Guidance Documents
Government and Advisory bodies
Frequently asked questions
From exclusive architectural and interior design to house surveys and planning permissions, Make a Home has the answer you’re looking for.
- The highest point to which the wall of an exempt extension can be built is eaves level;
- If the proposed extension has a flat roof, it must not exceed the eves or parapet level;
- If the proposed extension has a pitched roof, it must not exceed the ridge of the existing pitched roof.
Broadly speaking, the construction of an extension or conservatory does not require planning permission when it is to the rear of the house; however, any query from the public of this nature should be dealt with subject to the provisions of Planning Policy and Development Regulations.
The following should be seen only as general guidelines:
- Terraced and Semi-Detached Houses: If the house has not been previously extended, the floor area of the proposed extension cannot exceed 40 sq metres. This exemption also allows for extensions above ground-floor level (if the house is semi-detached or terraced, the area of the above ground extension cannot exceed 12 sq. m). This means, for a typical semi-detached house, one could have a ground floor extension of 28sq. m & 2nd floor extension of 12sq m without applying for planning permission. Any above ground floor extension shall be a distance of not less than 2 metres from any party boundary.
- Detached Houses: As with terraced and Semi-detached above, the overall area of extension must be less than 40 sq. metres. This exemption also allows for extensions above ground floor level, the are above ground floor are cannot exceed 20 sq. m. One could therefore have a ground floor extension of 20 sq. m., and a 2nd floor of 20 sq. m. Any above ground floor extension shall be a distance of not less than 2 metres from any party boundary.
- Both Cases: If the proposed extension is in addition to an existing extension (post 01-10-1964), overall areas of all extensions must not be more than 40 sq. m. – including extensions which needed permission, e.g. to side of house.
We don’t perform building works ourselves as our specialty lies in design and planning. However, we can connect you with trusted contractors right here in Ireland, ensuring you have the best hands on your project.
Absolutely! We’re here to support you every step of the way through the planning process. Our complete service packages cover everything from creating all required planning drawings to submitting them to the council for you.
Once planning is approved, we can connect you with trusted local contractors to bring your vision to life.
The detailed report we provide with your plans will clearly outline the skilled professionals necessary to carry your project through to successful completion.
At Make a Home, we charge contractors a 3-5% fee for successful introductions, calculated from the total value of your tender. Importantly, this fee is not an extra cost on your project—it’s paid directly by the contractors. We’re committed to transparency, and the fee is only settled by the contractor once they begin work onsite. This way, you can be sure there are no hidden costs affecting your budget.
At Make A Home, we simplify the process of transforming your house into your dream home. We provide comprehensive architectural services tailored to busy young professionals with families, like you. Our offerings include:
- Feasibility Studies
- Measured surveys
- Home design
- 3D models and interactive walkthroughs
- Planning submissions
- Building regulations
Our mission is to empower you to enhance your living space with confidence. Through our Connect service, we link you with trusted contractors who are rigorously vetted for quality and reliability, ensuring they meet standards like Trustmark, possess necessary insurances, and have a solid track record.
Experience the convenience of planning and designing your home makeover from any location via our user-friendly online platform. Here, you can submit details, explore design options, and consult with your architect—all without leaving your home.
Choose Make A Home for a hassle-free journey to your perfect home.
If you’re planning a major home improvement like an extension, conversion, significant renovation, or new build, consider using our services at Make A Home. Our approach to architectural design offers a number of advantages:
- Improved design quality
- Optimal use of space
- Higher likelihood of planning approval
- Protection against poor practices
But we offer more than just architecture. Our comprehensive platform consolidates everything you need to move from concept to construction. This includes surveying, building regulations and connecting with local experts.
With our user-friendly Dashboard, you can stay informed about every development. It allows you to communicate with our team, review documents and submit feedback. Make A Home makes it easier and more enjoyable than ever to expand and enhance your house to make your home.
At Make A Home, we combine the convenience of online services with the personal touch of direct communication. From your first inquiry, you’ll be interacting with our real, friendly team. If you prefer an in-person approach, we’re happy to provide onsite surveys and consultations.
