Questions About Building a HebHome in Ireland

Steel is required in most designs because of the double-height spaces and large expanses of glass but the extent and cost will vary depending on client changes, ground conditions and wind loading.  We have an allowance for steel within our CPS kits, but not our SIP kits.  This is due to our suppliers’ pricing methodology.

Our Closed Panel Sigma II (CPS) is an advanced form of timber frame.  Most kit house companies use standard studs with polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation fitted externally to try and obtain a good U-value. This can be expensive and difficult to fit.  Oil-based insulation and cold-bridging are eliminated with our 235 studs. 

Outline permission establishes whether a proposed development is acceptable in principle, subject to its conditions. It does not permit construction to start.

If outline permission has been granted, the subsequent Irish application is for permission consequent on the grant of outline permission, covering the required details. This is a distinct application route; a fresh full-permission application is not simply another name for it.

Before purchasing land, have your Irish planning adviser and solicitor check the permission’s validity, conditions, time limits and any occupancy or local-policy restrictions.

The names of our kit house designs follow a simple system. First, we use a prefix to indicate the design range:

• ‘AGH’ stands for Airigh
• ‘LH’ stands for Longhouse
• ‘ALH’ stands for Accessible Longhouse
• ‘WH’ stands for Whitehouse
• ‘TH’ and ‘UH’ models are from our Steading range.

The subsequent numbers indicate the design and how many storeys it has: so, LH102 is the first design from our Longhouse range, and has two floors.

We also use suffixes to indicate if a porch extension (P) or dormer window (D) has been added to the core design.

The inclusions depend on the package and quotation you select. A HebHomes quotation identifies the structural kit, options, delivery and erection services included, together with stated exclusions.

The kit price is not the complete cost of the finished project. You should also budget for professional fees, surveys, planning and statutory costs, groundworks, foundations, drainage, utilities, the remaining building trades, finishes, external works, contingencies and VAT.

Steel and other site-specific structural requirements depend on the design, amendments, ground conditions and exposure; rely on the inclusions and allowances stated in your current quotation.

Review our Irish cost guidance and obtain a site-specific estimate from an Irish quantity surveyor before committing to the build.

In Ireland, securing a building plot often requires local knowledge and proactive searching. Some of the best sites are not formally advertised, so we recommend:

• Speaking with locals in your preferred area, as landowners may sell privately.
• Registering with local estate agents to be notified about upcoming opportunities.
• Checking county council land auctions, as some councils dispose of surplus land suitable for self-builds.

For a more active land search, consider working with a land agent or planning consultant who specialises in self-build plots. Unlike in the UK, firms such as DM Hall do not operate in Ireland, but local auctioneers and specialist estate agents can assist.

Online Resources:
There are also websites that list building plots for sale, such as:

• Daft.ie (Ireland’s leading property website)
• MyHome.ie
• Landdirect.ie (for checking land ownership and boundaries)

A planning consultant may also help assess a site's development potential before purchase, particularly regarding zoning, planning restrictions, and local needs policies in rural areas.

To view the indicative floorplans of our houses you need to register with us. Use the 'register' link on the left-hand menu bar. Once you have registered with us you will be able to log in at any time to view floorplans and other information about the designs.

Before buying, ask an Irish architect or planning consultant to assess the site against the county development plan and local rural-housing policies. A site being advertised for sale does not mean permission for your preferred house is likely.

• Planning history, zoning and any local-needs policy
• Safe road access, sightlines and entrance works
• Ground conditions, levels, exposure and flood risk
• Water supply, electricity and broadband connections
• Wastewater treatment and whether the site can pass the required assessment
• Space for construction access, crane operations and material storage
• Development contributions, legal title, boundaries and rights of way
• The effect of site purchase and abnormal works on your complete-project budget

Make any purchase subject to appropriate legal, planning and technical advice.

In Ireland, this is more commonly described as full planning permission: approval for the particular house, access, drainage, wastewater arrangements and site works shown in the application.

