A home renovation in Ireland costs between €800 and €3,500+ per square metre in 2026 depending on renovation level, property age, and location. Use our calculator in full house mode for a whole-property estimate, or switch to room by room mode to build up costs for the specific rooms you are renovating. All figures include VAT at 13.5% and show professional fees and contingency separately.
Select rooms and finish level for each
build cost (inc. VAT 13.5%)
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select options above
professional fees (10–12%)
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architect, engineer
contingency (15%)
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set aside before starting
total budget
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build + fees + contingency
Select your renovation type and options above to see your cost estimate.
Additional costs not included above
These figures are estimates for planning purposes only. A written quote from a contractor who has visited your property is the only accurate figure. Dublin labour rates run 15–20% above the national average. Add 20% contingency for pre-1960 properties.
What Does a Home Renovation Cost in Ireland in 2026?
Renovation costs in Ireland fall into four broad levels. A light refresh covering decoration, flooring, and cosmetic upgrades runs €700 to €1,200 per m². A mid-range renovation including a new kitchen, bathroom upgrade, rewiring, and insulation runs €1,200 to €2,200 per m². A full renovation involving structural changes, full replumb, and rewire runs €1,700 to €2,800 per m². A full structural renovation on a period property runs €2,100 to €3,500+ per m². Dublin rates run 15 to 20% above the national average across all levels (SCSI House Rebuilding Guide, 2024/2025).
For a typical 110m² three-bed semi-detached in Dublin, a mid-range full renovation runs approximately €165,000 to €242,000 before professional fees and contingency. For a full breakdown of renovation costs by room and property type, see our home renovation costs guide.
What the Calculator Includes and What It Does Not
The calculator includes the build cost with VAT at 13.5%, an estimate for professional fees at 10 to 12% of build cost, and a 15% contingency. It does not include planning permission costs (€1,500 to €4,000 where required), development levies (€20 to €30 per m² in Dublin), a structural survey (€300 to €600, always recommended for pre-1980 properties), or skip hire and site clearance.
SEAI energy upgrade grants are shown as a separate line because they reduce the net cost of energy-related works. The current maximum for a heat pump grant is €12,500, external wall insulation is €8,000, and attic insulation is €2,000 (rising to €2,500 for first-time buyers from March 2026). Apply before any works begin.
What Drives Your Renovation Cost
Property age
The single biggest variable beyond the renovation scope itself. Pre-1960 properties in Dublin regularly reveal outdated wiring, lead pipework, poor or absent insulation, and substandard previous works once walls and floors are opened. Budget 20% contingency rather than 15% for any pre-1960 property. The calculator applies a 5% premium for 1960 to 1990 properties and 15% for pre-1960 properties to reflect this.
Specification
Has a larger impact than most homeowners expect. The difference between a budget-spec and high-spec kitchen renovation on the same footprint is €15,000 to €25,000. Deciding on specification before briefing a contractor, rather than during the build, is the most effective way to control costs.
Location
Adds a consistent 15 to 20% to Dublin projects relative to the national average, driven by higher trade rates, parking and access constraints, and skip permit costs in urban areas.
How to Use These Estimates
The figures from this calculator are planning numbers, not quotes. They will tell you whether a project is broadly feasible within your budget and help you assess whether a contractor’s quote is in a reasonable range. They will not tell you exactly what your specific renovation will cost.
Get a structural survey before finalising your budget for any property built before 1980. Get three written quotes from contractors who have physically visited the property. Compare quotes on scope, not just total price. A quote that excludes VAT, skip hire, or making good is not comparable to one that includes them.
If you are planning a renovation in Dublin and want a fixed written quote from a contractor who manages every trade from first fix to snagging, get in touch with the Build Me team.
