Creating better spaces with the top 5 builders in Dublin
The housing market has been a mess in recent years, and it doesn’t seem to be letting up anytime soon. As such, many, like myself, have chosen to buy a somewhat rundown property and have it renovated instead.
While this might be a bit more expensive than buying a finished house, it allowed me to have some freedom in what it would look like. Thankfully, Dublin has quite a good selection of builders at its disposal to take on such a monumental task.
With my experience, I was able to pool together a list of some of the top builders in Dublin. I made sure they’re the best and capable of handling any home renovation or extension.
How much does a builder charge in Dublin?
A builder in Dublin typically charges around €1,800 to €5,000+ per m². As for extensions, these will cost around €1,500 to €3,000 per m², depending on the type. Renovations are the cheapest and will cost €800 to €2,000 per m².
1. 1st Choice Builders
Address: UNIT 54 Fourth Ave, Cookstown Industrial Estate, Dublin, D24 VE00, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 624 1924
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
1st Choice Builders is one of the highest-rated construction companies in Dublin. They’re a family of 3rd generation builders, and they have been providing construction services for over 20 years.
Their services include home extensions, full builds, and commercial buildings. They also provide restoration for old homes, specialising in pre-1963 properties. You can also trust them to create one-off homes with your full creative control in mind.
What I liked is that they also handle speciality work—plumbing, roofing, plastering, and even solar panel installation. They also cover any structural repairs that might arise during a project, though these may incur additional costs.
They even manage the whole process, from finances and paperwork to certification.
And while I haven’t seen their restorations firsthand, I’ve visited their Clonshaugh and Glasnevin projects. Honestly, both stood out for their modern, classy designs.
However, there have been reports from clients that they are experiencing difficulties with the warranty process for their homes.
Very friendly, knowledgeable, and approachable
“We did our research on who may be the best company to use for our Extension. This company led by a very friendly, knowledgeable and approachable Frankie. Not only did he give us great advice on our build but he was also open to taking on board all the little tweaks we made to plans.
We saved a lot of time thanks to his vast array of contacts in Painting decorating, tiling, electrical, plumbing and kitchen fitting.
Do yourself a favour dont bother with the rest, First choice are the best!”
– The Grant Family, Google Review
Great advice on size, layout, and design
“A couple of years on from getting our extension and we couldn’t be happier. 1st choice were one of a number of quotes we got but came out on top regarding value and offering. Frankie and Niall gave us great advice on size, layout and design that really added a great finish to the overall build. They were accommodating with all changes we asked of them and went above and beyond when we had additional asks ! I would recommend, and have done so to family and friends, Frankie and the team at 1st choice builders. Loving our home again !”
– Sonia Weafer, Google Review
2. GreenOak Construction
Address: Industrial Estate, Unit 5 + 6B, 25 Hume Centre, New Nangor Road, Dublin 12, D12 H0F1, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 493 3013
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
If you’re looking for a dedicated home extension service, then GreenOak Construction might be the one for you. While they mainly specialise in home and commercial renovations, they also have a great track record for home and commercial extensions.
They’re also one of the few businesses that I’ve found to offer Retrofit Insulation, which is a great and cost-effective way to save on your energy bills.
Their home conversion is also top-notch. It’s great for those looking to redo their house’s style without needing to tear it all down.
I genuinely value that GreenOak offers quality workmanship at an affordable price point. Many of their clients also mention that working with them feels completely stress-free.
When I spoke with Pat and Louise, they highlighted the company’s use of top-quality materials and modern building technologies. They even shared a detailed 3D mock-up of a project, which I found really impressive.
However, some clients mentioned projects going slightly over budget, but if you’re after quality work, it’s well worth it.
Genuine care for their clients
“We couldn’t be happier with the work carried out by Greenoak. From the very first consultation to the final finishing touches, their professionalism, attention to detail, and dedication to quality were outstanding. The team was punctual, courteous, and kept us informed at every stage of the project. Nothing was too much trouble, and they went above and beyond to ensure everything was completed to the highest standard. What really stood out was their craftsmanship and pride in their work, you can see it in every corner of our new space. They stayed on schedule, kept the site clean and tidy, and delivered exactly what they promised, if not more. Any small issues were dealt with quickly and efficiently, with clear communication throughout. It’s rare to find a company that combines skill, reliability, and genuine care for their clients, but Greenoak does just that. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking for high-quality building work. A truly top-class experience from start to finish.”
– Elizabeth Ryan, Google Review
Quick, clean, and professional
“Thank you to Greenoak construction for your work in getting our wall re-built after a storm took out our old one. We are delighted with the job. Pat, Fellix and team were quick clean and professional in getting the wall up. Would highly recommend. Paul and Karen Kelly”
– Karen Mayne, Google Review
3. O’Flaherty Construction
Address: 3 The Vale, Palmerstown, Dublin, D20 VK40, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 87 250 1446
Operating Hours:
- Open 24 hours
O’Flaherty Construction is perfect for those who are looking for companies that cater to disabled or elderly homeowners. Whether it’s a renovation or an extension, they offer this unique service that other companies rarely do.
A few of the installations you might find are stair lift installations, adapted bathrooms and kitchens, and even widening of doorways and hallways.
They’re also a popular choice for building Granny Flats—single-story, cost-effective, self-contained homes that work especially well for elderly family members.
I particularly like their attic and garage conversions, perfect for anyone wanting to maximise space. They also build sunrooms and porches, which add both value and style to a home.
