In most cases, no. You can build a garden room without planning permission as long as it does not exceed 25 square metres and your garden retains at least 25 square metres of open space after the build. This is the standard exemption under Irish planning regulations. We build all of our garden rooms to comply with these exemptions by default.
The maximum size is 25 square metres (approximately 270 square feet). You must also leave a minimum of 25 square metres of uncovered garden space remaining after the build. If you are planning a house extension in the future, you should account for that space now, as both structures combined are measured against the exemption limit.
A garden room with a mono-pitch (flat or single-slope) roof can be built up to 3 metres in height. A pitched (slated or tiled) roof can go up to 4 metres. We design all of our standard garden rooms within these limits so you won’t need additional planning approval.
You can build close to the boundary, but there are two important rules. First, no window can be placed within 1 metre of your neighbour’s boundary. Second, if you build to the side of your property (rather than the rear), the structure must either be screened with fencing, hedging, or trees, or it must match the appearance of the front of your existing house.
Legally, you don’t need your neighbours’ permission or approval when building within the 25 sq. metre exemption. However, we always recommend letting them know as a courtesy — it avoids surprises and keeps good relationships. We can advise you on how to handle this conversation if needed.
It depends. If a shed or garage was included in the original planning permission for your home when it was built, it does not count against your 25 sq. metre exemption. However, a timber or block shed that was added later may use up part of your allowance. We’ll assess this during your free site survey.
Different rules apply to protected structures and Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs). In these cases, even smaller outbuildings may require planning permission. We recommend checking with your local council before proceeding, and we’re happy to advise based on your specific location.
Different rules apply to protected structures and Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs). In these cases, even smaller outbuildings may require planning permission. We recommend checking with your local council before proceeding, and we’re happy to advise based on your specific location.
Yes. Every garden room we build is designed and built to your exact specifications. We work with you from the initial consultation through to installation, tailoring the size, layout, cladding, windows, doors, interior finish, and purpose to suit your needs and garden.
We build garden rooms in a wide range of sizes, from compact 10 sq. metre studios to the maximum 25 sq. metre exemption limit and beyond (with planning permission where required). During your free site survey, we’ll help you determine the best size for your space and intended use.
Yes. All of our garden rooms are fully wired for electricity, sockets, lighting, and heating as standard. We design each room for year-round comfort, with our insulation specification ensuring the room retains heat efficiently and keeps running costs low.
We offer several external cladding options to suit different styles and budgets, including cedar cladding, pressure-treated larch, and pressure-treated shiplap. All options are weather-resistant and designed to perform in the Irish climate. We can also discuss composite cladding if required.
Yes, it’s possible to add a bathroom or wet room to a garden room. This requires connection to your existing drainage system and additional plumbing work. We’ll advise during the site survey on the feasibility and cost depending on your garden layout and proximity to existing drainage.
We offer fully sealed fibreglass roof finishes, OWL waterproofing systems, and torch-on felt, depending on your roof design. Our roofs include 100mm thermal and sound insulation, vapour barriers, and rigid insulation — built to last and keep you comfortable in all Irish weather conditions.
A garden room can be used as a guest retreat or occasional sleeping space. However, using it as a permanent separate dwelling or rental accommodation (e.g. Airbnb) may require planning permission, as this changes the legal use of the structure. We recommend checking with your local planning authority if rental use is your goal.
Most garden rooms take between 7 and 14 working days to complete from the first day on-site. Complex builds with bathrooms, landscaping, or unusually shaped gardens may take a little longer. We give you a clear timeline at the start of the project and keep you updated throughout.
Our process follows five stages: initial consultation and site survey, design and specification agreement, scheduling and ordering materials, construction on-site, and final handover and snagging. You’ll have a single point of contact throughout. View our full process here.
Yes, we offer a completely free site survey. A member of our team will visit your garden, assess the space, discuss your ideas, and advise on the best design and positioning for your garden room. We’ll also put you in touch with previous clients so you can hear about their experience first-hand.
We handle the full build from foundations to interior finish, including all carpentry, insulation, electrical work, plastering, and painting. If landscaping is required around the garden room, we can arrange that too — several of our past projects have included patio work and garden restoration after the build.
We take care to minimise disruption throughout the build. Our team works tidily, and all debris and waste materials are removed from the site at the end of the project. We restore the garden area around the room as part of our standard process.
Our garden rooms include 100mm thermal and sound insulation in both the walls and roof, plus an additional 50mm layer of rigid insulation behind the vapour barrier. The result is a room that’s warm in winter, cool in summer, and quiet enough for an office, gym, or music room.
We use solid concrete slab foundations, insulated from below to prevent cold bridging through the floor. This ensures the room is structurally sound, level, and thermally efficient from the ground up.
Yes. Our insulation specification and double-glazed windows and doors mean your garden room is comfortable in all seasons. With a small electric heater or underfloor heating, the room can be used 365 days a year without high running costs.
We fit double-glazed, powder-coated aluminium or uPVC windows and doors, selected to match your design preferences. Large sliding or bi-fold door options are available if you want to open up the room to the garden during warmer months.
With proper maintenance, a well-built garden room should last 25–30 years or more. Our use of high-quality cladding materials, fully sealed roofing systems, and treated timber frames ensures long-term structural integrity. The exterior cladding may require occasional treatment or painting depending on the material chosen.
Garden room pricing varies depending on size, specification, and features. As a general guide, a standard insulated garden room typically starts from around €15,000–€20,000, with larger or more customised builds ranging higher. Contact us for a detailed quote tailored to your exact requirements.
Our quotes are fully inclusive of design, groundwork and foundations, all construction and materials, electrical wiring, internal plastering and painting, and site clearance. There are no hidden costs — we agree everything upfront before work begins.
Please contact us directly to discuss payment options. We’re happy to work with you to structure payments in a way that suits your timeline and budget.
A high-quality, well-built garden room is widely regarded as a value-adding improvement to a property in Ireland. It increases usable square footage without requiring planning permission in most cases. Many estate agents view them positively, particularly when fitted out as a home office or guest suite.
A garden office is a fully insulated, wired, and finished room in your garden designed specifically for working from home. It provides a quiet, dedicated workspace separate from the main house — with its own lighting, heating, broadband connection, and as many power sockets as you need. See our garden office page.
Yes — a golf simulator room is one of our most popular builds. We design the room to your simulator’s specific requirements, including ceiling height, wall padding, screen mounting points, and projector placement. See our golf simulator room page.
Our garden gym rooms are built with reinforced flooring to handle heavy equipment, rubber matting options, mirrors, and appropriate lighting. We can design the layout around your specific equipment — whether that’s free weights, a treadmill, a spin bike, or a full functional training rig. See our home gym page.
Yes. We build beautiful garden guest rooms with comfortable interiors, lighting, and heating — and can add an en-suite bathroom if your drainage allows. These are perfect for visiting family or as a private retreat. See our guest room page.
We build garden rooms across all of Ireland, including Dublin, Meath, Louth, Wicklow, Kildare, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Kerry, and beyond. Contact us to confirm availability in your area and to arrange a free site survey.
We are based at 190A Iveragh Road, Whitehall, Dublin 9. You can reach us by phone at 087-677-9191 or by email at info@moderngardenrooms.ie.
Yes. We can arrange for you to visit a completed garden room with the homeowner’s permission, so you can see the quality and finish first-hand before committing. Many of our customers say this was the most reassuring step in their decision. Contact us to arrange a viewing.