How much does renovation contractor cost in Ireland?
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Key takeaways
- Most renovation contractor jobs in Ireland land between €4,000–€250,000 — known locally as building contractor.
- Ireland has no mandatory general builder's licence, but gas work must be done by RGII-registered installers and electrical work by Safe Electric registered electricians by law. Internal renovations are usually exempted development, while extensions beyond 40 square metres and external changes need planning permission from your local authority.
- Prices below are researched national ranges, updated July 2026 — not quotes.
Renovation Contractor prices by job size in Ireland
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-room refresh Replastering, flooring, and decoration of one room | €4,000 | €8,000 | €15,000 |
| Kitchen or bathroom renovation Full refit of one wet room | €8,000 | €15,000 | €30,000 |
| Multi-room renovation Several rooms including rewiring or plumbing | €20,000 | €45,000 | €90,000 |
| Whole-house renovation Full refurbishment of a 3-bed house | €60,000 | €120,000 | €250,000 |
Per-unit rates
| Unit | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| per hour (general building) | €40 | €55 | €80 |
| per square metre (renovation) | €900 | €1,500 | €2,200 |
What affects the price
- Job size and scope — bigger or more complex jobs move you up the ranges above.
- Access and condition — hard-to-reach areas, older properties or neglected maintenance add labour time.
- Materials and quality level — where materials are involved, the grade you choose often matters more than labour.
- Urgency — same-day or out-of-hours work usually carries a premium.
- Where you live — large metros in Ireland typically run above the national range; smaller towns below it.
How to save
- Get at least three quotes and compare like-for-like scopes, not just totals.
- Be flexible on timing — off-peak slots are often cheaper.
- Bundle related tasks into one visit to spread call-out costs.
- Agree the scope in writing up front to avoid change-order surprises.
How to hire a renovation contractor pro in Ireland
- Check membership of the Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI) — voluntary but a useful quality signal
- Confirm electrical work will be done by a Safe Electric registered electrician and gas work by an RGII registered installer (both legally required)
- Check whether your project is exempted development or needs planning permission from the local authority
- Ask for proof of public liability insurance and confirm the contractor is tax-registered (you'll need this for the Home Renovation-style tax schemes when available)
- Get three itemized quotes after site surveys
- Agree staged payments in writing with 5-10% retained until snags are closed
Red flags
- Cash-only price with no VAT invoice
- Unregistered workers proposed for gas or electrical work — both are illegal in Ireland
- No written quote or contract offered
- Large deposit demanded before any materials are ordered
- Can't provide references from jobs completed in the last year
How Handld researches prices
These are researched estimates, not quotes and not our transaction data. We compile ranges from published sources — national statistics, trade bodies and incumbent cost guides — normalise them to EUR, and adjust city pages by a population-based cost tier. Last updated July 2026. Basis: Extrapolated from UK Checkatrade/FMB data at Irish wage and EUR levels; SEAI grant schemes and CIRI register (ciri.ie).
Frequently asked questions
How long does a renovation take?
A single-room refresh typically takes 1-3 weeks, a kitchen or bathroom 2-6 weeks, and a whole-home renovation 2-6 months depending on structural work and approvals. Add lead time before the start date for permits, custom cabinetry, and contractor availability — good contractors are often booked 1-3 months out.
Should I hire a general contractor or manage the trades myself?
Manage trades yourself only if the job involves one or two trades and you can be on site regularly. Once a project needs sequencing (demolition, then rough plumbing and wiring, then walls, then finishes), a contractor typically saves more in avoided rework and delays than their 10-20% management margin costs.
What are variations (change orders) and how do I keep them under control?
A variation is any change to the agreed scope after signing — moving a wall, upgrading tiles, fixing a hidden problem. Insist every variation is priced and approved in writing before the work happens. Most renovation budget blowouts are not the original quote being wrong; they are dozens of verbally-approved variations nobody tracked.
What should be in a renovation contract?
At minimum: full scope of works, itemized price, start and completion dates, payment schedule tied to milestones, who obtains permits, how variations are priced and approved in writing, warranty terms, and how disputes are handled. If a contractor resists putting these in writing, that is the answer to whether you should hire them.
What do building contractors charge in Ireland?
General building rates run around €40-€80 per hour, with renovation projects commonly pricing at €900-€2,200 per square metre depending on spec. Dublin pricing sits at the top of the range, and demand from deep-retrofit grant work keeps good contractors booked months ahead.
Can I get a grant for renovation work in Ireland?
SEAI grants cover energy upgrades — insulation, heat pumps, windows — and can be combined with a renovation if the works are done by SEAI-registered contractors. Vacant and derelict property grants of up to €50,000-€70,000 also exist for bringing empty homes back into use, which materially changes the budget on older-property projects.
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