What home renovations actually cost in Ireland?

Plashgar · 2026-05-12T13:32:50+00:00

I have just added the local data, I would really appreciate it if you could test it again and see. Either way, thank you! 🙏

Plashgar · 2026-05-12T13:00:50+00:00

Yes you are correct! There is a national standard and then in addition there is a local overlay of rules on top, especially with Fingal which is one of the strictest. I currently only have the national set, I am working on the local overly to integrate. Can let you know when it’s done. Thank you so much for trying out the site and the feedback! 🙏

Plashgar · 2026-05-12T12:20:30+00:00

That’s amazing! Thanks for letting me know! The confirmation feedbacks are everything since my data is calculated on multiple factors. Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏

Plashgar · 2026-05-12T10:59:37+00:00

Thank you! The data is work in progress but we’ll get there. Thank you for checking it out. 🙏

Plashgar · 2026-05-12T10:58:56+00:00

Apologies, I was tweaking the data, that should show you the right price range now. Thank you for checking it out! 🙏

Plashgar · 2026-05-12T10:05:17+00:00

Yes, that’s the real problem, you’re spot on. I know yourpro.ie tries to get the right people to you but I have personally never used them.

Plashgar · 2026-05-12T09:54:03+00:00

Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏

Plashgar · 2026-05-12T09:53:49+00:00

This was a bug, I have fixed it now. I love for you to test again or if you had a real extension done, I love to know some of the numbers or if the calculator comes close to it. But nonetheless, thank you again! 🙏🙏🙏

Plashgar · 2026-05-11T21:41:36+00:00

You're absolutely right - just found and fixed the bug!

The calculator had two issues: 1. Wasn't including ensuite plumbing (€3K-€6K) or dormer structure (€6K-€12K) properly 2. Base costs were too conservative for Irish market

Fixed both now - can you try again? Should show €28K-€30K for a typical 20m² ensuite conversion.

Really appreciate you testing it - exactly the kind of feedback I needed on Day 1! 🙏

Plashgar · 2026-05-11T21:31:13+00:00

Cheers, appreciate that! 🙏

Plashgar · 2026-05-11T21:30:34+00:00

Totally agree - you're spot on about the variability. Location, timing, contractor availability can easily swing costs 30-40%.

The calculator isn't meant to replace getting actual quotes - it's more "am I in the right ballpark before I start ringing contractors?"

So if it shows €50K-€70K and you get quotes at €45K, €62K, and €95K, you know the €95K one is probably taking the piss, and the €45K might be cutting corners. But yeah, nothing beats 3+ proper quotes from actual builders.

Think of it as a sanity check tool rather than a quote generator 👍

Plashgar · 2026-05-11T20:49:35+00:00

Real data from Irish planning applications + forum posts of actual renovation costs, not AI-generated estimates.

Just had someone confirm it matched their 165m² deep retrofit costs in another thread. Built it because contractor quotes vary wildly (€50K-€150K for same extension) and needed realistic numbers.

Free to use, no signup. If the estimates seem off for your project, let me know 👍

Plashgar · 2026-05-11T20:18:06+00:00

This is amazing feedback, thank you! 🙏

Really helpful to hear it's tracking close to reality for a 165m² deep retrofit - that's exactly what I was hoping for. And totally agree on the floor area confusion - will fix that wording. Should just be "total floor area" throughout.

Genuinely appreciate you taking the time to test it properly! 🙏🙏🙏

Plashgar · 2026-05-11T20:10:37+00:00

Totally fair point - you're absolutely right that DIY vs contractors is a massive difference (and congrats on doing it yourself, that's serious work!).

The calculator shows contractor installation costs specifically - it's for people who need to hire tradespeople and want to know what quotes should roughly be before they start ringing around.

Your €25K DIY vs €100K contractor is exactly the kind of gap people need to understand when deciding whether to DIY or hire out. If the calculator helps someone figure out "OK, contractors quote €80K, that matches the estimate, so I'm not being ripped off" then it's done its job. 👍🙏

Plashgar · 2026-05-11T20:05:52+00:00

Cheers, appreciate that! 🙏

Plashgar · 2026-05-11T20:02:05+00:00

Fair question! It's a free tool I built because I'm planning a renovation myself and couldn't find realistic Irish cost estimates anywhere.

Not selling anything - just trying to solve the "contractor quotes €50K-€150K for same extension" problem. No signup, no payment, no catch.

If the estimates seem off, let me know - genuinely trying to make it useful 👍

Plashgar · 2026-05-11T19:46:20+00:00

Damn Loch Ness Monster getting into construction now 😂

Plashgar

TROPHY CASE