Building Advice from Kieran McCarthy

Building Advice from Kieran McCarthy

The expert builder answers your questions

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Your living space will ideally be orientated with an amount of southerly aspect so you capture the sun for as much of the day as possible. </p>

residential

Kieran McCarthy: Does your home's design affect building costs?

This is an excellent question, and it brings to the surface many key design and budget considerations that may not be apparent at the start

<p>Garages, or indeed sheds, are very important but we need to design them in such a way that they don’t eat too much of your precious spend.</p>

residential

Kieran McCarthy: How do we go about adding a garage to our new-build home?

Kieran McCarthy: 'How do I convert my garage into a living space?'

residential

Kieran McCarthy: In the cold weather, what are the best ways to improve our home's BER?

residential

Kieran McCarthy: Moving from tradesman to building contractor

residential

Blocks, concrete or timber? What should we begin to construct with?

Build a new home or renovate an old property?

Building Advice: Should I seek a pre-planning meeting with the council?

Mold Mould Stains on Damp Wall and Door behind Cabinet

Kieran McCarthy: Making sure things are airtight on your home extension

Air leakage can lead to a litany of issues, writes Kieran McCarthy

Tue, 09 Jul, 2024

Property Advice: The sell-by date of the plumbing in an old house

A burst pipe could lead to a lot more home damage if you don’t take action

Mon, 24 Jun, 2024

Dermot Bannon: Your home may be bigger than you thought

The steps to renovating and extending an old Irish farmhouse

Planning is normally granted for professionally designed extensions

Mon, 25 Mar, 2024

Kieran McCarthy: The conservatory is sucking heat out of the house. What should we do?

Conservatories were a house design breakthrough that grew in popularity during the 1990s, writes Kieran McCarthy

Mon, 23 Oct, 2023

Kieran McCarthy: Getting the stages right in a home renovation

Sequencing of trades is important for a home transformation

Mon, 25 Sep, 2023

Build a new home or renovate an old property?

Kieran McCarthy offers his expert view on what to consider when deciding to either build or renovate

Sat, 16 Sep, 2023

Deep crack in old brick wall - concept image

Building in an area with a high level of subsidence

There are solutions for building in an area that is prone to subsidence

Mon, 28 Aug, 2023

What is the solution to building on sodden sites?

Building on a site with poor drainage requires clever engineering

Sat, 15 Jul, 2023

Kieran McCarthy: What natural light options do I have for my attic?

There are pros and cons to choosing a rooflight over a dormer window, writes Kieran McCarthy

Mon, 19 Jun, 2023

Where to the best place to locate the loo

Building Advice: A downstairs toilet might not be large but is most costly room per sq foot

Mon, 29 May, 2023

Image of timber decking, garden table with parasol, UPVC-conservatory, maples

The timber decks installed during the Celtic Tiger era have long since reached their sell-by dates. Here's what to do with them

Building advice

Mon, 15 May, 2023

Kieran McCarthy: 'How much does it cost to swap two rooms in the house?'

Swapping rooms around is one way to make better use of daily sunlight, writes Kieran McCarthy

Mon, 08 May, 2023

Kieran McCarthy: Is it a bad thing that a home has been underpinned or should I walk away?

Looking at old houses a few words come to mind that can strike fear into a would-be house buyer; rising damp, dry rot and of course our old archenemy, subsidence

Wed, 22 Mar, 2023

Kieran McCarthy: What to keep in mind when installing a heat pump

Building engineer Kieran McCarthy explains your options for heat pumps in a new home

Mon, 06 Mar, 2023

Kieran McCarthy: Making sure you get the foundations of your home build right

Hello Kieran, My builder is laying the foundations of my house today.

Sat, 25 Feb, 2023

House Construction Framing Gradating Into Finished Kitchen Build

Kieran McCarthy: Where to begin an extension

Before starting an extension, make sure you know what you need

Sun, 19 Feb, 2023

Building advice: Taking on a corner site alongside an existing home

What to do when building a new home on the same land of an existing property

Wed, 13 Oct, 2021

Building Advice: Treating your waste water

You must give this issue careful consideration and seek professional engineering advice

Mon, 27 Sep, 2021

Red flags to watch out for when choosing a builder

Hiring a builder is a massive step and one that requires careful consideration.

Wed, 15 Sep, 2021

Solar panel installer with drill installing solar panels

Building Advice: Home energy-saving measures

This week: A look at energy-efficient measures for a new home

Tue, 31 Aug, 2021

She dreams to build a new house in the country side

Where is the best place to build your dream home?

