‘The cheapest quote can end up being the most expensive’: How to keep renovation costs down

‘The cheapest quote can end up being the most expensive’: How to keep renovation costs down

Unless you’re Dermot Bannon, doing up your house must be one of the most expensive and nerve-wracking jobs you can ever take on. In this episode of Better with Money, Quantity Surveyor Shay Lally (aka @houses_to_restore on Instagram) speaks to Aideen Finnegan about how to plan and cost the renovation of an average 3-bed semi-d in Ireland. He explains why the cheapest quote can often end up being the most expensive because of omissions or “front-loading”, where the builder gets the bulk of the payment at the beginning and then ghosts you for the smaller jobs later on. Shay also explains how getting a QS involved from early on can help your budget with estimates, making payment assessments and negotiations during the project and tracking a final tally. And he also outlines common budget risks, the need for a clear brief, and prioritising essentials like insulation, heating and rewiring over finishes. This episode also covers SEAI and Vacant/Derelict Homes grants, staged bank drawdowns, contracts, red flags with tradespeople, and renovation choices that can add or reduce a home’s resale value. This episode is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

‘It just absolutely baffles me’: How Ireland’s ‘single tax’ hurts at weddings as well as mortgages

From supplements on hotel rooms to needing to save tens of thousands of euro on your own to buy a home, the costs of doing anything in Ireland - as a single adult - are hidden and varied. Irish Times columnist and author, Emer McLysaght, joins Aideen Finnegan and Conor Pope on this episode of Better with Money to discuss the many ways single people are penalised by the so-called "single tax". While Ireland's tax system doesn't explicitly "reward" married or cohabiting couples, it is more favourable for them. And that's before you consider the single person's financial burden of trying to save for a home at a time of record rents, energy prices and grocery bills. Would you go as far as refusing to put cash in an envelope at your friend's wedding in a bid to save money? Emer would. And she has, too. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Is your fixed-term mortgage ending this year? Tips on getting lowest rates in Ireland

Can changing your mortgage to a fortnightly payment plan save you money and reduce the overall term? Will striving to get your loan-to-value ratio down unlock the best interest rates? And how can you even go about that anyway? These questions and more are answered by Cian Carolan, MD of DNG Financial Services in this second episode of mortgage strategising. It’s all about finding a way to pay down that mortgage as quickly and painlessly as possible. Cian also explains what to consider if you’re rolling off a fixed-term rate cycle this year, and answers a question about how easy (or not!) it is for separating couples to buy each other out.   This episode is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.   If you missed last week's episode you can listen to it here [https://www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/better-with-money/should-you-try-to-overpay-your-mortgage-or-invest-instead/], or scroll back one episode in the Better with Money feed.   Presented by Aideen Finnegan. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Should you try and overpay your mortgage or invest instead?

What are the fastest and least painful ways of paying off your mortgage? Should you overpay, if you can? Or should you use any extra money to invest instead? What about switching - how much can it save you, really? These are the types of questions we're putting to Cian Carolan, financial planner and managing director of DNG Financial Services. In this episode we discuss affordability and why it's crucial to consider motivations and wider financial planning before calling your lender. Cian also explains fixed and variable mortgage rates, how much they are expected to increase this year and options like split rates where you you fix on a portion of the loan but pay variable on the other. This episode is more relevant to current mortgage-holders. Those looking to get a home loan for the first time should check out this earlier episode of Better with Money. [https://www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/better-with-money/in-a-bidding-war-this-expert-shares-insider-knowledge-that-could-help-secure-that-property/] This episode is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Presented by Aideen Finnegan ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

I’ve helped people clear debt for 30 years. Here’s how to tackle it.

Whether it's a few hundred euro on a credit card that you just can't manage to clear, or if you have fallen behind on your mortgage repayments due to an unforeseen life event - if debt is keeping you awake at night, this is the podcast you need to hear. This conversation with Gwen Harris, regional manager with the Money Advice and Budgeting Service explores practical, step-by-step ways to regain control of your finances - from creating a realistic budget to understanding options like loan consolidation and personal insolvency. Gwen also breaks down popular repayment strategies such as the “snowball” and “avalanche” methods, and highlights how people can maximise their income by claiming entitlements they may not realise they’re eligible for. She also shares advice for families, including why it’s important for parents to have honest conversations about contributions from adult children still living at home, especially during times of financial strain. Plus, Gwen offers simple, practical saving tips that can make a real difference over time. Presented by Aideen Finnegan You can contact MABS in confidence via their web site, call in person to one of their 60 regional offices or phone their helpline on 0818 07 2000. Previous episodes of Better with Money which deal with debt can be found here: ‘How we saved €100k in four years’ [https://www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/better-with-money/how-we-saved-100k-in-four-years/] ‘I went from €17,000 in debt and jobless to paying off my mortgage early’ [https://www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/better-with-money/breaking-free-from-debt-i-used-to-see-my-credit-card-limit-as-a-target/] 'I cleared six figures’ worth of debt in Ireland. These are the low-risk ways to invest' [https://www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/better-with-money/i-cleared-six-figures-worth-of-debt-in-ireland-these-are-the-low-risk-ways-to-invest-that-helped/] Better with Money is for information purposes only and does constitute financial advice ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.