Serving Dublin — call now to check availability.
Deep Retrofit in Dublin
A deep retrofit upgrades your whole home at once, usually to a B2 BER or better. This guide explains what's involved, what it costs, how SEAI grants and One Stop Shops work, and what to check first.
Call now and we will connect you with a local insulation contractor.
- 📍 Coverage Area: Dublin
- 💶 Typical Cost: €40,000–€90,000+ before grants
- 🛠️ Response Type: Local vetted operators
- 🛡️ Standards: Certified & insured tradespeople
Related services and guides
[Insulation] in Dublin
Our vetted local tradespeople cover Dublin, ready to get your issue assessed and resolved as quickly as possible.
- Typical cost: €40,000–€90,000+ before grants
- How the One Stop Shop process works
- Heat pump readiness explained
- Realistic timelines and savings
Available Services Across Dublin
Browse trusted trade services across Dublin for urgent repairs, planned jobs and specialist work.
Fast Response
Quick access to the right service and local area coverage across Dublin.
Trusted Local Help
Reliable support for homeowners, landlords and businesses looking for the right contractor for the job.
What a deep retrofit involves
A deep retrofit treats the house as one system rather than a list of separate jobs. The aim is a warm, airtight, well-ventilated home that can be heated efficiently, usually with a heat pump.
Typical measures include:
- Attic, wall and sometimes floor insulation
- New windows and external doors
- Airtightness work to stop draughts
- Mechanical ventilation, such as demand-controlled or heat recovery ventilation
- A heat pump with suitable radiators or underfloor heating
- Often solar PV panels
The process, step by step:
- Home energy assessment. A detailed survey of your home's current performance and what it needs.
- Design and quotation. A plan of measures, the expected BER, and a fixed quote.
- Grant application. Through a One Stop Shop, the provider usually handles this for you.
- Works. Insulation and airtightness first, then windows, ventilation and heating.
- Post-works BER and grant claim. The new rating is published and the grant is paid.
What to check before you hire an insulation contractor
- Use an SEAI-registered One Stop Shop or registered contractors to protect your grant
- Don't sign contracts or start work before grant approval
- Ask for the expected post-works BER in writing
- Make sure ventilation is designed in, not added as an afterthought
- Ask how the heat pump will be sized for your home
- Check the guarantees on each measure
What a deep retrofit costs
Costs depend heavily on the starting point. A 1970s semi-detached house going from a D or E rating to B2 might look like this before grants:
| Measure | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Attic insulation and airtightness | €2,000–€5,000 |
| Wall insulation (cavity or external) | €3,000–€28,000 |
| Windows and doors | €8,000–€14,000 |
| Ventilation system | €3,000–€8,000 |
| Heat pump and radiator upgrades | €12,000–€20,000 |
| Solar PV (optional) | €6,000–€10,000 |
| Typical total before grants | €40,000–€90,000 |
SEAI grants can reduce this substantially for qualifying homes. Grant levels depend on the measures and the house type, so check seai.ie or ask a registered One Stop Shop for current figures.
Heat pumps, One Stop Shops and timelines
Heat pump readiness: why insulation comes first
A heat pump works best in a well-insulated, airtight home. SEAI's heat pump grant requires a technical assessment showing the home's heat loss is low enough, measured by the Heat Loss Indicator. That's why insulation and airtightness are done before the heat pump goes in.
One Stop Shop or separate contractors?
One Stop Shop: an SEAI-registered provider manages everything from assessment to final BER, applies for grants on your behalf, and the grant is deducted from your bill. It's simpler, with one point of contact.
Individual grants: you hire contractors for each measure and apply for each grant yourself. It can cost less, but you coordinate the trades and the paperwork.
Timeline and savings
From assessment to completion usually takes three to six months, with one to three months of work on site. Results vary, but moving from a D or E rating to B2 typically makes a home far warmer and can substantially reduce energy use. The advisory report from your assessment gives an estimate for your home.
We cover deep retrofit in every area below. Choose your district for local information.
| District | Areas covered |
|---|---|
| North Dublin City | Artane, Cabra, Clontarf, Coolock, Drumcondra, East Wall, Fairview, Glasnevin, Phibsborough, Stoneybatter |
| Dublin North Coast | Raheny, Baldoyle, Donaghmede, Howth, Sutton, Portmarnock, Malahide |
| North County Dublin | Swords, Lusk, Rush, Skerries |
| Dublin 15 | Blanchardstown, Castleknock, Mulhuddart, Ongar, Hansfield, Ashtown |
| West Dublin & Leixlip | Chapelizod, Palmerstown, Lucan, Leixlip, Adamstown, Clondalkin |
| South West Dublin | Tallaght, Citywest, Firhouse, Knocklyon, Ballyboden, Templeogue, Walkinstown, Kimmage, Rathfarnham, Terenure |
| South Dublin City | Ballsbridge, Donnybrook, Sandymount, Ranelagh, Rathgar, Harold's Cross, Churchtown, Dundrum |
| Dún Laoghaire & South Coast | Blackrock, Booterstown, Monkstown, Dún Laoghaire, Dalkey, Killiney |
| Stillorgan, Sandyford & Foxrock | Mount Merrion, Stillorgan, Goatstown, Sandyford, Cherrywood, Cabinteely, Foxrock, Deansgrange |
Related insulation services:
Get help with deep retrofit
Tell us about the project, your area and your timeline, and we will come back to you.
[Insulation] areas we cover across Dublin:
Quick Operations Navigation:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a deep retrofit?
A whole-house energy upgrade, usually to a B2 BER or better, combining insulation, airtightness, ventilation, new windows and a heat pump.
How much does a deep retrofit cost in Dublin?
Typically €40,000–€90,000+ before grants, depending on the house and its starting point. Grants can reduce this significantly for qualifying homes.
What is a One Stop Shop?
An SEAI-registered provider that manages the whole retrofit, from assessment and grant application to the works and final BER.
Can I get a heat pump without insulating first?
Usually not with a grant. SEAI requires a technical assessment showing the home's heat loss is low enough, which normally means insulating first.
Can I stay in my home during a deep retrofit?
Often, yes, though external insulation, window replacement and heating changes cause disruption. Internal insulation work is more intrusive.
Can I do a retrofit in stages?
Yes. Many people insulate first and add the heat pump later. A roadmap from your energy assessment helps you do it in the right order.
How Emergency Trade Works
Emergency Trade connects you with independent, vetted local tradespeople across Dublin and the rest of Dublin. Before any work starts, ask for a written quote and check the right registration for the job: RGII for gas work and Safe Electric for electrical work.