Best The Selfbuild Podcast Podcasts (2025)

1
Ep86 - Is SIPS worth investing in? 20:30

5d ago20:30

20:30

Derek McIntyre of JML SIPS chats about the modern building methods that is Structural Insulated Panels: Are SIPS worth investing in? How much does it cost? What is it and what are the two main types? How are roofs built with SIPS - process and benefits. The DIY options of installing SIPS yourself Airtightness and insulation benefits Environmental c…

1
HPH378: Accessibility for all – with Guy Harris 33:59

11d ago33:59

33:59

Guy Harris from AccessiblePRS explains why accessible housing is important, what the key considerations are and how to deliver it well. He also shares his experience of designing his own house as a wheelchair user. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH377: Retrofitting a 1950s semi-detached ex-council house – with Toby Cambray 39:44

25d ago39:44

39:44

Toby Cambray talks about the experience of working on his own retrofit project, and the lessons learnt in the process. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep85 - Hidden costs of a self-build 33:03

1M ago33:03

33:03

Chartered surveyor Keith Kelliher chats to Cathal Keane of Graf who’s just finished building his own home, and to quantity surveyor Jimmy Walsh of Modern Eco Projects, to uncover the hidden costs of a self-build, including: - Costs associated to being gifted land - Site suitability report, cost of the test and watchpoints, how long they are valid f…

1
HPH376: What is WUFI? – with Toby Cambray 38:55

1M ago38:55

38:55

Toby Cambray talks about the risks associated with moisture in buildings, and the modelling techniques – like WUFI® – that can be used to assess those risks. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH375: A day in the life of a builder – with Mike Whitfield 36:13

2M ago36:13

36:13

Mike Whitfield shares his experience of running a local construction company that specialises in Passivhaus. He explains how the business is structured, and what tasks are tackled on a daily and weekly basis. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep84 - Budget pitfalls to avoid 1:22:54

2M ago1:22:54

1:22:54

In Part 4 of a four part series about build costs in Ireland, quantity surveyor Keith Kelliher explains how to budget for your build and what pitfalls to avoid, including: Why the most common budget buster is not having a budget in the first place How to deal with price increases for materials when self-building Rate of inflation on materials 4 per…

1
HPH374: Building for People - with Mike Eliason 45:21

2M ago45:21

45:21

Mike Eliason talks about his book, Building for People, and the massive opportunity we have to create better places through being more intentional and thoughtful. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH373: Using a willow bed to treat sewage - with Laila Dudhill 31:05

3M ago31:05

31:05

Laila Dudhill explains some of the challenges she faced when planning her new build home at the bottom of a sloping field. Not only did she have to deal with drainage across the site, diverting the natural flow of water away from the house, but also come up with a foul drainage strategy that would off-set phosphate discharge into the local watercou…

1
Ep83 - Bathroom costs: how much and how to save 24:36

3M ago24:36

24:36

In Part 3 of a four part series about build costs in Ireland, quantity surveyor Keith Kelliher sheds light on how much you can expect to pay for your new bathroom in Ireland today, including: Common things people forget to budget for Where people are spending unnecessarily Importing from abroad: Pros and cons and what savings can really be made Til…

1
HPH372: Introducing the circular economy to housing 44:45

3M ago44:45

44:45

Katherine Adams and Connie Spoor talk about the circular economy and construction, and practical strategies for making reuse a priority on housing projects and self-builds. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH371: What is wood fibre insulation? – with Chris Brookman 35:42

4M ago35:42

35:42

Chris Brookman from Back to Earth explains what wood fibre insulation is, how it could be used on a project and why careful specification is required. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH370: Where your money goes on a home retrofit project 1:00:49

4M ago1:00:49

1:00:49

Florence Collier, founder of Humblebee, takes us step-by-step through the deep retrofit of her 1970s home. She explains the costs relating to each measure and the cumulative total as the project advances. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep82 - How much does a kitchen cost in Ireland today? 39:52

4M ago39:52

39:52

In Part 2 of a four part series about build costs in Ireland, quantity surveyor Keith Kelliher sheds light on how much you can expect to pay for your new kitchen in Ireland today, including: Cost components and how they can bust the budget Common things people forget to budget for Product options, weighing durability vs cost What you can expect to …

1
HPH369: Converting a barn to meet the Living Building Challenge – with Toby Diggens 46:56

5M ago46:56

46:56

Toby Diggens explains what it takes to meet the requirements of the Living Building Challenge, and working to the standard when renovating an existing building. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH368: Creating biodiverse natural landscapes – with Toby Diggens 47:23

5M ago47:23

47:23

Toby Diggens, founder and co-director of Digg and Co outlines how we can all contribute to creating ecologically diverse and resilient landscapes to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep81 - Why do windows cost 15k on one house and 50k on another? 33:28

5M ago33:28

33:28

In Part 1 of a four part series about build costs in Ireland, quantity surveyor Keith Kelliher sheds light on how much you can expect to pay for your windows and doors including: · Why is one house 50k and another 15k for the windows and doors? · Types of windows and doors products available to self-builders in Ireland · How windows and doors are c…

