Regulations ‘will add to cost of building at home’

New building regulations are set to place a huge financial burden on householders engaged in renovation work, putting on an extension or building a new home.

From next month, homeowners will be subject to building health and safety legislation that, up to now, was confined to professionals in the construction industry.

The 2012 Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Regulations come into force on Jun 1 and are already regarded as the most far-reaching legislation of their kind ever to be introduced into Irish law.