NEWS IN NUMBERS
(l-r) Niall Gribbin, Director at Setanta Construction pictured with the Gallagher family, parents Courtney and Michael with their children Cillian and Liam, and Mark Gribbin, Director at Setanta Construction
5.4% Average increase in earnings for self-employed tradespeople in construction in April 2023
compared with April 2022. Source: Payroll company Hudson Contract
Family to live for free in Setanta’s SoLow Passive House
A family of four from Mid Ulster has been selected to live in Setanta Construction’s SoLow Passive House as part of a live research study in collaboration with Ulster University. Courtney and Michael Gallagher, along with their two children, Cillian and Liam, are able to live in the Magherafelt property rent-free for 12 months. In exchange, the family is participating in the research into life inside Ireland’s first volumetric modular house constructed to Passive House standards – the gold standard in ultra- energy efficient construction. The research will provide key metrics on the future performance of low energy dwellings, focusing on internal heat gains, energy usage, occupant behaviour, overall performance and cost savings. Mark Gribbin, Joint Director at Setanta Construction, said: “Passive House design is still considered by many as an energy
standard that only high-end projects could afford. We’re set to alter that thinking by applying complete Passive House standards to affordable housing. “SoLow Passive Homes are projected to use up to 80-90% less energy than traditionally constructed homes. Potentially, the financial impact could be huge as the resulting energy cost savings could eventually help break the cycles of financial hardship that cause people to depend more on affordable housing in the first place”. Niall Gribbin, Joint Director at Setanta, said: “We’re fully convinced of the advantages of building off-site Passive Homes with low embodied carbon, but to fulfill our assurances to potential homeowners and industry professionals we’ve committed to undertake a detailed study to examine the full benefits in comparison to conventional builds and further explore what works well for the ultimate occupants and the environment we live in.”
8.3% Likely increase in labour costs in 2023 due to the skills shortage.
Source: Construction cost consultant Currie & Brown
400 The number of employees Wates will train in suicide prevention as part of its charity partnership with PAPYRUS. Source: Wates
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Master Builder
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