Cost of renovation & extension in Galway

houseyhouse · 05-02-2021 2:12pm #1

I've seen a lot of posts/threads on here about the high cost of renovations and extensions in the East at the moment. Anybody know if things are similar in the West?

We're thinking of renovating and extending a 3-bed semi from the 1970s. Double-story side extension (very wide side access at the moment and this type of extension is common in the area) as well as a ground floor rear extension. Total are of extension c. 80sqm. Area of the existing house c. 100sqm. Last updated in the 1990s so needs new wiring, plumbing, windows, insulation etc. etc. Ideally, we'd also like to get a garden room built at the same time to use as a home office.

Any idea what a project like this might cost? Very very rough estimates welcome

Moomintroll99 · 13-02-2021 3:32pm

We've been pricing a much smaller one in Galway, more like 25 sq m & been told about 2000-2500 / sq m for the build & then to budget a bit more for the fittings, internal stuff like carpets etc. So that would be about €160-200k for the extension part. If needed you could maybe save a little by including the home office in the main extension rather than a separate garden room? At 180 sq m total you could probably get it in there somewhere, have it double as a guest room maybe?

The renovation of the existing is harder to price but maybe 1000-1500 /sq m depending on exactly what is needed. You might be able to save money there or potentially access some grants, eg for heating, insulation etc, which might offset the cost a small bit. But maybe another €100k there, for a grand total of up to €300k. Ouch.

Or you could just close your eyes, think of a high number, double it, triple it, shake your head with horror & that's probably about right too...

houseyhouse · 14-02-2021 1:01am

Ouch indeed! It’s madness really. And seems to be very similar to the kinds of prices per sq meter people in Dublin are paying.

Have you got quotes from builders for your work or are you at an earlier stage?

Moomintroll99 · 15-02-2021 6:24pm

We're in the process of having it drawn up, but have spoken to a builder and an architect we know, and that was both of their opinions re the price per sq m. I have heard 3000 in Dublin so maybe we've got it cheap over here!

As I understand it it's being driven by a combination of more expensive building supplies, due to supply chain disruptions from Covid & Brexit; and also a lot of demand for building because people are extending houses after being stuck in them, again due to Covid.

The one thing everyone we've consulted agrees on is it won't be getting any cheaper, so no point putting off your job hoping for a price drop.

Have you got plans drawn up yourself, or still at the ballpark stage?

houseyhouse · 16-02-2021 12:23am

Still at the ballpark stage. Will need to save for a year or two before we can afford what we want. Why do they think prices will keep going up? I know some people are predicting a boom once Covid has passed, is that it?

Moomintroll99 · 17-02-2021 3:01pm

Architect friend thinks that people who can't afford to or aren't motivated to sell stay put and extend. He is rushed off his feet with work as everyone is doing this. All this is work he is designing that could take 2-3 years by the time it's all built, so that will keep the builders busy. Add to that money spent on construction for infrastructure, hospitals, roads, schools etc as post Covid stimulus and there you have busy, in demand builders for years, and the supply chain issues mean there will be knock on effects for a long while with building materials.

I would be delighted to be contradicted if anyone hears a different story though!

Cost of renovation & extension in Galway

Comments