Expert builder Kieran McCarthy on choosing a site for your house

Mon, 16 Aug, 2021

Building Advice: What is the extra cost of adding an open-plan mezzanine

The pros and cons of an open-plan living space with double height

Fri, 30 Jul, 2021

Building advice: What can we do about the soaring cost of materials?

Homebuilder Kieran McCarthy says the cost of many products have been increasing steadily since late March, with many products going up 10-15% per month and rising

Mon, 19 Jul, 2021

Kieran McCarthy's Property Clinic: Get builder on board early

The budgeting of a new home build is an integral part of the design of the house and should be considered at the very beginning of a project, along with architectural design and planning potential.

Mon, 19 Jul, 2021

Should you remodel your new home or knock it?

Builder Kieran McCarthy on the tricky question of whether to rebuild or renovate?

Wed, 23 Jun, 2021

Building Advice: Changing your fireplace for a more energy-efficient option

What are the advantages and disadvantages to replacing your fireplace

Wed, 09 Jun, 2021

Subsidence in Ireland: What it is and what to do about it

Subsidence occurs in most ageing houses and will need some level of treatment, but don't let that deter you writes building expert Kieran McCarthy

Tue, 18 May, 2021

Let there be light: Planning what windows to buy

What frame and type of glass works most efficiently for your home

Wed, 05 May, 2021

Building Advice: What type of garage should I opt for?

Gone are the days when people bring their cars indoors at night

Wed, 21 Apr, 2021

Covid puts the focus on air quality in our homes

What are the best systems to employ in your home

Wed, 07 Apr, 2021

Tile floor with floor heating. 3d illustration

Building advice: Can underfloor heating be installed as part of renovation of existing house?

Expert builder Kieran McCarthy answers your queries

Sun, 21 Mar, 2021

What to consider before converting your attic

Builder Kieran McCarthy on things to look out for when adding more space upstairs

Fri, 05 Mar, 2021

Construction of a new part from old house

Building advice: Where to start when renovating a 1960's Irish bungalow

Consider the key parties and what they can bring to the table for you

Sun, 31 Jan, 2021

Construction workers working on construction site

Building your own home? Here is where it will cost you

An architect and quantity surveyor can help keep you on the right track

Fri, 22 Jan, 2021

Breaking out some extra space in your bungalow

Engineer and builder Kieran McCarthy gives practical advice on using and finding space for family life

Thu, 14 Jan, 2021

The errors people make when extending their home

Property and Building Advice: What to consider before you begin knocking walls

Fri, 18 Dec, 2020

Call for a new dig before events centre proceeds

Cork City councillor and historian Kieran McCarthy has called for further archaeological excavations at the site of the proposed events centre following the submission of new, expanded designs.

Sat, 18 Aug, 2018

A question of taste - Kieran McCarthy

Kieran McCarthy is a councillor in Cork city and is also heavily involved in the local musical theatre scene through Cork City Musical Society. He directs a production of Crazy for You from April 29 to May 1 in Firkin Crane, Cork.

Thu, 14 Apr, 2016

Sinn Féin temporarily lift Kieran McCarthy expulsion

Sinn Féin has temporarily lifted its expulsion of a councillor in Co Cork.

Tue, 21 Jul, 2015

SF to meet Cork members after 69 leave Fermoy and Cobh cumanns

Sinn Féin is expected to meet with its east Cork members today after a reported 69 of them left the Fermoy and Cobh cumanns.

Thu, 25 Jun, 2015

Entire SF Fermoy branch resigns from party

An entire branch of Sinn Féin has resigned from the party after the expulsion of one of its councillors.

Wed, 24 Jun, 2015

SF: Action against two councillors nothing to do with election ambitions

Sinn Féin is insisting its decision to expell one councillor and suspend another has nothing to do with their intentions to contest election conventions.

Tue, 23 Jun, 2015

Sinn Féin councillor expelled amid row over bullying claims

A Sinn Féin councillor has been expelled from the party and another suspended for a year amid a wider internal row involving claims of bullying against a sitting TD and a loan from the organisation’s funds.

Tue, 23 Jun, 2015

Sinn Féin expels Cork councillor from the party

One Sinn Féin councillor has been expelled from the party and another suspended in east Cork after an internal party review.

Mon, 22 Jun, 2015