Home renovations
From €25,000
Full refurbishment from the foundations to the roof, with complete rewiring, replumbing and interior finishing. In a period house we keep the original features worth keeping, like timber floors and fireplaces.
Happy Clients: 460+ - Projects: 720+
Builders Dún Laoghaire
Builders in Dún Laoghaire for extensions, attic conversions and full renovations of period and post-war homes, from Monkstown to Dalkey, with a free site visit.
Free Quote
460+ Happy homeowners
Local builders you can actually trust
Build Me extends, converts and renovates homes across Dún Laoghaire and its villages, just down the road from our Stillorgan base. Seafront terrace or Glenageary semi, we'll look at the job with you and give you a straight quote. No hard sell, no vague estimates.
- Homes we see
- 1880s to 1960s
- Homes we see, stone and brick walls
- Planning
- DLR Council
- Planning, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown
- Extensions granted
- 96%
- Extensions granted, 317 of 331 in DLR
What we build in Dún LaoghaireBuilding services for
Building services for
Dún Laoghaire homes
Most of the houses we work on here are older, so every quote starts with a proper look at the walls, floors and roof. Prices are starting points.
From €25,000
Full refurbishment from the foundations to the roof, with complete rewiring, replumbing and interior finishing. In a period house we keep the original features worth keeping, like timber floors and fireplaces.
Read more
From €40,000
A rear extension adds the kitchen and living space older layouts lack. On a period house we match the brick, stone and detailing, and we check conservation area rules before anything is drawn.
Read moreFrom €22,000
Older Dún Laoghaire homes usually have cut timber roofs rather than modern trusses, which often makes a conversion more straightforward. We check the structure, headroom and stair position when we quote.
Read more
From €18,000
An unused garage becomes a bedroom, home office, gym or granny flat. We handle the insulation, heating, flooring and building regulations compliance, so it's as warm as the rest of the house.
Read moreWhy homeowners love working with us
Customer service
In an industry known for missed calls and vague promises, we pride ourselves on great communication and quick responses.
Liability insurance
We're fully insured for your peace of mind, protecting your property throughout every stage of the work.
Superior equipment
We invest in top tier tools and equipment to achieve precise finishes, professional craftsmanship and lasting results.
Dedicated specialists
Each phase of your project is led by dedicated specialists who excel in their specific area of expertise.
From seafront terraces to Glenageary semis: the homes we work on in Dún Laoghaire
Victorian terraces near the seafront
Solid stone or brick walls, original timber floors and the kind of character worth keeping. Some streets near the seafront are in Architectural Conservation Areas, so an extension is designed with the council's rules in mind from the start.
- Period detail
- Conservation areas
- Rear extensions
Large semis around Glenageary and Kill Avenue
Bigger houses with room to grow. A single-storey rear extension for an open-plan kitchen, or an attic conversion for an extra bedroom, are the jobs we're asked for most here.
- Kitchen extensions
- Attic bedrooms
- Usually exempt
Monkstown, Glasthule, Sandycove and Dalkey
Period villages where Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown has extensive conservation areas, particularly in Dalkey. Renovations here are about careful work on old walls and roofs, and a planning check before any drawings.
- Full renovations
- Old roof structures
- Planning check first
Planning in Dún Laoghaire
Do you need planning permission in Dún Laoghaire? Often not, outside conservation areas.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council handles planning here. It granted 317 of 331 extension applications, or 96%, but homes in an Architectural Conservation Area or on the protected structures list lose most exemptions.
- Usually exempt
Single-storey rear extension
Up to 45 m² in total, with 25 m² of garden left.
Check firstTwo-storey rear extension
The first floor is capped at 12 m² on a terrace or semi.
Usually needs permissionConservation areas and protected structures
Around the seafront and some older streets, and much of Dalkey.
Working in Dún Laoghaire
Older houses reward care. This is what we look at first.
- Solid stone and brick wallsBuilt from the 1880s to the 1960s, so new work has to suit how old walls behave.
- Original roofs and floorsWe take extra care with old roof structures in attic conversions and keep timber floors where we can.
- DLR planningWe know the council's requirements and talk you through them before any work begins.
The 45 m² rule
A rear extension is exempt up to 45 m² in total, counting every extension since 1964, as long as at least 25 m² of garden is left and it is no higher than the house. If an earlier owner added 20 m², you have 25 m² left. A Section 5 declaration (€80) from the council confirms it.
Planning permission rules 2026Step by stepHow a build in Dún
How a build in Dún
Laoghaire works
A single-storey rear extension takes about 12 to 16 weeks on site. In a conservation area, allow for the planning application before we start.
- 01
Free site visit
We come out to the house in Dún Laoghaire, look at the structure, take measurements and talk through what you want.