1
HPH367: A furniture maker builds a timber eco home – with Lucinda Leech 32:49

5M ago32:49

32:49

Furniture maker Lucinda Leech shares her story of building a modest, but beautiful eco home. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH366: Could a home energy transformation pay for itself? 45:12

6M ago45:12

45:12

Howard Johns, founder of One Zero, outlines their home energy transformation service which includes topping up insulation and adding solar PV, battery storage and a heat pump. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep80 - Solar panels that generate electricity: are they worth it? 20:08

6M ago20:08

20:08

At Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Belfast 2024, Michael O'Donnell of Solarfix NI and Suzie McKee of Start Solar joined us to chat about photovoltaic (PV) panels, including: What are PV panels How they work What are the components What can go wrong on them How much do they cost What's the payback How to best use them Should you get a battery? Host…

1
HPH365: Becoming a housing activist – with Cypren Edmunds 37:58

6M ago37:58

37:58

Cypren Edmonds, a housing activist and advocate for bio-based building materials, describes the challenges he has faced living in social housing in London, and the health benefits and energy efficiency that can be achieved through building with straw. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH364: The power of community led housing – with Kareem Dayes from RUSS 1:02:52

7M ago1:02:52

1:02:52

Kareem Dayes, co-founder of RUSS in Lewisham, explains why setting up a Community Land Trust was a route to deliver genuinely affordable housing and create a better neighbourhood. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep79 - Costed project in NI with update on costs per sqm in Ireland today 26:24

7M ago26:24

26:24

At Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Belfast 2024, DJ Rasdale of Build Cost Estimations runs through a real life example of costing a build from start to finish, and provides an update on how much it costs to build a house in Ireland today, including: · Labour and material costs as of September 2024 · Cost estimations: how they’re put together · Det…

1
HPH363: Is it worth getting an asbestos survey for an existing home? 48:37

7M ago48:37

48:37

Greg Byrne from RB Asbestos Consultants explains what asbestos is, why it was used so widely in construction, its potential impact on health, and how you go about identifying and removing asbestos products. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH362: An easier way to build a certified Passivhaus – with Clare and Ross Booth 34:21

8M ago34:21

34:21

Clare and Ross Booth from Coldwells Build share details of their prefabricated, turnkey Passivhaus designs that aim to simplify the delivery of high performance homes in Scotland. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep78 - Show Highlights: Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Belfast 2024 8:22

8M ago8:22

8:22

A snapshot of what to expect at Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Belfast 2024, including testimonials from self-builders who attended the event and special offers from a few of the 150+ companies exhibiting at the show; clips from: Kitchen Pod, Breedon Tiles, 3DNA, SolarFix, Viltra, NIE Networks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info…

1
HPH361: What's the difference between a renovation and a retrofit? 44:22

8M ago44:22

44:22

Paul Testa from HEM Architects explains the difference between renovation and retrofit, using his own home as an example of a deep retrofit. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH360: Why MVHR maintenance and servicing is important – with Richard Hollas 35:50

9M ago35:50

35:50

Richard Hollas from 21 Degrees explains why regular MVHR maintenance and servicing is essential, what it entails, and we accompany him step-by-step as he services a unit. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH359: External shading solutions – with Paul Morris 34:56

9M ago34:56

34:56

Paul Morris from Solar-Shield explains how external shading can help control solar gains and reduce internal temperatures, keeping your home cool as temperatures rise. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep77 - Bathroom design trends for 2024 36:45

9M ago36:45

36:45

Bathroom consultant Gareth Holland chats about how to go about your renovation or new build project, including: · How much to budget for your bathroom for a good finish · Dangers of buying online · Where to start when renovating a bathroom · Where to start with a new build · What to bring on your initial consultation · Typical design constraints · …

1
HPH358: Getting the right mortgage for a house build project – with Tom McSherry 42:58

10M ago42:58

42:58

Tom McSherry from BuildStore explains the importance of cashflow when it comes to building a house and why a big part of selecting the right mortgage product is about planning your project around your budget and making sure you have accurate costings. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH357: Beginner's guide to eco renovation – with Judith Leary-Joyce 50:21

10M ago50:21

50:21

Judith Leary-Joyce shares her experience of retrofitting a Victorian end-terrace house to reduce energy consumption, make it more healthy and comfortable, and leave a sustainable legacy for future generations. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep76 - Window design 42:53

10M ago42:53

42:53

Andrew Acheson of Internorm chats about window and door design, including: How to compare windows How much self-builders are spending on windows and doors How to save money on your window and door design U-values explained in detail The case for triple glazed windows Aluclad options: uPVC vs timber Window replacement: what you need to consider Tric…

1
HPH356: What is Passivhaus certification? – with Kym Mead 35:03

11M ago35:03

35:03

Kym Mead from Mead Consulting explains what Passivhaus certification is, how the process works and why there is a difference between certified Passivhaus buildings and those that just adopt a 'Passivhaus principles' approach. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH355: The Story of Upfront Carbon - with Lloyd Alter 50:00