Our team boasts qualified, experienced professionals, including ARB and RIAI registered architects, architectural technologists, and BIM specialists, ensuring your project is expertly handled. With a solid history of residential extensions and renovations throughout the UK and Ireland, we’re proud of our track record of satisfied homeowners.
If you want to boost the value of your home but find the current housing prices daunting, it’s a good idea to consult with a local estate agent to understand your home’s current market position. Following this, our team can help you explore various project options and identify the most effective ways to enhance your investment return. Make A Home can also be consulted to review potential properties to advise on potential opportunities for developing a house to provide the home you need.
Many of our clients are often taken aback by how many professionals are involved in even the simplest of building projects. To help you navigate this, we provide a comprehensive report detailing the experts you may need to consult at each stage of your build.
For most projects, the following specialists might be necessary:
- An Architect
- A Site Surveyor
- A Structural Engineer
- The Local Council
- A Drainage Surveyor
- Assigned Certifier
- A Party Wall Surveyor
- Contractor
- Multiple Sub Contractors
- Quantity Surveyors
- BER Assessor
- Technical Advisor
To understand the full process of extending your home and the steps involved, please book a consultation to talk to an RIAI registered Architect.
Our minimum service packages all include one set of revisions with other design packages offering more revisions and meetings as explained in our services section. You can modify any aspect of your design during this phase, but you have to provide all changes together in one go, instead of spreading them out over time.
If you require additional changes beyond the initial set, we’re here to help until you’re completely satisfied with your plans. Additional revisions are available at a straightforward rate of €300 plus VAT.
Absolutely. We carry professional indemnity insurance with a limit of €1 million.
Professional Indemnity (PI) Insurance safeguards clients against financial losses that might occur due to mistakes or oversights in professional advice or services.
According to the RIAI Code of Conduct, architects must maintain a suitable level of Professional Indemnity Insurance. The RIAI also advises that contractors carry PI insurance to cover their construction activities to protect clients further.
The typical fee charged by most RIAI architects for home renovations and extensions is around 10% of the construction costs. To improve cost control, we offer a fixed fee for our services. Our fixed fees are not only more competitive compared to most architects, but they also ensure you know exactly what you’ll be paying at each stage of your project. This way, there are no unexpected costs when the project is completed.
For example, if you are planning a rear extension with a project budget of €250,000, you should expect to spend around €25,000 on architectural fees from the start of the project until you move into the finished house. 40% of this total fee would be for services up to a planning submission meaning a the cost of an traditional percentage architects fee up to planning submission being €10,000.
Alternatively, some architects may charge on an hourly basis, with rates generally ranging from €75 to €250 per hour. The total hours required will depend on the project’s size and complexity.
Make A Home offers a range of fixed price packages, that include a planning application, starting from €2500.
Interested in finding out what Make A Home’s architectural services might cost for your project? Contact us through our project questionnaire or review our services page.
Our online Dashboard revolutionizes communication, allowing you to interact with your architect anytime via our messaging feature. We eliminate the wait for meetings with our screen-share option, walking you through your project in real time. While we can meet in person, our online platform caters to those who prefer quicker, more efficient service, letting you see progress as soon as you’re ready to start.
Our aim is to provide you with the services of a top quality architect but at a affordable price. This is made possible by approaching the traditional architects lack of control of time and clarity of costs in a new way.
Deciding between hiring an architect, a structural engineer or both depends on the specific needs of your project. Structural engineers focus primarily on the structure and underground drainage of a building. They are essential for projects that could impact your home’s stability, such as rear extensions, dormer loft conversions, or removing a chimney. During the phase before construction, they calculate foundations and specify necessary elements like steel beams.
On the other hand, architects offer a broader range of services that encompass:
- Project Feasibility
- Design and architectural drawings
- Interior Design
- 3D models
- Planning submissions
- Building regulations
- Tendering of Projects to Contractors
- Contract Administration
Architects can guide you through the entire project process from concept to completion, making them ideal for the comprehensive project management of your home project.
Yes! Architects are experts in their field, bringing numerous advantages to your home renovation. By hiring one, you’ll gain:
- A more beautiful and functional space: Architects ensure your space is maximized and tailored to fit your family’s unique lifestyle, not just current trends whilst complying with relevant regulations.