A valid application normally includes site-specific plans, house drawings, public notices and any reports required for the site. Your Irish architect or planning agent should prepare and submit the application, advise on county development-plan policy and respond to any request for further information.

HebHomes supplies the house-design information needed for coordination, while your Irish professional prepares the site-specific material and acts as planning agent. Planning permission does not itself authorise construction: Building Regulations, BCMS documentation, the appropriate Commencement Notice, professional appointments and planning conditions must also be addressed before work begins.

Yes, on suitable projects and subject to location, programme and contractor availability.

HebHomes offers Supply + Erect throughout Ireland. Where available, a HebHomes-affiliated Irish main contractor may also provide Partial or Full Turnkey under a separate building contract.

Turnkey is a main-contractor service; it is not a separate procurement method. Your HebHomes kit contract and the contractor’s building contract remain separate, and you will still need the appropriate Irish architect, engineer and certification team.

See how Turnkey works in Ireland.

These are industry standard terms denoting a particular stage of the build process. This would usually mean that the kit shell has been erected on the foundation, the windows and doors have been fitted and the roofing and wall membranes have been applied.

Your house will still let in water at this stage. No house is truly weathertight until the roof covering (e.g. slates) and external cladding (e.g. blockwork) have been applied, and all gaps sealed up. It is perfectly normal for windblown rain to drive into the kit at this stage and your own building contractor should take measures to begin sealing up the house as soon as possible after the kit is up.

The internal floor area is the approximate total floor area (ground and upper) of the house measured in square metres.

Start with an authorised Irish lender or mortgage intermediary experienced in self-build projects. AIB and Bank of Ireland publish self-build mortgage information. Products and eligibility must be confirmed directly; we do not imply that every lender finances every kit or off-site payment arrangement.

You can discuss borrowing capacity and approval in principle before the final planning and construction documents are ready. Full approval and drawdown require the lender’s specified evidence, including planning status, costs, valuation and professional reports.

Match stage drawdowns to the HebHomes deposit, manufacture and delivery invoices before signing. Off-site costs may fall due before a lender releases funds.

Read our Irish finance guide for lender and broker resources, including SEFS and the scope of Mayflower’s assistance. Check the provider’s permissions on the Central Bank register. This is general information, not personal financial advice.

A location map identifies the site within the wider area. A site layout plan shows the proposed home, boundaries, access, levels, parking, drainage, wastewater arrangements and other site-specific information at the required scale.

These documents are prepared for the particular Irish site and planning application. They are normally coordinated by your Irish architect or planning agent; they are not part of the standard HebHomes house-design package. HebHomes can provide the house drawings and technical information needed for coordination.

Yes. A HebHomes design can often be mirrored or adjusted to respond to the site, views, access, accommodation needs and Irish planning advice. Modest changes may include window positions, internal layouts or selected extensions, subject to design, structural and manufacturing review.

Changes add design, coordination and engineering work and can affect kit cost, energy performance, planning prospects and programme. The greatest certainty and value normally come from choosing the closest proven design and changing only what the site or brief genuinely requires.

For more substantial departures, HebHomes can discuss a bespoke route in collaboration with Dualchas Architects. Your Irish architect or DACA Architects should coordinate site-specific planning and statutory requirements.

No. We do not sell the plans for our designs separately. The plans are provided as part of the package when you purchase one of our kits.

Any use of our designs without our express permission will be considered a breach of copyright and we will take immediate action to recover costs.

A percolation test measures how water moves through the soil and forms part of the site-characterisation assessment for an on-site domestic wastewater system. It is not, on its own, proof that a site is suitable for a septic tank or treatment plant.

A competent assessor must consider the ground, groundwater, separation distances, proposed occupancy and the full treatment and discharge arrangement. Treated sewage effluent is not simply “grey water”, and a reed bed is not an automatic substitute for a compliant treatment system and discharge design.

Have the site assessed early and agree the required reports with your planning adviser and local authority. The applicable reference is the EPA Code of Practice for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems.

