Building advice

Costs, planning and building control in Northern Ireland

Practical guides for anyone building, extending or renovating here. Every figure is priced for Northern Ireland, not lifted from a UK average.

Renovation 18 Aug 2026 · 4 min read

Roof Replacement Costs in Northern Ireland: 2026 Price Guide

What a new roof costs in Northern Ireland in 2026 — concrete tile, clay, fibre-cement and natural slate per m², plus scaffolding and what the strip reveals.

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Hiring 6 Aug 2026 · 8 min read

How to Choose a Builder in Belfast - 12 Questions to Ask

Twelve questions to ask a Belfast builder before you sign anything, what a good answer sounds like, and the consumer protections that apply in NI.

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Outside 9 Jul 2026 · 7 min read

Block Paving vs Tarmac Driveways in Northern Ireland

Block paving costs £70 to £105 per m² in NI, tarmac £55 to £85. Here is the honest comparison on price, lifespan, repairs, drainage and our weather.

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Insulation 25 Jun 2026 · 8 min read

Loft Insulation in Northern Ireland - Depths, U-values and Savings

How deep loft insulation should be in NI, the U-value it gets you, and an honest calculation of what it saves on an oil-heated house. With the sums shown.

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Planning 4 Jun 2026 · 7 min read

Building Control in Northern Ireland - What Homeowners Need to Know

Building control in NI is run by your district council, not a private inspector. Here is how approval works, the notices you must give, and why it matters.

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Conversions 7 May 2026 · 7 min read

Loft Conversion Costs in Northern Ireland - 2026 Price Guide

Loft conversions in Northern Ireland cost £25,500 to £63,750 in 2026. Here is what each type costs, what decides whether your roof converts, and the rules.

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Extensions 5 Mar 2026 · 7 min read

How Much Does a House Extension Cost in Belfast in 2026?

What a single-storey extension actually costs in Belfast in 2026, with rates per square metre, a worked 25m² example and where every pound of it goes.

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Conversions 19 Feb 2026 · 6 min read

Garage Conversion Costs in Belfast 2026

A garage conversion in Belfast costs £7,500 to £18,000 in 2026. Here is the full breakdown, the three things that blow the budget, and the rules that apply.

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Next step

Know the number before you ring a builder

Reading is one thing. Put your own dimensions into a calculator, get a costed range with every line broken out, then ask three local builders to price the same specification.