Stage 6 of 7
Build checklist
Site works, foundations, shell, services and finishes, with inspections and drawdowns along the way.
Need the full explanation? Read about this stage in the self-build stages guide.
Your checklist
Stage complete
What happens
- The site is cleared and services connected, then foundations, walls and roof go up.
- First and second fix follow, then plastering, finishes and commissioning.
- Your certifier inspects at each stage, and your lender releases money against each inspection.
Typical time: About 9 to 14 months for a standard house.
Put this stage into practice
- Stage payment planner
See whether your own funds cover the gaps between mortgage stage payments. Open calculator →
Guides for this stage
Start with the first guide, or choose the part you need help with.
Planning the work
- The stages of building a house in Ireland
The order a self-build usually follows in Ireland, from site and planning through Building Control notices and drawdowns to the completion certificate. The build · 20 min read
- Timber frame, block or ICF: choose a build method
Compare timber frame, cavity block and insulating concrete formwork. Check the specification, installer, schedule and complete quote before choosing. Costs and grants · 11 min read
- How long does it take to build a house in Ireland?
Realistic timescales for a self-build in Ireland, from site search and planning to moving in, and the things that most often add months. The build · 10 min read
- Site works and connecting services to a self-build
Site preparation and service connections for an Irish self-build: access, water, electricity, wastewater and broadband, and what to apply for early. The build · 9 min read
- Modular homes: planning, building rules and your budget
How a modular home fits Irish planning and building regulations, what the July 2026 Class 3A rear-garden exemption covers, and what the supplier leaves to you. The build · 6 min read
Fabric and energy
- Passive House or nZEB: what are you paying for?
Agree your home’s energy target before getting quotes. Check what Passive House certification adds to Irish energy requirements and who will prove it. Costs and grants · 6 min read
- Meet the nZEB and Part L energy rules for your house
Plan insulation, heating and renewables to meet the nearly zero energy building (nZEB) standard. Part L targets, design checks and renovation rules. Regulations · 6 min read
- Windows and doors for a self-build: frames, triple glazing, ordering and insurance
Choose and order windows and doors for an Irish self-build: frame types, prices, triple glazing and Part L, lead times and cover for stored units. The build · 6 min read
- Heat pump for a new build in Ireland: type, sizing and cost
Choose between air-to-water, exhaust-air and ground-source heat pumps for a new house. Sizing, emitters, cost, grants and how it fits Part L. Costs and grants · 6 min read
- Solar PV on a new build: the Part L renewable requirement
How solar panels help a new house meet the Part L renewable energy ratio. When you need them, how many kWp, what they cost and the planning exemption. Costs and grants · 6 min read
Water and electricity
- Water supply for a one-off house: mains, group scheme or well
Compare an Uisce Éireann connection, a group water scheme and a private well for a rural self-build. Costs, testing and what lenders ask for. The build · 6 min read
- Getting an ESB Networks connection for a self-build
What an ESB Networks connection for a new house costs, how long it takes, what your builder and electrician must prepare, and how to avoid delays. The build · 8 min read