Home Extension Planning Service

Extend your home safely, compliantly, and with confidence.

Home Extension Planning Service

Planning permission for a home extension can feel complex, particularly when you are unsure what is required or how the process works.

Our home extension planning service is designed to guide you clearly through each stage, from preparing compliant planning drawings to submitting a planning application where required.

What’s Involved

Our home extension planning service is delivered in two clear stages:

  • Step 1 – Preparation of Planning Drawings

    We prepare all planning drawings required for your home extension, based on a review of your property and the proposed works. To ensure consistency, accuracy and compliance all planning drawings for this service are prepared by our team. We do not accept drawings prepared by a third party.
  • Step 2 – Planning Application

    Once the drawings are complete, we will advise on whether planning permission is required. Where appropriate, we can proceed with submitting the planning application on your behalf. If planning permission is not required, or if you decide not to proceed, we will clearly outline the next step.
Planning drawings showing new building

Do You Need Planning Permission for a Home Extension?

Not all home extensions require planning permission. Some can qualify as exempted development, depending on their size, position, and design.

Extensions that may be exempt

  • Single-storey extensions to the rear of a house that do not increase the floor area by more than 40 m² (including any previous extensions).
  • Works that do not reduce the open space at the rear of the property below 25 m².
  • Extensions that match the finishes and roof pitch of the existing house.

Converted attic with curtains and bed and timber floor

Planning Permission Is Required When

  • The extension increases the overall floor area beyond exemption limits.
  • The design includes a two-storey rear or side extension.
  • The property is a protected structure or within an architectural conservation area.
  • The works involve a change of use or significantly alter the property’s external appearance.

If you are unsure which category your project falls under, our team can assess your plans and confirm whether planning permission is needed.

Retention & Outline Planning

Not all projects fall under a standard home extension planning application.

Retention Planning Permission
If works have already been carried out without planning permission, a retention application may be required to regularise the development. Click here for further information. Retention Planning Permission

Outline planning permission
Outline planning permission can be used to establish whether a development is acceptable in principle before progressing to detailed drawings. Click here for further information. Outline Planning Permission

If you are unsure which option applies to your property, we can advise before you proceed.

Young smiling couple looking at a laptop

How We Help

At Property Health Check, we provide professional planning and building assessment services to support your home extension from the earliest stage.

Our team can:

  • Review your proposed development to determine if planning permission is required
  • Prepare drawings and documentation for submission
  • Ensure your design aligns with planning and building regulations

With over 20 years’ experience assessing thousands of Irish homes, we understand what local authorities look for, helping you avoid costly delays and ensuring your project moves forward smoothly.

Understanding What’s Included

Our planning service focuses on preparing the drawings and documentation needed for a successful planning submission, based entirely on your own vision for your home. You simply tell us what you would like to achieve, and we’ll translate your ideas into plans that meet planning authority requirements.

Please note that this service does not include a design consultation or the development of alternative layout options. If you need support shaping or exploring design concepts, we recommend engaging an architect before proceeding.

To get the best from this service, clients should have a clear idea of what they want to build or alter.

Get Started

Before you begin your home extension, speak with our team to confirm your requirements. We’ll help you make informed decisions, keep your project compliant, and support you in achieving high-quality home improvements.

What Happens Next

Once you’ve completed the quote form, our team will review the information you’ve provided.

One of our engineers will then arrange a phone call to discuss your plans, confirm the details, and discuss other aspects relevant to your project. Following this conversation, we can adjust your quotation if necessary.

We aim to keep the process straightforward, transparent, and supportive from the very first step.

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.