These are coordinated technical drawings and specifications for the complete home, including structure, foundations, energy performance, ventilation, fire safety, access and drainage. HebHomes provides the information within its contracted kit scope; your Irish design team coordinates it with site engineering and the remaining work.

BCMS is the submission system, not a government approval of the design. Eligible owners of a single dwelling on a single development unit may opt out of statutory certification, but not out of Building Regulations or applicable building-control procedures. Agree competent design, inspections and the certification required by your lender, solicitor, insurer and warranty provider before choosing that route.

Official building-control guidance.

The kit price is only one part of the complete project cost. A realistic Irish budget should include the site and legal costs; architect, engineer, Assigned Certifier and quantity-surveyor fees; planning and building-control costs; surveys; groundworks, foundations, drainage and utility connections; the HebHomes package; local completion trades; finishes, external works, VAT and contingency.

Start with our Irish pricing guidance and build-cost estimator. Once the site and design are understood, ask an Irish quantity surveyor or contractor to prepare a site-specific estimate. Ground conditions, access, location, specification and local tender conditions can materially change the final cost.

Tell HebHomes your site, preferred design, project stage and approximate budget so we can help identify a realistic service route.

Yes, you will need an architect, planning consultant, or other qualified professional to guide you through the planning and construction process.

HebHomes does not provide a Planning and Building Control service in Ireland, so we strongly advise appointing a local professional to:

• Act as your agent for planning applications, ensuring compliance with local planning policies.
• Prepare site-specific drawings, including drainage layouts and percolation test reports.
• Manage the Building Control process, including compliance with BCMS and, if required, the Assigned Certifier role under BCAR.
• Tender your project and arrange contracts with your builder.
• Supervise construction to ensure quality and compliance, including providing stage valuations for mortgage lenders.

We can liaise directly with your architect or agent, supplying them with the necessary kit drawings and technical information to support your project. HebHomes suggests using DACA Architects of Dublin.  They can be contacted at [email protected].  

Choose an experienced, properly insured Irish contractor with strong references for comparable homes. Ask your architect, engineer or quantity surveyor to check the tender, proposed programme, insurances, exclusions and contract before appointment.

NHBC is a UK scheme and is not the appropriate benchmark for an Irish project. Discuss structural-warranty and lender requirements with your professional team before signing a building contract, as these can affect the contractor and inspection arrangements you need.

For suitable projects, HebHomes can introduce an affiliated Irish main contractor who may offer Partial or Full Turnkey. Availability depends on the site, location, programme, scope and contractor capacity, and the contractor’s agreement is separate from the HebHomes kit contract.

You may instead appoint your own local main contractor following the HebHomes Supply + Erect service. Your Irish architect, engineer or quantity surveyor can prepare tender information, recommend suitable firms and help compare quotations.

Before appointing a contractor

• Obtain detailed, like-for-like quotations with clear inclusions and exclusions.
• Check comparable project experience, references, insurance and current capacity.
• Confirm responsibility for groundworks, services, finishes, temporary works and site management.
• Use an appropriate written building contract and agree the programme and payment stages.
• Ensure the contractor will cooperate with your architect, engineer, Assigned Certifier and BCMS requirements.

Read about the Irish Turnkey service or tell us about your site so we can discuss the currently available route.

The exact information depends on your contract and project stage. HebHomes normally provides the house-design and kit information needed to coordinate the structural package, including relevant plans, elevations, sections, standard construction details, specification information, panel drawings and structural calculations for the HebHomes kit.

Your Irish architect, engineer and Assigned Certifier remain responsible for coordinating the complete, site-specific design and statutory information. This normally includes the site layout, foundations, drainage, wastewater, services, access, fire and energy compliance, BCMS documentation, inspections and certification.

Your project team should confirm the complete schedule of information and responsibilities before construction begins.

