Phoenix Maco News

Irish building, planning and retrofit news you can act on.

Written by the Phoenix Maco Ltd team in Dublin. Every article answers the question directly, then links to the official Irish sources — SEAI, Citizens Information, Revenue, the HSA and the Department of Housing.

Dublin house under renovation with scaffolding
Costs

Attic conversion cost in Ireland (2026): what drives the price

What an attic conversion costs in Ireland in 2026: storage vs habitable room, stairs, dormers, fire safety, insulation and certification explained for Dublin homes.

3 November 20266 min read
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Insulation boards being fixed to the outside wall of a scaffolded house
Costs

External wall insulation cost in Ireland (2026): what does it cost to wrap a house?

What does it cost to wrap a house in Ireland? 2026 external wall insulation prices from €160/m², guide costs by house type, price factors and SEAI checks.

26 October 20268 min read
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Fresh render finished around dark-framed windows on a scaffolded Dublin house
Render

House rendering in Dublin: process, costs and regulations

How house rendering works in Dublin: step-by-step process, indicative 2026 costs, planning and Building Regulations, weather timing and contractor checks.

26 October 20269 min read
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Render being finished around dark-framed windows on a scaffolded house façade
Guides

Looking for the best EWI contractor in Dublin? Phoenix Maco Ltd

Compare EWI contractors in Dublin: insulation systems, render details, SEAI checks and renovation services. Discover Phoenix Maco Ltd and request a quote.

11 October 20268 min read
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External wall insulation with a finished rendered façade
Guides

How Do You Get External Wall Insulation Done Properly in Dublin?

Get external wall insulation done properly in Dublin: wall checks, EPS systems, weatherproof detailing, SEAI grant checks and a clear survey-led quote.

27 September 20266 min read
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Newly renovated tiled bathroom in a Dublin home with walk-in shower
Costs

How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Dublin in 2026?

Realistic 2026 price ranges for bathroom renovations in Dublin — what drives the cost, how long it takes, VAT, hidden extras and how to get an accurate quote.

26 September 20266 min read
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Builders constructing a rear house extension in Dublin
Planning

Extensions and planning permission in Ireland: what is exempt and what is not

When a house extension in Ireland is exempted development and when you need planning permission — floor area limits, height, rear gardens and the checks to run before you build.

14 September 20267 min read
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External wall insulation being rendered on an Irish house
Energy upgrades

SEAI grants and external wall insulation: how the funding actually works

How SEAI home energy grants apply to external wall insulation in Ireland — eligibility, the individual grant route versus the One Stop Shop, BER requirements and what homeowners still pay.

14 September 20268 min read
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Dublin end-of-terrace house under renovation with scaffolding
Building regulations

Attic conversions in Ireland: fire safety, stairs and when a room counts as a bedroom

Irish attic conversion rules explained: Part B fire safety and escape, a fixed stairs, headroom and why many converted attics can't legally be called bedrooms.

14 September 20266 min read
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Renovated and rendered semi-detached house in a Dublin suburb
Homeowner guide

Hiring a builder in Ireland: contracts, VAT, insurance and the questions to ask

A practical checklist for hiring a builder in Ireland — written quotations, the 13.5% VAT rate on construction services, insurance and tax registration, payment stages and how to avoid the usual disputes.

14 September 20267 min read
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Newly fitted navy kitchen in a renovated Dublin house
Renovation

Renovating an older Dublin house: the order of works that actually saves money

The right sequence for renovating a period or mid-century Dublin house — surveys, roof and rainwater goods, damp, rewiring, insulation, ventilation and finishes — and the mistakes that cost most.

14 September 20267 min read
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Company guide

A longer read on who we are, how we work and the Irish bodies that set the standards we build to.

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