11M ago50:00

50:00

Lloyd Alter explains the term upfront carbon, its relevance to us all as consumers, and why he felt compelled to write a book on the topic. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep75 - Budget busters 36:39

11M ago36:39

36:39

Craig Jones of Land Options Ireland chats about how much it costs to build a house in Ireland today, including: Budgeting for your build: why a cost per sqm is the best place to start - and what the next steps are The typical budget busters on a build How to check if the site won't cost a fortune to build on How much reports cost How much to set as…

1
HPH354: How natureplus helps you identify sustainable building products - with Tilmann Kramolisch 34:41

12M ago34:41

34:41

Tilmann Kramolisch from natureplus explains why their eco label was established, how materials and products are assessed, and what it means to use a natureplus certified product on your project. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH353: 12 tips for a successful Passivhaus project 22:48

12M ago22:48

22:48

Speakers from the Passivhaus workshop event at the National Self Build and Renovation Centre in Swindon each share a top tip. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep74 - The process of building your home: cost saving tips 28:47

1y ago28:47

28:47

Pete Finn, AKA Pete the builder, of RTÉ's Home Rescue and advisory firm Let's Talk Homes joins tiny house builder Paul Lawford of smallchange.ie to chat about the process of building your home in Ireland today with cost saving tips, including: Once the house has been designed, planning permission has been approved, Health & Safety has been done on …

1
HPH352: Encouraging and supporting home retrofit in your local area 42:28

1y ago42:28

42:28

Neighbours Wookey and Rob Leedham explain why they were motivated to retrofit their homes, how they built up knowledge and why engaging with others on a similar path has been extremely useful. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH351: Creating affordable, high quality, low carbon homes - with Linda Farrow 31:42

1y ago31:42

31:42

Linda Farrow from Agile Homes explains how their prefabricated panelised system can deliver high quality and truly affordable homes that are good for the planet. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep73 - Kitchen design trends for 2024 32:29

1y ago32:29

32:29

Jonny Orr of Daniel George Kitchens and Caroline O'Neill of Digg Mama chat about Caroline’s kitchen design journey including how she went about it and what steps she would recommend self-builders taking. The chat also focused on: · Main things to consider when designing a kitchen; common mistakes to avoid. · Best time to involve kitchen designers a…

1
HPH350: What is value engineering? 29:41

1y ago29:41

29:41

Ben Adam-Smith explains what value engineering is and how it can help us to do more with less. He reflects on a short video about Slate House in Herefordshire that includes some great examples of value engineering. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH349: Timber build approaches – with Meredith Bowles 50:33

1y ago50:33

50:33

Meredith Bowles from Mole Architects shares his experience working with timber as a construction material and explains the benefits and drawbacks of the different build approaches. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep72 - Bathroom design trends for 2024 29:06

1y ago29:06

29:06

Matt Kinloch of SONAS Bathrooms and Darrel McCauley of Spectrum Bathrooms joined us at Selfbuild Live Belfast to talk about what’s trending in bathroom designs and how to get the style on a budget, including Colours and style in general: what’s on trend, e.g. is barbiecore a thing in bathrooms? What are the classics? General budget saving advice: c…

1
HPH348: Why do homes get mould? – with Alexx Stuart 42:54

1y ago42:54

42:54

Alexx Stuart from Low Tox Life shares her experiences of toxic mould exposure and offers some advice on how best to keep your home healthy and mould free. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
HPH347: Common pitfalls to avoid when building a house – with Amelia Lee 57:17

1y ago57:17

57:17

Amelia Lee from Undercover Architect shares some common themes that tend to crop up on owner-builder projects (particularly with people who are doing this for the first time) and explains how they can be avoided by creating a clear foundation of your values and project intentions. Check out the show notes for more information.…

1
HPH346: Passivhaus homes where cooling is a key consideration – with Andy Marlow 41:16

1+ y ago41:16

41:16

Andy Marlow from Envirotecture explains why Passivhaus homes are a good fit for most climates in Australia, how they approach these projects and what is needed beyond shading to keep the homes comfortable when the outdoor temperatures soar. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ep71 - Top 5 pitfalls to avoid when self-building 32:02

1+ y ago32:02

32:02

Pete Cole of Pete Cole Consulting shares the most common issues he comes across self-build sites, including: How to work to a budget - where to spend your money Evaluating site conditions, from utilities running through the site to contamination Task approval in NI, developer enquiries Variations to designs and importance of site meetings How to ch…

1
HPH345: Why is the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) such a useful tool? – with Sarah Lewis 43:41

1+ y ago43:41

43:41

Sarah Lewis, the Research and Policy Director at the UK Passivhaus Trust and author of PHPP Illustrated, explains what the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) is and how it is used during the design process. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

Podcasts Worth a Listen

The Selfbuild Podcast

Podcasts Worth a Listen