Our installation team does not fit the rooflights as part of our erection service for two reasons. Firstly, the exact height of the rooflights above the SIP roof must be known so they can be fitted accurately. This height can vary depending on slate and batten thickness. If we were to fit them, the rooflight would have to be lifted out and adjusted.

The primary reason we do not fit them, however, is to prevent water ingress. If we fitted the rooflights they could be left exposed for a considerable period while the main contractor organises his roofers. This can mean water pouring into the building and damaging the chipboard flooring.

For these two reasons we do not fit the Fakro rooflights.

Pros
• Great quality product at a competitive price
• Lifespan of 40 years +
• Connections to agricultural heritage - planning

Cons
• It can be more expensive to repair if larger sheets need to be replaced (vs. tiles)
• It requires more maintenance than a slate roof

If building close to the coast we would recommend an aluminium roof rather than steel.  This is more resistant to seawater corrosion but is more expensive. 

40 years +

Companies will typically offer warranties of 30 years for their metal roofs if fitted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. 

Irish lenders commonly require project information and may require a projected Building Energy Rating (BER), rather than the UK SAP figure referred to in older guidance.

Your Irish energy assessor and design team should prepare the calculations for the complete, site-specific home, including its orientation, fabric, airtightness, ventilation, heating and renewable-energy systems. Confirm the lender’s precise requirements before submitting your mortgage application.

A pre-planning consultation can be valuable before you commit to a site or a final design. It allows your architect or planning consultant to discuss the proposal with the local planning authority and understand the development plan, rural-housing policy, access, wastewater and landscape considerations.

Pre-planning advice is not a planning permission and does not guarantee a later decision. Availability and response times vary by local authority, so your local professional should advise on the best approach and prepare a site-specific submission.

The service life of timber cladding depends on the species, grade, exposure, finish, ventilation, fixings, detailing and maintenance. Good detailing is particularly important on exposed coastal sites: the cladding should drain and dry freely, and damaged boards should be replaceable.

HebHomes can advise on suitable cladding options for the house design. Your Irish architect and contractor should confirm the site-specific specification, fire requirements, corrosion-resistant fixings and maintenance plan.

An air-source heat pump uses electricity to extract heat from the outside air and supply space heating and, depending on the system, domestic hot water. It is commonly paired with low-temperature emitters such as underfloor heating or suitably designed radiators.

The unit size, position, noise, hot-water storage and electrical requirements must be designed for the complete home. Your Irish building-services or energy professional should specify the system using a project-specific heat-loss calculation and coordinate it with the BER strategy.

GSHPs deliver similar results to ASHPs, but with slightly higher efficiencies as they gather heat from the ground which has a more stable and on average slightly higher ambient temperature than the air. GSHPs also attract larger incentives. The GSHPs require an area of land adjacent to the house to lay pipes, if this is not possible, pipes are fed deep underground (up to 200m). Due to the requirement for drilling, these tend to have high capital costs which limits their popularity. Generally, the GSHP is a good option for the higher heat load properties only.

Assess biomass against the home’s heat demand, fuel supply and storage space, delivery access, maintenance, ash disposal and emissions requirements. A heating designer should compare lifecycle costs and suitability with other systems.

Do not rely on a blanket claim that biomass boilers are about to be outlawed. Equipment, fuel, installation and emissions must meet the rules applicable to the proposed system and location. SEAI publishes biomass heating guidance; support schemes described there may be intended for businesses rather than private homes.

Lead time is dictated by the window order and our supplier's production schedule. The windows generally take 8-10 weeks to be delivered.  Within that time period we will panelise and manufacture the kit. Depending on the time of the year, there could be a longer wait due to demand, we will keep you updated when you get to the stage of ordering the kit. 

There is usually a month of preparation work on the site before it is ready for kit delivery.  This includes forming access, site clearance, sewerage, foundations and slab.  Once this is complete we will inspect the site and ensure it is ready for kit delivery and erection.

This means that windows need to be ordered at least a month before work begins on site. 

Please refer to the Sustainability section of our website. 

