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.
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.
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.
Attic conversions in Ireland: fire safety, stairs and when a room counts as a bedroom
What the Irish Building Regulations expect from an attic conversion — Part B fire safety, escape, stairs and headroom — and why many converted attics cannot be described as bedrooms.
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.
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.
Company guide
A longer read on who we are, how we work and the Irish bodies that set the standards we build to.
Who is Phoenix Maco Ltd?