure that the Contractor knows and takes account of the fact that tiles will be put in before items such as towel radiators or sinks are put in – because there will need to be space behind these to install the tiles.
A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing…
If you want to know what your building contractors should be doing, get the Homebond book. It is filled with standard details for most domestic construction. It will allow you to know if something is being done in a non-standard way which you can then ask questions about (there may be an explanation though!).
Photos of your build:
Take photos of anything which is going to be covered up: timber studs in a wall, underfloor heating pipes, electric wiring – it will be easier to look for things afterwards if you want to change or fix something.
Manuals, guarantees and warranties:
Make sure your builder collects all manuals and guarantees for all items that go into the house. It is a good idea to collect them from him as they are installed.
Outside:
Consider external taps, lights and sockets - for external Christmas lights for example.
Consider ducting and terminating an electric cable outside for connection to any future shed or garage.
Water supply:
Make sure your water supply pipes are located at least 1m below ground – you never know if we’ll get a really cold winter again.
Electric Shower
It is a good idea to have one electric shower – just in case.
Interiors:
Start a folder for clippings from magazines – you’ll find lots of great ideas. Pinterest.com is also a great location (check out floorplan.ie’s own Pinterest page too – just click on the symbol below! )
If in doubt paint the room white or off-white to start off with.
Spare materials:
Keep spare tiles and timber boards after you finish – just in case you need to do any repairs later. Store tiles under kitchen units and under the bath (if there is a panel).
Have fun building!