Question 1

How much does it cost to renovate a house in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the size and condition of the house, but as a guide: a full renovation with new kitchen, bathrooms, heating, wiring and decoration typically runs from the low hundreds of thousands of euro, while a larger period or coastal house needing structural work, planning permission and an extension costs considerably more. We give you a realistic, costed range after the first measured survey — quoted in USD alongside EUR — rather than a headline figure before we've seen the house.

Question 2

How much does it cost to renovate an Irish cottage?

Accepted Answer

Irish cottage renovation costs usually start in the low-to-mid hundreds of thousands of euro for a full refurbishment — new roof or repairs, damp-proofing, insulation, heating, kitchen, bathrooms and furnishing. Thick stone walls, remote sites and traditional materials add cost, but cottages also renovate beautifully when the work is specified properly from the start. We survey first and quote in dollars so you know the all-in number before committing.

Question 3

Can I renovate my Irish holiday home from America?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the majority of our clients do exactly that. We hold calls on Eastern Time, run a measured survey and costed concept before work begins, then appoint and supervise all builders, joiners and trades in Ireland on your behalf. You receive weekly filmed walkthroughs, photographs and written minutes, and the house is handed over turnkey — furnished, dressed and ready to walk into.

Question 4

Do you act as an Irish renovation contractor for overseas owners?

Accepted Answer

Yes. RK Designs is the single point of contact for overseas owners: we design the renovation, tender it to Irish trades we've worked with for over twenty years, and manage the site week by week against the budget you approved. You deal with one studio rather than a designer, an architect and a builder separately.

Question 5

Do you provide an interior designer for an Irish holiday home?

Accepted Answer

That's our core work. We've designed and furnished Irish holiday homes for over two decades — from full interior architecture and bespoke joinery to the last lamp and bed linen — so the house is finished to one standard throughout and ready for family use or holiday letting from day one.

Question 6

Can you manage renovating a house in Kerry?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we've renovated holiday homes in Waterville and across Co. Kerry, and we know the local trades, planners and suppliers. We handle the survey, design, any planning application and the full site management, reporting to you weekly wherever you are in the US.

Question 7

Can you manage renovating a holiday home in West Cork?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we cover West Cork, from coastal cottages near Schull and Baltimore to larger period houses inland. Coastal houses need particular attention to damp, glazing and heating, and that's specified into the design from the start. We run the entire project remotely for US-based owners.

Question 8

Can you manage renovating a cottage in Connemara?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we take on cottage and house renovations across Connemara and Co. Galway, including work in scenic and conservation areas where planning is more sensitive. We manage the design, the planning application where one is needed, and the build itself, with weekly filmed updates to the US.

Question 9

Can I buy an old house in Ireland as an American?

Accepted Answer

Yes — there are no restrictions on US citizens buying property in Ireland. The practical questions are the purchase process (which differs from the US), the survey, and the true cost of renovation before you bid. We're often asked to view a house before contracts are signed and give an honest renovation cost range, so you know the all-in number first.

Question 10

What should Americans look for when buying a house in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Look past the charm to the structure: roof, damp, wiring, heating and insulation are where the money goes. Check whether the house is a protected structure or in a conservation area (this affects what you can change), whether services like water and broadband reach it, and what the renovation will realistically cost all-in. A pre-purchase viewing with a renovation cost range answers most of this before you commit.

Question 11

Do you work with American clients who own a holiday home in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Yes — most of our clients live in the United States. We hold calls on Eastern Time, send filmed walkthroughs at every stage and manage all trades on the ground in Ireland, so you don't need to be in the country during the build.

Question 12

Can an Irish renovation really be managed remotely from the US?

Accepted Answer

It can, and it's the majority of our work. We start with a measured survey and a costed concept, then appoint and supervise the builders, joiners and conservation consultants, reporting weekly with photos, video and written minutes until turnkey handover.

Question 13

Do you quote in dollars?

Accepted Answer

Every budget is presented in USD alongside EUR, with the exchange assumption stated and a contingency line, so you can compare costs to what you'd expect at home and there are no surprises on the invoice.

Question 14

What does an Irish holiday home renovation typically cost?

Accepted Answer

A cottage refurbishment with kitchen, bathrooms, heating and full furnishing usually runs from the low hundreds of thousands; a larger coastal house with structural work, planning and an extension is considerably more. We give a realistic range after the first survey rather than a headline figure before it.

Question 15

How long does the work take?

Accepted Answer

Six to nine months on site for a cottage refurbishment, twelve to eighteen months from first survey for a larger house needing planning permission. Irish weather and lead times on joinery are the usual constraints, and both are built into the programme.

Question 16

Do I need planning permission?

Accepted Answer

Internal renovation usually doesn't, but extensions over the exempted size, changes to a protected structure, or work in a scenic or conservation area do. We assess this at survey stage and run the application with local architects and conservation consultants where it's needed.

Question 17

Which parts of Ireland do you cover?

Accepted Answer

We renovate holiday homes across Ireland, with recent projects in Waterville and Co. Kerry, West Cork, Galway and Dublin. Anywhere on the island is possible; we tell you honestly at the outset how site visits will work.

Question 18

Can you design the house for holiday letting as well as family use?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Where a house is let between family visits, we specify finishes and furniture that survive a rental season, provide a spares and replacement list, and brief a local caretaker or management company on the house.

Question 19

Can you view a house before we buy it?

Accepted Answer

We're often asked to view a property before contracts are signed and give an honest renovation cost range, so an American buyer knows the true all-in number before bidding.

Renovating in Ireland from four thousand miles away.

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