- Increased chances of planning approval: With their extensive design experience and familiarity with local planning authorities, architects significantly boost your odds of securing planning permission.
- Effective budget management: Make A Home provides a clear breakdown of costs, not only for our services but for all required professionals throughout your project.
In short, an architect doesn’t just design your space—they enhance the entire process of renovating your home.
Once you appoint Make A Home, we’ll guide you through our straightforward process through our project questionnaire that will be emailed to you.
The completed project questionnaire will request the following details from you:
- Your name, contact details, and the property’s address.
- Basic details about the property and the proposed development you require.
- A 3D polygrammetry survey scan of your existing house. If you would prefer, Make A Home can complete the survey scan on your behalf for €850 which is available in our other services.
- Your design preferences, budget range, and a short overview of your project goals.
- Upload floor plans, inspirational images, and existing photos of the property as explained in the project questionnaire.
This initial information helps us tailor our approach to meet your specific needs. The survey scan enables us to create a point cloud which we then use to produce the 3D BIM model of the existing house. We will review the scan data and let you know if we require further information before we can start drawing.
A measured survey is required for nearly all residential projects. This usually incurs an extra cost to you of between €1000 to €1500 that is either a third party surveyor or an extra cost on top of the architects fee. Make A Home have embraced the photogrammetry scanning capability of modern phones to reduce the costs but improve the quality of the project surveys.
Photogrammetry involves taking multiple photographs and combining them to form a digital model that represents the physical world in a 3 dimensional, digital format. Make A Home then transforms this data into a digital version of your existing house which is then used to generate the drawings required for your project. These typically include floor plans, elevations, sections and site plans which are essential for both our designers and your local planning authority.
Generally, a measured survey is necessary unless you already possess a set of CAD drawings of your home.
Yes we can! We will compile all the essential details, drawings and forms for your project and submit your application to the local council, acting as your agent. Unlike traditional architects, we cover the typical fees required for a planning submission as part of our fixed prices. These fees are paid directly to your local authority, map suppliers and newspaper publishers as required.
As your agent, we will communicate with the council and address any questions or requirements they may have on your behalf up until they issue their decision.
Yes! We’re ready to help with designs and drawings for new builds—just book a free consultation with our team to begin.
We create detailed brochures that highlight possible extensions and space transformations for your property, using clear 3D visuals to reveal the untapped potential to potential buyers.
We can help you overcome difficulties in receiving the offers you need or to move a property that has been slow to sell. If you’d like to learn more about how we can assist in securing a swift and successful sale, please reach out to us by phone or email.
Your satisfaction is our top concern. If you’re not happy with our service or the results, please don’t hesitate to call or email us. We’re here to address any issues you may have.
Yes. Each additional high quality render is €100 + VAT. We can also produce rendered walkthroughs of your home for a fee dependent on the length of video required.
Yes, many estate agents can provide a basic valuation of your property after an extension, using sales data from similar properties in your area.
However, they are not equipped to provide detailed cost estimates for your project, assess future development possibilities, or predict the success of obtaining planning permission.
Once you have decided to appoint Make A Home, you follow the relevant services page payment button and instructions. Services below €2500 will be a single payment. Services above €2500 are split into 2 stage payments to share the risk between you and Make A Home with 1 payment at the start and 1 payment towards the end of our appointed service.
Lofts with limited headroom or structural challenges might not be ideal candidates for conversion. If the vertical space from the floor to the ceiling’s peak is less than 2.2 meters, transforming the space could require extensive and expensive modifications.
Moreover, lofts within specific types of properties, like those in conservation areas or protected structures, often encounter stringent planning restrictions that can restrict conversion options.
The feasibility of converting a roof into additional living space hinges on various elements such as available headroom and the structural integrity of the roof itself.
Gable-end roofs, in particular, are typically more conducive to conversions thanks to their design and the possibility for extensions like hip-to-gable or mansard modifications. These styles facilitate more flexible and substantial changes, perfectly suited for adding extra living areas.
Connect with our team
Think we can help? Whether you have questions, need support, or want to discuss your ideas, we’re here to listen and help
- 20 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, D02 H364
- +353 (1) 400 7528
- info@makeahome.ie
