Columns - Irish Examiner

Build a new home or renovate an old property?

Kieran McCarthy

KIeran McCarthy is a building engineer and founder of luxury new home builder, KMC Homes. He is also a presenter on the RTE show 'Heat My Home'. Follow Kieran on instagram and on the 'Built Around You' YouTube channel.

Property advice: I have an asbestos roof — what should I do?

In an older house, there are plenty of things to appreciate — asbestos is not one of them

Mon, 21 Sep, 2026

Young couple examining blueprints of they new home.

Kieran McCarthy: How to plan for home build project delays

Let’s look under the hood of how a new build project works and see where time could be lost

Mon, 27 Jul, 2026

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

S Kieran McCarthy: Is electric heating the solution for your home?

Builder Advice: There is a wide range of electric powered options when replacing an old oil-fired central heating system

Tue, 20 May, 2025

Kieran McCarthy: How do I make my old house airtight?

Building advice from expert Kieran McCarthy

Mon, 24 Mar, 2025

Hand of a businessman writing a real estate contract

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

It's not essential but a pre-planning meeting can put you on the right track

Mon, 05 Aug, 2024

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

Building site with house under construction

Legal advice: How do I take my ex off the mortgage?

'I would like to keep building the house, but naturally, my girlfriend is looking for her money to be reimbursed and for her name to come off the mortgage'

Tue, 24 May, 2022

Leeds United v Liverpool - Premier League - Elland Road

Terrace Talk - Liverpool: We oldies never felt comfortable with the idea of a New Leeds

Harvey Elliott’s nightmare has almost put our world back on its axis, in a gruesome sort of way. Dirty Leeds will never be anything else to us

Mon, 13 Sep, 2021