Week 0 - 02
Design, quote and planning check
Drawings where they're needed, a written quote and a clear answer on whether the work is exempt or needs an application.
Weeks 1 to 3 - 03
Build
Groundworks, structure, roof, first-fix electrics and plumbing, then plastering. We coordinate every trade and send you photo updates.
Weeks 3 to 17 - 04
Finish and handover
Tiling, painting and fit-out, a full clean, a walkthrough with you and the compliance documents for your records.
Final week
A wee bit about us
We're based in Stillorgan, just up the road from Dún Laoghaire, and much of our work is in the town and the villages around it, from Monkstown to Dalkey. We're fully insured, every job comes with a 1-year workmanship warranty, and you get photo updates from the site throughout.
Whatsapp chatProjects
See the finish we deliver in homes across Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and beyond from bathrooms to whole houses.
We make Irish homeowners happy
Overall Rating: 5.0
Tejas PhadeFoxrock
Max and VJ did an amazing job in our kitchen. I had a timeline to finish the job within a week and they managed it very well.
E
Eduard AFull home renovation
Build Me recently completed a full renovation of our home. The whole process was handled professionally from start to finish. Communication was top-notch, with everything coordinated through a whatsapp group. Really happy with the final result.
G
Gillian LoughranHouse renovation
Vasilij and team did an outstanding job with our recent house renovations. Their work was exceptional including flooring, tiling, painting plumbing/bathroom installation and other works. The team was always so pleasant, hardworking, diligent and professional.
Michael YatsunBray
I couldn't be happier with the fantastic job done by Vasilij, Michael, and Daniel! From start to finish, their professionalism, attention to detail, and craftsmanship were absolutely top-notch.
They expertly plastered and painted the walls with a flawless finish that completely refreshed the space.
A
Anastasia GraceBathroom renovation
I recently had my bathroom renovated by VJ and his team and I couldn't be happier with the results! From the initial consultation to the final touches, the entire team was professional, friendly, and incredibly skilled.
Building in Dún Laoghaire: your questions
Still have questions about building work in Dún Laoghaire? Call 01 270 9764 and we'll be happy to help.
Do you cover Dún Laoghaire and the surrounding areas?
Yes. We're based in Stillorgan, so Dún Laoghaire is our home patch. We cover the whole area including Monkstown, Glasthule, Sallynoggin, Glenageary, Sandycove and Dalkey, and we also work across south Dublin and into Wicklow. The first site visit and quote are free.
Do I need planning permission for an extension in Dún Laoghaire?
Many single-storey rear extensions are exempted development, so no planning application is needed, provided they stay within 45 m² in total, leave at least 25 m² of garden and are no higher than the house. Parts of Dún Laoghaire sit within Architectural Conservation Areas, particularly around the seafront and some older residential streets, and exemptions are restricted there and for protected structures. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council handles applications, and a Section 5 declaration (€80) confirms whether your plan is exempt. We walk you through what's needed at the quoting stage.
How much does building work cost in Dún Laoghaire?
As a guide, home renovations start from about €25,000, house extensions from €40,000, attic conversions from €22,000 and garage conversions from €18,000. Older houses can need more work behind the walls, such as rewiring or repairs to a roof, so we give you a written quote after a free site visit. Try our attic conversion calculator or extension cost calculator for a ballpark first.
Is it worth converting the attic in an older Dún Laoghaire home?
Often yes, and it can be one of the most cost-effective ways to add a bedroom or home office without touching the footprint of the house. Older properties in Dún Laoghaire tend to have cut timber roof structures rather than modern trussed roofs, which makes conversion more straightforward in many cases. We check the roof structure, headroom and access options when we come out to quote, and give you an honest answer before any money changes hands.
Can you work on a period house in Dún Laoghaire without losing its character?
Yes. Many homes here were built between the 1880s and the 1960s, with solid stone or brick walls and original timber floors. We match period details on extensions and take extra care with old roof structures during attic conversions. In an Architectural Conservation Area or on a protected structure, we check what the council will expect before any drawings are done.
Will I need to move out during construction work?
It depends on the scope. During a house extension or an attic conversion you can usually stay at home, with some changes to your routine: we seal off the work area, put up dust barriers and plan the noisiest work carefully. A kitchen extension means a temporary kitchen for 2 to 4 weeks. A complete home renovation usually needs alternative accommodation for 8 to 12 weeks.
Can I get an SEAI grant for my building project?
Yes, for energy upgrades. SEAI home energy grants cover work such as insulation, heat pumps and solar panels, must be approved before work starts and must be carried out by an SEAI-registered contractor. Build Me offers SEAI grant work through our SEAI-registered partner contractor, so grant-funded upgrades can be part of your project. An extension or attic conversion we build is insulated to current building regulations from the start. See our guide to home renovation grants in Ireland.