I was glad to see that they offer proper insurance coverage and a warranty for their clients.
For property owners in Kildare County, it’s good to know they also provide employment opportunities locally. Plus, they work on both single- and double-storey homes.
The downside is that they lack testimonials and showcase projects on their website, which makes it harder to gauge client experiences.
Reliable and trustworthy professional
“Pat and the team completely refurbished my house and built an extension to the rear. I couldn’t be happier with the quality of work, and his project management. He started exactly when he said he would, and completed the project on budget – nothing was added to the agreed quote apart from the extras that I asked him to do later. He was always very responsive, would document the progress diligently and send me regular updates. He only does one project at a time, so not a day went by without some progress on site. It was a big project but we had no issues whatsoever. The whole process was smooth and stress-free. I supplied the kitchen, the stove and some of the finishing materials myself, and he always gave me heads-up in advance when he would need the supplies to arrive. Pat is the kind of builder who’ll listen to you and will try to accommodate your wishes to the best of his abilities, however, he’ll give you his expert advice if he believes there’s a better way of doing something. Always in good spirit, he is a pleasure to deal with, and so is everyone on his team. A number of people who visited my house after he completed the work asked for Pat’s number. I’m always happy to recommend him, if you’re looking for a reliable and trustworthy professional look no further!”
– Ekaterina Kislova, Google Review
They were clean, tidy, and very professional
“Pat and his team did an excellent job on our home renovation including 2 storey extension and attic conversion. The work was completed to the highest standard and Pat himself was always on site and on hand to answer any questions we had about the project. They worked in all weathers and were clean, tidy and very professional throughout the big job! Would highly recommend.”
– Joelle Hendrick, Google Review
4. Arkwood Construction
Address: 30 Rathfarnham Rd, Terenure, Dublin 6W, Co. Dublin, D6W WY90, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 424 0718
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM
Arkwood Construction is a great choice for those who are looking for a complete home renovation. They also specialise in creating open-plan kitchen extensions, which is great for those who love a well-built kitchen.
I like that they have a clear process that you can easily follow. The first step is the initial contact, where you’ll be given a clear approximation of both timeline and budget for your project.
During the home visit, unlike other companies, Arkwood Construction’s contractors will share their insights. They even showcase 3D drawings to give you a better idea of the final output.
I genuinely appreciate that they give homeowners a chance to visit a few of their projects. I’ve personally been to some, and I can honestly say they have a great eye for detail.
They also offer additional services, including sunroom construction and an interior design team, both of which can be hired for your renovation projects.
However, they are slightly more expensive than most construction companies in Dublin.
Amazing finished product
“I met Conor after buying a 1980’s townhouse in need of total refurbishing! Conor made excellent suggestions, quoted a figure for the work and a timeframe to do the job which involved demolishing everything except the side walls! I cannot overstate the quality of the work, the courtesy and professionalism of his team and the amazing finished product!! The project came in on time and on budget! I would highly recommend arkwood and Conor if you want a professional and stress feee build!”
– Mary Dillon, Google Review
Top quality build
“We would highly recommend Conor and his team at Arkwood. We are delighted with our house renovation and extension. The whole team were professional and a pleasure to deal with, coming up with design ideas and delivering a top quality build. The after-care service has also been great.”
– Ronan O Keeffe, Google Review
5. Stone Builders
Address: 4 Old Dublin Rd, Stillorgan, Dublin, A94 Y6T0, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 485 3888
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The thing that made Stone Builders stand out over the competition is the number of services that they provide.
They have top-notch renovations for cottages. They also provide extensions for kitchens, two-storey houses, terraced houses, and even glass extensions. I like that they even offer a classic home extension.
The main selling point that I found was their so-called ‘One-Off Houses’. These houses are interesting as they are bespoke and made to be unique compared to other houses in the neighbourhood.
On top of that, they also provide packages for home-energy improvements and kitchen extensions. Packages like these are hard to come by, so you should utilise them if these services fit you.
All of these services are done in collaboration with the homeowners. Many of their clients can confirm that the crew of certified engineers and architects is great at listening and giving advice when it comes to projects.
However, I spoke to clients who shared experiences of occasional delays. They were understanding due to the professionalism of the crew.
Additionally, Stone Builders serves most of Dublin County and the surrounding areas, making them easily accessible.
There was no time wasted
“We engaged Stone Builders to do an extension/retrofit which was close to a rebuild. The level of detail, engagement and enthusiasm shown by the entire Stone team was excellent from the beginning. There were several changes to the plan throughout the build, but the willingness of Gabi and Adrian to work through ideas and problems, to use different technologies, and to provide innovative solutions made the job surprisingly enjoyable and reduced the stress that you get with any big job. In particular we are delighted with the windows/doors they were able to provide and fit in and with the overall level of finish provided. All the builders and contractors used on the job were an established team so there was no time wasted. They even managed to build a great rapport with the neighbours despite the inconvenience of having a site next door! The end result exceeded our expectations; job finished on time and on budget, with a near passive house that is a real pleasure spend time in. I have no hesitation in recommending Stone Builders.”
– Raghnall O’Donoghue, Google Review
Extremely hard-working
“Stone Builder built our dream home. From the initial tender process to the build and finish, both Adrian and Gabi offered ideas and solutions and explained things very well.
Gabi and his team are all extremely hard workering and open to helping out with any questions. Very satisfied customer and would be very happy to work with Stone Builders again on other projects.”
– Steven Amet, Google Review