Renovating a house in Ireland (UK guide): costs, permits and more

Are you considering buying a house in Ireland that requires renovation, or planning a refurbishment project further down the line? This guide breaks down everything you need to know about renovating a house in Ireland, from the early planning stages through to completion.

We’ll cover the key benefits and challenges of renovating a property in Ireland, explain the costs involved and help you organise a clear renovation plan. We’ll also highlight the important points to think about before work begins.

Finally, since renovation can be costly and chaotic, you may want to make this process less stressful. The Wise account will allow you to send large amounts of money between the UK and Ireland for low fees*.

That means you could use what you save in fees or hidden markups to cover any upfront renovation payments.

It can even auto-convert your pounds to euros at the mid-market rate and help you save even more.

For large amounts, Wise has a dedicated team of experts to guide through every step of your transfer so you can move bigger amounts of money to Ireland with ease.

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Is it worth buying a house to renovate in Ireland?

There are several reasons you might be considering renovating a property in Ireland. You may be looking to sell your Irish home for a profit, rent it out as a long-term investment or create a holiday home.

Before you commit, it’s worth taking a step back and deciding whether renovation is the best option for you. Like building a house from scratch, renovation requires careful planning and budgeting and a clear understanding of the costs involved.

Here is a quick overview of the pros and cons of renovating a house in Ireland:

Pros:

• Possibility of government grants
• Usually cheaper than buying property in Ireland
• More sustainable than building new

Cons:

• Some layout changes may not be possible
• Planning permission can be complicated
• Renovating can uncover hidden issues (damp, structural problems etc.)

Where to purchase a property to renovate in Ireland

For those unfamiliar with the Irish real estate market, an agent can offer valuable support. If you’d rather search on your own, here are some popular property websites:

• Rightmove
• Zoopla
• Daft.ie
• MyHome
• Sherry FitzGerald

Ireland also offers a range of renovation grants. One of the most important ones is the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, which helps fund the refurbishment of vacant or derelict properties built in 2007 or earlier.¹

To qualify, the property must be converted into either your main home or a rental property and you must prove it has been vacant for at least two years. The grant can provide up to €50,000 for vacant properties and up to €70,000 for derelict ones (£43,360–£60,700).¹

What to consider when renovating a house in Ireland

Renovating can be demanding even in the UK, so it becomes even more complex when you’re doing it somewhere else. You may run into different delays along the way, such as planning permission issues or schedule changes.

Before you begin, it’s worth thinking carefully about whether you’re ready for the process and any potential setbacks. If you choose to go ahead, here are some important points to keep in mind to help your renovation in Ireland go more smoothly:

• Is it a protected or listed building?
• How does Irish planning permission work?
• How do property evaluations in Ireland work?
• Do you have a renovation schedule in place?
• How to hire contractors for home renovations in Ireland
• Do you have the right insurance?
• Do you have a contingency plan in place?
• Are there fees and tax considerations for renovating a house in Ireland?
• Should you carry out an Irish house renovation yourself?
• What do you do if something goes wrong?

1. Is it a protected or listed building?

You can check whether an Irish property is a protected structure by searching the planning authority’s Record of Protected Structures (RPS), which every local authority includes in its development plan.²

When a structure is on the RPS, the protection typically covers the land around it and any additional buildings on that land.²

2. How does Irish planning permission work?

In Ireland, planning permission is usually needed for major renovations, including significant alterations, extensions or structural changes.³

When you apply for planning permission, you must first notify the public of your intentions by placing a notice in a local newspaper and displaying a site notice at the property. After these notices are in place, you can submit your application to the local authority, either through the Local Government Ireland website, by email or by post.³

3. How do property evaluations in Ireland work?

In Ireland, property evaluations are usually done by chartered surveyors registered with the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI). They can perform various types of inspections, but the key priority is identifying any structural problems before you buy a house.⁴

4. Do you have a renovation schedule in place?

Your renovation will run more smoothly if you have a clear schedule. This is what a common timeline usually looks like:

• Stripping out the existing interiors
• Structural work
• Roofing and external work
• Plumbing, heating and electrical systems
• Insulation (if necessary)
• Flooring and plastering
• Bathroom and kitchen fit outs
• Painting
• Decoration, interior design and final touches

5. How to hire contractors for home renovations in Ireland?

To hire a contractor in Ireland, start by getting recommendations and checking verified reviews. Make sure they’re also registered with a recognised body, such as the Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI).⁵

Since you’ll likely be paying from the UK, request detailed invoices and agree payment terms upfront to keep everything clear.

6. Do you have the right insurance?

Having the right insurance during a renovation is strongly recommended, especially employers liability, public liability and contract works cover.⁶

7. Do you have a contingency plan in place?

Renovation projects rarely stay exactly as planned. Make sure your contract includes clear change-order rules, so you know how alterations and costs will be handled. This helps protect you if things shift due to outside factors like weather, material delays or other unexpected problems.

8. Are there fees and tax considerations for renovating a house in Ireland?

In Ireland, home renovations are usually subject to 13.5% VAT.⁷ However, if you’re using the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, the grant amount already includes VAT.¹ You’ll also need to pay any planning permission or building control fees required by your local county or city council.

Some banks have hidden markups in their exchange rate fees. With Wise, the exchange rate is the mid-market one (this is the one you’ll normally find on Google) and you’ll see all fees upfront so using Wise to pay your renovation costs may be cheaper, since your pounds will be automatically converted at the mid-market exchange rate and fees are low*.

