Extending your home is one of the most significant investments you can make in your property
Whether you are adding living space, enlarging a kitchen, or constructing a two-storey extension, the project must satisfy both planning policy and structural compliance.
Applications are frequently delayed, redesigned, or refused due to:
- Exceeding exempt development limits
- Overlooking or overshadowing neighbouring properties
- Inadequate boundary setbacks
- Drainage and surface water issues
- Structural implications not properly considered
- Incomplete or poorly prepared drawings
Property Health Check provides surveyor- and engineer-led home extension planning services designed to ensure your project is compliant, structurally sound and properly documented from the outset.
Protect Your Investment From Refusal, Redesign and Enforcement
A home extension is not simply a drawing exercise.
It involves careful consideration of:
- Existing load-bearing walls
- Foundation requirements
- Steel beam insertion and load transfer
- Roof junction detailing
- Drainage connections
- Fire separation requirements
- Energy and insulation standards
- Exempt development thresholds
Projects that overlook these elements can result in:
- Planning refusal
- Further information requests
- Costly redesign mid-build
- Building regulation non-compliance
- Difficulties during future sale or mortgage approval
- Enforcement action requiring retention permission
Our approach is structured around technical suitability and compliance first — planning documentation second.
Why Property Health Check
Property Health Check is a survey-led firm with over 20 years’ experience assessing thousands of Irish residential properties. We complete approximately 3,000 property inspections annually.
Our team includes experienced engineers with in-depth knowledge of:
- Residential structural systems
- Load paths and reinforcement requirements
- Planning policy interpretation
- Exempt development calculations
- Boundary and drainage compliance
- Building regulation standards
This practical experience allows us to prepare extension documentation grounded in real construction knowledge — not purely conceptual design.
We assess what is realistically achievable within your existing structure and site constraints before progressing drawings.
Do You Need Planning Permission for a Home Extension?
Not all extensions require planning permission. However, exemption rules are frequently misunderstood.
Professional assessment is essential before proceeding.
Extensions That May Qualify as Exempt Development
- Single-storey rear extensions not exceeding 40 m² (including previous extensions)
- Works that maintain a minimum of 25 m² private open space to the rear
- Extensions that do not significantly alter the external appearance
- Developments within height and boundary limits
Previous extensions count towards the 40 m² threshold. Miscalculations can result in non-compliance.
We assess exemption eligibility before drawings are finalised.
Our Home Extension Planning Service
Stage 1 – Planning Review
- Review of proposed extension layout
- Exempt development calculation
- Boundary and drainage review
- Preparation of compliant planning drawings
All drawings are prepared by our team to ensure consistency and compliance.
Stage 2 – Planning Application (Where Required)
Once drawings are complete, we advise whether planning permission is required.
Where necessary, we can:
- Prepare and submit the planning application
- Manage documentation
- Respond to routine planning queries
If the extension qualifies as exempt development, we clearly outline the compliance considerations and next steps.
Stage 3 – Structural Review
- We can provide structural calculations and construction drawings under seperate instruction if required.
All drawings are prepared by our team to ensure consistency and compliance.
Retention & Outline Planning
Retention Planning Permission
If an extension has been constructed without the required permission, a retention application may be necessary.
Retention applications are scrutinised carefully and require properly structured documentation. We advise on the appropriate course of action before progression.
Outline planning permission
In certain cases, outline permission may be appropriate to establish whether development is acceptable in principle before investing in detailed documentation.
We advise where this route is suitable.
Why Home Extension Applications Get Refused or Delayed
Common issues include:
- Excessive scale relative to the original house
- Overlooking or loss of privacy to neighbouring properties
- Overshadowing impacts
- Inadequate separation distances
- Poor roof integration
- Miscalculated exempt thresholds
- Drainage conflicts
Early professional review reduces these risks and protects your project timeline.
Understanding the Scope of This Service
Our home extension planning service prepares the drawings and documentation required for planning compliance, based on your proposed extension layout.
You provide the concept; we translate it into compliant documentation aligned planning standards.
This service does not include structural calculations or construction drawings, but these services can be provided under a seperate instruction if required.
This structured scope keeps costs proportionate and expectations clear.
Our Process
- Initial consultation regarding your proposed extension
- Planning compliance review
- Preparation of planning drawings
- Planning submission (if required)
- Clear guidance on next steps
Professional. Structured. Transparent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you’re adding living space or modernising your home, it’s essential to confirm whether your proposed extension requires planning permission. Property Health Check’s surveys and reports help identify compliance and guide next steps.
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When does an extension require planning permission?
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What extensions are exempt from planning permission?
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Can I build to the side or front of my home without permission?
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Do building regulations still apply to exempt extensions?
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How long does the process take?
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What if I build without permission?