Struggling to find your dream home in Ireland? Decided to take matters into your own hands? Building your house lets you bring your vision to life and tap into your inner Michelangelo! It’s a fun and exciting project to take on — ok, maybe with a smidge of stress and perhaps a rather large price tag — but you’ll be left with a result you can appreciate every single day.
We’ve done a deep dive to help you figure out what the cost of building a house in Ireland is. Read on to get an idea of the average cost of building a house in Ireland, as well as some simple steps to make your dream a reality.
What Is the Cost of Building a House in Ireland?
According to the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI), the average cost of building a 3-bedroom house in Dublin is €371,311. Other estimates place the costs at €2,500 to €2,800 per square metre for building a house in Ireland. Bear in mind these are just average estimations, and lots of things will impact the final cost of building your home. If you want to go all out and build your own mini-castle, you’ll rack up a huge price tag; if you build a modest home in an expensive area, it could still cost a small fortune.
The good news is that building a house could still be cheaper than buying one — or at the very least, around the same price — if you budget it just right.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Building a House in Ireland?
Location
The first step in building your home is choosing the location and purchasing your site (unless you’re lucky enough to inherit one!). The price of your plot of land will depend on the location, and prices can differ widely from place to place — some pieces of land could cost you a few thousand euros, while others can range in the hundreds of thousands. The size of your site will also determine the overall cost.
Ireland’s housing market is buzzing, and prices are going up, up, up because of the huge demand for new homes! Sites in popular, urban areas tend to be more expensive, while in rural and less sought-after areas, the prices are lower. If you’re looking to build somewhere like Dublin, you can expect to spend upwards of €100,000 on the site alone. So when you’re budgeting, bear in mind that the cost of the land takes up a big chunk of the total cost of building a house in Ireland.
Design
When you’re thinking about building a house, the fancier your design, the more it’ll cost you. If you choose a complicated plan with high-end materials, be ready to spend more money. More time and people working on it equals more expenses.
You don’t have to hire an architect, but it’s a pretty good idea to do so. An architect can help you with the big stuff, like designing the house, getting all the right permissions, and making sure everything’s built the way it’s supposed to be. If you decide to go with an architect, remember to set aside some money for their fees, which could be a few thousand pounds.
Size
Your desired house size is one of the biggest factors contributing to the overall cost when it comes to building your dream abode. Whether you’re yearning for a cosy cottage or a spacious mansion, the size of your house will directly affect the amount of resources you need to make it happen.
Building a bigger house means more materials and more work, so it’s going to cost more. If you’re trying to save some money, a smaller home might be the way to go. But if you’ve got a big family or just want lots of space, you’ll need to figure out what works best for your needs and budget.
The SCSI’s €371,311 estimate for a 3-bedroom house in Dublin places it at just under 3,000 square feet according to its Housing Development Calculator. If we assume a 5-bedroom house is around 5,000 square feet on average, the SCSI’s calculations would place the costs of building a 5-bedroom house in Dublin at €605,067. For a more modestly sized 1-bedroom home in Dublin, you can expect to spend around €153,067 on 1,000 square feet.
Mandatory Fees
Building a house comes with lots of fees, such as planning permission and building control fees, as well as stamp duty. Planning permission fees alone can range from €65 to €1,000, depending on the type of development and your location. These fees are mandatory, so you’ll need to work them into your overall budget.
Furnishings and Décor
The construction of your house will take up a big chunk of your budget, but don’t forget about the stuff that goes inside it. Furnishing your new place with furniture, lights, appliances, and décor can add up fast. It’s a good idea to think about these costs early on and start shopping around before you’re even done building. That way, you can make sure you’ve got enough money set aside to make your new house feel like a home without any unexpected surprises. If you use mostly furniture and décor from your previous home, you can get away with spending only a few thousand euros, but if you want a fresh start, you can easily spend over €10,000. If you’re not sure if you’ll be using your old furnishings, a furniture storage unit is a good bet while you take the time to decide and set your budget.
Unexpected Costs
When you’re budgeting for your new house, make sure you set aside extra cash as a contingency. Hurdles are bound to come up during the building process, so having an emergency fund is good practice. For building the average house in Ireland, you can spend as much as €15,000 on unexpected costs.
| Expense | Price |
| Building a 1-Bedroom House | €153,067 |
| Building a 3-Bedroom House | €371,311 |
| Building a 5-Bedroom House | €605,067 |
| Site Costs | €30,000 – €100,000+ |
| Planning Permission Fees | €65 – €1,000 |
| Furnishing Costs | €5,000 – €10,000+ |
| Unexpected Costs | €15,000 |
Table of average estimated costs for building a house in Ireland
Simple Steps To Build a House in Ireland
Building a house is no walk in the park, and it’s best to consult a range of experts throughout the process, but we’ve created a simple guide to get you started. Read on for our list of simple steps to building a house in Ireland:
Step 1: Get Planning Permission
Getting planning permission is a legal must-do, but sometimes, you can catch a break. Some sites might come with planning permissions already sorted out when you buy them. Your estate agent can hand you a reference, and you’re good to go. That means someone else has already done the legwork, like submitting plans for the house with all the room details and estimated square footage. They might even give you a rough idea of how much it’ll cost to build. It’s a handy shortcut that still lets you build the house the way you want it.
If you’re starting from scratch to have complete creative control, you’ll have to apply for planning permission from your local authority and submit the plans for your home, as well as other necessary docs, for approval. You should set up a meeting beforehand to understand any restrictions and requirements for building in your area to ensure the approval process goes smoothly. Bear in mind that it can be harder to secure planning permission in certain parts of the country compared to others.
Step 2: Finance Your Build
You can apply for a special type of mortgage to finance your build — this is called a self-build mortgage, which is specifically designed for families and individuals who want to build their own homes. In order to qualify for this kind of loan, lenders will assess your financial situation, credit history, and the feasibility of the self-build project before approving the mortgage.
While a self-build mortgage can cover most of the cost of building your home, you’ll need to make some contributions out-of-pocket.
Self-build mortgages can be more complex than traditional mortgages, and the application process may involve additional documentation and requirements. The interest rates and terms may also differ from standard mortgages.
There are also grants available for building a house in Ireland, such as the Help to Buy (HTB) scheme.
Step 3: Enlisting Contractors to Build the Home
You’ll need to enlist a long list of contractors for the construction of your home, including electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and of course, builders. We suggest you shop around and put out feelers for recommendations to see who meets your needs and budget. Keep a keen eye on the construction process to make sure all is going well. Set a timeline for when you’d like the project to be complete, but keep in mind that you might have to be flexible, especially if obstacles arise in the process.
Once the main structure is complete, you can become more creative with the final touches, like painting, tiling, and installing fixtures and fittings.
Step 4: Finalising the Project
Once construction is complete, you’ll have to get a certificate of compliance from your local authority to confirm that all building regulations have been met. You’ll also have to finalise all legal paperwork, contracts, and payments to contractors.
Step 5: Making Your House a Home
Once your house is complete, it’s time to fill it up with everything you need (and want)! Secure the essentials, like beds, couches, and a dining table; once you’ve got that covered, you can start making your house feel like a home with the special touches. Bringing beloved furniture and sentimental items from your previous home? You can store them in a self storage unit while you’re busy with construction and staying in transitional accommodation. This storage solution is also handy if you’ll be downsizing with your new home.
Need some help as you take on this ambitious challenge? Nesta Self Storage is here for you! Our premium self storage facilities are located in the heart of Ireland, offering a range of units, and all the essential packing materials you could need.
To learn more, give us a call at 1800 77 22 33, visit your nearest facility for a tour or get a free quote online.