CPS - There are manufacturing plants in Aberdeenshire and Oxfordshire.
SIP -  Manufactured and fabricated by SIP Energy in Athenry, County Galway, Ireland.
 

Allow time for design development and reports before the statutory periods begin. A planning authority will generally make its decision within the statutory period for a valid application, but a request for further information, revised notices or an appeal can extend the programme substantially.

Before construction, the appropriate Commencement Notice and supporting documents must be submitted through the Building Control Management System (BCMS). The route and documentation depend on whether the project follows the full BCAR certification process or is eligible to opt out.

Your Irish architect or Assigned Certifier should prepare a project-specific programme. Do not book kit manufacture, delivery or site work solely around an assumed planning date.

As a general rule, the width of our kit homes is fixed due to the engineering of the kit. The length can be easily amended to suit. Small changes to drawings are at no extra cost.

More information on design changes can be found here. 

No.

As with any new build, there is no set time. As long as the property is well maintained and looked after it will have a very long lifespan.

HebHomes provides the warranties stated in its contract for the supplied kit and relevant components. A HebHomes kit warranty is not the same as a structural warranty for the completed home.

Your builder is responsible for its contracted work, while your Irish design and certification team coordinates inspections and compliance documentation for the complete project. Building-control certification is also distinct from an insurance-backed structural warranty.

Before appointing the contractor, ask your lender and insurer what warranty, professional certificates and inspection records they require. Your solicitor, architect and Assigned Certifier should review the proposed arrangements.

No. Simply a different form of construction.

No.  But the thicker wall does mean that the blocks supporting the external CPS walls are laid on flat, meaning a more expensive foundation. 

No. Our contractor provides quantities based on our drawings. 

No. The contractor measures quantities based on our drawings. 

Installed on site.  Because of the remote location of many of our deliveries it would be too much of a risk to fit the windows in the factories in case of transit damage. 

Our engineer generally advises to steer away from this as you need a specialist contractor, specialised equipment and it is generally more expensive than a pile foundation. It is marketed as a 'light touch' to the ground, however, it is actually very intrusive by piling several metres into the ground. Screw pile foundations are also not suitable for all ground conditions - this depends on the findings from a ground investigation survey.

See above. Generally we propose small pad foundations, steel beams to elevate the structure with SIP cassettes as the suspended floor. Quite a few of our Airighs have been built like this - see Ardmair Bay, Ullapool on our website. Note that our Structural Engineer will advise on a project-by-project basis as the structural loading and ground conditions will vary.

Potentially, but the junction between a new HebHome and an existing building must be designed specifically for the site and existing structure. HebHomes can provide drawings and technical information for the new kit; your Irish architect and engineer must survey the existing house and coordinate the link, foundations, structure, weathering, fire safety, insulation, airtightness, services and statutory approvals.

An extension or linked building can have different planning, Building Regulations and VAT implications from a new standalone dwelling. Do not rely on a fixed VAT rate or exemption: ask your Irish architect and tax adviser to confirm the treatment for the precise proposal and contract structure.

The main saving is in the erection cost as it reduces time on site and equipment can be shared across all the units. Supply cost discount to be discussed on a project-specific basis.

No, HebHomes does not organise new utility connections in Ireland. This is the responsibility of the client or their appointed agent.

Once planning permission is submitted, the local council will consult with utility providers where necessary. However, it is advisable to begin the connection process early to avoid delays.

How to Apply for Utility Connections in Ireland

• Electricity: Apply through ESB Networks (www.esbnetworks.ie), which will assess your site and issue a quote for connection.
• Water & Wastewater: Applications go through Uisce Éireann (Irish Water) (www.water.ie), which requires planning approval before processing new connections.

Who Can Help?

Your architect or planning agent can assist with the application process, ensuring all required documents (such as site plans) are included. It is best to complete this at the Building Control stage to prepare for site works.

