For Irish homeowners, building a summer house is a smart investment that can significantly boost the value of a property. The cost of building a summer house in Ireland varies widely, depending on the type and size you choose as well as where you live, with the city being significantly more pricey than the countryside. Understanding your options and the costs involved is the first step towards creating the perfect addition to your garden. In this guide, we’ll break down the average costs across different summer house styles, with a special focus on wooden prefabricated models – the most popular choice among Irish buyers right now. 

Summer house types and sizes

When considering a summer house for your Irish garden, it’s essential to consider what will work best with the space you have available and with your budget. Each style offers unique benefits and comes with different price points. Let’s look at the three main categories in more detail: prefabricated wooden summer houses, wooden summer houses built on-site, and brick summer houses built on-site.

Prefabricated wooden summer houses

Prefabricated wooden summer houses are a popular choice due to their convenience and quick installation. These structures are manufactured off-site and then assembled in your garden and offer a balance of quality and affordability. The prices below are from Summerhouse24, where you can expect top notch service and a team of professionals to help you. These prefabricated options are ready to go as a DIY project if you would like to install it yourself. Alternatively, you can request that Summerhouse24 install your summer house for you which will cost an additional €1,500 to €2,900, depending on the size and model you choose. 

Size range	Price range
5m² to 15m²	Approx €4,000 to €12,000
15m² to 25m²	Approx €6,000 to €16,500
25m² to 35m²	Approx €10,000 to €17,500
Bigger than 35m²	Approx €14,500 to €21,000

Wooden summer house built on site

These structures are built from scratch in your garden, allowing for more personalised designs, however they tend to be pricier and take longer to finish than a done-for-you kit. 

Size range	Lower price range	Premium price
2.5m² to 10m²	Approx €1,200 to €6,000	Can go up to €20k
10m² to 25m²	Approx €5,000 to €10,000	Can go up to €40k
Over 25m²	Approx €10,300 to €20,000	Can go up to €50k+

Brick summer house built on site

Brick summer houses provide a more permanent feel, they are extremely durable, and they can increase the value of your property significantly. They’re constructed on-site and can be designed to match your home’s architecture, however this tends to come with a heavier price tag. This is because brick summer houses often require more extensive groundwork and may have additional costs for planning permission due to their permanent nature. 

The table below outlines the typical cost of using brick to build in Ireland.

Average price per m²	Price per brick	Price per day
Approx €159 to €180	Approx €1.50 to €2.50	Approx €250 to €350

While this gives you some idea of what you might pay, be aware that the actual cost can vary greatly depending on the following factors:

• Complexity of the design
• Quality of materials used
• Site preparation requirements
• Local labour costs which can be significantly more expensive in big city areas like Dublin.

Summer house key cost factors

There is nothing worse than getting halfway through a build only to be met with surprise costs that chew up your budget, either putting you out of pocket or forcing you to stop the build. Having a clear idea of the real cost of building a summer house will help you to plan accordingly, so your build goes smoothly. 

Site preparation

Groundwork

Preparing the space where your summer house will go is the first step. This includes clearing the land, ensuring the ground is level and sometimes improving drainage. The costs can vary significantly, especially if the site is uneven or requires extensive excavation. 

Foundation 

Any building needs a solid foundation to rest on – this is especially important in a wet country like Ireland as it will stop your summer house from sinking into the soggy ground. Summerhouse24 offers a low-cost foundation kit which makes laying your foundation so easy. If you can operate a drill and a spirit level you can lay a strong, stable foundation yourself without the hassle of traditional concrete foundations which often need heavy equipment to lay, driving costs up.

Access roads and pathways

There is no point in building a beautiful summer house that you struggle to access. You’ll need to make sure that you have easy access to your new build which may require building an access road or laying a pathway. The cost of this will of course depend on the complexity of the project and the materials you choose to use.

Landscaping and site clearance

After your summer house is built, you will need to factor in the cost of removing all the rubbish and excess materials from your garden. You could either hire a skip to take it all away or hire a truck and take it to the dump yourself. Phoning around in advance is a great idea to get a rough cost of which is better for site clearance. The most cost effective option will largely depend on how much there is to remove. 

Once the structure is up and the site is clear, you may need additional landscaping to integrate the summer house into your garden aesthetically. This might include tree planting, garden beds, or terracing, which all come at various costs depending on how much you’d like done. 

The summer house

The biggest cost is of course the materials you will use to build with. This is not the place to skimp–remember choosing a good quality summer house will significantly add to the value of your property should you ever decide to sell. If you’re building from scratch you will need good quality timber to ensure your house is strong and durable. Thicker timber will cost more and will likely need to be cut to size which will push up labour costs. You will need the roofing materials and of course proper insulation for the cold Irish climate. 

You will need to choose doors and windows as well as high-quality door hardware, like the locks and handles. For windows you’ll need to choose between single and double glazing and make sure it all fits together seamlessly. You will then need to finish the interior with paint or a wood stain which can be costly depending on what you choose and the size of your house. 

When you use prefabricated summer houses, it’s so much easier to control costs, because you’ll always know the total price in advance unlike building on the spot which can have surprise costs crop up as the build progresses.

