Quick answer: Property Blueprint Co. (updated August 2026) puts an Irish basic uPVC conservatory at €8,000–€15,000, a mid-range glass-roofed conservatory at €15,000–€25,000, an insulated warm-roof sunroom at €18,000–€35,000 and a premium orangery at €30,000–€55,000 and beyond. By area, a builder’s sunroom runs about €1,000–€2,000 per m². Most rear sunrooms of up to 45 m² need no planning permission since 27 July 2026; if yours does, the application fee is €34.
Sunroom cost checker
Pick a project to see the reported Irish price range and where the figure comes from. It is a guide, not a quote.
Prices change and depend on the size of the job, the property, access and location. Figures were last checked . Always get a written quote before work starts.
Request a free quoteSunroom, conservatory or orangery?
The three words are used loosely in Ireland, but the roof is what separates them, and it drives both the price and how many months of the year you will use the room:
- Conservatory: mostly glass, with a polycarbonate or glass roof. The cheapest glazed space, but it heats up and cools down with the weather.
- Sunroom: in Irish usage, a builder’s extension with large windows and a solid, insulated roof. It works as a year-round room and is where most homeowners end up.
- Orangery: solid piers or walls, a flat insulated roof and a glazed roof lantern. It reads as part of the house and costs the most.
For planning, the three are treated the same: the exemption for house extensions expressly includes a conservatory. Our guide to conservatory, orangery, extension or garden room helps you decide which you need.
Prices by type
These are reported typical ranges for supply and installation in euro, not quotes. Check whether a quote includes VAT.
| Type | Reported cost (EUR) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Basic conservatory: uPVC frame, polycarbonate roof | €8,000–€15,000 | Property Blueprint Co. |
| Mid-range conservatory with a glass roof | €15,000–€25,000 | Property Blueprint Co. |
| Insulated sunroom with a solid warm roof | €18,000–€35,000 | Property Blueprint Co. |
| Premium orangery with roof lantern | €30,000–€55,000+ | Property Blueprint Co. |
| Bespoke timber conservatory from a specialist | From about €40,000 ex VAT; average €70,000–€80,000 | Norman Pratt Conservatories |
Sources: How Much Does a Sunroom Cost in Ireland? (propertyblueprintco.com, updated 17 August 2026); How much will my conservatory cost? (normanprattconservatories.ie). Checked September 2026.
Prices per square metre and the extras
| Measure or extra | Reported cost (EUR) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Builder’s sunroom extension, per m² | €1,000–€2,000 | Norman Pratt Conservatories; Property Blueprint Co. |
| Conservatory or orangery, per m² | €2,000–€4,000+ | Norman Pratt Conservatories; Property Blueprint Co. |
| Concrete base and footings | €3,000–€6,000 | Property Blueprint Co. |
| Dublin compared with the national figure | Commonly 15–20% higher | Property Blueprint Co. |
Sources as above. Property Blueprint Co. says foundations, electrics, heating and flooring can turn a €20,000 structure into a €28,000–€30,000 finished room. Checked September 2026.
Norman Pratt, a Meath conservatory builder, puts its own conservatories and orangeries at roughly twice the cost of a conventional builder’s extension per square metre. That is the trade-off: more glass and joinery, less floor area for the money. See our guide to orangery versus conservatory costs.
Official costs: planning, contributions and building control
Since 27 July 2026, a single-storey rear extension (including a conservatory) is exempt from planning if it is no more than 45 m² including earlier extensions built after 1 October 1964 and leaves at least 25 m² of rear garden. It was 40 m² before (S.I. 338 of 2026). Protected structures and architectural conservation areas are the main exceptions. If you do need permission, these are the official costs:
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Planning application, house extension | €34 | National fee, Schedule 9 |
| Retention permission for an extension already built | €102, or €2.50 per m² if greater | National fee |
| Section 5 declaration (is it exempt?) | €80 | Dublin City Council figure |
| Commencement notice | €30 per building | Where one is required |
| Development contributions | Set by each council | See the table below |
Sources: Planning fees payable (clarecoco.ie); Section 5 Declaration (dublincity.ie); Commencement notices (limerick.ie). Newspaper notices, drawings and any engineer or Assigned Certifier are extra.