📚Tax implications of buying property abroad

9. Should you carry out an Irish house renovation yourself?

If you can, it’s worth getting professionals on board when renovating a house in Ireland. If you’re doing some of the work yourself, make sure you check in with an expert so everything meets the rules.

10. What do you do if something goes wrong?

If you run into any issues, get independent legal advice as soon as possible and make sure you collect all relevant documents, such as contracts and invoices.

Bear in mind that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can’t intervene in private legal disputes overseas. However, they can still provide a list of translators, interpreters and English-speaking lawyers if you need assistance.⁸

Irish house renovation costs

Now that we’ve covered the key points, let’s look at how much it costs to renovate a house in Ireland. We’ll explain the main expenses and what you might expect to pay on average.

How much does a new roof cost in Ireland?

Partial roof replacements start at €1,200 on average, while a full re-roofing can set you back over €10,000 (£1,040–£8,670).⁹

How much does flooring cost?

The price of new flooring depends on the material. For example, laminate and vinyl flooring costs around €20–€40 per square metre (£17–£35), while hardwood or tiled flooring costs €40–€80+ per square metre, or £35–£70.¹⁰

Installation costs will be another €300–€1,000 (£260–£870).¹⁰

Cost of fitting a kitchen in Ireland?

Budget kitchen renovations in Ireland cost €10,000–€20,000 on average, or approximately £8,670–£17,340. However, luxury kitchens with custom cabinets and premium appliances can cost more than €60,000 (£52,000+).¹¹

Cost of fitting a new bathroom in Ireland?

A basic bathroom upgrade in your new Irish house starts at €5,000 on average, or £4,300. Luxury bathrooms with custom tiling and fittings can exceed €30,000 (£26,000+).¹¹

How much does it cost to paint an entire house in Ireland?

On average, you’ll pay €400–€800 per room for interior painting in Ireland or €1,200–€6,600 (£1,040–£5,720). The average price of exterior painting is €1,500–€5,500 (£1,300–£4,770), depending on the size of the house.¹²

How much does it cost to rewire a house in Ireland?

A full house rewire can set you back €38–€55/sq.m or £33–£48. Just updating the fuse box costs around €350 on average (£304).¹³

Cost of converting a loft in Ireland

The cost of converting a loft varies widely depending on the size and condition of the property. On average, you can expect to pay between €20,000 and €60,000, or roughly £17,300–£52,000.¹¹

Costs of renovating a coastal stone cottage in Ireland

A basic renovation can cost up to €1,200–€1,500/sq.m. (£1,040–£1,300), while high-end refurbishment can cost over €4,000/sq.m. (£3,470).¹¹

How much does it cost to renovate a farmhouse in Ireland?

The exact number depends on the state of the house and your standards. On average, renovating a 100 sq.m. house costs between €120,000 and €400,000+ (£104,060–£346,860+), but you can try getting a grant.¹¹

How much does it cost to renovate a house in Ireland

Let’s list the main expenses in your Irish renovation:

Renovation type 🔨	Average cost 💶
New roof	€1,200–€10,000+ (£1,040–£8,670+)
Flooring	€20–€80+ per square metre (£17–£70+)
New kitchen	€10,000–€60,000+ (£8,670–£52,000+)
Bathroom renovation	€5,000–€30,000 (£4,300–£26,000+)
Painting	€1,500–€5,500 (£1,300–£4,770) for exterior €1,200–€6,600 (£1,040–£5,720) for interior
Rewiring	€38–€55/sq.m (£33–£48)

How to pay for renovating a house or property in Ireland

This should give you a clear overview of the key factors to consider before renovating a house in Ireland, including likely costs and the steps involved.

Renovating a house in Ireland can be expensive, with expenses including contractors, materials, permits and approvals. A Wise account can help you avoid hidden fees and reduce the cost of foreign currency transfers.

The Wise account is an alternative to traditional bank accounts. It will allow you to send money between the UK and Ireland at the mid-market exchange rate, for low, transparent fees*.

There’s even a dedicated support team for all large amount transfers to help put your mind at ease when transferring high amounts of money to Ireland.

Request a call back 📞

FAQs: Renovating and refurbishing a house in Ireland

Let’s answer some common questions about renovating a house in Ireland:

Do you need planning permission to renovate an old house in Ireland?

If your renovation involves significant changes such as structural alterations, extensions or changes of use, you’ll need to apply for planning permission.³

Is there a grant in Ireland for rewiring a house?

Yes, there are several grants available for house rewiring, including the Vacant Property Grant and various local authority schemes.¹⁴

Who is eligible for the island grant in Ireland?

You can apply for the grant if you’re buying a property vacant for at least two years and built in 2007 or earlier, even if you’re not an Irish resident. The property must either be your main home or available to rent.¹⁵

What is the 12 year boundary rule in Ireland?

The 12-year boundary rule usually refers to adverse possession, meaning that if someone uses land openly and continuously for 12 years without the owner objecting, they may be able to claim legal ownership of it.¹⁶

Sources used:

1. Gov.ie - Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant
2. Citizens Information - protected structures
3. Citizens Information - planning permission
4. SCSI - building survey
5. OS Holding - finding a reliable builder
6. S.A. Faughnan (Brokers) - renovation insurance
7. Richard Oshea Consultancy - VAT on construction services
8. Gov.uk - guidance for buying property abroad
9. O’Shea Roofing - cost
10. CalcIreland - flooring
11. OS Holding - old house renovation cost
12. Painter Adam - painting a house
13. Brosnan Property Solutions - house rewiring cost
14. Gorman Electrical Services - house rewiring grants
15. Gov.ie - grants
16. Mason Hayes Curran - adverse possession

Sources last checked on date: 23-Jan-2026