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 and Ireland's Housing Crisis: Can Back-Garden Builds Help?

A Crisis Without Easy Answers

Ireland's housing crisis is well-documented. Supply has fallen short of demand for over a decade. Prices and rents continue to rise. Young people are leaving the country, or living with parents well into their thirties. Traditional construction alone has not been able to close the gap.

Into this context, the Irish Government has introduced the new exempted development regulations — and the potential is significant.

The Numbers

Think tank Progress Ireland has estimated that a "seomraí" (or granny flat) policy — allowing modular homes in back gardens — could unlock up to 350,000 small homes across the country.

That's not a projection for new developments on greenfield sites. That's existing gardens, in existing communities, with existing infrastructure — water, electricity, roads, schools, and shops already in place.

Even if a fraction of that potential is realised, the impact on housing supply could be transformative.

Why Modular Is Part of the Solution

Modular construction offers several advantages that make it ideally suited to addressing the housing crisis:

Speed

Modular builds can be completed 30–50% faster than traditional construction. A New Chapter home is factory-built and installed on-site in a matter of weeks, not months. This means more homes, delivered more quickly.

Cost Certainty

Factory-controlled construction means fixed specifications, fixed timelines, and far fewer on-site surprises. Homeowners know the price before work begins.

Quality

Built in a controlled factory environment, modular homes are not subject to weather delays or on-site construction variability. Every unit meets the same standard of finish, insulation, and structural integrity.

Sustainability

Modular construction generates less waste, uses materials more efficiently, and — because our homes meet NZEB standards — produces far lower carbon emissions over the building's lifetime.

The Back-Garden Opportunity

The genius of the back-garden approach is that it doesn't require new land. It uses the most underutilised resource in Irish housing: the suburban back garden.

For families with adult children who can't afford to rent, for elderly parents who want to downsize but stay close to family, for homeowners who want to generate rental income under the Rent-a-Room scheme — a modular home in the back garden is a practical, fast, and relatively affordable solution.

The Challenges

It's not a silver bullet. Concerns remain:

Tenant protections for rental units need to be clear
Building standards must be enforced — the exemption from planning must not mean exemption from quality
Neighbour impacts — overlooking, density, parking — need careful management
Infrastructure — some areas may not have the water or drainage capacity for additional dwellings

Our Role

At New Chapter Homes, we see ourselves as part of the solution. We build homes that are:

Fully Building Regulations compliant — every unit, every time
Fast to deliver — weeks, not months
Beautifully designed — not just functional, but genuinely desirable places to live
Energy-efficient — NZEB-compliant, BER A2 or better

We believe the back-garden exemption, done right, can make a real difference to Ireland's housing supply — without compromising on quality, safety, or community.

Note: The exemption rules described here are in force from 27 July 2026 under S.I. No. 340 of 2026. Always verify the current position with your local planning authority before proceeding, as conditions apply and individual circumstances vary. See our Planning Permission Ireland: The Complete 2026 Guide for the latest information.

Explore our models or talk to us about your project.