KMC HOMES BLOG
Build a new home or renovate an old property?
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes provides advice on whether to build a new home or renovate an old property. Q. My wife and I have recently inherited one and one-third...
Building in an area with a high level of subsidence
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes provides advice on building in an area that is prone to subsidence. Q. I am living in a city suburb that is regarded by insurance companies as...
What natural light options do I have for my attic?
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes provides advice on the pros and cons to choosing a roof light over a dormer window. Q. I am considering converting my attic but before I speak...
Where to locate the downstairs toilet?
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes provides advice on where to locate your downstairs toilet in your home build. Q. I live in a three-bed semi-d in the suburbs. The house...
How do I replace an old wooden patio?
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes provides advice on replacing an old wooden outside decking. Q. We are replacing an old patio. We previously had wooden decking laid but it...
What does it cost to swap two rooms in the house?
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes provides advice on the cost of swapping rooms in your house. Q. My parents live in a poorly designed 1980s dormer bungalow in the...
How do I convert my garage into a living space?
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes provides advice on converting a garage into a living space. Q. I would like your opinion on how best to go about converting my garage into a...
Steel beams as part of an home extension
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes provides advice on steel beams as part of extensions. Q. At what point does steel become part of the project rather than just bricks and...
Is it a bad thing that a home has been underpinned or should I walk away?
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes provides advice on what can strike fear into a would-be house buyer; rising damp, dry rot and of course our old archenemy, subsidence Q. I am...
What to keep in mind when installing a heat pump
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes provides advice on options for heat pumps in a new home. Q. I am just starting my self-build in Newbridge, do you need an MVHR (mechanical...
Getting the foundations of your home build right
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes provides advice on ensuring you get the foundations of your home build right. Q. My builder is laying the foundations of my house today. What...
Where to begin with an extension
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes provides advice on where to start with a home extension. Q. I would like to extend my kitchen… where do I start please? Do I start by getting...
Our old home has a G BER even after it was upgraded
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes provides advice on how suspect ‘DIY’ wall insulation may conceal a whole host of problems. Q. We have bought an older-era home in the country...
Sourcing labour for your home build or renovation
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes provides advice on Sourcing labour for your home build or renovation. Q.Direct labour or contractor? I am carrying out a full restoration on a...
Do I have to have a flat roof on my rear extension?
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes provides advice for the most-suitable extension to go with when adding to the ground floor? Q. We want to add a ground-floor extension, open...
Builders, architects, QS and project managers. Who manages what when building a home?
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes provides clarity on Builders, architects, QS and project managers. Who manages what when building a home Q. Myself and my husband have a...
The quickest and cheapest home improvements to cut your energy bills
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes provides advice on the quickest and cheapest home improvements to cut your energy bills Q.we’ve just got our second massive electricity bill...
Fixing cracks in the foundation
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes provides advice for fixing cracks in the foundation. Q. We’re looking to buy a home in a settled area near national schools in Cork City’s...
Building a home on an elevated site
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes provides advice when building a home on an elevated site. Q. I want to build a new home on a greenfield site overlooking Cork Harbour. It has...
Property Clinic: Options for Completing Your Build Project with Rising Costs
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes discusses the options for getting your build project completed with inflation and the rising costs of materials. Q. We have planning...
How to reduce heat loss from your home and save money
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes discusses how to reduce heat loss from your home and save money Q. What measures can a half-handy home-owner do themselves, i.e. some...
Should I use blocks or timber to build my new home?
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes discusses the pros and cons to choosing either material for the frame of a new build. Q. Should I plan to build my new house in traditional...
Ventilation: How to handle dampness in your home
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes discusses ventilation and how to handle dampness in your home. Q. We replaced our windows and got the outside insulated. I open the windows...
What to consider before installing air-to-water heating
This week in the Examiner, Kieran McCarthy of KMC Homes discusses what to consider when installing air to water heating. The biggest difference between an Air to Water system and your current Oil...
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