Ask an NI Trade

Your questions, answered properly.

One verified, Northern Ireland-specific answer per question, researched by our editorial team and drawn from guides checked by working NI trades. No twelve-comment guesswork threads.

No spam. If you leave an email we use it once, to tell you your answer is live.

Rules & regulations

Can a handyman do electrical work in Northern Ireland?
Legally, Northern Ireland has no equivalent of England’s Part P, so there is no blanket law stopping a handyman doing electrical work in y…
Read the full answer →
Does a garage conversion need Building Control approval in Northern Ireland?
Yes. Converting a garage into habitable space is a material change of use under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012, so it ne…
Read the full answer →
How do I apply for Building Control approval in Northern Ireland?
You apply to the Building Control office of the council where the property sits, and all 11 NI councils share one portal: Building Control…
Read the full answer →
Who needs the gas safety certificate in NI, the landlord or the tenant?
The landlord, always. In Northern Ireland a landlord with gas appliances in a rented property is legally required to have an annual gas sa…
Read the full answer →
How long does planning permission take in Northern Ireland?
The statutory target for a local application is 15 weeks, but the real average across the 11 NI councils has been running at roughly 19 to…
Read the full answer →
How long does planning permission last in Northern Ireland?
Five years. Once granted, planning permission in Northern Ireland is valid for five years under the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011,…
Read the full answer →

Money & quotes

How much deposit should I pay a builder in Northern Ireland?
As little as possible, and never a large share up front. A modest deposit is reasonable when the builder must order bespoke materials, but…
Read the full answer →

Grants & schemes

Is the Affordable Warmth Scheme still open in Northern Ireland?
Yes. In mid-2026 the Affordable Warmth Scheme, run by the NI Housing Executive, is still the main open government scheme for heating and i…
Read the full answer →
Can I get free home improvement grants in Northern Ireland?
Yes, two genuinely free routes exist in 2026 if you qualify. NISEP funds loft and cavity wall insulation, fully funded for lower-income ho…
Read the full answer →
Are there window replacement grants in Northern Ireland?
Not as a standalone scheme, and any site promising a dedicated NI window grant is overselling. But replacement windows CAN be funded as pa…
Read the full answer →

Hiring safely

How do I find a trusted tradesperson near me in Northern Ireland?
In Northern Ireland the reliable routes are: a personal recommendation you then verify, an NI-specific vetted platform such as NI Trades (…
Read the full answer →
How this works. Questions come from real Northern Ireland homeowners and real search demand. Answers are researched by our editorial desk, follow our editorial standards, and are grounded in our researched guides and published NI price benchmarks, dated, and updated when the rules change. General information, not legal or financial advice: for regulated work, always confirm with the official register or your council.