| HomeBond is the national organisation dedicated to providing homebuyers with peace of mind on a number of key aspects of purchasing a new home including deposits, stage payments and structural warranties since 1978.
Homebond is the dedicated to development standards of construction, inspecting dwelings and giving advice to builders on aspects relating to construction, Over 29 years HomeBond has registered in excess of 650, 000 homes, which means that approximately 45% of Ireland's housing stock has benefited, or is currently benefiting from HomeBond warranties... for more >> Homebond Homeowners Handbook
|
| Before moving in, it is important to inspect your new home carefully throughout to confirm that:
1) Any "extras" you ardered have been provided.
2) Keys have been provided for internal and external doors and windows, and that all windows and doors are in working order.
3) All essential services (i.e. water electricity and gas) are connected. Where necessary agree meter reading with the builder.
4) Kitchen worktops. sinks, splash backs, sanitary ware, etc. are free from damage.
5) Waterproof seals around sinks, baths, showers and washbasins are adequate.
6) Miniature Circuit Breakers (trip switches) on the electrical distridution board are labeled.
for more >> Homebond Homeowners Handbook |
| When a new home is first offered for sale or letting a BER detaling energy consuption must be made available to the prospective buyers or tenants.
A BER gives an objective scale of comparsion for the energy demand and energy performance of a building. it is rather like the miles per gallon eating for a vehicle or the A to G rating for an electrical appliance. The BER will allow prospective buyers or tenants to factor energy performance and costs into their comparsion of diffrent properties.
for more >> Homebond Homeowners Handbook |
| New homes are designed and constructed so that there is an adequate, effective and safe means of escape in the events of a fire.
For conventional houses this is achieved by typically provideding:
1) A protected stairway that prodivdes the principle means of escape from from the floor.
2) In a two storey house a combination of integrated mains powered (with battery backup) smoke and heat detectors/alarms
3) Escape/resue windows in bedrooms. Such windows should be readilly openable without the use of a key.
for more >> Homebond Homeowners Handbook |
| Building Regulations require new homes to be accessible and visitable by everyone, including those with disabilities.
Typical accessiblity and cisitabilty provisions for a conventional new house include:
1) Suitable wheelchair accessible enterance.
2)Suitable corridor and internal door widths to habitable rooms in the entrance storey.
3) Door handles and light switches located at suitable heights above floor lrvrl.
4) Provision of a wheelchair accessible at entray level.
for more >> Homebond Homeowners Handbook |
| Water is generally supplied to your new home from a supply pipe connected to a local authority watermain. The supply to the house can be controlled by an on/off switch generally installed in the public footpath outside your house. The stoocock box may be capable of accommodting a consumer meter, if required, to measure consuption. A second stopcock is installed inside the house, generally under the kitchen sink, whick allows the homeowner to trun the supply off in an emergency or for maintenance.
for more >> Homebond Homeowners Handbook |
| The electricity supply into your new home comes through the main fuse and the meter. Both of these items are sealed by the service provider and must never be interfered with. The customer is responsible for the electrical installation on their side of the meter.
for more. >> Homebond Homeowners Handbook |
| Where your new home has a hot water central heating system installed, it will be fuelled by gas, oil or solid fuel, The heating system will genetally consist of a boiler, radiators, circulating pomp and controls. Water heated by the radiators through pipework concealed in the floors and walls. Your builder will provide the operating instructions for the heating system. Before drilling or fixing to walls,
floors and cellings always check for concedled pips using a detector.
for more >> Homebond Homeowners Handbook |
| Analogue phone line: This is typically the most commonly installed typr of domestic phone line,
which utilies analouge technology designed to carry voice traffic, Connection to the internal is via"dial up" access and once connected the line cannot be used to make conventional phone cells.
for more >> Homebond Homeowners Handbook |
| According to the Gardai, Most burglaries occur during the day in cnoccupied houses. Windows are the most common point of entry. The following simple steps will reduce the likehood of burglaries:
1) Secure all windows and doors
2) Install a burglar alarm.
3) Secure sheds and garages.
for more >> Homebond Homeowners Handbook |
| Foundations:
The most important structural element of any house is the foundations, The external walls and internal load bearing walls of all houses have foundations.
Ground Floors
External Walls
Internal Walls
First floor
Roof Construction
for more >> Homebond Homeowners Handbook |
|
