MCM Associates. Architecture & Surveying

07/08/2025

House Insurance: This is becoming a minefield in recent years post Covid, due to ever increasing build, labour and material costs. Many clients have found to their detriment that under insurance has become a major issue when making a genuine claim for damage on their property. This will be the first port of call by your individual insurance company when assessing your claim. You may end up only getting a certain percentage of your claim due to this issue We at MCM Associates can help you by making a insurance assessment and act as your agent between you and the insurance adjuster. We are Chartered Building Engineers, Chartered Project Managers, and SCSI Registered Building Surveyors. So if you are renewing your home insurance and unsure what rebuilding cost you need to insure your home for in case of a major incident such as a fire, Flood, or Storm? The guide below, has been developed by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI), provides average rebuilding rates, which you may find helpful.

If you need to ask us any questions , please feel free to email or phone us.

Press Release: New President of Chartered Surveyors says Housing Activation Office needs to commence its work urgently on clearing housing blockages

05/08/2025

Autumn is officially here in Ireland, and as temperatures will begin to fall, and the long evening start to draw in , thoughts of heating and energy usage will become part of your everyday checklist. Home energy grants are available to existing housing stock, and see what option best suits your needs below. You must have grant approval in place before starting the works.

SEAI has three energy upgrade options : Whether you want to improve one area or completely upgrade your home, SEAI have grant options available. Have a look through it and see if it can help you.

Discover SEAI's home energy upgrade options and individual grants.

29/07/2025

The value of a property doesn't change (unless through improvements), but it's the value of the money that changes. Continually printing money, creating it out of nowhere, devalues it and thus we pay more for whatever we buy, and thus drives inflation, where wages never seem to catch up with ongoing living costs. What do you think?

https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/property/pensioner-expertly-breaks-down-why-younger-generation-will-never-own-homes-2-395890/?fbclid=IwY2xjawL1ePRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETAySFl2THZHdWV1d3o0cnpCAR5l8YOHKEwtPANryePEG5Z9RUwcGjLXZB4rExXBCwdOhWWX6-AQrp7WrTtPmw_aem_Eriq655bLKHo503JEUqidQ

Pensioner expertly breaks down why younger generation will never own homes - saying there's no high-paying jobs left.

25/07/2025

WE are asked frequently by clients in regard to this issue :The Help to Buy (HTB) scheme is an incentive for first-time buyers to help with their deposit for purchasing or self-building a new home. Those availing of the scheme must purchase or self-build the property to live in as their home. Those who meet the required conditions will receive a refund of Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in Ireland. The refund will be from the four tax years prior to when the person made their application.

Under changes made to the scheme in 2020, the maximum payment is €30,000 under the enhanced relief. The cap applies per property rather than per applicant regardless of how many people enter a contract.

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/owning-a-home/help-with-buying-a-home/help-to-buy-scheme/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA4CAeWjZ8E

09/07/2025

The Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme :

Again we have been very busy over the last 12 months carrying out BCAR surveys to get clients started off down the rocky road of remedial works on their defective properties. MCM Associates can carry out the initial surveys to show that your property reaches the minimum threshold to first for all, apply for the scheme,, and help with the online application process. Find below some basic information with a link to more detailed info, and if you need further clarification please feel free to contact us.

The scheme provides financial support to homeowners whose properties have been damaged due to defective concrete blocks containing excessive amounts of mica or pyrite. The scheme covers 100% of remediation costs up to a maximum grant of €462,000.

https://www.donegalcoco.ie/en/services/housing/defective-concrete-blocks

It includes various remediation options, from full demolition and rebuild to addressing outer wall issues. The scheme is available in Clare, Donegal, Limerick, Mayo, and Sligo.

Key Details of the Enhanced Scheme:
100% Grant: : The scheme covers 100% of the eligible costs for remediation works, up to a maximum of €462,000 at present.

Multiple Remediation Options:
The scheme offers different remediation options, including full demolition and rebuild, partial demolition and rebuild, or other tailored solutions based on the level of damage.

Eligibility:
The scheme is open to homeowners in Clare, Donegal, Limerick, Mayo, and Sligo, whose properties were built using defective concrete blocks.

Financial Barriers Removed:
The revised application process aims to remove financial barriers to accessing the scheme.

Independent Appeals Process:
The scheme includes an independent appeals process for applicants.

Alternative Accommodation Costs:
The scheme covers costs for alternative accommodation and storage during remediation works, up to €27,500.

Housing Agency Involvement:
The Housing Agency assesses applications and determines appropriate remediation options.

Rental Properties Included:
The scheme includes Residential Tenancies Board-registered rental properties.

Exempt Development Status:
Like-for-like remediation works completed under the scheme are exempt from planning permission.

Government Guarantee:
The scheme offers a government guarantee in the form of a second grant option if needed, for a period of 40 years.

09/07/2025

We have been inundated over the last 12 months with enquirers regarding the Vacant House Grant Scheme. This link below will deal with lots of the basic questions, and if you need further clarification, please contact us further.

https://www.facebook.com/DeptHLGH/videos/1136363667053984

20/07/2020

https://selfbuild.ie/advice/what-does-nzeb-mean/

Changes to the ventilation and energy efficiency requirements come into force on the 1st of November in ROI for new and existing homes; here’s what you need to know.