Generally, no. It is significantly more expensive because:

- Two leaves of blockwork are required for the substructure
- Blockwork is labour intensive and can be weather dependent
- Different specifications of render vary the cost (site considerations e.g. coastal site)
- Fire stops in the cavity are required
- Painting the render white

Render boards are cheaper but generally not used as low quality - has only been used above large structural openings in specific circumstances.  We would not recommend in coastal areas with high wind. 

Some mortgage lenders ask for this (usually only commercial finance).
No, this is not something we are involved in. The site and location will also impact the end value. Appoint a building surveyor to advise and provide a valuation. Be careful who you choose, however.  Some agents do not recognise build or architectural quality.  Choose one that does. 

Check the current quotation and price-table labels for whether VAT is included or added. Different packages may have different treatment.

In the Republic of Ireland, construction services generally attract 13.5% VAT; supply-only prefabricated kits generally attract 23%. A combined Supply + Erect contract directly with a homeowner must be tested under the two-thirds rule.

If the supplier’s VAT-exclusive cost of goods exceeds two-thirds of the VAT-exclusive total charge, the goods rate applies to the combined transaction under that rule. Otherwise, the applicable service rate applies. Contracting directly with a homeowner does not itself remove the test.

Have the actual scope, cost composition and VAT treatment confirmed in writing by HebHomes and its Irish VAT adviser. Professional services and separately supplied goods may be treated differently.

Revenue: two-thirds rule · Current VAT rates.

The overall planning stage is longer than the local authority’s decision period because your professional team must first assess the site, develop the design, arrange notices and prepare any required surveys or reports.

For a valid application, the planning authority generally works to the statutory decision period. Further-information requests, revised notices, observations or an appeal can add months. Rural sites may also require detailed evidence relating to local policy, access, landscape and wastewater treatment.

Your Irish architect or planning consultant should advise on a realistic programme for the particular county and site.

Building Regulations apply to the complete home. Before work starts, the correct Commencement Notice and supporting documentation must be submitted through BCMS.

Many projects follow the full BCAR process with a Design Certifier and Assigned Certifier. An eligible owner building a single dwelling may choose the statutory opt-out route, but this does not remove the obligation to comply with Building Regulations or the need for competent design, inspection and certification acceptable to the owner, insurer and lender.

Your Irish architect, engineer or Assigned Certifier should confirm the correct route, documentation and timing. HebHomes supplies technical information for its contracted kit scope but does not act as the Building Control Authority or certify the complete project.

The lead-in time for a HebHomes kit typically ranges from 8–12 weeks, though in some cases, it can extend to 16 weeks.

Key Factors Affecting Lead Times:

• Building Control Approval: Before ordering materials, you must have either full BCAR approval or have submitted a Commencement Notice (if opting out of BCAR).
• Window Lead Times: Windows often take longer to manufacture than the kit itself, so delivery schedules are planned accordingly.
• Material Supply & Fabrication: Delays in materials, particularly for SIPs and steel components, can impact timelines.

To avoid delays, we recommend submitting your Building Control documents as early as possible and discussing expected lead times with us when placing your order.

This typically varies between 8-10 weeks but can occasionally be longer - up to 16 weeks. 

Typically 8-9 months for a Longhouse and longer for a larger dwelling. Site clearance and complexity of site can impact this. It also depends on location and the resources of the main contractor. 

A self-build in Ireland typically takes 15–21 months from initial planning to completion, with 5–10 months of actual construction time from breaking ground, depending on the house type.

Estimated Timeline

1. Pre-Planning & Planning Permission (6–9 months total)

   • Pre-Planning Consultation (Optional but recommended) – 2–4 weeks
   • Planning Application & Decision – 8–12 weeks
   • Preparing for Building Control & Tendering – 6–12 weeks (finding a builder can be a major delay)

2. Building Control & Preparing for Construction (3–6 months total)

   • Commencement Notice Submission – Once submitted, construction can start after 14 days
   • Tendering & Appointing a Builder – Can take several months due to shortages in Ireland

3. Construction Phase (7–10 months total)

   • Groundworks & Foundations – 6–12 weeks
   • Kit Erection (SIPs) – 1–2 weeks
   • Fit-Out & Finishing – 4–6 months

Biggest Delays to Expect

• Finding a builder: High demand means early engagement is critical.
• Planning process: Ensure all required reports are completed to prevent delays.
• Utility connections: Apply as soon as planning is granted.

