Practical guides, real cost data, and tools for people building one-off houses in rural Ireland — from someone who's doing it.
Real build cost ranges for rural Ireland by spec level and county — not UK figures, not guesses.
Open calculator →Planning permission, grants, heat pumps, MVHR, NZEB — written by a self-builder, for self-builders.
Browse articles →Architect brief templates, design decision logs, and more — based on an actual 295sqm Co. Longford build.
Coming soon →Realistic build costs per square metre for rural Ireland in 2026, broken down by spec level — from basic B-rated to certified passive. Includes stage payment splits and what drives cost up or down.
How to navigate the planning system for a rural one-off house in Ireland — local needs tests, county development plans, pre-planning meetings, and how to make a strong application.
Most SEAI grants are retrofit-only. Here's what actually applies to new builds in Ireland — heat pump VAT, solar VAT, NZEB requirements, and the BER obligation.