Perhaps the plan was to move to a larger home… however, current economic circumstances have eliminated this option for many people. The next option, and often the best option, is to see how to create more space in your current home.

What kind of space do you need, where do you need it, how should it integrate with the rest of the house, and what impact will it have on the existing house in terms of light, space, comfort, disruption, and value?

Here are 12 critical questions to consider when planning your home expansion project in Ireland:

1. What kind of space do you need? – sitting room, kitchen, games room, utility room, ground floor bathroom, home office, open plan kitchen/dining/sitting room? Consider the long-term issues, as well as your immediate problem, and consider how a potential homebuyer might value and appreciate what you’re considering.
2. What are your options in terms of where you can spread out and how well-suited is this for your space requirements? For example, turning an attic into a small children’s playroom doesn’t make much sense.
3. What impact will the addition have on the existing house and garden? Consider how the extension will affect the light within the existing house, for example, and how you will compensate for this.
4. Do you need a building permit? In Ireland you are allowed to add up to 40 square meters (430 square feet) of additional area to the rear of your house without planning permission, subject to certain conditions.
5. Do you need the input of an architect? If the problem is complex and does not have an obvious solution, then a good architect can add real value. On the other hand, with simpler work, an architect is often not necessary, and a good building contractor or project manager with the relevant experience should suffice.
6. What other professionals will you need to involve? In addition to design and planning experience, for significant structural modifications, it is always advisable to hire a structural engineer to specify the requirements and approve the work.
7. What building standards should the extension be built to? The Irish Building Regulations 2008 Technical Guidance Documents are the minimum requirements for habitable dwellings, including extensions. In particular, Part L is critical from the perspective of insulation and energy efficiency. However, the minimum insulation requirements are basic and you should really decide to go much further than thatto minimize future costs and green taxes.
8. Which construction method will best suit an extension? Typical options are traditional block built, wood framing, Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) and Insulated Concrete Form (ICF). All have advantages and disadvantages to home extension work, but the two most common options for additions in Ireland are traditional block construction and timber framing. Sadly, traditional block construction remains a favorite in Ireland and it is no coincidence that our Domestic heating energy costs are among the highest in Europe..
9. How do you choose the right contractor? Ultimately it is about trust and the ‘feel’ that the contractor is an honest and competent expert offering good value for money. Back up your ‘gut feeling’ with some simple research.
10. How long will it take to build a typical extension? Completion times for traditional block extensions are the longest and will be determined by size and weather, but a typical 25 square meter extension will take 8-10 weeks on average. A site-built wood frame alternative should take about 2 weeks less, while at the other extreme, an off-site built wood or steel frame extension can be completed in as little as 2 weeks.
11. How much will a home extension cost in Ireland in 2010? This can vary widely, but as a general rule of thumb €140 – €175 (VAT included) per square foot of external build area is a good estimate for a fully completed traditional block built extension. However, if it’s too good to be true, it usually is. The devil is in the details, and be careful when comparing.
12. How will you pay for your extension? When seeking financing for a home improvement project, as long as you have the means to repay the loans, you may want to consider a combination of Credit Union and bank/building society to obtain the necessary financing. Presenting the project to your lending institution in the right way will be of great help.