Development contributions on extensions in five cities
Councils charge development contributions only on development that needs planning permission. Each council sets its own scheme:
| City council | Extension exemption | Rate above the exemption |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin City | First 45 m² (applications from 27 July 2026); not for retention | €122.85 per m² |
| Cork City | First 40 m² | €49.87 per m² before indexation |
| Limerick City and County | First 60 m² | €12.50–€35 per m² by area band |
| Galway City | Domestic extensions fully exempt | None |
| Waterford City and County | Domestic extensions fully exempt | None |
Sources: each council’s current development contribution scheme, listed on the city pages. Checked September 2026.
BCAR: the extra cost for bigger sunrooms
An extension to a dwelling of more than 45 m² (40 m² before 27 July 2026) falls under the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations. The commencement notice needs compliance documents, a design certificate, an Assigned Certifier and a builder’s undertaking, unless the owner opts out of statutory certification. An Assigned Certifier is a professional fee we could not find a reliable published figure for, so ask for it in writing. Keeping a sunroom at or under 45 m² avoids both planning and BCAR certification, as long as the other conditions are met.
Checking the builder
The Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI) is becoming a statutory register under the Regulation of Providers of Building Works Act 2022, with mandatory registration phased in from 2026, starting with builders of larger housing schemes. New electrical circuits should be done by a Safe Electric registered contractor. If you sign a contract at home, the Consumer Rights Act 2022 generally gives you 14 days to cancel. Our guide to comparing quotes helps you line up like with like.
FAQs
How much does a sunroom cost in Ireland?
Property Blueprint Co. puts an insulated warm-roof sunroom at €18,000–€35,000 and a basic uPVC conservatory at €8,000–€15,000. By area, a builder’s sunroom runs about €1,000–€2,000 per m².
Do I need planning permission for a sunroom in Ireland?
Not usually for a single-storey rear sunroom of up to 45 m² including earlier extensions, leaving 25 m² of rear garden. The limit rose from 40 m² on 27 July 2026.
How much is the planning fee for a sunroom?
€34 for an extension to a house, or €102 (or €2.50 per m², if greater) to retain one already built.
Are conservatories cheaper than sunrooms?
Per project, a basic conservatory is usually cheaper, but per square metre a specialist conservatory or orangery can cost twice as much as a builder’s sunroom.
What is not included in a sunroom quote?
Often the base (about €3,000–€6,000), electrics, heating, flooring, drawings and any planning or certification costs. Ask for them in writing.
Local guides
Ready to compare? See our comparison of conservatory and sunroom options, our guide to what to include in a realistic budget, or request quotes.
Sources
- How Much Does a Sunroom Cost in Ireland? (propertyblueprintco.com)
- How much will my conservatory cost? (normanprattconservatories.ie)
- S.I. No. 338/2026 Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2026 (irishstatutebook.ie)
- Planning permission for altering your house (citizensinformation.ie)
- Planning fees payable (clarecoco.ie)
- Section 5 Declaration (dublincity.ie)
- Commencement notices and seven day notices (limerick.ie)
- Building Control Regulations 1997, article 9, revised (revisedacts.lawreform.ie)
- Development contribution schemes (dublincity.ie, corkcity.ie, limerick.ie, galwaycity.ie, waterfordcouncil.ie)
- CIRI goes mandatory (dwfgroup.com)
Last checked: September 2026. Prices and fees change, so treat these as a guide and confirm with builders and your council.
Compare Conservatories is a comparison and referral service, not a conservatory or sunroom builder. We do not design, build or approve extensions, and a listing here is not a recommendation.