Your Irish Renovation Roadmap
18 steps across 6 phases — from first idea to completed project.
Planning & Budgeting
Weeks 1–4Calculate your budget
Use our free calculator to understand typical costs for your project type, location, and finish level.
Check planning permission
Determine if your project needs council approval before spending anything on architects or contractors.
Check Planning →Find eligible grants
Check for SEAI energy grants, Vacant Property Grant, Housing Adaptation Grant, and other Irish schemes before committing.
Assess financing
If borrowing, approach your bank or credit union early. Home improvement loans typically take 1–2 weeks to approve.
⏱ 1–2 weeks for loan approvalDesign
Weeks 5–10Hire an architect (if needed)
How to find: RIAI (riai.ie) — get 2–3 written quotes and check previous work.
RIAI notes fees vary by scope; full architectural services through construction are often a percentage of build cost — get written quotes (+ VAT).
Hire a structural engineer (if needed)
Required for removing walls, extensions, and attic conversions.
Permissions
Weeks 11–22Apply for planning permission (if needed)
Submit week 11 → Decision weeks 19–23. Approval rate is approximately 85% for compliant projects.
Building control notification
Must be submitted before work starts. Required for all structural work and extensions over 40 sqm.
Quotes & Contracts
Weeks 12–16 or 24–28Get contractor quotes
Get a minimum of 3 quotes. Provide architect drawings, specs, and timeline with each request.
Sanity-check the numbers
Use our quote comparison tool to flag if a quote is too high or low vs. market rates.
Verify contractor credentials
Before signing anything, confirm the contractor has the required insurance and registrations.
Sign a contract
Contract must include: full scope, payment schedule, start/completion dates, delay penalties, materials spec, and dispute resolution.
Construction
Weeks 17–30 or 29–42Pre-construction
Site setup, utilities marked, access arranged, neighbours notified.
Construction phases
Typical extension breakdown (8–12 weeks):
Regular site inspections
Weekly visits, photo documentation, check work against drawings, and address issues immediately.
Completion
Weeks 31–34Snagging
Final walkthrough to identify defects — typically 20–30 minor items. Examples: touch-up paint, door alignment, grouting gaps, finishing details.
Final inspections
Ensure all required sign-offs are obtained before releasing final payment.
Final payment
Only pay when: all work is complete, all snagging is fixed, all inspections are passed, and all certificates are issued.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- ✕Paying large deposits upfront (max 10% — ever)
- ✕Skipping planning permission (you can be forced to demolish)
- ✕Not checking contractor insurance (you're liable if they're uninsured)
- ✕Verbal agreements (get everything in writing)
- ✕Paying before snagging (you lose all leverage immediately)
- ✕Not checking grant eligibility first (cannot apply retrospectively)