Building and renovation in Ireland: the rules and the order of works

Missing certificates can delay a sale or lead to indemnity policies. Ask at the quote stage who will provide which certificate, and keep them together.

• House building, self-build and extensions
• Whole-house renovation and period properties
• Roofing, re-roofing and flat roofs
• Windows, front doors, shutters and awnings
• Facade renovation, rendering and cladding
• Basement waterproofing and damp
• Demolition and strip-out
• Bathrooms, kitchens, tiling, flooring and plastering
• Accessible home adaptations and stairlifts

A quote you can compare lists the scope item by item, the materials or products by name, what is excluded, who deals with approvals and waste, how long the price is valid, the payment stages and what happens if something unexpected turns up once work starts. A single lump sum with 'labour and materials' is hard to hold anyone to.

Be cautious about large deposits before any work or ordering, and about pressure to decide on the day. Staged payments tied to finished stages protect both sides.

Each trade page has a short request form. Your request goes to exactly one business that works in that trade in your area and buys it; the service costs you nothing, and we email you the business's name, address and phone number before it sees your details. We cannot promise that a business takes up every request, and Offrano does not check the quality of anyone's work, so check registrations and ask for references yourself.

Many small works on a house are exempted development within set limits; larger works and protected structures need planning permission from the county or city council. Electrical work is carried out by Registered Electrical Contractors and gas work by Registered Gas Installers. Ask whether quotes include VAT, which Revenue charges at rates that depend on the goods and services.