Complete House Renovation in Dublin

A complete house renovation brings the major elements of a property transformation into one coordinated construction project. Rather than renovating one room at a time, the house can be reviewed as a whole — including its layout, structure, plumbing, electrics, insulation, kitchens, bathrooms and interior finishes.

For some Dublin homeowners, the priority is modernising a property that has not been substantially upgraded for decades. For others, the project begins with a layout that no longer works: small disconnected rooms, poor natural light, outdated services, insufficient storage or a weak connection between the house and garden.

A full renovation creates an opportunity to address these issues together. Depending on the agreed scope, work may include strip-out, internal structural alterations, new plumbing and electrical infrastructure, insulation improvements, plastering, flooring, joinery, kitchen installation, bathroom renovation, decorating and detailed finishing.

Larger projects can also incorporate a home extension or attic conversion so that structural work and interior renovation are planned as one construction programme rather than separate projects.

RSM Construction coordinates the renovation around the existing property, the agreed design information and the homeowner's priorities, with a clear focus on sequencing the work correctly and delivering a coherent finished home. Our completed projects include renovation work across very different property types, from a Georgian townhouse interior in Mountjoy Square to a reworked 1970s bungalow in Foxrock.

One of the biggest advantages of a major renovation is the ability to reconsider how the house works as a complete space rather than simply replacing finishes within the existing layout.

Some projects focus on improving circulation between kitchens, dining areas and living rooms. Others require additional storage, a utility room, improved access to the garden, better natural light or a clearer distinction between social and private spaces.

Where walls or other structural elements are affected, the proposed changes need to be considered against the existing building structure and appropriate engineering information. Possible renovation work can include:

A complete renovation can be an efficient time to consider energy upgrades because walls, floors, ceilings and building services may already be accessible as part of the wider construction work.

Depending on the existing property and project scope, possible measures can include improved insulation, upgraded windows and doors, airtightness work, heating improvements, controls and appropriate ventilation.

Irish Building Regulations contain specific requirements for major renovations. Current SEAI guidance states that the major-renovation requirement can be triggered when renovation work affects 25% or more of the surface area of the existing dwelling's building envelope.

Where the requirement applies, Part L requires improvement toward the applicable cost-optimal energy-performance level insofar as this is technically, functionally and economically feasible.

The exact obligations and most appropriate energy strategy should be determined for the specific property and proposed works rather than assumed from a generic renovation package. Read more about energy performance and retrofit considerations.

For homeowners planning several major improvements, it can make sense to assess them together before construction begins.

A rear extension may completely change the proposed kitchen and ground-floor layout. An attic conversion can affect staircase positions, first-floor circulation, fire-safety considerations and service routes. Planning these elements alongside the main renovation can help prevent one stage of work from having to undo another. Possible combinations include:

Planning permission and Building Regulations are separate considerations, and the requirements for a complete renovation depend on the exact works being carried out.

Many internal renovation works may not require a planning application, but projects involving extensions, significant external alterations, roof changes or properties subject to planning or conservation restrictions can require additional assessment or approval.

Protected structures and homes located within Architectural Conservation Areas can have additional restrictions, so normal exempted-development assumptions should not automatically be applied to those properties.

Building Regulations can apply to new building work, extensions and certain material alterations to existing buildings. Depending on the scope, relevant areas can include structure, fire safety, ventilation, drainage, energy performance, stairs and access. Building Control requirements should also be established before work begins where applicable.

Projects involving structural changes should be supported by appropriate design and engineering information.

Sometimes, but not always. Whether a property can remain occupied depends on the extent of demolition, structural work, electrical and plumbing disruption, bathroom availability, kitchen access, dust, noise and the sequencing of the project.

A light phased renovation may allow parts of a house to remain usable. A major strip-out involving several floors, new services, structural alterations and multiple bathrooms is very different and may make temporary accommodation the more practical option.

The decision should be made around safety and the actual construction programme rather than convenience alone. If a property must remain partly occupied, the programme should clearly establish:

There is no meaningful single price for a complete house renovation because two properties of the same floor area can require very different levels of work.

The most accurate quotation comes from defining what is actually being changed before pricing the build.

The programme depends on the scale of structural work, professional information required, procurement, property access, service upgrades and the level of interior fit-out.

Projects involving an extension, significant structural changes or an attic conversion will generally require a different programme from an internal refurbishment.