How much does a modular home cost in Ireland?

Modular homes in Ireland from New Chapter Homes start from approximately €45,000 depending on the model and specification. Our Chapter One, Two and Three series offer different sizes and finishes to suit a range of budgets.

Do modular homes in Ireland need planning permission?

Planning requirements depend on the proposed use, size, location and circumstances of the property. A permanent modular home used as a dwelling generally requires planning permission. Certain developments may qualify for an exemption, subject to all applicable conditions. Customers should obtain site-specific advice from their local authority or planning professional.

How long does it take to build a modular home?

Modular homes from New Chapter Homes are typically manufactured within 8–12 weeks (indicative) and installed on site within a few days, depending on groundworks, site preparation, planning, and specification.

Do you supply garden rooms in Kildare?

Yes, New Chapter Homes is based in Naas, Co. Kildare and supplies garden rooms, garden studios and modular buildings across Kildare and nationwide.

Can I finance a modular home in Ireland?

Indicative finance options may be available from €200 per week (subject to status and lender approval) through our finance partners, with deposits from 10% and indicative approval timelines of 48–72 hours. Self-employed applicants are welcome. First-time buyers may also qualify for the Help-to-Buy grant (subject to scheme eligibility). Indicative prices cover the turnkey building, delivery and installation; site-specific works are assessed after the site survey and identified separately in the written quotation.

What is the difference between a modular home and a prefab home in Ireland?

Modular homes and prefab homes are often used interchangeably in Ireland. Both are built in a factory and transported to site. New Chapter modular homes are fully fitted — including kitchen, bathroom, plumbing, and electrical fit-out — and are built to the same building regulations (BCAR, Part L, Part B) as traditional homes, with an A-rated BER certificate.

Are modular homes energy efficient in Ireland?

New Chapter modular homes are designed for A-rated BER performance, with premium insulation, heat pump heating, and airtight construction. Actual BER performance depends on final specification and is confirmed on completion. Actual energy savings depend on usage, specification and the property being compared.

Can I put a modular home in my garden in Ireland?

Planning requirements depend on the proposed use, size, location and circumstances of the property. A permanent modular home used as a dwelling generally requires planning permission. Certain smaller garden structures may qualify for an exemption, subject to all applicable conditions. Customers should obtain site-specific advice from their local authority or planning professional.

How long does it take to install a modular home in Ireland?

A New Chapter modular home is typically manufactured in our factory in approximately 8–12 weeks (indicative), then installed on your site within 1–2 days using a crane. The total timeline from order to handover is typically 10–16 weeks (indicative), depending on site preparation, planning, and specification.

Do Irish banks give mortgages on modular homes?

Modular homes built to building regulations and appropriately certified may be mortgageable, subject to individual lender criteria. We can advise on what lenders typically require and introduce you to finance partners. Indicative finance options may also be available from €200/week (subject to status and lender approval).

Do you build modular homes in Kildare?

Yes. New Chapter Homes is based in Naas, County Kildare, and builds luxury modular homes, sustainable garden pods and affordable housing across all of Kildare — including Naas, Newbridge, Kildare Town, Maynooth, Athy, Leixlip, Celbridge, Kilcock, Kilcullen, Johnstown, Sallins, Clane and everywhere in between. Our display village in Johnstown, Naas is coming soon — register your interest to be notified when it opens.

Do you build modular homes in Dublin?

Yes. New Chapter Homes designs, manufactures and installs luxury modular homes, sustainable garden pods and affordable housing across Dublin city and county — including Rathcoole, Clondalkin, Tallaght, Lucan, Blanchardstown, Swords, Malahide, Howth, Dun Laoghaire, Blackrock, Stillorgan, Dundrum, Rathfarnham, Castleknock, Clontarf and every area in between. A-rated, fully fitted homes from €45,000 (€200/week), installed in 6–10 weeks.

How much does a modular home cost in Kildare or Dublin?

Modular homes in Kildare and Dublin start from €45,000 for our Chapter Three compact home, with our two-bedroom Chapter One from €80,000 and bespoke family homes from €220,000. Indicative prices cover the fully fitted interior, delivery, installation, and certification. Indicative finance options may be available from €200/week (subject to status). Foundations, groundworks, service connections and other site-specific works are assessed after the site survey and identified separately in the written quotation.

Can I get a garden room in Kildare or Dublin without planning permission?

Planning requirements depend on the proposed use, size, location and circumstances of the property. Certain garden rooms and smaller modular units may qualify for an exemption, subject to all applicable conditions. Customers should obtain site-specific advice from their local authority or planning professional. New Chapter Homes can advise on your specific site in Kildare or Dublin — contact us for a free assessment.

Modular Homes Fire Safety Regulations Ireland 2025: Part B Compliance

Fire Safety Standards for Modular Homes in Ireland

There is a common misconception that modular or prefabricated homes have lower fire safety standards than traditional builds. This is completely false. Every modular home in Ireland must comply with Part B (Fire Safety) of the Building Regulations — the same standard applied to block-and-mortar houses.

Part B: What It Requires

Part B of the Irish Building Regulations covers five key areas:

1. Fire Resistance

30-minute fire resistance for structural elements in standard residential dwellings.
60-minute fire resistance for two-storey homes and larger structures.
Fire-resistant plasterboard, fire-stopped cavities, and protected escape routes.

2. Means of Escape

All habitable rooms must have a direct or protected route to a final exit door.
Upper-floor bedrooms must have an escape window (minimum 450mm x 750mm) or a protected stairway.
Travel distances to exits must not exceed statutory maximums.

3. Fire Detection and Alarm

Mains-wired smoke detectors with battery backup in all circulation spaces.
Heat detectors in kitchens.
Interlinked alarms — if one goes off, they all go off.
Since 2025, all new builds must use tamper-proof, sealed 10-year batteries for any battery-backed alarms.

4. Internal Fire Spread

Fire doors (FD30 minimum) on protected escape routes.
Fire-stopped service penetrations (pipes, cables through walls/floors).
Cavity barriers in wall and floor voids.

5. External Fire Spread

Minimum distances between buildings (or fire-rated boundary walls).
Roof coverings with adequate external fire performance.

Why Modular Construction Improves Fire Safety

Factory-built modular homes often achieve better fire safety outcomes than site-built homes because:

Consistent fire-stopping — installed in controlled factory conditions, not rushed on site.
Documented inspection — every fire-stopping detail is inspected and photographed during manufacturing.
No weather damage — fire-resistant materials aren't compromised by rain or moisture during construction.
Precise compartmentation — factory tolerances are tighter, meaning fewer gaps to fire-stop.

Fire Safety for Garden Pods

Even if your garden pod is exempt from planning permission (under the 25m² rule), it must still comply with building regulations, including fire safety. A pod used for sleeping must have:

A clear escape route.
Mains-wired or interlinked wireless smoke detection.
Appropriate fire resistance for its use.

Our Chapter Two garden pods are designed with these requirements as standard.

Commercial Use: Higher Standards

If you plan to use a modular pod for commercial purposes (holiday letting, office, retail), the fire safety requirements are higher:

Commercial fire risk assessment required.
Higher occupancy means more escape routes and wider doors.
Fire extinguishers and emergency lighting may be needed.

We design commercial-spec pods to meet these standards when required.

Certification at Handover

When we hand over your New Chapter home, you receive a fire safety compliance pack documenting all Part B requirements — fire resistance details, detector specifications, escape route calculations, and cavity barrier placement.

Explore New Chapter Homes

Garden Pods Ireland — Garden pods and garden rooms
Planning Guide — Planning permission and exemptions explained
Get in Touch — Book a free site survey today