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Compare registered attic conversion builders. Velux rooflight bedrooms, rear dormers, ensuite additions, structural steel reinforcement, and certified compliance.
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Find vetted attic builders and planning notes for your South Dublin suburb:
Converting unutilised attic space is the most cost-effective way to add a master bedroom suite, executive home office, or kids playroom to your property without sacrificing valuable garden space. Because modern timber truss roofs and traditional cut roofs require specialised structural modifications, hiring experienced, insured attic contractors is crucial.
At Constructors.ie, we match homeowners with background-checked attic specialists who manage everything from structural steel installation and Velux flashing to custom staircases and Building Regulations Certification.
Engineered steel beams carry independent floor joists, eliminating structural stress on existing downstairs ceilings.
Protected escape stairways, FD30 fire doors, interlinked smoke alarms, and certified emergency escape Velux rooflights.
Custom manufactured timber stairs designed to stack seamlessly above existing flights for optimal hallway flow.
Clear cost estimates based on specification level and structural complexity:
| Conversion Type | Cost Range (Gross) | Typical Duration | Scope of Inclusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Velux Rooflight Conversion (Non-Habitable / Storage / Studio) | €22,000 – €30,000 | 2 – 3 weeks | Structural floor joist strengthening, 2–3 rear Velux roof windows, PIR roof insulation (100–150mm), pull-down ladder or standard stairs, sub-flooring, electrics, and plastering. |
| Habitable Bedroom Conversion with Custom Staircase | €28,000 – €38,000 | 3 – 4 weeks | Custom timber staircase aligned over existing hallway stairs, heavy structural steel RSJ beams, fire doors (FD30), acoustic floor insulation, multiple Velux rooflights with fire escape compliance. |
| Master Attic Suite with Full Ensuite Bathroom | €36,000 – €48,000 | 4 – 5 weeks | Habitable bedroom plus fully tiled ensuite (shower, vanity, toilet, extractor, waste pump/macerator or soil stack extension), fitted eaves wardrobes, and certified electrical/plumbing. |
| Rear Flat-Roof Dormer Conversion | €44,000 – €62,000+ | 5 – 7 weeks | Structural rear roof restructuring, timber frame dormer box with EPDM waterproofing, vertical full-height windows, maximum standing head height across the entire room, and ensuite. |
* Costs exclude 13.5% building VAT and sanitaryware supply. Dormer conversions requiring planning permission may incur €1,500–€2,500 in architectural planning fees.
Essential technical standards for compliance with Irish Building Control:
For an attic room to be legally classified as a habitable bedroom upon resale, at least 50% of the floor area must achieve a clear vertical ceiling height of 2.1 to 2.4 metres.
Habitable 3-storey dwellings require a protected escape route: solid core 30-minute fire doors (FD30) to all upper bedrooms, mains-wired interlinked smoke/heat alarms, and fire-escape compliant rooflights.
Existing ceiling joists cannot carry floor loads. Heavy universal steel beams (RSJs) must span between load-bearing structural walls to support new timber floor joists without putting weight on internal partitions.
Rigid foil-backed PIR insulation (150mm equivalent) or breathable spray foam must achieve current U-values (0.16 W/m²K) with a mandatory 50mm continuous air gap behind roofing felt to prevent condensation.
How specialist contractors convert your roof space with minimal household disruption:
Measure clear vertical height from the top of the existing ceiling joists to the underside of the ridge board. A minimum of 2.3m is ideal for a habitable conversion.
A certified engineer specifies structural steel beam sizes, padstone bearings, and staircase geometry compliant with Irish Building Regulations (TGD Part K).
Contractors remove roof tiles externally to crane in heavy steel RSJ beams directly into the roof space, minimising disruption to your home below.
Installation of high-performance PIR insulation, breathable vapour control membranes, rooflights, plumbing runs for ensuite, and RECI first-fix electrics.
Precision staircase install matching existing balustrades, plasterboard skimming, ensuite sanitaryware fitting, eaves storage access doors, and Certificate of Compliance.
Compare registered contractors or submit your project details below for free quotes.
The Attic Experts specialise in attic conversions across Dublin, Kildare, and surrounding areas. From velux bedrooms to full dormer extensions, every project is custom-built by fully qualified tradesmen.
A standard Velux attic conversion in Ireland typically costs between €22,000 and €32,000. Adding a fully plumbed ensuite bathroom brings the total to €30,000–€42,000. A full rear dormer conversion that maximises standing head height ranges from €42,000 to €60,000+ depending on structural steel requirements and bespoke joinery.
If you are installing Velux rooflights on the rear roof slope and not altering the front elevation or overall roof ridge height, planning permission is generally NOT required (exempt development). However, building a rear flat-roof dormer box or adding front-facing rooflights/dormers in designated Architectural Conservation Areas (ACA) does require planning permission.
Under Irish Building Regulations, a room can only be certified and marketed as a habitable bedroom if it meets specific criteria: a minimum 2.1m–2.4m head height over at least half the floor area, permanent compliant staircase (not a pull-down ladder), 30-minute fire doors on escape routes, and certified structural steel. Conversions without these can only legally be classified as non-habitable storage or study space.
A standard Velux rooflight conversion is typically completed in 2 to 3 weeks. A master suite with an ensuite bathroom and custom staircase takes approximately 3 to 4 weeks. A full rear dormer conversion takes 4 to 6 weeks. Most heavy structural work is carried out from the roof outside, keeping household disruption to a minimum until staircase installation.
Yes. Most modern homes built since the 1980s have prefabricated timber 'W-trusses' or fink trusses. Experienced attic specialists install heavy steel RSJ beams to take the load from the roof before cutting out the internal webbing struts, safely creating a completely open room.
Yes, significantly. Upgrading uninsulated rafters with 150mm high-performance PIR rigid board insulation and airtight vapour barriers eliminates the major path of winter heat loss through the roof, making the entire house warmer and reducing heating bills.