With good planning and early contractor engagement, a realistic timeline for a self-build in Ireland is 15–21 months from start to finish

Do not begin construction until planning conditions, building-control requirements, design information, appointments, insurance and contracts are in place.

The appropriate Commencement Notice must be submitted through BCMS within the required timeframe. If the full BCAR route applies, the necessary design and appointment documentation must accompany it. An eligible one-off house may use the statutory opt-out route, but Building Regulations still apply.

Your Irish architect, engineer or Assigned Certifier should confirm that the project is ready to commence. Starting early can invalidate permissions, disrupt certification and cause expensive rework.

You can reduce avoidable delay by appointing your Irish professional team early, assessing the site before finalising the design, beginning contractor discussions during planning, and preparing technical and BCMS information in parallel where sensible.

Some work undertaken before planning is final may become abortive if the design changes. You should not start construction or order project-specific components until your architect or Assigned Certifier confirms that the necessary consents, information, appointments and contracts are in place.

HebHomes are designed as highly insulated, airtight and energy-efficient homes, but a standard HebHomes package is not automatically certified to the Passivhaus standard.

Passivhaus certification applies to the complete, site-specific building and requires specialist modelling, detailing, testing and certification. If certification is important to you, tell us at the outset so that feasibility, design implications, professional appointments and additional costs can be assessed with your Irish design team.

Partial and Full Turnkey may be available for suitable Irish projects through a HebHomes-affiliated Irish main contractor. Availability depends on the site location, access, scope, programme and contractor capacity.

Turnkey is a main-contractor service under a separate building contract; HebHomes continues to contract separately for the kit package. Your Irish architect, engineer and certification team remain required.

Read the Irish Turnkey service guide or tell us about your site so we can check current availability.

It is possible to expose the glulam ridge beam but usually this is covered to allow a void for services and downlighters etc.  There is no requirement for ties as featured in many trussed rafter roofs.  These could be added but would be for decorative purposes only.  Our advice is that it is an unnecessary expense. 

Groundworks and foundations are not included in the standard HebHomes kit or Supply + Erect price.

An indicative Partial or Full Turnkey estimate may include an allowance for agreed groundworks, but the actual scope and price must be confirmed in the main contractor’s site-specific quotation and building contract.

Ground costs can vary substantially with access, levels, rock, soil, drainage, wastewater, retaining works and service connections. Arrange site investigation and independent quantity-surveying advice before relying on an allowance.

Our kits are supplied primarily to the United Kingdom and Ireland.  Supplying to Europe has become more problematic since Brexit but it can be done.  Anyone purchasing abroad will require their own architect to ensure full compliance with local building regulations. 

Partial Turnkey means an Irish main contractor completes an agreed portion of the building works beyond the HebHomes structural-kit package—for example groundworks and external completion—while the client separately arranges some later trades or finishes.

The exact stopping point, inclusions, exclusions and responsibilities must be written into the contractor’s quotation and building contract. It is still a main-contractor route, not a separate procurement method.

Where available, the contractor may be HebHomes-affiliated; alternatively, your own local main contractor can complete the project following Supply + Erect.

We do not offer a plot-finding service but do occasionally promote plots in our News section.  Information on how to find a plot can be found here and in our Members Area. 

Kit erection is around two weeks.  However, the time for the house to be completed, once it starts on site, can be between 2-3 months for the smaller units, and one year for the largest.   Typically a month is needed for site preparation, foundations and slab, before the kit is delivered to site.  Once erected it will be the organisation and resources of the main contractor that will determine just how quickly the house can be occupied.