Perhaps the plan was to move to a larger home… however, the current economic circumstances have eliminated this option for many people. The next option, and often the best option, is to look at 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 extension project in Ireland:

1. What kind of space do you need? – living room, kitchen, game room, laundry room, downstairs bathroom, home office, open plan kitchen/dining/living room? Consider the long-term issues as well as your immediate issue, and consider how a potential homebuyer might value and appreciate what you’re considering.
2. What are your options in terms of where it can be extended and how suitable is this for your space requirements? For example, turning an attic into a playroom for young children doesn’t make much sense.
3. What impact will the extension have on the existing house and garden? Consider how the extension will affect the light inside 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 extra floor space 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 has no obvious solution, then a good architect can add real value. On the other hand, with a simpler job, 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 construction standards should the extension be built to? The Irish Building Standards 2008 Technical Guidance Documents are the minimum requirements for habitable dwellings, including extensions. In particular, Part L is critical from an insulation and energy efficiency perspective. However, the minimum insulation requirements are basic and you really should 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 formwork (ICF). They all have pros and cons for home extension work, but the two most common options for extensions in Ireland are traditional block construction and wood 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 comes down to trust and the ‘gut feeling’ that the contractor is an honest and competent expert offering good value for money. Back up your ‘gut’ with some simple research.
10. How long will it take to build a typical extension? Completion times for traditional block built 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 addition cost in Ireland in 2010? This can vary widely, but as a general rule of thumb, €140 – €175 (including VAT) per square foot of external building 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 expansion project, as long as you have the means to repay the loans, you may want to consider a combination of Credit Union and bank/builder to obtain the necessary financing. Presenting the project to your lending institution in the correct way will be of great help.