Young Irish couple’s Savvy Self-Build Saves Them โฌ175,000
Table of Contents
- Young Irish couple’s Savvy Self-Build Saves Them โฌ175,000
- Eco Cost-Saving
- Cash Back
- Flexible Plan
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a self-build mortgage, and how did it help the couple?
- How did the couple save money on their self-build project?
- What are the benefits of choosing a self-build home in Ireland?
- What environmental standards did the couple have to meet for their self-build mortgage?
- Are there any government grants available for self-builders in Northern Ireland?
- How vital is it to find the right architect for a self-build project?
Newlyweds Jodi and Philip Kerr built their dream home in the Irish countryside, showcasing a smart approach to cost control and budgeting.

A Savvy young couple’s smart approach to building their dream home in the Irish countryside has seen them โฌ175,000 better off.
Newlyweds Jodi and Philip Kerr were “first time buyers and builders all in one” when they started their new home project on a tight budget.
But thanks to tight cost control and smart budgeting the young couple are just weeks away from living happily ever after in their dream pad – and it’s already worth โฌ175,000 more it cost them.
As house prices continuing to skyrocket in Ireland, self-building can be a practical way to cut costs and have complete control over the design decisions.
Statistics show that the average price of a 3-bed semi in Ireland was over โฌ397,000 in 2024 – the most expensive at any point in Irish history.
And the number of self-build mortgage approvals has also grown steadily, with over 1,300 approved in Ireland last year alone.
Many of these are young couples choosing to build their own pads from the ground up.
And one such savvy couple is Jodi and Philip who are in the final weeks of building a breathtaking home in the Northern Irish countryside.
and after 2 years of building, the couple, who are only in their 20s, have revealed how they went about their bargain dream build.
Jodie said: “We got engaged in February 2023, and we went straight to an architect.
“My husband had a plot of land near where we were living and that’s what we wanted to start working on.
“We had no experiance at all. both of us were only 24 when we first started the process and we were just thrown in there – first time buyers and builders all in one.”
Now only weeks until it is finished,building the pad cost the couple โฌ408,000 – but it will have a market value of a whopping โฌ584,000.
The couple chose to build near Philip’s family land that was inherited from his grandfather, which helped reduce the overall cost of the project.
Since teenagers, Jodi and Philip also saved money in a Help to Buy ISA.
And while this did not directly apply to funding their self-build project, it still gave them a strong start and helped them build good savings habits early on.
The pair also secured a self-build mortgage through Ecology Building Society in the UK.
Eco Cost-Saving
To qualify for this mortgage, their home had to meet environmental standards such as installing solar panels and an air source heat pump – both of which will also save them money in the long run on utility bills.
However, despite being their last resort, it turned out to be a suitable option for their stunning pad.
Jodi said: “So we had a lot of savings to start off, and then we got a self-build mortgage with Ecology Building Society based over in England.
“When going with them we had to have an ecological house – heat pump, solar panels, and a different septic tank to make sure that everything’s economical.
“We had to prove all of that on our plans and that they were going ahead, and then they accepted us.”
Cash Back
At the time they began their project, there were no government grants available specifically for self-builders in Northern Ireland.
However, they now will be eligible for a ยฃ500 (โฌ584) eco-amiable home grant once the build is complete and the house is signed off due to their choice in mortgage.
“We had no experience at all. Both of us were only 24 when we first started the process and we were just thrown in there – first time buyers and builders all in one.”
Jodie Kerr
Up next was sourcing an architect that fit all of their needs while sticking to a budget – and they happened to find their ideal match on Instagram.
Their architect provided a lot of advice on both the design and budgeting, and helped them find ways to reduce overall costs.
What’s more, they also sourced cheaper materials where possible and adjusted some design features along the way without compromising quality.
Flexible Plan
And whenever costs started to creep up,they were flexible and willing to make changes to their plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a self-build mortgage, and how did it help the couple?
A Self-Build Mortgage is a loan specifically designed for individuals building their own home. Jodi and Philip secured one through Ecology Building Society, which required them to meet certain environmental standards, ultimately saving them money and increasing their home’s value.
How did the couple save money on their self-build project?
The Couple saved money by building on family land, utilizing a Help to Buy ISA, securing an eco-friendly mortgage, finding a budget-conscious architect, sourcing cheaper materials, and being flexible with their design plans.
What are the benefits of choosing a self-build home in Ireland?
Self-Building in Ireland allows for cost savings compared to buying an existing home, provides complete control over design decisions, and can result in a property worth more than the initial investment, as demonstrated by Jodi and Philip’s success.
What environmental standards did the couple have to meet for their self-build mortgage?
To meet the requirements of their ecology Building Society self-build mortgage, the couple installed solar panels, an air source heat pump, and a specialized septic tank to ensure their home was environmentally friendly and economical.
Are there any government grants available for self-builders in Northern Ireland?
While there were no specific government grants available when Jodi and Philip started their self-build project, they are now eligible for a ยฃ500 (โฌ584) eco-friendly home grant upon completion due to their eco-conscious mortgage choice.
How vital is it to find the right architect for a self-build project?
Finding the Right Architect is crucial for a self-build project. Jodi and Philip’s architect provided valuable advice on design and budgeting,helping them find ways to reduce overall costs without sacrificing quality.
Disclaimer: This article provides information about a couple’s experience with self-building a home and shoudl not be considered financial advice. Consult with qualified professionals for personalized guidance.