LOADING...
Compare registered renovation contractors, explore comprehensive 2026 cost guides, and connect with background-checked building specialists for complete house transformations.
1,700+
Verified Contractors
4,200+
Jobs Completed
32
Counties Covered
Explore dedicated suburb renovation guides, local architectural context, and vetted builders across South Dublin:
Renovating an Irish home—whether an unmodernised 1970s semi-detached house in South Dublin, an ex-council terraced property, or a period Victorian residence—delivers substantial lifestyle improvements and significant capital appreciation. However, modern renovations involve complex technical coordination across structural engineering, electrical safety (Safe Electric / RECI), plumbing, airtightness, and Building Regulations compliance.
At Constructors.ie, we simplify the renovation journey. We provide transparent pricing data, regulatory guidance, and direct access to background-checked general building contractors who operate under formal RIAI contracts with transparent milestone payment schedules.
Knocking through internal load-bearing walls, installing steel universal beams (RSJs), and creating contemporary open-plan kitchen and dining living spaces.
Upgrading heating from fossil fuels to air-to-water heat pumps, sub-floor excavation with PIR insulation, triple glazing, and external wall insulation (EWI).
Custom architectural joinery, luxury bathroom fitting, bespoke kitchen installations, underfloor heating manifolds, and turnkey acoustic flooring.
Realistic cost ranges based on current Irish labour, materials, and contractor tender prices:
| Renovation Tier | Cost / m² (Gross) | Typical 100–120m² Home | Duration | Scope of Works |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic Refresh / Interior Modernisation | €900 – €1,400 / m² | €40,000 – €75,000 | 4 – 8 weeks | New kitchen, upgraded bathrooms, re-plastering, timber flooring, decorative joinery, and full interior painting. No major structural changes. |
| Standard Full-House Renovation | €1,500 – €2,200 / m² | €90,000 – €160,000 | 10 – 16 weeks | Internal wall knock-throughs, steel RSJ beam installation, complete re-wire (RECI), full re-plumbing with high-efficiency combi boiler, internal drylining insulation, new bathrooms, and custom kitchen. |
| Deep Structural & Energy Retrofit (BER Upgrade) | €2,200 – €3,200 / m² | €160,000 – €260,000+ | 14 – 22 weeks | Open-plan structural alterations, sub-floor excavation with 150mm PIR insulation, underfloor heating, heat pump installation, triple glazing, demand-controlled ventilation (DCV/Aereco), and airtightness membrane bringing home to A2/A3 BER. |
| Period & Heritage Home Restoration (Victorian / Edwardian / Georgian) | €2,800 – €4,200+ / m² | €220,000 – €450,000+ | 18 – 30 weeks | Conservation-compliant lime plastering, timber sash restoration, decorative cornice repair, structural damp remediation, underpinning, and specialist services integration in Protected Structures. |
* Estimates exclude VAT (13.5% on building services), architectural/engineering fees (8–12%), and SEAI grant deductions. Costs vary based on structural alterations and bespoke joinery specifications.
A structured overview of how successful renovation projects progress from concept to handover:
Establish your primary objectives: are you reconfiguring living space, upgrading thermal performance, or extending? Engage an architect, interior designer, or structural engineer to prepare clear dimensioned drawings and an initial Schedule of Works before tendering.
Internal layout remodels generally do not require planning permission unless your home is a Protected Structure. Ground-floor rear extensions up to 40 sq. m. are usually exempt. Verify Building Control Regulations (BCMS Opt-out vs Certification).
Submit identical specification packages to at least 3 CIRI-registered contractors. Compare detailed Bill of Quantities (BOQ), verify active public/employer liability insurances, and check recent completed projects in your locality.
Demolition, strip-out to bare masonry, structural steel RSJ beam lifting, subfloor insulation, new plumbing pipework, and RECI-certified first-fix electrical wiring.
Plasterboarding, skim coat, underfloor heating screed, kitchen installation, tiling, bathroom sanitaryware, internal doors, architraves, painting, and final snag list resolution.
Protect your capital and avoid project delays by applying these 5 strict vetting criteria before signing:
Ensure the builder is listed on the Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI) and holds a valid Revenue Tax Clearance Certificate.
Verify active Public Liability (minimum €6.5 million) and Employer’s Liability (minimum €13 million) policies directly with their insurance broker.
Never proceed on a verbal handshake. Use a standard RIAI Blue/Yellow form contract with agreed milestone payments and a clearly defined scope.
Never pay large deposits upfront. Agree stage payments tied to physical inspection milestones, holding 5% to 10% retention until all snags are fully signed off.
All electrical work must be certified with a Safe Electric Completion Certificate. Energy upgrades must be completed by SEAI-registered installers to claim grants.
Avoid builders requesting large upfront cash deposits (over 10–15%), contractors lacking proof of employer liability insurance, or those unwilling to commit to fixed completion dates and written penalty clauses.
Compare registered renovation builders or submit your project details below to receive competitive quotes.
Your walls are leaking heat. We wrap them.
Unit 20, Westlink Industrial Estate, Kylemore Road, Inchicore, Dublin 10, D10 TD35
Isotherm is a direct Dublin EWI and ICF contractor based in Unit 20 Inchicore. Installing NSAI-certified Baumit external wall insulation and structural ICF builds across Dublin, Kildare, and Leinster.
High-Quality Home Renovations & House Extensions in Dublin & Leinster
Glenageary, Co. Dublin, Ireland
Based in Glenageary, Co. Dublin, Structure Build specializes in residential home renovations, house extensions, and bespoke carpentry across Dublin and the Leinster area.
On average, a full turnkey house renovation in Ireland costs between €1,500 and €2,500 per square metre for standard to high-spec finishes. For a typical 3-bedroom semi-detached home (110 sq. m.), expect a total budget of €120,000 to €180,000 depending on structural changes, heating system replacement, and interior finishes.
Internal renovations, non-structural alterations, and cosmetic updates do not require planning permission. Ground-floor rear extensions under 40 square metres are generally exempt, provided at least 25 sq. m. of private garden is retained. However, if your property is a Protected Structure or located in an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA), planning permission or a Section 5 Declaration of Exemption is required for structural or façade modifications.
Homeowners renovating older properties (built and occupied on or before 31 December 2010) can claim significant SEAI grants. External wall insulation (EWI) provides up to €8,000 (€3,500 for mid-terrace, €6,000 for semi-detached, €8,000 for detached), attic insulation up to €1,500, heat pump systems up to €6,500 (€10,500 for deep retrofit bundles), and solar PV up to €2,100. Whole-home One Stop Shop deep retrofits can unlock over €25,000 to €38,000 in combined grant aid.
A standard 3 to 4-bedroom house renovation in Ireland takes between 12 and 18 weeks. Complex deep retrofits involving sub-floor insulation, underfloor heating, heat pumps, and structural wall removals take 16 to 24 weeks. We strongly advise budgeting a 2 to 3-week contingency for unexpected structural or plumbing discoveries in older housing stock.
For a full renovation, hiring a vetted General Contractor is recommended. A single principal contractor manages site safety (PSCS), coordinates carpenters, plumbers, RECI electricians, plasterers, and ensures all structural work complies with Irish Building Regulations (TGD Part A to L). Managing separate sub-contractors yourself often leads to scheduling conflicts, project delays, and blurred accountability for defects.
In Ireland, experienced quantity surveyors and architects recommend holding a 10% to 15% contingency for modern houses (post-1980s), and a 15% to 20% contingency for period properties (pre-1950s) to account for hidden electrical rewiring, sub-floor damp, or structural lintel replacements discovered during strip-out.