Help Needed

MFlack2012

Hi All,

Hoping someone may be able to assist with some queries.

We have a standalone one floor building (Shed) in our back garden. Fully livable at present but looking to turn it into a first home for myself. Would need walls moved, floors re-done (after walls moved), kitchen, bathroom etc put in. To move the items inside my parents are looking at also putting a kitchen extension/utility room on the back of the home.

Looking into getting a mortgage of 60-70K (over 20 years) to pay for not only the anex but also kitchen extension. This would mean me not paying rent, just pay off my mortage. Parents would get their kitchen extension outright.

The bank is not playing ball however, and could only get at maximum €40K over 10 years. However, they are willing to give up to €50K if grants etc are applied for and available to me.

Can anyone advise on what we are looking at with regards planning permission etc for the anex and extenstion. Looking at costs of Anex and/or Kitchen and/or Both.

Can you also advise on what types of grants the bank are talking about?

Anything else you think may need looking into?

This is all just a wake up in the middle of the night with a light bulb moment type dream at present, looking into a few months of planning to make reality!

shane6977

You need full planning permission to change from shed to dwelling. What local authority area are you in? There may be restrictions in the development plan or local area plan that need to be considered.

The banks may be refering to the Help to Buy scheme? http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/grantsfinancial-assistance/first-time-buyers-grant/first-time-buyers

There is more to converting a shed to a dwelling than you think. You need to insulate your walls and roof to the current standards. This may mean replacing the roof depending on what is there at present. There will be no insulation in the floor and probably not even damp proofing - this will mean replacing the existing floor with new slab, insulation, damp proof and radon membrane. You need to meet the energy efficiency requirements for a new dwelling, amongst other things this will mean having a portion of your energy supplied by renewable sources.

MFlack2012

Hi, thanks for your reply. We just call it a she'd 😀 it's actually a fully built and insulated annex. Built by registered builder, I could actually move a bed in tonight. Will need existing walls moved though just to set up rooms differently and the floors will need replacing when the walls are moved. It was all done properly when built but at present is used as gym/shed/ art studio.

I'm South Dublin. Don't want to give too much info at that Just yet 😊