Summerhouse24 takes all the hard work out of building because the houses come in a done-for-you kit with high quality features that not only give you a polished end product, but help you to save money. These are some the features that make our products stand out:

• Double glazed safety glass on doors and windows
• Storm rods for the strong winds during the blustery Irish winter (as an added bonus, they make construction easier and the structure stronger)
• Tilt and turn window systems for security, ventilation and energy efficiency 
• 44 mm – 88 mm wall thickness to make sure you’re protected from the cold Irish climate
• High-quality sustainably sourced Nordic Spruce – the highest quality timber
• Pre-drilled holes for extra ease when putting your house together
• Detailed assembly instructions for DIY enthusiasts (and an installation service if you’re not so good with a drill)

Utilities and services

If you plan to live in your summer house or use it for work, you will need to consider the following costs too. 

• Electricity
• Plumbing and water supply
• Heating and cooling systems
• Internet and telecommunications

Permits and professional fees

Again, if you’re planning to live in your summer house or use it as a place of business you will need to secure the correct planning permission so you comply with Ireland’s legal requirements for building.

• Planning permission for a summer house will cost €65 for the application. ¹ Be aware of other costs like newspaper notices (around €140) and planning and site maps (around €126) ³
• Building regulation compliance certification costs around €350 ²
• Legal fees if there are objections to your build – these can run into thousands.
• Hiring a professional architect to design your summer house can be costly. Typically they charge a percentage of the total cost of the project (around 12% – 16%) or they charge hourly (anything from €50 to €150 per hour or even more for a premium service).

When you use one of Summerhouse24’s kits, you have some freedom to make custom changes to personalise your build. Often changes to the original design are easy to implement and won’t make a dent in your budget. Also, Summerhouse24 offers bespoke design if you would like something completely original in your garden.

Additional features

The devil is in the details and often it’s the extra finishing touches that can break the budget. Decide beforehand what you plan to buy and stick to it. Shop around for bargain buys and try to wait for big sales like Black Friday where you can save with big discounts. Be sure to make allowances for the following:

• Adding a patio or a deck. Decking is included in some prefabricated designs, so if this is something you’d like be sure to choose one that has this feature already accounted for.
• Domestic appliances for the kitchen 
• Furnishings and décor
• Gym equipment if you are creating a garden workout room
• Bathroom fixtures like a sink, bath, or toilet
• A sauna, hot tub, or cold plunge (what else would fit so perfectly on a patio or a deck?)

Cost breakdown example: 28 m² prefab garden room

Here is an example of costs so you can see how to do it based on Summerhouse24’s garden room with a storage shed – “Barbados Plus”.

Item	Cost
Garden room structure	€11,770
Insulation	€180 to €2,770 (for roof, floor, window, and door insulation)
Site preparation	Around €100 per m² so approx €2,800 or more
Foundation	Concrete Foundation – €2,800 to €4,200Foundation Kit – €1,910 to €3,140
Connecting water	€2,272 flat fee
Electrical	Approx €3,486
Installation	€2,900 (this can vary depending on the size and model you choose)
Delivery	Often delivery is included in the price, but if it’s not it will cost around €100 or more depending on the company and where you live
Permits	€65 for planning permission ¹ €140 for newspaper notice³€126 for site maps ³ €350 for a building compliance certificate ²

Budgeting tips and considerations

When planning your summer house, it’s smart to think about your budget in practical ways to ensure you get the most bang for your buck without skimping on quality. Here are some tips to help you keep your finances in check:

• Prioritise the essentials: Focus on needs not wants if your budget is tight. You can always upgrade slowly once you have the basics in place.
• Explore cost-saving options: If you’re handy, tackling the assembly of a simpler garden house model yourself could save you a significant chunk of change. Summerhouse24 has a variety of models that are perfect for a DIY project. Don’t hesitate to reach out for advice on which model might be the best fit for your skills and needs.
• Maintenance costs: When it comes to protecting the wood, a bigger initial outlay will save you in the long run. Cheaper wood protection needs to be replenished every 2 years while high-quality ones like the ones Summerhouse24 provide only need to be applied every 6 years.
• Research available grants or tax incentives: It’s worth checking with your local authority if there are any grants available in your area for building sustainable or energy-efficient structures. If your summer house is going to be used to rent out, you may qualify for renting/landlord tax credits if your planning permission and building compliance is in good standing.
• Seek professional advice: When in doubt always ask a professional to avoid costly mistakes after the fact. This is especially true for complicated designs or if your property is in a conservation area.

Conclusion

Building a summer house in Ireland is an exciting venture that not only enhances your living space but can also significantly increase your property’s value too. By carefully considering the types, costs, and the construction options, and by planning your budget with an eye on the long-term benefits, you’re setting yourself up for success. So, take your time, do your research, plan wisely, and soon, you’ll be enjoying your brand new summer house.

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Sources

1. https://www.clarecoco.ie/services/planning/applications/apply/fees/
2. https://www.bellassociates.ie/services/compliance-certificates/
3. https://titanconstruction.ie/build-o-pedia/planning-permission-costs/