If you own a home in Dublin and you are tired of a cramped, dark kitchen that no longer fits your family’s life, you are not alone. Thousands of homeowners across Blackrock, Dún Laoghaire, Monkstown, Stillorgan, and Booterstown are asking the same question right now: what will a kitchen extension actually cost me — and is it worth it?

This guide gives everything you need to make a confident decision.

Why Dublin Homeowners Are Extending Their Kitchens in 2025

The kitchen has become the true living room of the modern Irish home. Open-plan spaces combining cooking, dining, and family time are not a luxury anymore — they are the expectation. Yet most older Dublin homes, especially Victorian terraces and 1960s semis around the southside, were simply not designed for this lifestyle.

The result is a kitchen that feels pinched the moment you add a family, a table, and a wish for natural light. A well-planned rear or wraparound extension solves all three problems at once — and adds real, measurable value to your property.

Key reasons homeowners extend: More natural light via skylights and wide glazed doors; an open family space for cooking, homework, and hosting; improved indoor-outdoor flow onto the garden; and a meaningful boost to resale value that estate agents consistently confirm in post-2021 Dublin.

How Much Does a Kitchen Extension Cost in Dublin?

This is the question everyone asks first, and it deserves a clear answer. Based on real projects completed by VS Builders between December 2023 and April 2025, here is what Dublin homeowners are currently paying:

Extension Size Package Price (Incl. VAT) Typical Timeline What’s Included
20 m² €47,000 5–6 weeks on site Foundations, insulated slab, ICF walls, warm roof, roof-light, sliding door, 2 radiators, 20 electrical points
40 m² €122,000 7–8 weeks on site All of the above + structural steel, kitchen budget, laminate flooring, painting, USB sockets, pendant light

For context, current market rates across Dublin sit at approximately €2,000–€2,800 per square metre for a builders-finish extension. The packages above include the roof-light, aluminium sliding doors, and full engineer certifications — items that are often charged as extras elsewhere.

Important: These figures are benchmarks based on recently delivered projects and should be used as a planning guide. Your exact quote will depend on site conditions, finish choices, and any structural requirements specific to your home.

What Exactly Do You Get? A Closer Look at the Packages

20 m² Single-Storey Rear Extension — €47,000

This is the entry-level package, and it is anything but basic. It delivers a watertight, fully compliant, warm and energy-efficient shell ready for your kitchen fit-out.

• Foundations, 150 mm insulated slab, and radon barrier
• External ICF walls built to U-value 0.18 W/m²K — ahead of 2025 building regulations
• Warm-roof fibreglass finish at U-value 0.20 W/m²K with a 2000×1000 mm double-glazed aluminium roof-light
• 3000×2100 mm modern aluminium slim sliding door opening onto your garden
• Two radiators connected to your existing heating system, plus 20 electrical points
• Full airtight membrane and taping throughout

40 m² Single-Storey Extension — €122,000

For families who want the full transformation — the ‘wow factor’ open-plan space — this package covers everything from foundations to finishing touches.

• Everything in the 20 m² package, scaled up
• 4000×2400 mm slim aluminium sliding door for maximum garden connection
• Three radiators, 30 electrical points, 4 USB double sockets, and a pendant light
• Structural steel and engineer-certified budget included
• Site-passage concrete, kitchen budget, laminate flooring, and full painting included

Do You Need Planning Permission for a Kitchen Extension in Dublin?

This is one of the most common concerns, and the good news is that most Dublin homeowners do not need planning permission for a standard rear extension.

Scenario Planning Permission Required?
Rear extension up to 40 m² (house not previously extended) No — exempt under national regulations
Extension keeping height ≤ 4 m (flat) or ≤ 6 m (pitched ridge) No — exempt
Heritage façade or sensitive streetscape property Yes — permission required
Combined total of all extensions exceeds 40 m² Yes — permission required

VS Builders handles all planning applications and building control compliance on your behalf, so you do not need to navigate the paperwork alone.

What Drives the Cost Up — or Down?

