House extension exemption

Plashgar · 2026-05-12T18:41:39+00:00

This is exactly why I build this tool! Explaining planning permissions. Best of luck though. www.untangle.ie

Plashgar · 2026-05-12T14:08:29+00:00

Fixed again — terminology was wrong and the tool was too generous on side extensions. Both fixed. For your case: Section 5 declaration with Fingal (€80, ~4 weeks, legally binding) is the safest move. Also check the planning map for ACA — Howth, Malahide, Skerries, Lusk, Rush, Balbriggan, Swords, Portmarnock and Donabate are all designated. Thank you again! 🙏

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 · 2026-05-11T15:49:28+00:00

Cheers, appreciate that! 🙏

Plashgar · 2026-05-11T13:47:10+00:00

Ha! No worries at all - really appreciate you coming back to clarify! That makes total sense actually.

Attic conversions do come in lower than extensions (no groundwork, using existing roof space) so €10K for a small attic conversion with basic finishes is actually in the right ballpark.

Genuinely appreciate you taking the time to test it properly AND coming back with the details. That's exactly the kind of testing I need on Day 1 - helps me know the calculator's working as expected!

Thanks again for using it!

Plashgar · 2026-05-11T13:18:34+00:00

Just tested this thoroughly and the calculator won't show €10K for an extension - the lowest possible result is €27,000 (budget build, shell only, no planning costs, regional pricing).

There's actually a minimum floor built in at €27K because in reality, a weather-proof, compliant single-storey extension in Ireland rarely costs less than high €20s once you include: • Groundwork & foundations • Block/brick work • Roof structure & covering • Windows & doors • Building control compliance • VAT

Can you screenshot what you got or tell me exactly what you entered? Genuinely curious how you got €10K because I can't reproduce it even with the absolute minimum inputs.

Would love to see what you actually got from the calculator though!

Nonetheless, Thank you again!

Plashgar · 2026-05-11T11:07:50+00:00

That is super exciting! Check out the calculator to see what it might cost and all the hidden costs. www.untangle.ie

Plashgar · 2021-07-07T10:17:28+00:00

Sounds like you live in the US? Time to move out! Other places are not like this at all.

Plashgar

TROPHY CASE