Not every extension costs the same, and it helps to understand what moves the dial:

• Glazing specification: Slim-frame aluminium sliders add approximately 30% over standard PVC doors, but they are the defining feature of a high-spec extension.
• Roof form: A flat warm roof is more economical; a pitched or glazed roof adds cost but delivers exceptional light.
• Site access: Tight urban lanes in Blackrock or Monkstown require extra scaffolding and waste logistics, which can add to overall costs.
• Finish level: Standard laminate floors and painted walls keep costs manageable; bespoke tiling or underfloor heating adds to the budget.
• Structural complexity: Removing load-bearing walls or spanning large openings requires structural steel and certified engineering — both included in the 40 m² package.

Kitchen Extension Cost Dublin

Can You Claim SEAI Grants on a Kitchen Extension?

Yes — and this is an often-overlooked saving. If you upgrade insulation on adjoining walls or improve your attic insulation at the same time as your extension, you may be eligible for SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) grants.

VS Builders will identify every grant you qualify for before your first invoice. In some cases this can represent a meaningful reduction in your net project cost. We will survey, cost, and show you exactly how much grant money you can bank — all as part of a free 30-minute site consultation.

Energy Performance: Built to 2025 Standards and Beyond

Our extension is not just a space — it is a warm, efficient, future-proofed room. Every project is designed to meet or exceed current Irish building regulations:

• External walls: U-value 0.18 W/m²K (regulations require ≤ 0.21 W/m²K)
• Warm roof: U-value 0.20 W/m²K (regulations require 0.16–0.20 W/m²K)
• Airtight membrane and taping throughout to minimise heat loss
• Triple-glazed window upgrades available — reducing heat loss by approximately 30% versus double glazing

This level of insulation also means your existing heating system works less hard, and any future heat-pump installation will perform at its best.

What Is Excluded from the Package Price?

We are upfront about what the packages do not cover so you can budget accurately:

• Professional fees: architect, engineer, and BER assessor fees are not included
• Planning application levies (if applicable)
• Roof or attic works on the existing house (outside the extension footprint)
• Bespoke or premium finishes beyond the standard specification

If your scope changes after agreement, a re-quote is issued transparently before any additional work proceeds.

How Long Will Your Kitchen Extension Take?

We work within tight, predictable timelines — all within a single season so you avoid winter snagging and disruption:

Project Scale Approximate Site Duration
20 m² kitchen extension 5–6 weeks on site
40 m² kitchen/living extension 7–8 weeks on site
Silver retrofit package 8–10 weeks
Gold retrofit package 10–12 weeks
Diamond package (with extension) 14–18 weeks

Note: Durations are approximate and drawn from recently completed projects. Factors such as planning delays, weather, or concealed structural issues can affect actual on-site time.
Most clients remain living in the home during works — approximately 90% of occupants stay on site throughout, moving to a spare room during any floor or heating work.

Ready to Add Space, Light, and Value to Your Home?

Call us on 087 715 5334, drop us an email at info@vsbuilders.ie, or fill out the contact form on our website to set up a free 30-minute site visit.

FAQs

How much does a kitchen extension cost per square metre in Dublin?

Current rates sit at approximately €2,000–€2,800 per m² for a builders-finish extension, with our fixed-scope packages starting at €47,000 for 20 m² (incl. VAT).

Do I need planning permission for a rear kitchen extension in Dublin?

In most cases no — extensions up to 40 m² at ground level are exempt under national regulations, provided the house has not been previously extended and height limits are respected.

How long does a kitchen extension take to build?

A 20 m² rear extension typically takes 5–6 weeks on site; a 40 m² open-plan extension takes 7–8 weeks — both completed within a single season.

Can I get a grant to help pay for a kitchen extension in Dublin?

Yes — SEAI grants are available if you upgrade insulation on adjoining walls or the attic at the same time; we identify every grant you qualify for before work begins.

Do you handle planning and compliance on my behalf?

Yes — we manage all planning applications, building control submissions, and engineer certifications from start to finish so you do not have to.